Optispark Options
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: Boynton Beach FL
Optispark Options
After 125,000 miles, my original opti has failed. Looking at my options on the Summit site. What part in the opti usually fails? Can they be brought back to life with a cap and rotor kit? The choices on complete units vary in price from 250 for summit brand to 476 for the MSD. Anyone tried the Summit cheapo?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
The Opti--No-No-No
NOOOOOOOOO
NOOOOOOOOO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
After 125,000 miles, my original opti has failed. Looking at my options on the Summit site. What part in the opti usually fails? Can they be brought back to life with a cap and rotor kit? The choices on complete units vary in price from 250 for summit brand to 476 for the MSD. Anyone tried the Summit cheapo?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 174
Likes: 4
From: Austin_Palm Bay_Houston Texas_Florida_Texas
I agree, stick with OEM. "thepartsladi" on Ebay has complete OEM Optisparks for your '93 for about $295. They are a very reputable firm.
Usually, the high voltage parts of the Opti will fail first, ie the cap & rotor, especially if the Opti gasket has leaked allowing moisture or coolant into the unit(and these gaskets usually break over the years). If your C4 had lower miles on that Opti, I would normally suggest just replacing the Cap & rotor for about $150. But with 125K miles, your Opti bushing is also likely to worn out and seen better days. When you take off your original Opti, spin the Opti coupler with your fingers and see if you can feel the typical "grinding" associated with bad bushings or bearings.
Here is an Opti I pulled replaced on my '94. This Opti had only 59K on it. If it matters, the car spent the first 14 years of its life in OK and was rarely driven in the rain. You can see that the Optical wheel is rusted from moisture getting into the unit. Turned out the Opti gasket broke in one place allowing the elements to penerate.
Usually, the high voltage parts of the Opti will fail first, ie the cap & rotor, especially if the Opti gasket has leaked allowing moisture or coolant into the unit(and these gaskets usually break over the years). If your C4 had lower miles on that Opti, I would normally suggest just replacing the Cap & rotor for about $150. But with 125K miles, your Opti bushing is also likely to worn out and seen better days. When you take off your original Opti, spin the Opti coupler with your fingers and see if you can feel the typical "grinding" associated with bad bushings or bearings.
Here is an Opti I pulled replaced on my '94. This Opti had only 59K on it. If it matters, the car spent the first 14 years of its life in OK and was rarely driven in the rain. You can see that the Optical wheel is rusted from moisture getting into the unit. Turned out the Opti gasket broke in one place allowing the elements to penerate.
Last edited by Al Borman; Jan 15, 2010 at 05:17 PM.
