Opti replacement time. OEM, Dynaspark, or MSD?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Opti replacement time. OEM, Dynaspark, or MSD?
Time for debate on what to put in since my opti is dead AGAIN.
r94lt1 had a dynaspark in his. $600 i believe. Seems to have worked really well, even when getting coolant on it.
The MSD might be out now or is coming out soon. Probably over $600 if dynaspark is that low. Also I found a cap/rotor replacement kit on ebay from MSD: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...spagenameZWDVW
Regular OEM is about $260 i believe.
Labor is only $150.
Thoughts?
r94lt1 had a dynaspark in his. $600 i believe. Seems to have worked really well, even when getting coolant on it.
The MSD might be out now or is coming out soon. Probably over $600 if dynaspark is that low. Also I found a cap/rotor replacement kit on ebay from MSD: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...spagenameZWDVW
Regular OEM is about $260 i believe.
Labor is only $150.
Thoughts?
Last edited by GlockLT4; Apr 23, 2006 at 06:59 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
DynaSpark does have it's advantages... it seems to be a reliable piece.
And since GM parts have become junk... aftermarket is the thing...
MSD isn't due out until July... so you may not have the luxury of time... and don't even bother with Accel... I, and many others, have had problems with their stuff.
And since GM parts have become junk... aftermarket is the thing...
MSD isn't due out until July... so you may not have the luxury of time... and don't even bother with Accel... I, and many others, have had problems with their stuff.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
For me, the aftermarket optis are still to new to be proven and very expensive. I went with an OEM unit from Vandevere Olds. Believe it was ~$217.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by bogus
DynaSpark does have it's advantages... it seems to be a reliable piece.
And since GM parts have become junk... aftermarket is the thing...
MSD isn't due out until July... so you may not have the luxury of time... and don't even bother with Accel... I, and many others, have had problems with their stuff.
And since GM parts have become junk... aftermarket is the thing...
MSD isn't due out until July... so you may not have the luxury of time... and don't even bother with Accel... I, and many others, have had problems with their stuff.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by bogus
DynaSpark does have it's advantages... it seems to be a reliable piece.
And since GM parts have become junk... aftermarket is the thing...
MSD isn't due out until July... so you may not have the luxury of time... and don't even bother with Accel... I, and many others, have had problems with their stuff.
And since GM parts have become junk... aftermarket is the thing...
MSD isn't due out until July... so you may not have the luxury of time... and don't even bother with Accel... I, and many others, have had problems with their stuff.
Found this http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/4405...istributor.htm
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Curtis, when you replace the opti make sure the opt's vaccum lines are ok. The lines may be damaged and not getting the condensation out of the opti. Even if that's the case, doesn't seem like the opti should go bad that fast. Any kind of warranty on your current unit?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
Curtis, when you replace the opti make sure the opt's vaccum lines are ok. The lines may be damaged and not getting the condensation out of the opti. Even if that's the case, doesn't seem like the opti should go bad that fast. Any kind of warranty on your current unit?
No warranty on this one. It's been right at a year (yeah, you can see how much I drive the car lately because it's always broken!
)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Originally Posted by GlockLT4
Ok, thanks. When i get it back to the house ,if it's still running, I'll check the vaccum line to see if it's working.
No warranty on this one. It's been right at a year (yeah, you can see how much I drive the car lately because it's always broken! )
No warranty on this one. It's been right at a year (yeah, you can see how much I drive the car lately because it's always broken!
)Fitment is very important so everything works together without putting undue stress on the rotor. Just my 2 cents.
And the warranty from GM is 12 months. So , replace it every 11
, for free, if you exclude your labor involved and gaskets water etc.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by steve40th
I also found that there is machining differences between Optis. I have replaced a few and noticed some go further in towards the block. So, check how your original fit, and your latest. See if the aluminum part that goes to the block is the same. I think GM had another manufacturer at one point or another.
Fitment is very important so everything works together without putting undue stress on the rotor. Just my 2 cents.
And the warranty from GM is 12 months. So , replace it every 11, for free, if you exclude your labor involved and gaskets water etc.
Fitment is very important so everything works together without putting undue stress on the rotor. Just my 2 cents.
And the warranty from GM is 12 months. So , replace it every 11
, for free, if you exclude your labor involved and gaskets water etc.Well, i got it back home. I let it sit for about 2 hours and coolant got back down to 105. I pulled it in the garage and AS I AM GOING TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION IT DIES! So frustrating. 155 degrees when it died.
Why do these things die like this under heat?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,935
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From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Originally Posted by GlockLT4
Wow, you seriously replace it every 11 months?!?
Well, i got it back home. I let it sit for about 2 hours and coolant got back down to 105. I pulled it in the garage and AS I AM GOING TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION IT DIES! So frustrating. 155 degrees when it died.
Why do these things die like this under heat?
Well, i got it back home. I let it sit for about 2 hours and coolant got back down to 105. I pulled it in the garage and AS I AM GOING TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION IT DIES! So frustrating. 155 degrees when it died.
Why do these things die like this under heat?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by GlockLT4
I have had a really rough time with OEM.... this one lasted maybe 2k miles. Gotta figure out what the hell is causing these to die!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Originally Posted by Redeasysport
I think this is a major point.Steve had problems eating optis and it has happened before that something behind the cover was vibrating them to death.If you get a dynaspark it comes with detailed measurements to be taken to ensure there is no excess play that may cause this.It really bears some close attention
SO, measurements must be a critical point in LTx engines when it comes to Optis longevity. Doesnt take much to break any mechanical part, think about Ring/Pinion, torquesing bolts, useing feeler guages to do rockers, etc etc.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Dallas TX
Yeah, i agree with all said here. Do any of you guys have the instructions from the dynaspark that show where to watch for clearances? I can have the speed shop check these measurements while they are in there replacing it.
I've replaced enough optis, haha.. i'll let someone else do it now.
I've replaced enough optis, haha.. i'll let someone else do it now
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
Another thread on the opti issue thats been kicked around
No answers for ya'... but some info at the bottom
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1332279
No answers for ya'... but some info at the bottom
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1332279
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by Powerdrive
Another thread on the opti issue thats been kicked around
No answers for ya'... but some info at the bottom
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1332279
No answers for ya'... but some info at the bottom
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1332279
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by C4DC
Iv'e heard the oil seal can leaking into the opti and cause early breakage. Did you replace them with the last one (the seals on the timing chain cover)?
Last edited by GlockLT4; Apr 24, 2006 at 11:39 PM.