optispark mod
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: brisbane qld
optispark mod
Well, the opti has crapped out at 37K Mi, so I am ordering a new one. I have read previously, that there is some sort of mod kit for the 93 to improve it, can someone please tell me what/where it is available from (online), and if it is a worthwhile investment, TIA, Tj
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: optispark mod (tmarshall60)
Well, you can either mod it yourself (there is documentation online.. I cant find the article.. can anyone else help?) where you basicaly get a new opti cover, and drill a hole in it, to install a vacum tube.. Then reassemble. Otherwise you can upgrade to the 95-95 style.. t o do this, however, you need a new opti (duh?), new timing chain cover, wiring harness, and I think you have to do some modification to the cam.. I have a '92 and am about to install a new cam, and in doing so, am upgrading to the 95-96 opti (among other things). Hope this helps!
-Mark
-Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: optispark mod (tmarshall60)
I think either Pep Boys or Autozone made an upgrade kit with a basically a 95/96 cap and rotor. You'll need to make an inlet connection through one of the 3 vents on the bottom of the opti base and plug the other two. I found mine on e-bay (~$140).
You can get a vacuum hose kit from GM (I ordered it from 18carfan) for about $7-$8.
Be sure to use hi-temp RTV to seal all the seams on your new opti. The GM seals get cooked then get hard and shrink. Not a good characteristic for a seal, ask NASA.
You can get a vacuum hose kit from GM (I ordered it from 18carfan) for about $7-$8.
Be sure to use hi-temp RTV to seal all the seams on your new opti. The GM seals get cooked then get hard and shrink. Not a good characteristic for a seal, ask NASA.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
Likes: 2
Re: optispark mod (John Row)
Get a back issue of Corvette Fever. I think February 01 has it. Has a great pictoral on how to make the change. basically, you order a new Opti from Superior Chevrolet and a vent harness from same...he can tell you EXACTLY what you need. You slightly drill out the vent holes on the bottom, put in a 90 and two T's, connected by the appropriate size tubing (I want to say 7/16), one of the tubes connects to the final T. Then you have to drill a hole in the cap and put in a fitting to connect the other tube. A high speed Dremel tool with carbide cutter bit works great. One of the tubes, the one with the check valve, goes to the intake manifold...the other goes to the bellows on the intake snorkel.
It works great.
It works great.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 15
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: optispark mod (tmarshall60)
Take a look at :
http://www.the-reeds.com/optispark_conversion.htm
I wrote this about 18 months ago when I did mine. Great mod, and worth every penny.
http://www.the-reeds.com/optispark_conversion.htm
I wrote this about 18 months ago when I did mine. Great mod, and worth every penny.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 82
From: Toronto ontario
Re: optispark mod (ZBRA)
for those whose opti's have died early, what kind of weather do you guys experience??? Im in toronto, and my opti lasted 85k kilometers... enduring severe 12 second beatings. I dont drive the car in the rain.. is that why it lasted so long??
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 15
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: optispark mod (5abivt)
I can honestly say that it was all my fault. I was detailing the car for a show spraying the a-arms when I must have got some water on the Opticrap. :eek: What's even worse was I knew better. That's when I decided enough was enough and I did the vented modification. So far (18 months now) not a single problem....of course my a-arms are all dirty and nasty looking! :cry
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
Re: optispark mod (tmarshall60)
Here's something to think about. If you are planning on doing some major horsepower to the car you are going to have to upgrade the timing chain eventually. The only good timing chains out there that I've seen work for the 95-96 opti's so you would need to do a conversion. That's the problem I'm faced with right now. I think it's about $750 for the parts for a conversion with the timing chain and opti. http://www.nu-tekmotorsports.com/new_page_3.htm I ran across this place the other day incase anyone is intersted. Just some infor for people reading this post
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: brisbane qld
Re: optispark mod (tmarshall60)
Thanks to all the replies, most helpful. In answer to why it may have failed so early, The car is in queensland Australia, which is quite humid, although the car was shipped over new, we think it may have sat on the docks for a time while customs processed it, not to mention the transport here, and the right hand drive conversion often takes some time, with the cars left outside, Tj
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: optispark mod (5abivt)
for those whose opti's have died early, what kind of weather do you guys experience??? Im in toronto, and my opti lasted 85k kilometers... enduring severe 12 second beatings. I dont drive the car in the rain.. is that why it lasted so long??
