HEI conversion to replace the optispark?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 2,144
From: Schaller Iowa
HEI conversion to replace the optispark?
I was reading a thread today that turned into a...."spirited debate" concerning self help C4 how-to videos and of course the Optispark got drug into it, or rather one member's hatred of the system. Then I remembered something......
I did the Hot Rod Power Tour back in '11 or '12 driving and enjoying my LT-1 '94. At one of the venues the subject of the opti ignition came up and a guy we were talking with mentioned a shop (I don't recall where it was) that was working on or trying to mod an intake for the LT-1 that utilizes a standard HEI distributer setup.
Has anyone heard if this amounted to anything or is there currently someone out there that's looking into this? My car's running fine at 64K miles and so far so good, but that other thread got me thinking about what I was told those many years ago and my curiosity is peaked.
I did the Hot Rod Power Tour back in '11 or '12 driving and enjoying my LT-1 '94. At one of the venues the subject of the opti ignition came up and a guy we were talking with mentioned a shop (I don't recall where it was) that was working on or trying to mod an intake for the LT-1 that utilizes a standard HEI distributer setup.
Has anyone heard if this amounted to anything or is there currently someone out there that's looking into this? My car's running fine at 64K miles and so far so good, but that other thread got me thinking about what I was told those many years ago and my curiosity is peaked.
Last edited by astepup; Jul 9, 2020 at 01:33 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Someone did it; they basically machined a flange on an HEI shaft that would support the disc, then they made a corresponding mount for the optical sensor. I think no one bought it, and it faded away.
This however, is the plan that I intend to follow when I build a 400 for my '92. Rather than do a big stroker, I want the big bore (and more stroke too) of the 400, so my plan is to use a 400 block, decent heads, Miniram, and an HEI distributor converted w/"Opti" internals. Cap the heads w/center bold 'Vette valve covers and it will be a pretty stealthy SBC 400 "LT1".
This however, is the plan that I intend to follow when I build a 400 for my '92. Rather than do a big stroker, I want the big bore (and more stroke too) of the 400, so my plan is to use a 400 block, decent heads, Miniram, and an HEI distributor converted w/"Opti" internals. Cap the heads w/center bold 'Vette valve covers and it will be a pretty stealthy SBC 400 "LT1".
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
Plenty of alternatives out there if you're truly that paranoid about the optispark, so not a big deal if this one particular HEI conversion was just an artifact of its era and lost to time. I just don't think it's that big of an issue.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 411
Likes: 97
From: Las Vegas
Someone did it; they basically machined a flange on an HEI shaft that would support the disc, then they made a corresponding mount for the optical sensor. I think no one bought it, and it faded away.
This however, is the plan that I intend to follow when I build a 400 for my '92. Rather than do a big stroker, I want the big bore (and more stroke too) of the 400, so my plan is to use a 400 block, decent heads, Miniram, and an HEI distributor converted w/"Opti" internals. Cap the heads w/center bold 'Vette valve covers and it will be a pretty stealthy SBC 400 "LT1".
This however, is the plan that I intend to follow when I build a 400 for my '92. Rather than do a big stroker, I want the big bore (and more stroke too) of the 400, so my plan is to use a 400 block, decent heads, Miniram, and an HEI distributor converted w/"Opti" internals. Cap the heads w/center bold 'Vette valve covers and it will be a pretty stealthy SBC 400 "LT1".
Also, youtube of the high-res wheel conversion:
Last edited by jayjones; Jul 9, 2020 at 10:00 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
NICE FIND!!!....on the YT vid! 
Well...it's a matter of money/time/priorities. The Kart has consumed a lot (mostly time) for a while, but in the mean time, I've gathered the following:
*400 virgin block
*Miniram assy/TB
*Roller cam
*Roller rockers
*Oil pan
*ARH Headers
So...I have a ways to go.
Well...it's a matter of money/time/priorities. The Kart has consumed a lot (mostly time) for a while, but in the mean time, I've gathered the following:
*400 virgin block
*Miniram assy/TB
*Roller cam
*Roller rockers
*Oil pan
*ARH Headers
So...I have a ways to go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
NICE FIND!!!....on the YT vid!
Well...it's a matter of money/time/priorities. The Kart has consumed a lot (mostly time) for a while, but in the mean time, I've gathered the following:
*400 virgin block
*Miniram assy/TB
*Roller cam
*Roller rockers
*Oil pan
*ARH Headers
So...I have a ways to go.
Well...it's a matter of money/time/priorities. The Kart has consumed a lot (mostly time) for a while, but in the mean time, I've gathered the following:
*400 virgin block
*Miniram assy/TB
*Roller cam
*Roller rockers
*Oil pan
*ARH Headers
So...I have a ways to go.
Those are some nice parts by the way.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Damn....yeah for 800 I'd seriously think about a Dart block too.
....but then I wake up and realize that I likely won't be building an engine that will give the stock block a hard time, anyway.
....but then I wake up and realize that I likely won't be building an engine that will give the stock block a hard time, anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
Yea they're good out to like 450 or so I've been told. They tend to crack like the Windsor ones at some point.
When I was thinking 427 I was thinking around 550-600 horsepower. (Building it to sell probably. I don't think a CFI could support that power. There isn't an injector large enough to flow that.)
When I was thinking 427 I was thinking around 550-600 horsepower. (Building it to sell probably. I don't think a CFI could support that power. There isn't an injector large enough to flow that.)
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