What does the optispark do EXACTLY?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 1
From: McKinney Texas
What does the optispark do EXACTLY?
Just curious... i have no clue where it is on my car (I am a moron :p: )
Is it something to do with an ignition?
I put a Jacobs Ignition system on my 82 vette, and it works AWESOME.
So if I put a jacob's on my 92, does the optispark do anything?
Thanks in advance,
Andy
Is it something to do with an ignition?
I put a Jacobs Ignition system on my 82 vette, and it works AWESOME.
So if I put a jacob's on my 92, does the optispark do anything?
Thanks in advance,
Andy
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: TX
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (Andy1983)
It's the distributor and it has a built in optical sensor which the pcm uses to determine engine position.
Not sure how it will or won't work with a Jacobs unit.
[Modified by 381 WS6, 2:27 PM 9/18/2001]
Not sure how it will or won't work with a Jacobs unit.
[Modified by 381 WS6, 2:27 PM 9/18/2001]
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 1
From: PA
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (Andy1983)
Optispark should be sealed and vented per Feb '01 Corvette Fever and C4 Tech Tips. Any devices intended to increase voltage will compromise Optispark reliability. It already has plenty of spark power and simply needs waterproofing.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 1
From: McKinney Texas
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (Rick93Z07)
damn.... so if I put on the Jacob's (Which would open the gap of spark plug about .1"-.2". But it also gaurantees a large horsepower boost and improved gas mileage (14 hp, 2 mpg at LEAST.... gauranteed w/ lifetime waranty on all parts). It is 3 wires- 1 to - side of battery, 1 to + side of battery, and 1 to distributor. That is it.
It custom tunes each spark to get 99%+ Burn on spark plugs. So it should increase engine life.
Please explain how it will mess up the optispark (Because that is what I DONT want to do is mess that $700+ jewel up.)
Thanks,
Andy
It custom tunes each spark to get 99%+ Burn on spark plugs. So it should increase engine life.
Please explain how it will mess up the optispark (Because that is what I DONT want to do is mess that $700+ jewel up.)
Thanks,
Andy
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (Andy1983)
The Jacobs ignition is a multiple spark capacitor discharge system. I doubt that it will harm your optispark. The Jacobs system provides a very short rise time voltage pulse to generate a spark at the plug. The short rise time allows for a higher temperature plasma (spark) and it will fire a fouled plug which a stock ignition will not. Also , multiple spark allows a better probability that each cylinder will fire since it has more than one chance. Ignition systems claiming much higher voltage than stock don't tell much about that system because when the spark plug gap is broken down and sustains a spark, the gap voltage cannot be more than about 150 volts or so, this is a quality of a plasma (spark). The only way you can even detect if the claim for much higher voltage is to measure the voltage without allowing a spark to occur. A better measure of the quality of an ignition system would be the energy in each spark and the rise time. If you want reassurance that your optispark won't be harmed, invest in a phone call to Jacobs and ask them. PS I have absolutely no connection to Jacobs.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (Andy1983)
If anyone can provide dyno runs of a before and after Jacobs Ignition install, I'd appreciate it. I truly do not believe their ignition system can provide any increase in horsepower over a good running stock unit.
Multi-sparking ignitions only provide multiple sparks at low (<3000) rpm and CDM units don't provide the long (relatively speaking) spark that an inductive coil can supply.
I'm just not convinced of Jacobs's claims.
Multi-sparking ignitions only provide multiple sparks at low (<3000) rpm and CDM units don't provide the long (relatively speaking) spark that an inductive coil can supply.
I'm just not convinced of Jacobs's claims.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 1
From: McKinney Texas
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (Dan Parker '96)
I will definately do a before and after.
I gained 8 hp on my 200 hp 82 vette.
I will have it dyno run, and tell you the gas mileage difference as well.
gimme about 3 months after the install to do gas mileage. I will do the dyno first thing. Also, I wont be getting the system for almost a month, but when I do, I will share the results.
I gained 8 hp on my 200 hp 82 vette.
I will have it dyno run, and tell you the gas mileage difference as well.
gimme about 3 months after the install to do gas mileage. I will do the dyno first thing. Also, I wont be getting the system for almost a month, but when I do, I will share the results.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (BluByU)
Where is everyone getting this $700 figure from??? The 92-94 opti costs like $350, the 95-96 opti costs $240. I guess if you factor in labor it would be like $700.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,950
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette LA
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (Andy1983)
damn.... so if I put on the Jacob's (Which would open the gap of spark plug about .1"-.2". But it also gaurantees a large horsepower boost and improved gas mileage (14 hp, 2 mpg at LEAST.... gauranteed w/ lifetime waranty on all parts). It is 3 wires- 1 to - side of battery, 1 to + side of battery, and 1 to distributor. That is it.
It custom tunes each spark to get 99%+ Burn on spark plugs. So it should increase engine life.
It custom tunes each spark to get 99%+ Burn on spark plugs. So it should increase engine life.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 1
From: PA
Re: What does the optispark do EXACTLY? (Glock'94)
Jacobs claims are false, just like most other's. An engine with a healthy, modern ignition will not experience such huge gains by simply providing more spark power or duration. The engine would have to be firing on 7 cylinders most of the time. This has been proven in every scientifically sound & controlled A-B dyno test I've read. Most show zero gain. The comparison methods used by most performance ignition parts manufacturers are unethical. Only the most popular one's that have affected sales by other's have been put in jail. The most notorious one was Splitfire. Their claims were based upon a single test against USED original plugs that were experiencing misfire. this was never mentioned in print. The Optispark high voltage section is marginal. It can not be subjected to more spark energy without compromising reliability. More spark = more high voltage breakdown (carbon tracking, misfire etc). That is the primary failure mode for the Optispark.
