390RWHP(Delteq) / 375RWHP without and MSD at 6500RPM's. Obviously, removing the MSD could have been the main reason. Did multiple dyno's with the 396 and the MSD and the HP drop off was always more drastic above 6200 RPM's on my set up.

 

This is an oversimplification of the problem.

In reality, the cap/rotor fail before the optical portion. I installed a new opti in 2/2001. I installed LTCC 10/2003. That Opti is still in there, nearly 100k miles later. The optical is holding up just fine... no codes as of 5:30pm PST.

 

Better knock on some wood .

 

I have a 1996 LT4 with 21k miles. What would you guys recommended relative to the opti-spark? Were the issue mostly addressed by 1996 or is this unit going to give me problems? (i.e. find solution)

 

I installed the Delteq system on my 94 about 2 years ago and was very satisfied with the results. However, about 6 months ago, the car started to simply stop as I drove down the road. I pull to the side, wait about 30 seconds and it starts again. It may go another half mile, maybe a mile, maybe another 5 miles, but eventually the problem happens again - over and over again. I was wondering if it could be the old opti or a problem with the Delteq opti box? Might Tom Piper have an opinion?

 

Same here. I was tired of Optis breaking above certain RPMS and ..and My installations werent always correct so I broke a few due to improper fitment, which is vital on modified LTx's.
But, the DELTEQ runs great IMHO.

 

Do you get any trouble codes from the ECM?
If you do, it probably isn't the Delteq because the Delteq doesn't interfere with the low-res and high-res pulses from the Opti-Spark to the ECM.

The Delteq has a red LED built into the Opti-Box for trouble-shooting.
When it happens, open the hood and have someone watch the red LED while cranking the engine.
You should be able to follow the directions that came with the Delteq for setup during installation to determine if the Delteq is the problem.

However, as with all intermittent problems, you can't trouble-shoot it while it is working.

Another approach might be to ask Delteq to send you another Opti-Box temporarily to run and see if the problem goes away.
They might agree to let you have one if you put a deposit on it and might give your money back when you send it back.

Tom Piper

 

One thing that should be mentioned about the Delteq or the LTCC is they are totally dependent on the Opti-Spark signals for EVERYTHING.

The OEM Opti-Spark setup ony uses the Opti-Spark low-res and high-res pulses for the ignition timing signal and the fuel-injection timing.
The OEM setup relies on the physical location of the rotor to determine the spark plug wire of the actual cylinder that is to be fired.

The Delteq and the LTCC use the low-res and high-res pulses to determine the ignition timing and fuel-injection timing just like the OEM setup.
But, the Delteq and the LTCC also depend on the low-res and high-res pulses to detemine the spark plug wire of the actual cylinder that is to be fired.

So, what is my point of all this?
My point is the Delteq and the LTCC are MORE heavily dependent on the Opti-Spark low-res and high-res pulses than the OEM setup (on the plus side, they aren't dependent on the cap and rotor at all).
Therefore, if there is a problem with the Opti-Spark low-res or high-res signals, the Delteq and LTCC will probably exhibit more symptoms and be more drastically affected.
And, as a result, there could be cases where the OEM setup would allow you to "limp" home where the Delteq and LTCC may stop you completely.

But then, if there is a cap and rotor problem, the OEM system is the one that would come to a stop, where the Delteq and the LTCC would not know there was a problem.

It's your choice.

In addition, if you are concerned the Delteq Opti-Box may cause problems on a long trip and no parts store is going to be able to sell you one, you could do like I did -- I bought a spare Opti-Box from Delteq and carry it in the car, it is plug-in.


Tom Piper

 

I use the delteq because after my second opti failure I decided I had had enough. Both of my Opti failures, prior to Delteq where carbon arching in the cap. The other atvantage is that if you build a motor that can run to 6800 RPM or higher the stock unit has been known to explode the rotor and with the delteq you can remove the rotor with the use of a couple of spacers. Just a point of refernce when I first installed my 383 I did get a bad Opti right out of the box but it had a paroblem I have never seen before or after, a dead miss at 4000 RPMs. The service from Delteq is second to none.

 

I've made some unusual requests of Delteq, and their response has been great.

Tom Piper