93 new opti....should I vent ???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Kingston Springs Tn
93 new opti....should I vent ???
I have an OEM opti that is going bad with 110,xxx miles on it. I am ready to install a new one and new waterpump. SHould I vent the new opti or just install the way it is? I have had no trouble from the old one til now and it seems a lot of work to add a vent to a non vent type. Does anyone have a cheap way to do this? Thanks!!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
I have struggled with the same question for when/if I need to do it on our 1994 (was done by previous owner 80k +/-).
When you add the costs of the OEM Opti, plus a 95-96 cap (because it has the hose connector), and the hose connection kit, along with the work to add the 'port' to the OEM opti, it is easily the cost of a MSD brand OPTI. But some folks are having problems with the MSD units too.
So, I've considered just power washing the engine while everything is apart, replacing all the seals which could harm the OPTI, and just putting in the OEM OPTI and call it done. Assume I'll get at least 60k plus from the un-vented OPTI, it will be years and years at the rate we drive it now...
When you add the costs of the OEM Opti, plus a 95-96 cap (because it has the hose connector), and the hose connection kit, along with the work to add the 'port' to the OEM opti, it is easily the cost of a MSD brand OPTI. But some folks are having problems with the MSD units too.
So, I've considered just power washing the engine while everything is apart, replacing all the seals which could harm the OPTI, and just putting in the OEM OPTI and call it done. Assume I'll get at least 60k plus from the un-vented OPTI, it will be years and years at the rate we drive it now...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 4
From: Windham, NH
Check with this outfit: info@corvetteclinicinc.com . I had my wife's 93 opti converted by them 3 years ago and they charged me $110 + shipping to convert it to the vented style. The supplied all the vacuum hoses and adapters to connect it to your engine.
Jim
Jim
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Check with this outfit: info@corvetteclinicinc.com . I had my wife's 93 opti converted by them 3 years ago and they charged me $110 + shipping to convert it to the vented style. The supplied all the vacuum hoses and adapters to connect it to your engine.
Jim
Jim
However, instead of using a newer cap, precast with the needed nipple for the vent hose, it appears they are drilling/modifying the older cap -- is this true?
If so, I wonder how sound the modification is, did you assess the modification and do you have an opinion?
ALso, I thought the newer cap also included a better seal, did the conversion with the older cap appear to have a newer/better seal than the original?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 4
From: Windham, NH
I checked the seal of the modification they did on mine by plugging one end of the vent hose with a vacuum guage and applying vacuum to the other end. It held vacuum perfectly.
It is tough to say how the unit has held up as my wife's car gets VERY little mileage on it per year. I don't think the modified unit has 3,000 miles on it in 3 years. On a side note, I put one of MSD's $515 Optispark units on my other 93 and it only lasted 10,000 miles and a little over a year.
You can but a GM quality replacment on Ebay from "thepartsladi" for $265 + shipping and get it modified and still be ahead money wise. Here is a link to one she has for sale right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-93...mZ390002192324
As far as putting on the later model vented cap goes, I don't believe they interchange. I have never had one of each side by side but I am guessing that the bolt pattern MAY be different. GM wouldn't be that nice to make it interchangable. You would still have to deal with making the housing vented and that is a bit of work to do.
Jim
It is tough to say how the unit has held up as my wife's car gets VERY little mileage on it per year. I don't think the modified unit has 3,000 miles on it in 3 years. On a side note, I put one of MSD's $515 Optispark units on my other 93 and it only lasted 10,000 miles and a little over a year.
You can but a GM quality replacment on Ebay from "thepartsladi" for $265 + shipping and get it modified and still be ahead money wise. Here is a link to one she has for sale right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-93...mZ390002192324
As far as putting on the later model vented cap goes, I don't believe they interchange. I have never had one of each side by side but I am guessing that the bolt pattern MAY be different. GM wouldn't be that nice to make it interchangable. You would still have to deal with making the housing vented and that is a bit of work to do.
Jim
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
The 95 cap does fit the 93 opti I did a mod on one.The Corvette Fever article uses the drill the cap method but I chose the 95 cap to ensure no vacuum leak down the road.
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/index.html
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/index.html