The opti on my 1993 seems to have crapped out today (first day out of winter storage). I have read a lot of opticrap threads but am wondering how many are (1) replacing with original type opti, (2) replacing with 1995-1996 opti with new plumbing, (3) other alternatives. Does it do any good to use the original and put a lot of sealant around it? Finally, what is the experience with the (1) or (2) choices with respect to subsequent failures? I realize this topic is beat to death but bear with me one more time.

Thanks

 

try to get the vented one if you can

 

Rubyred I had mine stored outside all winter with a cover over the car and I started driving it April 1 when I brought it out it was missing at low rpm I have felt this before it's due to moisture in the cap of the opti I drive the car for about 5 or so miles about 10 minutes and it dried up and never happened again since it's been out of storage. Last July I replaced just the Cap and rotor of the Opti because some bone head cracked part of the cap where the coil wire goes on so it was arking to the water pump. I would try blowing it off with compressed air remove the cold wire and blow in there and what ever wires you can get at on the bottom if you can keep it running let it run and it will dry out and maybe be fine it's worth a shot. If you guys need the part numbers for just a cap and rotor I think I still have the box and I just picked up the vacuum harness from GM that's on the newer 95-96's if I ever have the car apart I'll make it work I have that part number as well and it only cost me $9.20 I work at the dealer ship so I get 10 over cost witch is good.

 

He he. Mine crapped out today also! I am used to telling customers it is their opti. It took 4 people to convince me that it was my opti today. :D :boxing
Upgrading is a very good thing to do. Go for it.

 

I would also suggest upgrading to the newer style. Realize you will want to swap out your camshaft also (the dowel pin is a different length). Great time to upgrade and pull out some more hp/torque :)

Chris

 

The first time taking one of those things out is the worst. It gets much easier after that. Just make sure it really is the Opti. Well, somtimes you just don't know. :confused: :confused: :eek: :confused:
Good luck :cheers:

 

I had the dealer do mine its warrented for as long as I own the car. This is why I choose to let them do it. Good luck Jim

 

Go to http://www.moreperformanceinc.com and check out their opti upgrade kit. Go to products or catelog, then opti and you'll see it. This is what I'm doing when I go to the stroker.

 

This looks like a good deal.

You might consider upgrading the timing gear while you have the cover off. Of course you'd need to change to an electric water pump.

 

I went with the original vented and sealed per the Feb 01 Corvette Fever article. Happy so far. If I had it to do over, I'd get a 92 opti and put a 94 cap (already vented) on it.

 

The conversion was more than I could afford at the time...

I did the plumbing ....

I will add the RTV when I take the air filter off next time... didn't know about it then.

 

I'm with Jim, the dealer did mine and gave me a life time warrantee.

 

It might be worthwhile going to the vented model since its about 70 bucks cheaper. You'll need a new timing cover, cam (or longer dowl pin - better still the LT4 hot cam) and timing chain. Get a new waterpump drive too if the car has quite a few miles on it.

 

They are listing the newer model for $180 in MAD. Maybe its a misprint but you might as well jump on it.

 

I am going to replace mine with the 95 and up style. For starters it is cheaper and if you are already using an electric water pump it will allow you to use any timing set you would like. The kicker is that you have to extend the drive pin on the cam and you have to replace the timing cover with the newer style.

I'll be installing one along with my new gear drive timing set. I've got the gear drive and the timing cover already.

 

Nathan, let us know how it goes. I want to do the same to mine. I heard there may be a harness issue. Please tell me what parts # wise and addtional steps beyond just changing the opti you had to do to get it to work.
Thanks

 

Actually there was a thread on that a little while back that you might see if you can find. Basically the 92 wiring harness is different than all the others. So what you have to do is remove the pigtail that goes to the 92 opti and get one that goes for a 95. Now the connector is different but the wires and pins are the same. So what you have to do is disassemble them both and use the 95 wiring harness with the connector from the 92 harness and it will work just fine.

Kind of a PITA, but it's the only option we have. I believe Jeff Kopp can get the wiring harness for like $76 and the new opti for like $250, but don't quote me on those prices. The new timing cover will probably cost around $80 (I got mine free :jester ) Then of course it's the timing set of your choice (given an electric water pump). My Pete Jackson gear drive was like $140 or so.

Oh and the drive pin on the cam is not an issue on the Hot Cam. I had to drive it in a little bit to use my current opti, so I can just pull the cam out and drive it back the other way when I do the new opti. I'll probably do all of this when I do my heads. I have to pull my intake off and remove the rocker arms and lifters to remove the cam, so I might as well do it all at once so I won't have to do it again. Assuming my opti will hold out that long :)





[Modified by Nathan Plemons, 8:03 AM 4/12/2002]

 

Rubyred I would like to know what you did with your car? did you try what I said?

 

Does it do any good to seal it??? Come to my house and watch me pour a bucket of water on mine!

This poll is being skewed by fools who have no clue and choose to throw new Opti's on every 5 years and drive around with a AAA Platinum membership and cell phone for towing. The original design is leaky and has no breathing feature. Moisture does not evaporate "downward" out of the 3 weep holes on the bottom. A $15 OEM purge hose kit and tube of RTV will fix it permanently. The bearing rust due to no purge will need to be assessed when you disassemble the unit. Inspect it, upgrade it and quit thinking about it.

Nathan, the '95 and up style is surely not cheaper. You must include the cost of all the upgrade componentry including a cam. The bandaid early cam and dowel mod some try to use is more iffy than the original Optispark. The later retrofit costs 4x more and is about 10X more labor. If the car is still running properly, modification of the early unit will fix the factory defect for less than $20. It is not necessary to tear the motor down to the shortblock to attach two hoses and seal it.

Try the KISS method. It works perfectly. The later unit is more prone to leakage and failure than a properly modified early unit.


[Modified by Rick93Z07, 8:11 AM 4/13/2002]

 

Rick93Z07,
My bro just purchased a 95 Z07 and loves the car.Could you tell me a little
more about the Z07 option.Does it have ZR1 brakes?I know you are the
man to answer the question.
Thank's
01GT :cheers: