93 Opti to coil pack conversion?
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
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93 Opti to coil pack conversion?
I'm afraid the time has come. My completely original Ruby has hit 80k miles with the original radiator and Opti. Needless to say, they are both due for it. The snag im hitting is the opti. I have come to the decision that it is NOT going back together the same way it came apart. I started to get the MSD opti, but i see a lot of mixed reviews. I havent ruled that out, but I REALLY REALLY like what I see from the Delteq Opti to coil pac conversion. This upgrade just makes sense. The problem is, I dont have an opti worth using. To do the upgrade, I need the optical trigger. Any suggestions? Has anyone done this upgrade? Kinda hate to buy a junk $200 opti just to get an optical trigger...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Don't bother with the MSD. Only lasted 3 years for me. I believe DelTeq is no longer in business. The only option is the LTCC controller. I replaced my MSD with one from a forum sponsor for only $160. Been running good for a few months now and I beat the hell on my car autocrossing it. I keep thinking about going with the LTCC upgrade though.
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Instructor
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If weather and moisture were not an issue, I'd probably just go with another opti. Not as big of a fan of the LSX coil pack system. Phone still rings at delteq, but no answer just yet. Maybe I'll get a lucky break.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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Yes. Already removed and inspected the opti. Of course it's shot. I NEVER EVER want to have to do this again. Reliability goes a long long way with me. The coil pack system just seems like a no brainer. I can't get ahold of Delteq. Guess ill have to look a little more into the Bailey engineering system. I found a new opti for $70 with a Samsung optical trigger. Don't know anything about that particular one. Still trying to figure put what direction to go at this point. Not sure if I really need a vented opti since I plan to go with the coil packs. I guess if I can find a fail proof opti, I could go that route, but there doesn't seem to be one. Thoughts???
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
1. There is no fail proof opti. It's a mechanical part so it will fail. IT's designed to go 100 K and that's about what it does.
2. The coil pack conversion still uses the optical sensor and bearing from the optispark distributor -IMO the parts that break down eventually. Some say that removing the secondary ignition from close proximity to the primary pickup (opti) helps, but I have seen no proof of this. My non-vented opti lasted 155k.
3. Doing the swap is way more money/effort than just swapping the opti! You still need to buy an opti (you said yours was shot), then the conversion, and THEN, I don't see the thing going any farther than a stock opti b/c the sealed bearing can only go around and around for so long before it dies. Opti replacement (the labor) is REALLY not that hard a job at all, IMO. Could be done in 2 hours. MY thoughts? Try to buy a quality replacement distributor (since you say yours is bad) and install it. Revisit 20 years/100,000 miles from now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
I hear ya, this would be a tough time to be making an Opti decision.. such a mixed bag! Some have luck with MSD, others hate it.
I bought a (Summit Racing) A/C Delco vented Opti about three years ago for my 95.. so far so good. I am glad that I kept the old original unit with the Mitsubishi Opticle Sensor, someday these may be repairable/rebuildable items.
I bought a (Summit Racing) A/C Delco vented Opti about three years ago for my 95.. so far so good. I am glad that I kept the old original unit with the Mitsubishi Opticle Sensor, someday these may be repairable/rebuildable items.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Eugene Oregon
I believe in the Beer Fairy
St. Jude Donor '15,'19
[QUOTE=Tom400CFI;1583916419]Here are my thoughts.
1. There is no fail proof opti. It's a mechanical part so it will fail. IT's designed to go 100 K and that's about what it does.
80K sound like a fair amount of miles for a mechanical part in the enviroment its in.
1. There is no fail proof opti. It's a mechanical part so it will fail. IT's designed to go 100 K and that's about what it does.
80K sound like a fair amount of miles for a mechanical part in the enviroment its in.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I have the LTCC. And it works. Very well.
DelTeq is an interesting bunch... the engineer is, as I understand it, a near genius... and he has been spirited away to some far away place on some secret US Government project paying bucket loads of cash.
Another option is http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/default.aspx
However, I have the LTCC, been in for nearly 10 years. Just make sure no moisture gets in and you're fine. All my issues have been anything BUT the LTCC... Opti's... learning how to make plug wires right... belts exploding....
I also recommend using the LS2 coil. Hotter and better spark at high RPM. Stay away from the Truck coils, they are problematic.
oh, depending on where Bob is with things, I rewrote the manual...
ask questions... please...
DelTeq is an interesting bunch... the engineer is, as I understand it, a near genius... and he has been spirited away to some far away place on some secret US Government project paying bucket loads of cash.
Another option is http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/default.aspx
However, I have the LTCC, been in for nearly 10 years. Just make sure no moisture gets in and you're fine. All my issues have been anything BUT the LTCC... Opti's... learning how to make plug wires right... belts exploding....
I also recommend using the LS2 coil. Hotter and better spark at high RPM. Stay away from the Truck coils, they are problematic.
oh, depending on where Bob is with things, I rewrote the manual...
ask questions... please...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Just FYI, the 24x from EFIconnection is not compatible with the Corvette electronics and they have no plans on making any kind of piggyback setup for the C4 Corvette.
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Instructor
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That is good to know. At this point, I'm thinking of just putting in any old opti I can find for a cheap price. Truth is, the vent can be added to ANY opti with a little creative ingenuity. I still like the thought of running the LTCC. No rotor button will make the bearing last much much longer, and no high voltage near the trigger just makes sense.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
With much research as one can do on the opti, this is the unit I ended up going with.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...r-lt1-lt4.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...r-lt1-lt4.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
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With much research as one can do on the opti, this is the unit I ended up going with.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...r-lt1-lt4.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...r-lt1-lt4.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Forgot to mention, since I didn't have time to work on her, I had my mechanic put loctite on the rotor screws (if you don't go with the LTCC) and put RTV silicone on the case seal when put back together.
Race Director
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Too bad you can't guarantee that you'll get a mitsubishi opti with that GM unit anymore. The main reason I went with an off brand. Not paying that much to "maybe" get a quality unit. Did that once already. Wish they still manufactured stuff in the U.S.!