Petris Enterprises optispark
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,193
Likes: 16
Petris Enterprises optispark
Just got off the phone with the owner of Petris. They are the tech consultant for Corvette Central and make Optisparks and fan temp lowering kits. I bought their optispark after reading about it in an old article from Corvette fever. They have a cutom vented cap and use a real Delco optispark and vent kit, the real GM one. Some usefull tips he gave me:
1. make sure the #5 and #7 plug wires are on top and bottom of the loom, this prevents misfiring.
2. Pull the knock sensor to drain the block..I didn't do this but he says this is where all the worst gunk hides.
3. lowering the temp by using a lower stat and fan switch..really works and helps the motor a lot. I know there is much debate about this but he works almost exclusively on vettes so I'm taking his word for it.
4. he's looking into getting more on this site as I told him no one knows about him and everyone is always looking for a reliable optispark. His kit came with everything, including the pigtail and vacuum fittings and a real GM vent kit...Just another option for you all...
1. make sure the #5 and #7 plug wires are on top and bottom of the loom, this prevents misfiring.
2. Pull the knock sensor to drain the block..I didn't do this but he says this is where all the worst gunk hides.
3. lowering the temp by using a lower stat and fan switch..really works and helps the motor a lot. I know there is much debate about this but he works almost exclusively on vettes so I'm taking his word for it.
4. he's looking into getting more on this site as I told him no one knows about him and everyone is always looking for a reliable optispark. His kit came with everything, including the pigtail and vacuum fittings and a real GM vent kit...Just another option for you all...
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: St. Louis MO
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
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Dave Petris is a very knowledgeable Corvette guy. He gives technical seminars on C3 & C4 vettes at Mid-America Funfest in Effingham.
Fun-Fest is coming up in September. I highly encourage all interested to attend the 3 days of Seminars. Plus the lead singer from the band America will be headlining. An excellent way to Corvette learn and have a lot of fun.
See you at Fun-Fest 2011.
Fun-Fest is coming up in September. I highly encourage all interested to attend the 3 days of Seminars. Plus the lead singer from the band America will be headlining. An excellent way to Corvette learn and have a lot of fun.
See you at Fun-Fest 2011.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,193
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I told him he's really missing the boat by not being a vendor here..since everyone needs one of these at some time...and at 399.00 I think its a bargain compared to making a real one yourself...
Finished up the driver side today..was easier than the passenger side. I pulled the wheel well cover and it was pretty easy from there...best of all ..the damper slipped right back on! should have it running in a few days if it doesn't rain...did break a few of the 4 way looms though..damn things are brittle..had some extras i bought...took some pics, will post them soon..
Finished up the driver side today..was easier than the passenger side. I pulled the wheel well cover and it was pretty easy from there...best of all ..the damper slipped right back on! should have it running in a few days if it doesn't rain...did break a few of the 4 way looms though..damn things are brittle..had some extras i bought...took some pics, will post them soon..
Last edited by mfi; Jul 28, 2011 at 11:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,193
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Well got everything wired up..left off the water pump for now...and no start..now I'm wondering if the shop that diagnosed it ...messed up. The old opti was definately on its way out..choppy bearing..but I got nothing..have to check for spark tommorow but this is getting very..well time consuming...icm? ecm? opti harness? send it to Vette doctors and dump more coin at it...???
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 216
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From: Brunswick Georgia
testing?
Looks like a clean install.
Did thie new distributor go on "easy"? You did not force it on?
Do you have a service manual? Did you do any voltmeter testing?
Was yours a "no start" condition or did it have any codes set?
Did you try to start it for more than 15 seconds to see if it was a "hard start"?
Did thie new distributor go on "easy"? You did not force it on?
Do you have a service manual? Did you do any voltmeter testing?
Was yours a "no start" condition or did it have any codes set?
Did you try to start it for more than 15 seconds to see if it was a "hard start"?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,193
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It went on easy...going to replace the coil and module since they have 100k on them...if thats not it...I'm doing this alone so I can't crank the motor and do tests at the same time...can't think of what else is in the circuit ..the shop that it was at tested for fuel pressure, said ok..no spark....not start..
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Brunswick Georgia
It went on easy...going to replace the coil and module since they have 100k on them...if thats not it...I'm doing this alone so I can't crank the motor and do tests at the same time...can't think of what else is in the circuit ..the shop that it was at tested for fuel pressure, said ok..no spark....not start..
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Brunswick Georgia
Hope it ain't my icm
, cause PO replaced that too. All my diagnostics pointed to optifart.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Vancouver WA
I REALY need to see a picture of the optical pickup in there opti to be sure it is a delco "made in japan" and not a worthless "made in china" knock off. If its a true delco, he will be my new hero!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,193
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you can call them and talk to chris the owner.. i didn't rip it apart to see..maybe should have but he says it is real. he has the cap custom made. I just don't get the impression that he would use crap to build these as he is a very well known authority on these things...car runs great so i'm happy for now..
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 216
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From: Brunswick Georgia
el cheapo opti
Just installed new 200 buck optifart. Fired up faster than ever with no codes. Now gotta put water pump, etc back on. Only "time will tell" and the "proof is in the puddin".
BTW, this replaced a new ac delco with only 5 months and 3k miles on it before the opti part spit a code .......
BTW, this replaced a new ac delco with only 5 months and 3k miles on it before the opti part spit a code .......
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,193
Likes: 16
Well, chris says he has NEVER had a problem witrh one of his units and he gives it a lifetime warranty..for 400.00 you can't go wrong...sux if you have to pull it but I guess there will never be a foolproof opti ever again.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 216
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From: Brunswick Georgia
you can call them and talk to chris the owner.. i didn't rip it apart to see..maybe should have but he says it is real. he has the cap custom made. I just don't get the impression that he would use crap to build these as he is a very well known authority on these things...car runs great so i'm happy for now..
I did not take my new one apart on purpose, so I would not see dat lil gremlin in there dat was gonna self destruct.
I remember when "made in Japan" was considered junk......