1993 OptiSpark
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
do this it is good!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
All of the advice above it good, but can I ask the first question that I didn't see asked? Why do you think it's your Optispark?
What are your symptoms? Many on here are quick to point to the Optispark as the source of all LT1 evils but it's not always the case. It's an expensive and time consuming fix for a problem that may be plugs, wires, ignition module, fuel injectors, etc. I changed mine twice in the first two years I had it, and neither time was it actually the optispark.
And here's a shameless plug...I have a Meziere electric WP that I'm selling for $120 if you need one
It's in the C4 for sale section.
What are your symptoms? Many on here are quick to point to the Optispark as the source of all LT1 evils but it's not always the case. It's an expensive and time consuming fix for a problem that may be plugs, wires, ignition module, fuel injectors, etc. I changed mine twice in the first two years I had it, and neither time was it actually the optispark.
And here's a shameless plug...I have a Meziere electric WP that I'm selling for $120 if you need one
It's in the C4 for sale section.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
Well 85k on the stock opti from what I know. When I have anybody around here that seems to know their vettes always says opti. If the car has been sitting for a while, the motor has to turn over alot of times to start. But if warmed up, and you turn off, then right back on, instant start. Not to mention, downshifting and gunning it on the highway just doesnt have the pull it should at high rpm.
Does the fact that the car have forced induction (vortech) have any matter here?
Does the fact that the car have forced induction (vortech) have any matter here?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Well 85k on the stock opti from what I know. When I have anybody around here that seems to know their vettes always says opti. If the car has been sitting for a while, the motor has to turn over alot of times to start. But if warmed up, and you turn off, then right back on, instant start. Not to mention, downshifting and gunning it on the highway just doesnt have the pull it should at high rpm.
Does the fact that the car have forced induction (vortech) have any matter here?
Does the fact that the car have forced induction (vortech) have any matter here?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
Thats what I thought. But I keep getting people disagreeing with me. I really just want a reliable car that is putting out over 400hp like it should be. I do not want to dog on my car but I intend on high performance. Would computer diagnostic like at a dyno shop help me locate a fuel related problem or opti?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
See, STL and I may have just saved you $600.
What happens at high RPM? Does the car stutter or miss? Often this is a sign of spark plug wires needing replacement. Check them thoroughly. Lower RPM misses or low power can often be attributed to bad spark plugs. Have you pulled one and ispected it?
The easiest and most reliable way to check for a bad opti is to read the trouble codes. If you have a code 16 or 31 (I may be off, someone confirm or correct me please) then it's a 99% chance it's an opti failure. If you don't have access to a tech tool you can check codes with the check engine light by grounding the ALDL connector under your dash. There are a ton of write ups on how to do this if you search on the tech tips.
To see if it's a fuel problem pull the fuel pump relay and spray ether into the intake and see if the car runs the same. Just don't catch anything on fire...I did that once and had to pour my beer on it to quench the fire
What happens at high RPM? Does the car stutter or miss? Often this is a sign of spark plug wires needing replacement. Check them thoroughly. Lower RPM misses or low power can often be attributed to bad spark plugs. Have you pulled one and ispected it?
The easiest and most reliable way to check for a bad opti is to read the trouble codes. If you have a code 16 or 31 (I may be off, someone confirm or correct me please) then it's a 99% chance it's an opti failure. If you don't have access to a tech tool you can check codes with the check engine light by grounding the ALDL connector under your dash. There are a ton of write ups on how to do this if you search on the tech tips.
To see if it's a fuel problem pull the fuel pump relay and spray ether into the intake and see if the car runs the same. Just don't catch anything on fire...I did that once and had to pour my beer on it to quench the fire
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
How are your injectors? Do you have a temperature guage? Check the temp at every cylinder (right at the exhaust manifold). If some are running colder than others you could have a bad injector.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
No i will be new into checking all these injectors and everything. my last 4 wheel vehicle was carbureted and I needed not deal with electronics either, everything but my alarm and gauges were mechanical.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Do a simple fuel pressure leak down test. The trouble starting may be from lack of fuel pressure. It could be as simple as a fuel pressure regulator or a bad valve in the fuel pump.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
Ok. I just now did my air filter recharge kit. Its amazing the car got any air as well. The thing was covered with half an inch of grime. (not due to my neglect, I just bought this car 2 weeks ago). Im about to put the filter back on, hopefully some improvement there too.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
Ok. I just now did my air filter recharge kit. Its amazing the car got any air as well. The thing was covered with half an inch of grime. (not due to my neglect, I just bought this car 2 weeks ago). Im about to put the filter back on, hopefully some improvement there too.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
I feel like I wasted alot of peoples time helping me out. That air filter.....man, it was a wonder the car could start. Its a cold air K&N going up, its got a supercharger and all, but the grime on this filter, was insane, had to run the recharge kit through it twice, and clean it out for at least half an hour and i was still getting crap out. Long story short, car starts fine now and is a beast out of the hole. Still feel like its missing some power running on the highway, but i dont really know because I didnt want to just beat the hell out of my car as soon as I saw improvement in performance. Where should I go next? Plugs, Wires? Dyno?
Also, what Kind of beneficial information can the dyno people give me? Here is where I will be taking it:
http://www.real-performance-motorsports.com/
Also, what Kind of beneficial information can the dyno people give me? Here is where I will be taking it:
http://www.real-performance-motorsports.com/
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
One side note - If you up grade to the newer vented opti the cam pin that drives the opti has to be changed. Do not allow the installer to pull the cam to accomplish this as the main bearings are quite sensetive and can be easily contaminated. Then if this happens you need to pull the engine and do an overhaul. Speaking from expensive experience.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
Things to do now.... oh the things to do. How much should that dyno and diagnostics run me? Can you guys tell me what is a good deal and what is a rip? From what I hear these guys im going to are really good.
