GM Replacement Opti - Good or Bad?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Wataga IL
GM Replacement Opti - Good or Bad?
About a month ago I read in a thread here that some people were getting bad replacement Optisparks from GM because they had changed the manufacturer of the internals from Mitsubishi to X? There were comments both ways. I can't find this thread now and was wondering if this was ever resolved. 
I was going to change mine when I replace the crank seal, but am hesitant now. I would like to stick with the original equipment, rather than the other choices.
(96 LT4 - gen 2 Opti)
I was going to change mine when I replace the crank seal, but am hesitant now. I would like to stick with the original equipment, rather than the other choices.
(96 LT4 - gen 2 Opti)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 0
From: RI
Didn't hear anything about the mitsubishi thing but I can tell you that after rebuilding my 93 LT1 with a gen 2 opti, I used a GM replacement. It threw a code 16 a few miles into it as a low res. pulse failure... Replaced with a MSD and all is well
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
Oh hell no 
. Dont buy anything Accel!!!
. Dont buy anything Accel!!! Don't buy anything made by accel. I've tried accel stuff in some of my other hotrods. I use nothing but msd, plus accel colors
brown and yellow? Not that colors matter on optisparks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
If GM did change the source of the optical part, it makes sense as the why they are experiencing huge failure rates... great, a cheap part that saves them 10.00... and costs them a fortune in warrantee claims. Makes great sense to me... 
So you know, the Accel opti looks like junk, right out of the box... both the GM and the DynaSpark use sealed bearings... the Accel unit uses an oilite bushing. That bushing is guarenteeing a 60k mile replacement cycle.
So you know, the Accel opti looks like junk, right out of the box... both the GM and the DynaSpark use sealed bearings... the Accel unit uses an oilite bushing. That bushing is guarenteeing a 60k mile replacement cycle.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Wataga IL
OK - seems as if enough question on reliability to rule out OE - will have to decide now whwether to replace, or leave old one in at 62K miles. I see posts that some gen 2's last 3X my mileage, so will probably opt to stay with old. Thanks to all, and Bogus as usual, for input! 
Don
Don
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
For the 1995-1996 LTx motors, they upgraded the hell outta the opti. Better sealing, better bearings, positive pressure venting... yea, 120k miles is not out of the question with a 2nd gen opti.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by Louis Bartay
I have 75,000 miles on my 96 LT4 with the orginal Opti Spark. Guess I was lucky? I did see a GM rebuild kit, cap and rotor, might try that. Cheaper than a new one.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by Kinkajou
OEM optis really suck!
Dynaspark seems to be a great investment.
Dynaspark seems to be a great investment.
