Quick opti question....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 686
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From: Austin Texas
Quick opti question....
My 93 still isn't starting. Fuel pressure good, fuses all good, injectors have pulse, drained tank put new fuel in, new fuel filter, MAP sensor tests good. I crank it and it almost starts, like it wants to start but just doesn't quite start. There is spark, but i'm wondering maybe opti is bad ?
I have a spare optispark unit from a 95 LT1 vette, motor had 25k on it when rod bearing went. The opti looks new but been sitting in garage in a box 4 years. Any reason I would not want to swap to this one ? It has the vent nipple on it. I think I read where optis are different , different years. Does anybody know if the '95 opti is a direct drop-in replacement for the '93 opti, or are the drives different or some other reason I can't swap one for the other ? Thank you very much
I have a spare optispark unit from a 95 LT1 vette, motor had 25k on it when rod bearing went. The opti looks new but been sitting in garage in a box 4 years. Any reason I would not want to swap to this one ? It has the vent nipple on it. I think I read where optis are different , different years. Does anybody know if the '95 opti is a direct drop-in replacement for the '93 opti, or are the drives different or some other reason I can't swap one for the other ? Thank you very much
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 24
From: Denton, TX My goal in life is to be as good of a person that my dog already thinks I am.
Like Bass said, drives are different for the '95 and "96's. Besides optis are never a quick change and if you are not sure that's the problem you are creating a bunch of work for yourself. Just my .02. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,659
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
cant he convert his motor to use it?
Id rather convert to use a new old stock gen 2 opti vs. Buy some piece of crap china gen 1 optispark. Though you might be able to pay top dollar and find a new old stock gen 1 optispark if you look hard enough.
The vacuum vented setup, of the gen 2, should work better. Way more reliable setup... Though you can/should easily convert a gen 1 to vented setup.
I have my 93 converted to use a gen 2 optispark. I had to so i could use the lt4 extreme duty timing chain kit.
I also put a new cam in.
My memory is failing right now (its saint patricks day) And i cant tell you all the parts i needed to do this.
Bassackwards, werent you the guy in TN that i sold my old new old stock optispark, with custom vent, to?
I bet its still working good!
Id rather convert to use a new old stock gen 2 opti vs. Buy some piece of crap china gen 1 optispark. Though you might be able to pay top dollar and find a new old stock gen 1 optispark if you look hard enough.
The vacuum vented setup, of the gen 2, should work better. Way more reliable setup... Though you can/should easily convert a gen 1 to vented setup.
I have my 93 converted to use a gen 2 optispark. I had to so i could use the lt4 extreme duty timing chain kit.
I also put a new cam in.
My memory is failing right now (its saint patricks day) And i cant tell you all the parts i needed to do this.
Bassackwards, werent you the guy in TN that i sold my old new old stock optispark, with custom vent, to?
I bet its still working good!
Last edited by dizwiz24; Mar 17, 2014 at 01:10 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Austin Texas
thanks ya'all, I was afraid of that. Too bad the drives aren't interchangeable. By the time I change opti and pull the manifold for a cam change, I"m thinking I might just as well pull the motor to make it all easier. I just wish I could get her running again
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,659
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From: NEwhere Ohio
If you gotta do a cam change, now is a good time to do hotcam mod.
I would have traded you my old new old stock gen 1 opti w/ custom vent harness for this opti you have - if you would have posted this in 2012!
I would have traded you my old new old stock gen 1 opti w/ custom vent harness for this opti you have - if you would have posted this in 2012!
Last edited by dizwiz24; Mar 17, 2014 at 04:03 PM.
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Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
My 93 still isn't starting. Fuel pressure good, fuses all good, injectors have pulse, drained tank put new fuel in, new fuel filter, MAP sensor tests good. I crank it and it almost starts, like it wants to start but just doesn't quite start. There is spark, but i'm wondering maybe opti is bad ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Austin Texas
No. Yet, there's spark at the coil. But, different plug wires , when I put a spark plug in the boots and crank it and observe them, the spark is visibly different on some than others
Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Nashville TN
OP if you have good spark at the coil and erratic coming out it could be the opti. I bought a car that wouldn't start and turns out the rotor fall off.
Your cap off the newer opti will fit the older one.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Austin Texas
Or, get a new opti. In that case, oh great, another search and re-search. Help !! Anybody know what source is a good replacement opti for a '93 ??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
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From: H-Town Texas
Okay, so we have good spark at the coil, and erratic spark at the plugs.
This tells me that your opti, at least on the low resolution side, the optical sensor, is functioning.
First, double check your plug wire connections, use a little dielectric grease on them. Also double check that all the wires are in the right place, as it can be easy to cross them at he opti. (I'd bet you already have, but it's worth stating) Particularly the connection of the coil wire going into the opti, it can be difficult.
It could be the distributor cap and/or the rotor. One of the main reasons they converted to a vacuum based vented design was the build up of gasses from the electrical spark that would cause the terminals to corrode.
This tells me that your opti, at least on the low resolution side, the optical sensor, is functioning.
First, double check your plug wire connections, use a little dielectric grease on them. Also double check that all the wires are in the right place, as it can be easy to cross them at he opti. (I'd bet you already have, but it's worth stating) Particularly the connection of the coil wire going into the opti, it can be difficult.
It could be the distributor cap and/or the rotor. One of the main reasons they converted to a vacuum based vented design was the build up of gasses from the electrical spark that would cause the terminals to corrode.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 686
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From: Austin Texas
Okay, so we have good spark at the coil, and erratic spark at the plugs.
This tells me that your opti, at least on the low resolution side, the optical sensor, is functioning.
First, double check your plug wire connections, use a little dielectric grease on them. Also double check that all the wires are in the right place, as it can be easy to cross them at he opti. (I'd bet you already have, but it's worth stating) Particularly the connection of the coil wire going into the opti, it can be difficult.
It could be the distributor cap and/or the rotor. One of the main reasons they converted to a vacuum based vented design was the build up of gasses from the electrical spark that would cause the terminals to corrode.
This tells me that your opti, at least on the low resolution side, the optical sensor, is functioning.
First, double check your plug wire connections, use a little dielectric grease on them. Also double check that all the wires are in the right place, as it can be easy to cross them at he opti. (I'd bet you already have, but it's worth stating) Particularly the connection of the coil wire going into the opti, it can be difficult.
It could be the distributor cap and/or the rotor. One of the main reasons they converted to a vacuum based vented design was the build up of gasses from the electrical spark that would cause the terminals to corrode.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
If that optispark from the 95 w/ 25000 miles is oem, I will buy it.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Austin Texas
OEM, yes. Its off a 95, the motor threw a rod bearing, motor had 28k on it, or 25k, I forget which. Its been in a freezer bag in my garage about 5 years. the resin looks nice shiny newm the bearing is tight, rest of it looks fresh. I have another opti off a 100k motor, its bearing is noticeablly loose, but its good for parts I guess. agent[at]inventorweb.com or 512 763-1142