Dyna Spark or GM opti
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Dyna Spark or GM opti
I know it, another opti related question but I need advice on which one to get. I don't want the MSD so please don't mention it. The Accell is junk. I just can't decide whether to pay the 600.00 for the Dynaspark ot take a chance with the GM for about half that. I know a LS1 ignition system would be nice but I can't go there.
What would you guys do?
What would you guys do?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: Washington PA
I am currently having issues with Dynaspark. I did buy mine remanufactured from them, so not sure if that means anything or not, but I'm not a happy customer with them at the moment. They seem to be trying to make it right, but my car has now been down for almost 2 weeks because of this.
My other choice was the MSD, why don't you like the MSD...just curious if there was something I didn't know.
My other choice was the MSD, why don't you like the MSD...just curious if there was something I didn't know.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 457
Likes: 2
optispark
I don't understand why so many people have problems with the optispark.I have a 94 vette and never had a optispark go bad on me.I did put in the vented optispark when i did a cam change.I would buy the GM optispark JMO. THANKS JEFF
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
ditto
OEM opti installed several years ago along with an electric water pump so no anti freeze can leak on the opti.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Is your current optispark vented?
If so then an OEM replacement will be fine.
Not vented like my 92 was - aftermarket Dynaspark. Caveat - I think I got one of the last ones from before the company was bought/sold last. Its been good, other folks have had issues since them. I'm not sure what happened to the company.
If I was spending my money on an opti today I would get an MSD, open it and fix the loose screws, re seal it, etc.
If so then an OEM replacement will be fine.
Not vented like my 92 was - aftermarket Dynaspark. Caveat - I think I got one of the last ones from before the company was bought/sold last. Its been good, other folks have had issues since them. I'm not sure what happened to the company.
If I was spending my money on an opti today I would get an MSD, open it and fix the loose screws, re seal it, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Vented OEM OPTIs are reliable and the one on my vette handles jaunts to 6500+ rpm great....
if you have a 95 or 96 OEM opt .....If not......for the cost of the aftermakarket options if I had an early Lt1 I'd do a vented opti conversion
Mike
if you have a 95 or 96 OEM opt .....If not......for the cost of the aftermakarket options if I had an early Lt1 I'd do a vented opti conversion
Mike
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Slidell Louisiana
I've had good luck with the partsladi however, looks like others haven't..
Just ensure you are buying from someone thats "licensed?" by GM to sell their parts and you should be good to go.
Here's a screen shot of 6800 rpm shift (on the street not dyno or track)
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: middle of Illinois
I know you said not to mention the MSD opti, but since you said yours is working fine... Have you seen what MSD calls a cap and rotor kit? It replaces pretty much everything plastic and all the high voltage contacts, but uses the original unit's metal and optical wheel/sensor. But the best part, if you have an early style like mine, is it comes with tubes and fittings to run to the intake duct and to tap into manifold vac to make it a vented unit. Since mine was working fine when I pulled the engine out, I decided to go that route and so far (2 months later) I'm happy with it. It spins to 6400 where my rev limiter is set without any problem. I'm still on a stock bottom end, so I don't want to go much higher than that.
For what it's worth, I'm curious what you've heard about high RPM issues with MSD. I've only heard of that with high mileage stock optis. I know of at least 3 engines (one Impala, one Caprice wagon, one Camaro) I have seen personally that spin past 6500 with the whole MSD opti without trouble.
For what it's worth, I'm curious what you've heard about high RPM issues with MSD. I've only heard of that with high mileage stock optis. I know of at least 3 engines (one Impala, one Caprice wagon, one Camaro) I have seen personally that spin past 6500 with the whole MSD opti without trouble.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Dynacrap is no longer a supporting Vendor so, hopefully this post stays.
I've PM few of you and my experience with the Dynaspark was awful. It was the only thing I did to the Vette and there were detonation after detonation/ping/bang/you name it. I was about to deploy to Iraq, I did not have the time to remove it put it back in a box a get my money back so I got screwed BAD. I bought the MSD and all problems went away. Other members claim to be satisfied with it others including me were not so lucky.
I know soon or later somebody will invent a great replacement and affordable for us to upgrade from this nightmare.
I've PM few of you and my experience with the Dynaspark was awful. It was the only thing I did to the Vette and there were detonation after detonation/ping/bang/you name it. I was about to deploy to Iraq, I did not have the time to remove it put it back in a box a get my money back so I got screwed BAD. I bought the MSD and all problems went away. Other members claim to be satisfied with it others including me were not so lucky.
I know soon or later somebody will invent a great replacement and affordable for us to upgrade from this nightmare.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I know you said not to mention the MSD opti, but since you said yours is working fine... Have you seen what MSD calls a cap and rotor kit? It replaces pretty much everything plastic and all the high voltage contacts, but uses the original unit's metal and optical wheel/sensor. But the best part, if you have an early style like mine, is it comes with tubes and fittings to run to the intake duct and to tap into manifold vac to make it a vented unit. Since mine was working fine when I pulled the engine out, I decided to go that route and so far (2 months later) I'm happy with it. It spins to 6400 where my rev limiter is set without any problem. I'm still on a stock bottom end, so I don't want to go much higher than that.
For what it's worth, I'm curious what you've heard about high RPM issues with MSD. I've only heard of that with high mileage stock optis. I know of at least 3 engines (one Impala, one Caprice wagon, one Camaro) I have seen personally that spin past 6500 with the whole MSD opti without trouble.
For what it's worth, I'm curious what you've heard about high RPM issues with MSD. I've only heard of that with high mileage stock optis. I know of at least 3 engines (one Impala, one Caprice wagon, one Camaro) I have seen personally that spin past 6500 with the whole MSD opti without trouble.
Sorry I can't remember exactly where I read that about the misfire at high rpm. It had to be either here or LS1 or Gurus. I wonder though how many of these problems are installation related and not the units fault.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Dynacrap is no longer a supporting Vendor so, hopefully this post stays.
I've PM few of you and my experience with the Dynaspark was awful. It was the only thing I did to the Vette and there were detonation after detonation/ping/bang/you name it. I was about to deploy to Iraq, I did not have the time to remove it put it back in a box a get my money back so I got screwed BAD. I bought the MSD and all problems went away. Other members claim to be satisfied with it others including me were not so lucky.
I know soon or later somebody will invent a great replacement and affordable for us to upgrade from this nightmare.
I've PM few of you and my experience with the Dynaspark was awful. It was the only thing I did to the Vette and there were detonation after detonation/ping/bang/you name it. I was about to deploy to Iraq, I did not have the time to remove it put it back in a box a get my money back so I got screwed BAD. I bought the MSD and all problems went away. Other members claim to be satisfied with it others including me were not so lucky.
I know soon or later somebody will invent a great replacement and affordable for us to upgrade from this nightmare.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...opti-poll.html
73% said no problems, the rest were about split between minor and major problems. I think many looked at the Dynaspark and then the MSD as that great replacement opti, but I don't think either has convinced me that they are better than stock, at least better than the stock later vented units.
When I replaced mine (only because I was doing the water pump) I went with a stock unit, if I had an earlier car, it would have been a tougher decision. One thing that I wish I did would have been to put a hose in the weep hole on the water pump and run it to a small container that I could check periodically. I think that coolant and opti bearings are a bad mix.
Last edited by skybolt31; Sep 4, 2009 at 03:30 PM. Reason: spellin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
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From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
I have had my fair share of Optis issues, Dynaspark and OEM GM. Problems were with, IMHO install. When a new cam, the dowel pin length may be different and gasket thickness cause the Opti to not line up properly. Dynaspark was very clear on install instructions.
Lesson learned, be **** about the install, go 95 and newer and by OEM.
Lesson learned, be **** about the install, go 95 and newer and by OEM.
