GlockLT4

yes, that is list price.. i don't think he knew you were a forum member or something. DO NOT pay $650 for it! You should be able to get it for less than $350.

Admiral Fairway

Just got my Mid-America catalog in the mail today and they have opti-sparks listed for:
1992 = 489.99
1993-1994 = 489.99
1995-1996 = 149.99
Why is the 1995-1996 one so much cheaper.

Chris@SD

Where the heck are you guys getting prices on Optis that cheap!!! Some of these prices are way below my cost!!!

Admiral Fairway

Got my prices right out of the Mid-America catalog.

GlockLT4

I got mine for $100.

cerby

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I got mine for $100.

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Where? True or :bs ?

Louis Bartay

Why is the price in the Mid-America catalog cheaper for the 1995-96 that is vented and the 1994 that is on my wife's 1994 LT1 Trans Am that is NOT vented????? I had the T.A. in the shop two months ago and had the opti-spark, plug wires,plugs and water pump replaced for $1100.00 with all G.M. parts. I have read about a kit that you can buy that will vent the old style opti-spark so mostiure will not short it out. My LT4 is the orginal with 57000 miles and I am going to replace it and same the BIG bucks that the dealer charged me for parts and labor on the T.A. :seeya

FIBERGLASMD

Something interesting I found was Mid-America Designs sells the vented new style one for $149.99. #611-027. The old style non vented is 489.99 just for curiosity sake. #611-026 (I know there are cheaper ones available elsewhere).
:chevy

GlockLT4

No :bs Got it from a buddy in our club that had gotten it from his father (i think, might have been a friend) when they worked at a dealer. I gave him $120 for it since it thought it was amazingly nice of him to help a college student out with a car that wouldn't run :yesnod: :yesnod:


[Modified by Glock'94, 9:25 PM 4/1/2002]

GlockLT4

If i have to replace mine again, I will either do the full conversion so I can use the vented one, or I will buy the rebuild kit and rebuild my old one which I still have. Depends on if it breaks again at a time I have time to mess around with the car.

bogus

ok... time to clear some air about the opti...

there are 2 versions, called early and new.

the early was used from 1992-1994. Late from 1995-1997. Remember, the LT1 lasted until 1997 in the Camaro.

The new opti had a larger bearing and overall different internals... the shafts were heavier... much different. to convert to the new style, you need a new front cover, cam gear and the gear that drives the opti.

the new unit also had a vent system. very effective. kept both the dust down and moisture out.

it is normal for an early opti to fail by 70,000 miles. the new opti can last 100k miles or more.

Finally... it is not a hard task to change the opti out. it can be done with basic hand tools. when doing the change, it is a good idea to seal the cap to base joint with RTV. the factory issued rubber gasket has a history of drying out.

whenever I do the opti again on my 92, I am converting over to a GM heavy duty LT4 timing arraingement... I plan on converting covers over and going with the new opti. I will also do the front main seal at the same time.

GlockLT4

the f-body '97 optispark is different .. not sure how though. different part number.

SPD DMN

Their '95-96 must be a rebuild kit. The catalogs are not known for giving good prices.

I usually paid between $280 and $320 for a brand new '92-94 opti from Jeff depending on a deal he struck with his supplier. The '95-96 opti's I have paid about $260-280 for. They are generally $20-40 cheaper for some reason.

If you guys are getting new opti's (not rebuilt ones) for less, then you have a hell of a supplier!

Dan Parker '96

The Mid-America one for the '96 is a rebuild kit. I ordered it thinking "Wow! Must be a misprint, better jump on it". Once I begin the engine teardown and inspect the original Opti... this kit may be going back since you can get rebuilt Opti's at Autozone for $130 + core. It'll depend on how my original looks.

95wht6spd

I have purchased several items from Jeff and they were very good deals. (rotors and ball joints) I would think he has good $ on opti's also. More Performance has opti's for $269. http://www.moreperformanceinc.com/oldindex.htm

Tom Piper

Sounds like the early opti-Spark may be on the way to being discontinued by GM. The prices start climbing when the supply gets low.
I'm glad I changed my '92 to the later model several years ago.

Tom Piper

HTRK-1

I have made several purchases from Jeff and he has always had the best price on orginal GM parts. He's real good guy to deal with.