C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

OPTI - MSD or Dyna?

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Old Apr 18, 2007 | 01:42 PM
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Default OPTI - MSD or Dyna?

I've been battling poor drivability since last year.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1574890
I done a few things with no real fix. Took it to my mechanic today and he says its the opti. Now I'm pissed as it only has 30K on it since I did it 4.5 years ago. Seems it should last longer, I replaced the orig at 86K and it wasn't bad the water pump was, I just did the opti then for reliability.

When my mechanic called around for some pricing he was told that there have been some problems with some of the new OEM units. Since the opti is not as accessable as say a slave cylinder and since the slave cylinder BS proved to me that just because it's new in box doesn't mean it's a good unit I want to get one that should last.

Should I go with the Dyna or the MSD, opinions please
Thanks in advance,
Rex

Last edited by Rex Ruby; Apr 18, 2007 at 01:45 PM.
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Old Apr 18, 2007 | 01:46 PM
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oh yea, best price and place to buy?
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Old Apr 18, 2007 | 02:27 PM
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Contact tjwong on the MSD. Last I checked he had the best price.
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Old Apr 18, 2007 | 07:49 PM
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Rex,

I put in a Dyna-spark in my '93 a little under 18k. Not many miles since, but it seems tougher than the OEM. Hard to quantify.

What I liked most vs. OEM, was the cross ventalation. The Dyna comes w/ everything you need to plumb into the vacuum circuit and into the intake tunnel to grab the fresh air. Looks normal too, not added on, except for the line pulling in the air, but only a hardcore vette guy will notice.

My old OEM unit was pretty scuzzy inside due to no air flow, which no doubt killed it (rusty and all).

JMHO
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Old Apr 18, 2007 | 11:02 PM
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The DynaSpark has been around longer, and has a good record in the field. I installed one on my '94 a few years ago, and it's been great. They sell direct. Last I heard, they were selling for around $600, but check that. Competition from MSD might have pushed their price down by now.

The MSD appears to be gaining traction in the marketplace. Last I heard, it was selling for around $500, but check that, too.

You'd almost surely be better of with either the Dyna or the MSD rather than the OEM Gen1 unit.

Be well,

SJW
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Old Apr 18, 2007 | 11:12 PM
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summit racing has an axcel for $300,been running it for 2 yrs ,no problems
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Old Apr 18, 2007 | 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by zr2tim
Rex,

I put in a Dyna-spark in my '93 a little under 18k. Not many miles since, but it seems tougher than the OEM. Hard to quantify.

What I liked most vs. OEM, was the cross ventalation. The Dyna comes w/ everything you need to plumb into the vacuum circuit and into the intake tunnel to grab the fresh air. Looks normal too, not added on, except for the line pulling in the air, but only a hardcore vette guy will notice.

My old OEM unit was pretty scuzzy inside due to no air flow, which no doubt killed it (rusty and all).

JMHO
agreed, the Dyna looks like an HQ unit. Only concern with it is servicing it ie, replacing the cap.

Originally Posted by SJW
The DynaSpark has been around longer, and has a good record in the field. I installed one on my '94 a few years ago, and it's been great. They sell direct. Last I heard, they were selling for around $600, but check that. Competition from MSD might have pushed their price down by now.

The MSD appears to be gaining traction in the marketplace. Last I heard, it was selling for around $500, but check that, too.

You'd almost surely be better of with either the Dyna or the MSD rather than the OEM Gen1 unit.

Be well,

SJW
Your pretty accurate on the prices
Originally Posted by shop14
summit racing has an axcel for $300,been running it for 2 yrs ,no problems
THe accel is only offered for Gen2
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Old Apr 18, 2007 | 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Rex Ruby
I've been battling poor drivability since last year.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1574890
I done a few things with no real fix. Took it to my mechanic today and he says its the opti. Now I'm pissed as it only has 30K on it since I did it 4.5 years ago. Seems it should last longer, I replaced the orig at 86K and it wasn't bad the water pump was, I just did the opti then for reliability.

When my mechanic called around for some pricing he was told that there have been some problems with some of the new OEM units. Since the opti is not as accessable as say a slave cylinder and since the slave cylinder BS proved to me that just because it's new in box doesn't mean it's a good unit I want to get one that should last.

Should I go with the Dyna or the MSD, opinions please
Thanks in advance,
Rex
I dont have either, but it seems to me the dynaspark is your better choice.

I can attest to some major issues with MSD products. Specifically Digital 6 plus ignition boxes that failed after 20-30 miles (3 in a row actually) and also brand new MSD 8.5mm wires that spark arc'd against the water pump housing.
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Old Apr 19, 2007 | 02:31 AM
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I installed the MSD about 6 weeks ago. I liked the quality of the MSD unit, and so far have had no problems...but we are only talking a couple of hundred miles. The one thing I did make a mistake on was ensuring the cap was on completly. The o-ring seal is pretty thick and the torex screws can be a pain in the *** to tighten down with the simple tool they provide. IMHO no a reason not to buy.
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Old Apr 19, 2007 | 12:09 PM
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Anyone consider the Delteq-DLT1011 ?

www.delteq.com
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Old Apr 19, 2007 | 12:18 PM
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If cost is no object, go with the Dynaspark.

If you're a little more budget-minded, do the MSD.

Of the two, my nod goes to the Dynaspark, but both units are superior to the O.E.M. AC/Delco Optis.
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Old Apr 19, 2007 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by CAJUN C4
Anyone consider the Delteq-DLT1011 ?

www.delteq.com
That doesn't fully replace the opti, you still need a functioning opti with the Delteq set up. I was considering the Delteq but buying that and an Opti was a little to much on the wallet at this time
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Old Apr 19, 2007 | 03:16 PM
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I decided on the MSD. Main reason was with the Dyna you have to uninstall it and send it back if you ever want to put a new cap on.

I'll let you all know how it goes, going out to the garage now to tear things down, part will be in at 11AM tomorrow and am planning on having things all back together mid afternoon. Alos I am going to replace the coil with an MSD unit.

Thanks for all the input
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Old Apr 19, 2007 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Rex Ruby
I decided on the MSD. Main reason was with the Dyna you have to uninstall it and send it back if you ever want to put a new cap on.

I'll let you all know how it goes, going out to the garage now to tear things down, part will be in at 11AM tomorrow and am planning on having things all back together mid afternoon. Alos I am going to replace the coil with an MSD unit.

Thanks for all the input

Hey John,

Let me know how it goes. I am about to take the front of my motor apart and was going to do an upgrade to the opti while in there. Since my opti is still fine with only 5k miles it will probably make sense to look into the delteq and go that route.

I think Frank (mr mojo) runs this in one of his cars and likes from what I can remember
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 07:37 PM
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***** Fu*ker replacing the opti did not fix my problem fu******K.

Anyone want to buy a Ruby?
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 09:05 PM
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how many miles on this engine???
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by bogus
how many miles on this engine???
116K
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To OPTI - MSD or Dyna?

Old Apr 20, 2007 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Rex Ruby
***** Fu*ker replacing the opti did not fix my problem fu******K.

Anyone want to buy a Ruby?
Well that sure blows. Why exactly was your mechanic so sure it was the opti?
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Rex Ruby
116K
here is my thinking... if the cam is wearing, or if a valve is a little burned, it will cause a misfire.

I would do a leak down test... check if there is a pressure loss.
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by tobijohn
Well that sure blows. Why exactly was your mechanic so sure it was the opti?
He thought it was in the ignition based on test driving it.

Originally Posted by bogus
here is my thinking... if the cam is wearing, or if a valve is a little burned, it will cause a misfire.

I would do a leak down test... check if there is a pressure loss.
Guess that is next.
Here is what I am thinking,
Maybe the fuel pump is going or maybe it's the computer
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