opti again
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 309
Likes: 6
From: Troy Al
opti again
After years of frustration, and knuckle busting, I took my 93 coupe to a machanic. He has gotten to SES system to work again. Got the car running, but rough. And code 16. Says it needs a new opti. I know I have put at least 4 new optis over the 5 years or more of this ongoing problem. Typically, it runs for a while the the same thing again. What are my options for buying a GM opti these days? Semms like I remember a post where GM no longer makes them. What are my best options?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,214
From: Park City Utah
I agree about Ebay Opti's. I wouldn't touch one. If I were in the market to buy a new Opti unit today, I'd buy THIS ONE. It's affordable, and has a one year warranty.
Last one I bought was from Napa (for $550.00) and it's worked fine for just under a year, so far.
Last one I bought was from Napa (for $550.00) and it's worked fine for just under a year, so far.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; May 1, 2013 at 01:14 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,060
Likes: 1,165
From: N. Alabama
Forget the Dynaspark - a waste of time nowadays.(not as good as original since being bought out by another owner). Go with the MSD billet 'timing adjustable'. So far that is the one that is working well for me. 
this one:
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_07...1_distributor/
this one:
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_07...1_distributor/
Last edited by SouthernSon; May 2, 2013 at 08:08 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 564
From: Clearwater Florida
..... Take your Opti apart and clean the sensors and trigger wheel ... its not easy because there's very little room ... Opti is short for optical which means photocell ... ANY haze or dirt on any of them ( there are two each - top and bottom ) and it will affect the ability of the receptors to "see" ....... take a good look at the size of the slots in the trigger wheel and their proximity to each other and multiply that by several thousand RPM and you will realize why these things are so sensitive ... I'll be happy to pay the shipping on your old ones and take 'em off your hands ... 
.......
.......
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 309
Likes: 6
From: Troy Al
After some harsh words with the mechanic, I have decided to have my vette towed home and attempt to fix it myself. Here’s my plan, remove and clean the opti sensor, if that doesn’t do it, I may buy another opti. What is the part number for a '93 opti?
I also want to send the ECM to an ECM specialist shop, and have it thoroughly gone through. Has anyone one this board had experience with one of these guys you could recommend?
I'll keep you posted as to the outcome of all this.
I also want to send the ECM to an ECM specialist shop, and have it thoroughly gone through. Has anyone one this board had experience with one of these guys you could recommend?
I'll keep you posted as to the outcome of all this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
After some harsh words with the mechanic, I have decided to have my vette towed home and attempt to fix it myself. Here’s my plan, remove and clean the opti sensor, if that doesn’t do it, I may buy another opti. What is the part number for a '93 opti?
I also want to send the ECM to an ECM specialist shop, and have it thoroughly gone through. Has anyone one this board had experience with one of these guys you could recommend?
I'll keep you posted as to the outcome of all this.
I also want to send the ECM to an ECM specialist shop, and have it thoroughly gone through. Has anyone one this board had experience with one of these guys you could recommend?
I'll keep you posted as to the outcome of all this.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
From: Florida
After years of frustration, and knuckle busting, I took my 93 coupe to a machanic. He has gotten to SES system to work again. Got the car running, but rough. And code 16. Says it needs a new opti. I know I have put at least 4 new optis over the 5 years or more of this ongoing problem. Typically, it runs for a while the the same thing again. What are my options for buying a GM opti these days? Semms like I remember a post where GM no longer makes them. What are my best options?
I retro-fitted my new Delphi (acdelco) opti with the vented system.
I would imagine this will help with your situation.
Let me know if your interested and I'll give you specifics on how to do it correctly.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Highland Park IL
Understand what you are going through. It is no fun when your ride lets you down the way you explained.
I am also on the fourth opti in my '94 with 66K miles. With the exception of an MSD opti my current and other 3 were GM parts serviced at a Chevy dealer. Living in the Chicago area, my car is stored from Nov to Apr. Each time, with the exception of the MSD, the opti would fail shortly after taking the car out of storage due to a leaking water pump. The MSD was intermittent sometimes cutting out while driving the car or not starting after a short trip, waiting 10 - 15 mins the car would start and run perfect. Took my car to Libertyville Chevrolet where Kevin, (highly recommended) sorted out my car and replaced the opti with a GM part. So far it is running better than ever.
Good luck with your ride. Keep us informed on your progress.
I am also on the fourth opti in my '94 with 66K miles. With the exception of an MSD opti my current and other 3 were GM parts serviced at a Chevy dealer. Living in the Chicago area, my car is stored from Nov to Apr. Each time, with the exception of the MSD, the opti would fail shortly after taking the car out of storage due to a leaking water pump. The MSD was intermittent sometimes cutting out while driving the car or not starting after a short trip, waiting 10 - 15 mins the car would start and run perfect. Took my car to Libertyville Chevrolet where Kevin, (highly recommended) sorted out my car and replaced the opti with a GM part. So far it is running better than ever.
Good luck with your ride. Keep us informed on your progress.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 564
From: Clearwater Florida
..... Seriously , send me your old , tired , soggy Opti's ... I will do some failure analysis and try to come up with a more economical approach to dealing with Opti failures ... shoot me a PM with what you have and what you need to ship it to me ... I'll cover it .......
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 309
Likes: 6
From: Troy Al
well, it's helpful to know I'm not the only one this has happened to.
I feel I need to do something, and having it here at my house will help. The last opti was a new AC delco with a MSD cap and rotor. Done primarily for the venting option. There were no codes. Finally, the machanic somehow got the codes to work again. Code 16. He tested the ECM. It tested good. I'm thinking intermitten.
If I can fix it. Will it be reliable? Can I take it for a trip?
I'll keep ya posted..
I feel I need to do something, and having it here at my house will help. The last opti was a new AC delco with a MSD cap and rotor. Done primarily for the venting option. There were no codes. Finally, the machanic somehow got the codes to work again. Code 16. He tested the ECM. It tested good. I'm thinking intermitten.
If I can fix it. Will it be reliable? Can I take it for a trip?
I'll keep ya posted..
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
Ha! I am having the exact same issue. I replaced mine about 7K miles ago. I do not look forward to doing this again. It really ruins having the car. I would think that by now we should be able to fabricate a better system for way less than what the current coil on plug solutions are going for...I am thinking of changing it and then selling right away, unless after I drive it again, I get corvette fever back LOL