C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

your experiences with MSD optispark

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Old May 29, 2012 | 08:13 AM
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Default your experiences with MSD optispark

IS the MSD optispark any good?

I seem to remember lots of issues with it, but somebody informed me that those issues were all isolated to bad quality control when it first came out. Recent units are fine.

If you have one, Id love to hear about its reliability. Also, let me know when you bought it.. Thanks

ID like to buy an OEM AC Delco optispark II, but unfortunately they are not avail new anymore from anyone. Only remanufactured.
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Old May 29, 2012 | 10:10 AM
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Less than 6 mos started missing when warm doing the typical opti symptoms. Stick to what you got.

MSD Gen 1 dist is crap

MSD L98 coil/cap deal same thing.

Always used GM or Mallory in the past never had an issue.

Last edited by cv67; May 29, 2012 at 12:04 PM.
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Old May 29, 2012 | 11:55 AM
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First install it died 3 miles from from home, had to be flatbeded home, mailed it back found the sensor to be bad so they replaced it and new cap, 150 mi now ane it is running fine
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Old May 29, 2012 | 12:29 PM
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We installed one about a year ago and it's been working great. This is in the wife's '94 365/day/yr daily driver.......spring, summer, fall and winter driven....in all conditions.

Just completed a 1,360 mile round trip and ran great the whole trip (and that was in 90 deg F weather plus rain on the way down to Bowling Green)
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Old May 29, 2012 | 01:48 PM
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I have an MSD in my 92 (GEN II pin drive conversion) and it's been great.

I bought mine in late 2007 but it sat in the box for over 6 months before I put it on the first engine - Which only managed to get dyno'd and then about 1500 street miles before it broke a bunch of valve springs (for the second time) in 2008....

Then it sat for another year before I was able to get the current engine in the car.

So far I am a little over 7,000 street driven miles and about 60 drag strip passes over the past 2 yrs... All on the same 2007 mfgr MSD Opti Spark.

Will
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Old May 29, 2012 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Less than 6 mos started missing when warm doing the typical opti symptoms. Stick to what you got.

MSD Gen 1 dist is crap

MSD L98 coil/cap deal same thing.

Always used GM or Mallory in the past never had an issue.
I don't have anything right now, other than a defective new ac delco reman optispark. I just converted to a late model timing cover so I need a gen 2 optispark.

The acdelco remnaufactured unit I got has new seals/bearings/cap, but reuses the optical sensor.

That is the broken part.

When did you buy the msd opti?

Unfortunately nos acdelco gen ii optisparks are not avail anywhere anymore
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Old May 29, 2012 | 02:41 PM
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About 3-4 yrs ago

Their spark plug wires were Ok.
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Old May 29, 2012 | 03:20 PM
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I'm probably going with this...

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050F

Now I see you have converted to Gen II hardware, but I'm just giving my two cents on this one.
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Old May 29, 2012 | 05:46 PM
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Had an MSD installed in my 92 in 2008. Still going with no problems at all. Roughly 20K miles on it.
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Old May 29, 2012 | 05:55 PM
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I have the complete MSD ignition on my 383 powered '93. Opti, coil and wires with no issues what so ever.
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:56 PM
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I've had all MSD ignition components (pro billet opti, street fire coil, 8MM wires, 6AL Box-marine) for about 10,000 miles with no issues. The 6AL box I've had for the past 1,000 miles. I run a small fresh air filter on my opti vent, use locktite on mounting hardware, and lube all electrical plug connections with dielectric grease. Also, when I installed the above components I replaced the IAC. Whatever you choose I hope you have good luck.

1993 LT-1, forged 355, P-1SC Procharger @10LBS with intercooler
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Old May 30, 2012 | 04:56 PM
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Been running one for about 4-5 years with no issues.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 09:05 AM
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My vote is...junk.

Mine died pulling the car into the trailer after the install. Yeah. It lasted 60 feet.
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