As many of you know, 'Vette magazine did a test of an LT-1 to LT-4 conversion kit. Initially, they didn't see the HP increase that is claimed by GM Performance Parts, the creator of the upgrade kit. In seeking the cause of this, they eventually replaced the stock OptiSpark with a DynaSpark unit, and suddenly all was well.

Naturally, the problem was found while the car was on the dyno at DynoTech, who also happens to be the supplier of this distributor. Now I realize that DynoTech is a supporting vendor of this forum, and I'm not trying to take a "cheap shot" at them, since we all know that the Opti certainly has it's share of shortcomings.

The magazine people stated that their "test car" had only 24,000 miles on it prior to the LT-4 kit installation, and they also installed new plugs, wires, and a distributor cap. They also said that under "normal" driving, the car performed well. Is it possible for the Opti to have deteriorated in such a short time?

For any of you that have switched to a DynaSpark, assuming that your OE unit was functioning well, did you notice a significant difference in performance? In other words, was it $600 well spent? My '96 LT-1, with 60,000 miles, runs well under "normal" driving. I replaced the distributor cap and rotor 2 years ago. If I would see a significant performance improvement, I'd probably go for the DynaSpark, but as I'm sure you'd all agree, $600 is more than just pocket change.

Thanks in advance for any input you can provide....

 

I can't see how a distributer can improve hp. Either you're getting enough spark to ignite the fuel/air mixture or you're not.

I can see improvements in reliability and longevity, but that's it. Since there is no timing adjustment on an LT1 it's not like you could have a more accurate spark or anything. If you're getting weak spark it's pretty obvious, the car will run poorly.

Just my thoughts...I've done 3 opti's so far.

 

I have a dynaspark on my 94 LT-1, it didn't add power. I had to replace my optispark only because a mechanic drained my water pump on it while installing a Meziere. I guess it gives me peace of mind at best.

 

I had some problems befor with the opti, I even bought one new and it only lasted 200 miles and the rotor blew up. I did some minor modifications on that opti and there is a little chance that when routing the vaccumm hoses I did it wrong and might have caused premature failure.

Well, after a lot of searching I concluded that I would not invest another $350 plus shipping for a new OEM opti.
I did install a Dynaspark and this is what I have found for now:
1.It is a very nice manufactured Optispark with some modifications.
2. I installed it without making significant modifications ( just routing and installing vaccumm hoses )
3. I started the car without any hesitation with a great idle.
4. It will run perfectly in all rpm range , again without hesitation.

It is very early for me to talk about reliability, but for now I could not be happier.
As for increase of hp, I agree that a distributor will not produce more horsepower but it can reall make it a really unreliable ride. I forgot to tell you, I live in Mexico city, we have very high altitude, about 2300 mts above sea level, and as you know at that altitude cars tend to be slower and performance issues are real.
The car really feels perfect. And I do not have to worry that much about rain anymore.

It really worked for me and as for the price it seems right for a well built unit, not improvised, consider that an OEM in Mexico will run you about $900 US dlls and if you want GM to install it it will run you for about $2500. So as you see I can really see that $600 is a bargain if you can install it correctly yourself.

 

I agree with all of the replies so far. A DynaSpark is not likely to be able to produce any more HP than an OEM optispark, although you might be able to rev it a bit higher without having a rotor failure.

I dropped $600 on a DynaSpark, and yes, I feel it was $ well spent. Not because of any performance increase, but because of what I believe to be significantly increased odds that it'll outlast any OEM unit. I don't worry about leaking water pumps, or getting it wet if I hose down the engine. In fact, I don't worry about it at all anymore.

Be well,

SJW

 

Like almost anything, there can be new or almost new parts that fail. Just because it was replaced with a new unit doesn't mean the "old" one should have failed, or should not have failed. There are no such things as fail safe parts, even by the best of mfrs. That an opti failed at 24K miles, it could be so. Some last from what I've read a very long time and mileage. Most don't.

I doubt if there was any "performance gain" however with the installation of a new dynaspark. Unless peace of mind is/translates to horsepower.

 

My first vette was a 92. The day it burned on the freeway the optic had 195,000 miles. The day before I was doing 140 MPH. That Optic was abused and wet in few occasion. Once I got stranded due to a river flood. On winter few times it gave me a hard time to start but after few curses the vette always turned on.

In my 95, last week I washed the engine with my garden hose...the TPS was the one that did not make it.

In my own words I only have good things to say about the optic spark. AKA "rusty spark"

 

The DynaSpark resolved the spark problem! If you look at the dyno graph you can see the OEM Optispark created a missfire in the upper RPM range.

The Dynaspark provided spark when the OEM unit didn't/couldn't. The constant spark is where the increase in horse power came from, over the OEM unit.

The Dynaspark was needed to rev the LT1 engine past the stock redline and into the LT4 horsepower range. The OEM unit couldn't cut the needed RPM increase.

I know the Corvette in the Vette Magazine article first hand...it is in my garage.

 

Not having seen the article, Charlie, what rpm range was it that the Opti couldn't handle? And where, to what level did the Dyna take it to?

 

What's with the OEM Opti? I have over 120,000 miles and I'm running on my second OEM opti. I'm getting the impression I've been fortunate. Either that or some folks are getting caught up in the hipe.

 

lets hear more on people who have used the dynaspark over time

 

Nice ride!!

 

I got a question for the ones that really have the knowledge on the dynaspark

I look at the web site and it looks like the Optic spark. So, what's inside the dynaspark that makes it a better piece of gear?

 

The OptiSpark is the factory part, the DynaSpark is the aftermarket part created by Dynatech Engineering.

The DynaSpark starts with a 2nd generation Opti as its basis for design, regardless of generation. The 2nd generation had larger bearings, better cap seal and the aforementioned vacuum lines for positive ventilation of the cap.

The DynaSpark then takes it one step farther, they seriously inproved cap sealing, make the case that much stronger and of tighter tolerances and finally, got bigger, better bearings.

The idea is to keep water out and spark in. This does just that.

The idea behind the case improvments is to improve the strength of the case, so it won't flex, and to improve the bearing, so it won't wear out as quickly. Also, the lack of flex, the improvement in the bearings will also create a more accurate platform for timing.

Why did the DynaSpark work better? Good question. If they replaced the coil/ignition module at the same time, it's hard to say... If the original Opti was not throwing codes, I am at a total loss.

 

And they also place rivets in the rotor so the metal parts will not break loose from the rotor under higher rpms.

I think that when MSD gets the cap and rotor to the market, maybe the Dynaspark will carry those parts instead of the OEM ones for even better reliability, but that is just a thought!

 

The 94 ran fine until we pushed it to about 5,200 RPM. If you look at the graph you can see the spark breaking up. The Corvette ran fine before and after we changed the coil, wires, etc. I put it on the Dyno to see how much horse power the car was making. That is when we found out the spark was breaking up in the higher RPM range. With the new cam, heads, etc I wanted to ensure it was worth the money and see what kind of gains it produced. I tried to correct the problem before replacing the OEM optispark.

I never claimed the DynaSpark produced more horse power. The product corrected the spark breaking up and that allowed the existing horse power to be produced. No spark, no horse power...

Those of you that think your Corvette is producing x amount of horse power need to put it to the dyno and then run it on the track.

The whole purpose was to see if the "hot cam kit" produced close to the 425 everyone claims. I feel the 400 plus my car is making is right where it should be.

With the cooler weather coming in the next couple of weeks I hope to make it to the track to see what it runs.

It ran 13.01 @ 111 mph in 97 degree heat with drag radials and the 3,200 convertor.

The hot cam kit and the dynaspark are worth every penny in my book!

 

The factory should at least go to redline from the factory. The Dynaspark says NOT to go beyond a certain RPM. I wont say it because it is below the LT4 redline. So, the Dynaspark went beyond the OEM just means the OEM couldnt, because the Dynaspark is an OEM cap/Rotor. No magic other than put together strnger and leak/waterproof. And Prettier.

 

There is SO much more to the engineering and build attributes to our product than anyone can possibly imagine and it's always comical to us to see folks simply label it as "just a stock opti but prettier, fancier" or whatever.

That's fine with us if folks continually choose to downplay it's quality time and time again~ we have broad shoulders, we can handle it... It's easy for someone to make simple statements about things that they don't fully understand; however inaccurate- that's the American way we suppose...

The continued success of the Dynaspark Distributor for the last 2 1/2 years with dealers/distrubuters all over the USA, Canada, Swedan and Japan is testiment enough for us that we do indeed produce a good product that performs as claimed and as designed.

Just our $.02 if it matters and nothing personal meant against anyone. Have a great day folks.

 

Gee,who was this reply posted to?. SO what is your max rpm for warranty purposes, 6200rpm? in your instructions? I believe it is below the LT4 factory one, correct?
And the cap and rotor are OEM, just put together much better with better tolerances etc.
And it is prettier.

 

I didn't say that, did I???