We'll see.
View Poll Results: How many miles have you gotten out of your Opti
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll
Poll: Opti Failures.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 37
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
What appeared to be an original opti failed at about 130k when I failed to remove enough coolant on a simple t-stat swap. I'm not too sure how much longer I'd have had with it though. The rotor was loose, seals were nearly gone and I could see obvious wear on the contacts.
My current cheap aftermarket has been in now for about 4k miles.
My current cheap aftermarket has been in now for about 4k miles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 18
From: Dayton Ohio
I have over 150k miles on my 92 LT1 and have not had to replace the opti... however I did put the Delteq kit on a while back. It actually made my car run smoother. I had had some ignition stumbles after washing the engine one time and figured I should do something. Replacing the opti with another did not make sense to me. It is really a poor design to put such a high maintenance item in such a difficult area to access.
I also suspect that the opti was changed once before I got the car. I can't prove it but I do know the water pump was off before.
Matt
I also suspect that the opti was changed once before I got the car. I can't prove it but I do know the water pump was off before.
Matt
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I replaced mine when I had the water pump replaced and a bad oil leak in the front of the engine at 150K+ so it had me a bit worried as to if it would go out next.
The opti wasnt acting up, but I figured if everything else was giving out, and I was replacing so much stuff anyway, it was a "while you are in there" moment.
Laura
The opti wasnt acting up, but I figured if everything else was giving out, and I was replacing so much stuff anyway, it was a "while you are in there" moment.
Laura
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 223
From: Northeast FL
Replaxed it at 104K when tracing anignition problem that turned out to be an )2 sensor. Then put in an MSD that worked great for me. Then built a new motor with an Accel opti. It ran for almost an hour before the rotor came off and trashed it. Put a GMPP one in but put loctite on the rotor screws before installing it.
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Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
My Opti in my '93 was replaced at a little over 61,000 by the previous owner. The car is running fine with 85,000 and some change on it. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
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
My original opti went at 101-102 K cause of the waterpump 
Replaced it with a Dynaspark back when they were a supporting vendor and active on the forum. Have about 3K on the Dynaspark with no issues.
Replaced it with a Dynaspark back when they were a supporting vendor and active on the forum. Have about 3K on the Dynaspark with no issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Replaced the Opti in my 96 AT 110K miles when I had the engine apart for cleaning and to fix oil leaks. It didn't need it and even thought you can't really see it when the engine is back together a new one looked so much better than putting the old one back on during reassembly.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Chula Vista CA
Been Trough two
Replaced the original in my 93 at 100K. The harmonic balancer had self destructed and the flapping rubber wore a hole in the bottom. Opti was full of dirt rust and water. Second one went at 140K, minor leak in the upper radiator hose to thermostate housing allowed coolant into the opti.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
1994-95,000 miles-no records of being replaced-original spark plug wires,new spark plugs,assuming original opti-opti seal at timing cover has small leak(oil)-car still runs fine(knock on wood)-waterpump checked,no leak & appears original(keeping fingers crossed)
NOTE:I only drive car on nice(none rainy)days,& replaced thermostat & rinsed area(opti)after.Car ran rough for a little bit but cleared up just fine(lucky).Car is also washed by hand.
NOTE:I only drive car on nice(none rainy)days,& replaced thermostat & rinsed area(opti)after.Car ran rough for a little bit but cleared up just fine(lucky).Car is also washed by hand.
Last edited by 94vettelover2; Oct 27, 2009 at 12:55 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
had 120,000 miles on car when I changed out opti on 96; previous owner changed cap and rotor four years earlier; dont know if opti was the original; do believe opti would have kept going except that vent hoses had rotted off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 2,218
From: Central Maryland
OEM unit failed at 19,xxx miles on my '94. Replaced it with a DynaSpark unit, and it's still going strong at 56,xxx miles.
OEM unit still working just fine in my LT4 at 38,xxx miles.
Live well,
SJW
OEM unit still working just fine in my LT4 at 38,xxx miles.
Live well,
SJW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
My roommate's LT4 had an aftermarket Opti installed by the previous owner. It lasted a year / about 4,000 miles before is **** out...Frikkin' junk! Moral of the story: don't put cheap-azz e-bay parts on your Corvette!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
First was OEM around 50k miles, due to water intrusion 
Second around 25 kmiles more, it was genuine OEM. Next was with new motor around 115000 miles by odometer. Then the dilemma began, when they started breaking (Dynaspark, OEM blah blah). Install is so important. ABout 3 more, finally cut rotor off went with DELTEQ.
Second around 25 kmiles more, it was genuine OEM. Next was with new motor around 115000 miles by odometer. Then the dilemma began, when they started breaking (Dynaspark, OEM blah blah). Install is so important. ABout 3 more, finally cut rotor off went with DELTEQ.
