Broken opti rotor!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
Broken opti rotor!
My opti went south! I opened it and found out that the rotor was destroyed ! 
Seems like the metal part got loose and crashed into one of the optispark cap wall.
Is this a comon issue? The optispark had about 200 miles on it.
How can I prevent it from happening again, optis are expensive and instalation is really time consuming.
1994 Corvette, 6 speed transmission, stock.
Seems like the metal part got loose and crashed into one of the optispark cap wall.
Is this a comon issue? The optispark had about 200 miles on it.
How can I prevent it from happening again, optis are expensive and instalation is really time consuming.
1994 Corvette, 6 speed transmission, stock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
No it is not common for this to happen.If you go above 6000rpm they may fail did you over rev it? There are onlt 2 upgrades available. One is the Dynaspark( I have one) that is a better opti all around or you can go with a Delteq/ Ltcc system that eliminates the rotor of the opti and only uses the optical pickup.Dynaspark is $500 Delteq/LTCC set up is around $600.
I would be concerned as to why it failed. There could be other issues that need resolved underneath the timing cover.Try to find another forum member near you to give you some help and advice on this. Good luck.
I would be concerned as to why it failed. There could be other issues that need resolved underneath the timing cover.Try to find another forum member near you to give you some help and advice on this. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
I am very confused. 
. If the rotor failed it can happen again. So what is your advise: go for a Dynaspark which is supposed to be bulletproof or Delteq that only uses the optical part without using the cap and rotor.
I understand Dynaspark uses OEM cap and rotor, so that would be a loose end.
I did not understand very much the solution using washers. I imagine that this would cause the cap to leave a space that would cause water to get into the optispark with ease! . Please let me know if Dynaspark is the way to go. After all the OEM Opti was new!
I love the car but really hate the opti, I am sure a lot of owners would like to kick the Vette staff involved in the opti creation!
. If the rotor failed it can happen again. So what is your advise: go for a Dynaspark which is supposed to be bulletproof or Delteq that only uses the optical part without using the cap and rotor.I understand Dynaspark uses OEM cap and rotor, so that would be a loose end.
I did not understand very much the solution using washers. I imagine that this would cause the cap to leave a space that would cause water to get into the optispark with ease!
. Please let me know if Dynaspark is the way to go. After all the OEM Opti was new!I love the car but really hate the opti, I am sure a lot of owners would like to kick the Vette staff involved in the opti creation!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I can only provide the info it is up to you to make a choice.I like the dynaspark others like the delteq. I really would want to know why it happened first before I replaced it myself.Dynasparks are not totally bullet proof but mutch better than stock.
When you took it apart did the screws come loose or did the rotor break? If they came loose you may want to try just a cap and rotor with the Loctite on the screws.If it happens again them I would upgrade but only after finding out why. Another forum member is having some issues with both Opti and Dynaspark failure in his case it seems to be something behind the timing cover killing them.
Yes there are lotsa C4 owners that would like to meet the Opti engineers in a dark alley somewhere . Good Luck 
When you took it apart did the screws come loose or did the rotor break? If they came loose you may want to try just a cap and rotor with the Loctite on the screws.If it happens again them I would upgrade but only after finding out why. Another forum member is having some issues with both Opti and Dynaspark failure in his case it seems to be something behind the timing cover killing them.
Yes there are lotsa C4 owners that would like to meet the Opti engineers in a dark alley somewhere
. Good Luck
Last edited by Redeasysport; Jul 14, 2005 at 02:23 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 686
Likes: 62
From: San Jose Ca
Originally Posted by Red Rocket
Loctite the screws holding the rotor. Add washers to the opti cover screws for more space between the cover and rotor. No problems since doing this.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
Well, when I opened the opti, I found that the rotor was broken from the back part and the metal parts that are used to transfer the spark where loose, and one was embedded in the rotor cap. By the way, the rotor is perfectly installed with the two screws. I t was the top that broke and even damaged the rotor cap.
At the time the failure occured I was at full throttle and the engine stopped working suddenly. I understand that if I over revved the engine it has a limiter so no engine damage is caused, right?
Could vibration from a balancer cause the rotor to be destroyed?
Maybe Delteq is the way to go, because the rotor is what failed.
At the time the failure occured I was at full throttle and the engine stopped working suddenly. I understand that if I over revved the engine it has a limiter so no engine damage is caused, right?
Could vibration from a balancer cause the rotor to be destroyed?
Maybe Delteq is the way to go, because the rotor is what failed.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Kinkajou
Well, when I opened the opti, I found that the rotor was broken from the back part and the metal parts that are used to transfer the spark where loose, and one was embedded in the rotor cap. By the way, the rotor is perfectly installed with the two screws. I t was the top that broke and even damaged the rotor cap.
At the time the failure occured I was at full throttle and the engine stopped working suddenly. I understand that if I over revved the engine it has a limiter so no engine damage is caused, right?
Could vibration from a balancer cause the rotor to be destroyed?
Maybe Delteq is the way to go, because the rotor is what failed.
At the time the failure occured I was at full throttle and the engine stopped working suddenly. I understand that if I over revved the engine it has a limiter so no engine damage is caused, right?
Could vibration from a balancer cause the rotor to be destroyed?
Maybe Delteq is the way to go, because the rotor is what failed.
Remember to RTV the cap and plug area when re assembling. PM Bogus about his setup he is very knowledgable on the Delteq/LTCC setups.
Good Luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 9
From: N.E. WA
I had the same thing happen to me. My car is definately modified though, and I believe that my cam pin was to long for the newer style opti and it was putting pressure on it and causing some vibration. I wouldn't think that this is a "common" issue, especially on stock cars. Good luck!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
As for the rotor, MSD does make one, now, as far as I know, whether it will deal ok with RPM is another question.
I would not use a DynaSpark, simply because it uses the GM rotor, so if GM rotors are blowing up, why bother?
Your two best options are:
DelTeq - www.delteq.com
or
LTCC - www.bailey-eng.com/LTCC.html
They will bypass the use of high voltage, eliminating the rotor.
Also, when getting GM parts, try contacting Chris May at Superior Chevy, in Kansas, 1.800.728.8267. I don't know about exporting to Mexico, but it should be cheaper then what you are paying now.
I hope this helps.
I would not use a DynaSpark, simply because it uses the GM rotor, so if GM rotors are blowing up, why bother?
Your two best options are:
DelTeq - www.delteq.com
or
LTCC - www.bailey-eng.com/LTCC.html
They will bypass the use of high voltage, eliminating the rotor.
Also, when getting GM parts, try contacting Chris May at Superior Chevy, in Kansas, 1.800.728.8267. I don't know about exporting to Mexico, but it should be cheaper then what you are paying now.
I hope this helps.
