Optispark alternatives?
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Walcott ND
Optispark alternatives?
I just recently replaced my opti and was thinkin about getting a Delteq system eventually. After replacing my opti though I don't think I will, the bearing was shot in my opti so with a Delteq I'd still have to replace the opti for the signal it receives. Dynaspark sounds like it might be a better alternative but still is behind the water pump and will eventually wear out. Does anyone know of a coil pack system that will work w/o having to use the signal from the opti? Where do LS1's get the signals it needs for it's ignition, would it be possible to swap an LS1's ignition into an LT1? Thanks all..
Jesse
Jesse
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Charleston SC
THere are very few options for us and at this point they all envove the opti portion.
Check with DELTEQ they may have the opti portion complete and if so it will be an entire replacement but it will still be under the WP. (I Spoke with him about three months ago and they where close)
The choices that I can think of are:
DELTEQ (Removes high voltage side (Cap/Rotor but still uses low res side of Opti
LTCC (Simmilar to Delteq still uses low res side of Opti)
DanaSpark Beefed up version of the Opti, nice construction
Installing a MSD crab cap distributor in the rear to act as the cap/Rotor
Still uses the low res side and envloves hacking up the intake, I would never use this but it has been done and is an option.
Check with DELTEQ they may have the opti portion complete and if so it will be an entire replacement but it will still be under the WP. (I Spoke with him about three months ago and they where close)
The choices that I can think of are:
DELTEQ (Removes high voltage side (Cap/Rotor but still uses low res side of Opti
LTCC (Simmilar to Delteq still uses low res side of Opti)
DanaSpark Beefed up version of the Opti, nice construction
Installing a MSD crab cap distributor in the rear to act as the cap/Rotor
Still uses the low res side and envloves hacking up the intake, I would never use this but it has been done and is an option.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Walcott ND
Yeah, I just read a post here http://lt1tech.com/cgi-bin/ultimateb...c;f=4;t=000297 on the standard distributor conversion, sounds like a lot of work and I'd still rather go with coil pack ignition. Never have to worry about cap and rotors then and them wearing out.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 210
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From: Helotes TX
I just went through this last month, including trying to use a reman unit. After considering all the alternatives I felt the best choice was the Dynaspark. The simple reason being is that all the DI units still need a signal from the Opti. Currently, since the Opti is the basis for any LT1 ignition system and I felt I needed to put in the best Opti unit I could find and that was the Dynaspark. Since I installed it the car has runn fine with no problems. Remember, by using it you now have an ultra reliable, waterproof unit. Unless you are running in excess of 6800rpm this is probably the best choice.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 66
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From: Vacaville CA
delteq
the guy i brought the vette of just replaced the opti unit and waterpump and all that for a cost of $1200 at the dealer just 3k miles ago, i installed the delteq and noticed instant power and responce better idle, and better gas mileage, its worth it, and it cost me only $400 for everything 
and has been running perfect for over 4 months, and i used to have a starting issue thats gone now...but maybe that the bosch plugs and it looks pretty cool
http://photobucket.com/albums/y126/e...orvette003.jpg
and has been running perfect for over 4 months, and i used to have a starting issue thats gone now...but maybe that the bosch plugs and it looks pretty coolhttp://photobucket.com/albums/y126/e...orvette003.jpg
Last edited by ericdiver; May 14, 2005 at 03:23 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Helotes TX
Originally Posted by ericdiver
the guy i brought the vette of just replaced the opti unit and waterpump and all that for a cost of $1200 at the dealer just 3k miles ago, i installed the delteq and noticed instant power and responce better idle, and better gas mileage, its worth it, and it cost me only $400 for everything and has been running perfect for over 4 months, and i used to have a starting issue thats gone now...but maybe that the bosch plugs and it looks pretty cool
http://photobucket.com/albums/y126/e...orvette003.jpg
and has been running perfect for over 4 months, and i used to have a starting issue thats gone now...but maybe that the bosch plugs and it looks pretty coolhttp://photobucket.com/albums/y126/e...orvette003.jpg
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 66
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From: Vacaville CA
$400 is a deal
Ya i moved to vacaville in the last 2 years, I am a Novato High School Hornet....but anyway I called the people direct at Delteq and they happen to have a slightly used one they sold me for $300 just get the barebones kit, then I went on ebay on got coils and mod pack (same as northstar motor) for $30 and 8.8mm yellow accel wires at kragen for $50 and that how i did it.....
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville CA
$400 is a deal
Ya i moved to vacaville in the last 2 years, I am a Novato High School Hornet....but anyway I called the people direct at Delteq and they happen to have a slightly used one they sold me for $300 just get the barebones kit, then I went on ebay on got coils and mod pack (same as northstar motor) for $30 and 8.8mm yellow accel wires at kragen for $50 and thats how i did it..... 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by comp
MSD have a system ???? crank-trigger?
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,910
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From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
the LS1 uses a ring on the crank.. crank-trigger system. I think MSD makes an aftermarket system for hot rods or people with a carb that want to go LS1 injection. I read something about this in the C3 section or on www.corvettefaq.com the other day.
I have a dynaspark on my car. No problems as of yet. If the dyna ever went out i would go with LTCC.
MSD also makes a New cap and rotor for the GM optispark. Not sure if anyone here is using it.
hope this helps
I have a dynaspark on my car. No problems as of yet. If the dyna ever went out i would go with LTCC.
MSD also makes a New cap and rotor for the GM optispark. Not sure if anyone here is using it.
hope this helps
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 66
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From: Walcott ND
Cool, thanks for all the feedback, hopefully I don't have to replace mine again for a long time though. I got mine from autozone, had to buy the cap and rotor and the distributor seperately, almost ran me $300. I have a '93, it seems the non-vented sell for more for some reason, probably not as many around or something. I thought it was kinda strange though it seems they vented the distributor and cap and rotor I got from them. There was 4 small holes on the back of the distributor near the bottom and an extra plug on the bottom of the cap, I ran a hose from it so if anything got in it would drain. Hopefully this venting helps it last longer.
