removing opti spark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
You need some way of timing the spark. You can’t get rid of the opti entirely. But you can eliminate the cap or high voltage section of it. You still need the resolution pulses to trigger some kind of ignition system. I believe Delteq makes a system that uses coil packs plus their own ignition system. The rear section (or low voltage) of the opti is used to trigger the system. The system does use some real estate under the hood.
The 95 and 96s have the vented opti which is better than the old. The optis really work well with very precise spark timing. It is just in a rough spot but that is one of the factors, using direct drive that gives it its precision.
Its really a great system more accurate than anything else around.
The 95 and 96s have the vented opti which is better than the old. The optis really work well with very precise spark timing. It is just in a rough spot but that is one of the factors, using direct drive that gives it its precision.
Its really a great system more accurate than anything else around.
Last edited by pcolt94; Dec 13, 2006 at 11:59 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
It's mostly maligned because most people don't understand it. All it is basically, is a crank (cam) sensor with a ridiculusly expensive (GM proprietary) distributer cap and rotor. With the exception of getting wet, they're VERY relilable. I've had ALOT more problems with bad coils and bad ignition modules (technically part of the opti-spark system) on LT-1's. It's kind'a like the VATS, it gets blamed for everything. There's not a week that goes by that there are SEVERAL posts saying they "wouldn't buy an LT-1 because it has an opt-spark".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 565
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Hey Tracy, do you remember seeing the Delteq setup on my car at Phils house? Like the others have stated you still need the opti for the trigger. I sealed mine with RTV when I put it in. I like the fact that the spark plug wires are ALOT easier to get to, plus it eliminates the ozone in the opti which I've heard leads to corrosion and bearing failure. Piece of cake to install.
Robert
Robert
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
local 4x4 kamikazes drill the back of the lt1 intake and use an HEI distrib with early tPi ecm, just leave the opti to cover the hole...they say the opti is no good when driving thru streams that are 4 ft deep
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Whatever you do, do not buy a Dynaspark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 270
Likes: 8
From: Gilbert, AZ
Hey Tracy, do you remember seeing the Delteq setup on my car at Phils house? Like the others have stated you still need the opti for the trigger. I sealed mine with RTV when I put it in. I like the fact that the spark plug wires are ALOT easier to get to, plus it eliminates the ozone in the opti which I've heard leads to corrosion and bearing failure. Piece of cake to install. Robert
Robert
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
dynaspark -
Regarding the situation between you and PLRX.
It is best at this time to take a moral high road. He may be at fault, and judging from the comments, he might be. But publically airing the dirty laundry does nothing but hurt your reputation. Sad, isn't it?
With that said, I cannot understand how the Dynaspark could be causing a knock. Unless there is something wrong with the high voltage, and that would have other manifestations. On top of that, if it was the optical side, I am sure codes would show up.
I bypassed the opti high voltage with the LTCC, www.bailey-eng.com
Regarding the situation between you and PLRX.
It is best at this time to take a moral high road. He may be at fault, and judging from the comments, he might be. But publically airing the dirty laundry does nothing but hurt your reputation. Sad, isn't it?
With that said, I cannot understand how the Dynaspark could be causing a knock. Unless there is something wrong with the high voltage, and that would have other manifestations. On top of that, if it was the optical side, I am sure codes would show up.
I bypassed the opti high voltage with the LTCC, www.bailey-eng.com
Last edited by bogus; Dec 15, 2006 at 02:02 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO
I bypassed the opti high voltage with the LTCC, www.bailey-eng.com
. I'm considering the Dynaspark Gen III / Delteq setup when that day comes. I have a serious oil leak coming from that area that needs attention.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
bogus,
You may be right. It is difficult to sit back and allow things like that to be said when it may affect business. I've decided to edit posts for PLRX's sake, hopefully he comes around.
The only way the opti-spark could possibly cause predetonation is if the timing were off. I will say that there is only one way to assemble our distributor and it ends up being dead on with stock timing. If anything were wrong with the Dynaspark it would be a simple fix on our part and we would be willing to take care of it free of charge.
Sorry to Hijack the thread, back to the topic at hand...
Like most people have said, getting rid of the optispark is impossible. You can eliminate the cap and rotor with the delteq system however the optical sensor still poses a threat to reliablitiy. We are not a supporting vendor (yet) so thats all I'll say for now.
You may be right. It is difficult to sit back and allow things like that to be said when it may affect business. I've decided to edit posts for PLRX's sake, hopefully he comes around.
The only way the opti-spark could possibly cause predetonation is if the timing were off. I will say that there is only one way to assemble our distributor and it ends up being dead on with stock timing. If anything were wrong with the Dynaspark it would be a simple fix on our part and we would be willing to take care of it free of charge.
Sorry to Hijack the thread, back to the topic at hand...
Like most people have said, getting rid of the optispark is impossible. You can eliminate the cap and rotor with the delteq system however the optical sensor still poses a threat to reliablitiy. We are not a supporting vendor (yet) so thats all I'll say for now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,336
Likes: 2,265
From: Central Maryland
I don't know what provoked this comment, but I can attest to the value of the DynaSpark unit. I've had one in my '94 for over two years now, and it has performed flawlessly.
I hold the DynaSpark in very high regard. I've done quite a bit of mechanical design work and I am not easily impressed, but the Dyna impressed me as soon as I opened the package and inspected it carefully. It is a quality piece.
I would recommend the Dyna to anyone who is looking for a replacement for the Gen1 Opti.
Be well,
SJW
I hold the DynaSpark in very high regard. I've done quite a bit of mechanical design work and I am not easily impressed, but the Dyna impressed me as soon as I opened the package and inspected it carefully. It is a quality piece.
I would recommend the Dyna to anyone who is looking for a replacement for the Gen1 Opti.
Be well,
SJW
Last edited by SJW; Dec 15, 2006 at 02:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Money, opininons and videotapes
I read the comments. Yes, they responded to me weeks after my first inquiry and they tried to diagnose my car thru e-mails. I'm very, very happy for those which the dynaspark works and I envy you. The optic spark in my 92 had 195,000 miles and it worked flawlessly until the Vette's very last day. Maybe like some other VETTE owners with the optic sparks, my dynaspark is giving me some problems. Unfortunately for me, my job does not allow me to just go home M-F and "take it out" in 15 minutes so I can send it back. To remove it, takes patience, time and money.
Like I said before, it is your money, you earned it and you may expend it at your convenience. I respect everybody opinions (airfoils, oil magnets, etc.) My opinion?, Save money by buying a new Optic Spark from the dealer. Try EBay....
Like I said before, it is your money, you earned it and you may expend it at your convenience. I respect everybody opinions (airfoils, oil magnets, etc.) My opinion?, Save money by buying a new Optic Spark from the dealer. Try EBay....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
getting rid of the optic is NOT impossible... The most common cause optic failure are the cap and rotor. The optic crank signal reference are rarely the cause of optic failure.
There are 4 options to long life the ignition.
1) Use a Delteq system (multi-coil pack) No need for MSD box ever
2) Use LTCC system (multi-coils pack) No need for MSD box ever
3) Convert to HEI ( this will totally got rid of the optic
4) Convert to crank trigger and use multi-coil pack.
If I have not bought the delteq system. I would have go with crank trigger. My friend 1995 turbocharged 383ci that he is using crank trigger, it look really good and cool stuff.
I am happy with my delteq so I will leave it at that..
There are 4 options to long life the ignition.
1) Use a Delteq system (multi-coil pack) No need for MSD box ever
2) Use LTCC system (multi-coils pack) No need for MSD box ever
3) Convert to HEI ( this will totally got rid of the optic
4) Convert to crank trigger and use multi-coil pack.
If I have not bought the delteq system. I would have go with crank trigger. My friend 1995 turbocharged 383ci that he is using crank trigger, it look really good and cool stuff.
I am happy with my delteq so I will leave it at that..