which opti is best
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9
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which opti is best
Looks like it's time to replace the opti. I see there are about a dozen brands on the market and I notice that people are even having problems with the high dollar high performance brands like MSD. So which brands are dependable? This will be my second time replacing the opti and don't want to do it again for a long time.
Last edited by hershell973; Apr 24, 2010 at 09:57 AM. Reason: typo
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
What year?
If its a 95+ stock replacement is an option
earlier years, like my 92 I'd probably get a stock replacement and modify it to be vented.
If its a 95+ stock replacement is an option
earlier years, like my 92 I'd probably get a stock replacement and modify it to be vented.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 72
From: Reno Nv
I'll let the guys that have had problems with the MSD chime in but I, just pulled the MSD off my 92 to inspect it. At 10k miles it looks brand new, even the cap & rotor. And it's been wet when I washed the motor (no, I don't hold the hose on it).
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
The MSD and Dynaspark look awesome, however based on polls and talk on this forum and others, they do not necessarily hold up any better than stock. When I replaced mine which is a 95, I went with stock, if I had an earlier year, I would have either modified stock to be vented or gone with an MSD or Dynaspark, I think vented is worth the effort.Also, I would put a drain hose on the water pump to direct the antifreeze away from the opti if the pump starts going south.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
I had a msd installed in my 93 40th ann. lasted 2 weeks. still saving up to get another opticrap. Definatly wont be wasting money on a msd,also mine didnt come with a rotor.since i got it in the fall and didnt get it installed till spring no one at the shop new it was missing.by that time the bill of sale went missing,had to order another.I to would like to know of another brand with a good track record.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
I just took my stock 96 opti off during my cam swap and looked inside. It looks pristine inside. I will replace the cap and rotor but only because I screwed up the coil terminal taking the wire off. Otherwise, I would have just put it back on.
I think the secret to long life is the venting. I also plan to mod the water pump to divert any weepage away from the opti.
I think the secret to long life is the venting. I also plan to mod the water pump to divert any weepage away from the opti.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: saginaw michigan
Looks like it's time to replace the opti. I see there are about a dozen brands on the market and I notice that people are even having problems with the high dollar high performance brands like MSD. So which brands are dependable? This will be my second time replacing the opti and don't want to do it again for a long time.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
OEM vented opti is the best.
However, I don't know what year LT1 you own. If I had an earlier LT1 I'd do a vented opti conversion... My 95 Impala SS had more than 155,000 mile on the original opti (car was still running when sold) and the OEM opti on my vette handles 7,000 rpm blasts with ease...(engine rpm)
Mike
However, I don't know what year LT1 you own. If I had an earlier LT1 I'd do a vented opti conversion... My 95 Impala SS had more than 155,000 mile on the original opti (car was still running when sold) and the OEM opti on my vette handles 7,000 rpm blasts with ease...(engine rpm)
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC
I personally use Delco/delphi opti-spark distributors....but that is just me. I have torn down many and have realized that the engineers did just enough to make it work for a while...and then the gasket/sealant would dry out...more than likely due to the heat cycles that the distributor has gone through.... and leak into the cap and rotor area and there you go...LIGHTS OUT!!!
For what it is worth to any of you who are concerned about water pump leaking and or water from washing your engine getting into the opti-spark. I have applied the black flexible ruberized product that you can dip your plier handles into....on the top of the distributor and along the sides so it will repel any water that gets on it. I can not say if it works great or not...because I have not yet had one come back in for a replacement and allow me to tear it down and inspect. But I do it on ALL that I install...just for the heck of it....eventhough I know it would be more profitable for me if I allowed them to FRY and keep installing them...but some how I would rather your Corvette run for a long time instead of having to deal with installing them more frequently.
"DUB"
For what it is worth to any of you who are concerned about water pump leaking and or water from washing your engine getting into the opti-spark. I have applied the black flexible ruberized product that you can dip your plier handles into....on the top of the distributor and along the sides so it will repel any water that gets on it. I can not say if it works great or not...because I have not yet had one come back in for a replacement and allow me to tear it down and inspect. But I do it on ALL that I install...just for the heck of it....eventhough I know it would be more profitable for me if I allowed them to FRY and keep installing them...but some how I would rather your Corvette run for a long time instead of having to deal with installing them more frequently.
"DUB"
