I have got some great advise on shopping for a corvette, and the more I research the more I find that the optispark is very problematic. should I consider buying one with the LT1 or avoid this particular set up? :confused:

 

While there is a problem with the optispark you should be aware of, I believe you will find that the later C4 models had all but worked out the problem.

 

I had an optispark problem that came with the car unbeknown to me. It died
29 days after I bought it. Only the cap needed replacment. The car (93 vette)
was still worth it. If I had it to do over, I still would have bought the car.
You can have trouble with 95's & 96's too. The problem wasn't cured.

 

don't worry about the opti.

it is a normal maintenance item. akin to a timing belt in a Honda.

If you are adept at mechanical work, you should be able to do it yourself.

They are not prone to strand you, unless they get soaked, but that will affect every conventional distributor.

The later ones can last upwards of 100k miles (or more) the earlier ones are good for, at most, about 80k miles. for both situations, that is dependant on little or no water getting in, and no coolant... antifreeze is the real killer of the opti... not water... coolant is corrosive, and will eat the bearing inside all to pieces.

In the real world, expect an earlier opti to fail before 70k... I simply replace mine at 60k intervals... then I know I don't have to worry about it...

the real weakness is not the opti as much as the waterpump. the pump is located directly above the opti... as such, whatever drips out of the pump drips on to the opti. those life spans are more in line with the waterpump!

but since your in there... might as well replace it all.

the next time I do mine, I am going to update the engine to LT4 configuration. timing gear, chain, front cover, opti, waterpump... all of it... also gonna do rolling rockers, springs and retainers, plus, hardend pushrods.

whew... it will be done, tho!

 

Bogus you ought not lead the man on like that ........ "whew... it will be done, tho!"......you know better.

It's NEVER done!

:nono: :seeya

 

OPTICRAP..... in 92's

My 92 eats them like they are hot fudge sundaes! :lol:

 

My '93 is still on the original Opti and pump at 128,000 miles! :cheers: Don't jinx me!!! Or did i already!? :lol:

 

The posts are right but the symptoms do vary. My 92 had a slight miss at idle and I was getting a popping sound out the exhaust. It does appear that temperature will affect it if it is ready to go out. I got a total of 36,500 miles on it ...but it was 10 yrs old. Go figure.

 

*shakes head no....* Nope...not gonna get me started on optispark versus HEI....

Good luck dood!!! :blueangel:

 

My first water pump went out at 11,000 miles and now I have 65,000 miles on the 2nd one. I can open the hood now and I am starting to see the tale tale signs of moisture on the underside of the hood right above the pulley.. That was the first sign when my 1st waterpump went out. Apparently the water drips out the weep hole and gets on the belt which in turns throws up minute amounts on the underside of the hood. The 2nd sign is when you start seeing some on the ground below the waterpump. This hasn't occurred yet on the 2nd pump but I am getting ready to replace it. I was thinking of replacing the Opti this time but I think I am gonna wait to see how long it will last. It may give me another 40,000 miles if the 100,000 est is right. :yesnod:

My question is , why doesn't someone make a better water pump for these corvettes...? I mean there are lots of aftermarket companies, does anyone make a more bullet proof pump? Is the electric pump better?

If I don't get any answers here I think I will make a new thread about this...

Thanks in Advance,

Boots

 

Converting to an electric pump eliminates the weep hole problem. That will be my fist maor mod. I just have to find the time to get the wife to turn loose of the money. I will replace the opti cap too at that time. I have 115000 on mine and I do not think anything has been done to it.

Ron

 

Keep in mind, it's not just Corvettes that have the Opti spark, but any car with the LT1: Camaro and Firebird, Impala SS, Caprice, Buick Roadmaster...have I left any out?

Don't get hung up on it. It's not that bad.

 

I agree with bogus, but I would add one thing. The weakness of the early opti (92-94) is the seals. When they get hot they shrink, get hard and brittle (maybe Morton-Thiokol supplies them!). Then the leaking coolant can work it's way in and do its dirty deeds on the bearings, contacts and sensors.

Most go 60K-90K miles. A few don't.

Besides, it's the one valid criticism the L98 guys can make, so we let'm :D


[Modified by John Row, 5:18 PM 11/25/2002]