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

again with the optispark big question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 21, 2014 | 02:15 PM
  #1  
Lloyd Smale's Avatar
Lloyd Smale
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
Default again with the optispark big question

anyone have a replacement opti that there happy with. One thats gone say 20k or more without trouble. Dont tell me oem delco because finding one is about like finding the easter bunny. Seems everytime some posts that one is good someone else rips it. I dont care what it cost I just want something i can rely on.
Reply
Old May 21, 2014 | 10:22 PM
  #2  
don hall's Avatar
don hall
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Default

Originally Posted by Lloyd Smale
....... I dont care what it cost I just want something i can rely on.
Reliability and optispark are not synonymous. Lost the original, and two NOS optis. Installed a ProComp opti distributed by:
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/LT1-SBC-IGNITION.html

Many optis, and many comments..... see if you can find your answer with a forum search.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 12:29 AM
  #3  
GKK's Avatar
GKK
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Default

Originally Posted by seabright
Reliability and optispark are not synonymous. Installed a ProComp opti distributed by:
[url]http://www.saccitycorvette.com/LT1-SBC-IGNITION.html[/url


This is the only Opti I'd trust, if I was gonna replace one.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 12:36 AM
  #4  
36Volt's Avatar
36Volt
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest Park WA
Default

Seabrights right - lotsa forums on the the opti. but I'll play......
I am new to the corvette forum and want to thank the so many motorheads posting stuff that has Helped me a lot in many cases to degree I joined now I have some time.

So, lets talk Optispark

Technology begins with Japans Mitsubishi mostly, then USA's Chrysler. A slotted/timed wheel between a Light beam and a photovoltaic cell - early 70s for japan.

Photovoltaic cells from Japan are harder and harder to find, unfortunately, ones made in China are not of the same quality.

No secret the GM version of this technology was short lived. Mostly due to the ill conceived location and application. Since I read most of this stuff from Corvette and other forums, everyone knows the main issues are behind the waterpump is an undesirable location to access, is behind the potential fluid losses of the waterpump, directly beneath the waterpump drive oil seal in the timing cover, and are subject to colliding with moisture driving when hot.

The above spell - water/coolant contamination, oil from leaking seal, heat, and too darn hard to get at.

1st gen Optispark are unventilated, are just NO good answer for you. Sealing them up (even vents at bottom) completely will just corrode from Ozone. YOU MUST get a vented aftermarket Optispark or Opti cap assembly, with the best bearing and photocell (preferably Japanese) possible if you want any longevity.

Second generation has no vents at bottom, positive ventilation from intake, bigger shaft and some better sealing features, but still not failsafe.

The reason the stock first Opti on a cars engine can last over 50,000 miles isn't just because its OEM, its because the engine and seals are new, by the time we finally change these, unless there IS 70-80,000, miles, it is because a oil or water/coolant issue occurred, now the situation is changed from fresh and dry

1st and 2nd gen
- BRAND -
I have installed quite few of these now, now most are no returns, due to early learning's. No matter what the make. HOW?

First - THE SEAL TO WATER PUMP DRIVE SHAFT, guy on Craigslist sells a $25 lip guide to get that pesky seal on RIGHT, it works, this eliminated my first issues .... oil ingration. Always replace all 3 seals on the timing cover... I use tiny bit of lube on the seal contact area to the shaft, some say don't, not sure i know why they say that, seals like an initial lube to their new shaft, but ultimately you want the front on that cover to remain Dry Dry Dry.

Clean those waterpump surfaces, nipples, good hoses, all dry as a bone, water can usually vent out but coolant vapors will "film" the photocells INOP bad as the oil films.

Then, both first and second design I additionally seal the crap out of them, especially the wires or harness plug entry thoroughly. I found even the MSD can eventually let oil weep in if you don't additionally seal them.

Always open new one and inspect lateral motion to trigger wheel (straighten it if its warped), and that the rotor bolts are tight!!! found quite a few that where not due to one I installed that grenaded, I now check them ALL.

Clean all your contacts to the Opti pigtail, to the coil, ignition module and grounds.

My preference - my 2 LT1s I have an ACCEL on my 95 TA 6 speed, 1.5 years now, just installed a MSD timing adjustable on my 92 Vette.... expensive - though I busted them with a loose rotor bolts inside, I really like the billet body and bearing size, it is vented so I made it like the 2nd designs positive ventilation. Live in western Washington so both have been subjected to some heavy rains and road wash (corvette my daily driver) so far so good.

Conclusion though are some brands I would not consider, if its real cheap well .... but mostly O'riely, Napa, Summit, and likely most of your upper end (though more money is not always better) WILL ALL WORK WELL - the trick is getting the environment back to a livable quarters for the Opti, seal em tight, and positive vent them.

Probably none of this you don't already know.. but just in case
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 02:50 AM
  #5  
lt4obsesses's Avatar
lt4obsesses
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Default

I'm not going to sit here and say that the optispark was the greatest thing since sliced bread, it certainly has it's issues.

However, it's also alot more durable than many give it credit for. The unfortunate thing is that whenever these engines have a hiccup, or a slight miss, the optispark is immediately replaced w/o further diagnosis. Mainly, I think because people don't really understand it. It makes me wonder how many perfectly good optis were sent to the landfill.

Yes, it was a short lived technology. Although I don't think that was due to any inherant shortcomings of the opti, but rather due to the development of the much more efficient coil on plug technology. There are many opti's still running strong out there with considerable miles on them. Mine has 160K and has survived a water pump failure, as well as an upper radiator hose burst. What i discovered from these events, were that the location of the opti is actually pretty well protected. The water pump mostly leaked on the serpentine belt, throwing coolant everywhere but on the opti, and the same for the hose bust. Mine is a '96, and I agree that venting is critical.

But yes, the things to look for are the mitsu opti, and a well constructed housing with good seals and solid bearings. Do not cheap out on this part. It is too much of a pain to get to, and too critical for performance of the engine. Just like if you were going build a 383 you wouldn't cheap out on your crankshaft. However, depending on the symptoms, often times a simple cap and rotor replacement is all you need. Considering some of the questionable product out there, the old saying, I might as well replace it while I'm in there could wind up causing more problems than it solves. The original part was about as good as you're gonna find.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 03:11 AM
  #6  
RVRVETT's Avatar
RVRVETT
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

Gee that optispark thing... well I been dealing with that item for the past 15yrs replaced it three times now and still having issues with it. I thought this time I would go with the MSD unit the first one was defective and the second one still not working right. I should have kept the original one and rebuilt it had I knowen that was the thing to do. My Vett is a 94 LT1 with 98,000
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 10:47 AM
  #7  
AVID's Avatar
AVID
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Steel City PA
Default

Originally Posted by 36Volt
Seabrights right - lotsa forums on the the opti. but I'll play......
I am new to the corvette forum and want to thank the so many motorheads posting stuff that has Helped me a lot in many cases to degree I joined now I have some time.

So, lets talk Optispark

Technology begins with Japans Mitsubishi mostly, then USA's Chrysler. A slotted/timed wheel between a Light beam and a photovoltaic cell - early 70s for japan.

Photovoltaic cells from Japan are harder and harder to find, unfortunately, ones made in China are not of the same quality.

No secret the GM version of this technology was short lived. Mostly due to the ill conceived location and application. Since I read most of this stuff from Corvette and other forums, everyone knows the main issues are behind the waterpump is an undesirable location to access, is behind the potential fluid losses of the waterpump, directly beneath the waterpump drive oil seal in the timing cover, and are subject to colliding with moisture driving when hot.

The above spell - water/coolant contamination, oil from leaking seal, heat, and too darn hard to get at.

1st gen Optispark are unventilated, are just NO good answer for you. Sealing them up (even vents at bottom) completely will just corrode from Ozone. YOU MUST get a vented aftermarket Optispark or Opti cap assembly, with the best bearing and photocell (preferably Japanese) possible if you want any longevity.

Second generation has no vents at bottom, positive ventilation from intake, bigger shaft and some better sealing features, but still not failsafe.

The reason the stock first Opti on a cars engine can last over 50,000 miles isn't just because its OEM, its because the engine and seals are new, by the time we finally change these, unless there IS 70-80,000, miles, it is because a oil or water/coolant issue occurred, now the situation is changed from fresh and dry

1st and 2nd gen
- BRAND -
I have installed quite few of these now, now most are no returns, due to early learning's. No matter what the make. HOW?

First - THE SEAL TO WATER PUMP DRIVE SHAFT, guy on Craigslist sells a $25 lip guide to get that pesky seal on RIGHT, it works, this eliminated my first issues .... oil ingration. Always replace all 3 seals on the timing cover... I use tiny bit of lube on the seal contact area to the shaft, some say don't, not sure i know why they say that, seals like an initial lube to their new shaft, but ultimately you want the front on that cover to remain Dry Dry Dry.

Clean those waterpump surfaces, nipples, good hoses, all dry as a bone, water can usually vent out but coolant vapors will "film" the photocells INOP bad as the oil films.

Then, both first and second design I additionally seal the crap out of them, especially the wires or harness plug entry thoroughly. I found even the MSD can eventually let oil weep in if you don't additionally seal them.

Always open new one and inspect lateral motion to trigger wheel (straighten it if its warped), and that the rotor bolts are tight!!! found quite a few that where not due to one I installed that grenaded, I now check them ALL.

Clean all your contacts to the Opti pigtail, to the coil, ignition module and grounds.

My preference - my 2 LT1s I have an ACCEL on my 95 TA 6 speed, 1.5 years now, just installed a MSD timing adjustable on my 92 Vette.... expensive - though I busted them with a loose rotor bolts inside, I really like the billet body and bearing size, it is vented so I made it like the 2nd designs positive ventilation. Live in western Washington so both have been subjected to some heavy rains and road wash (corvette my daily driver) so far so good.

Conclusion though are some brands I would not consider, if its real cheap well .... but mostly O'riely, Napa, Summit, and likely most of your upper end (though more money is not always better) WILL ALL WORK WELL - the trick is getting the environment back to a livable quarters for the Opti, seal em tight, and positive vent them.

Probably none of this you don't already know.. but just in case
This is brilliant information, especially about making sure that the areas around the optispark stay dry by making sure to replace seals when you're in there. Thanks for the knowledge
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 01:07 PM
  #8  
RVRVETT's Avatar
RVRVETT
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

THANK You AVID for that info, it seems you are very familiar in this area I know that the installer of my recent opti didnot follow all your suggestions. Now I do some wrenching but when it comes to the opti I just figuer to have a shop do it. the one I had put on was the vented MSD unit. now I am wondering if the problems I am still having are related to the opti unit. The problems are still having arcing around the opti, ignition wires and coil. I have replaced the coil,coil moduel,ignition wires,opti spark new water pump. I am stumped and so is the shop that did the work Mmmmm.

another thing is that my fuel miledge is not the same. The more I drive around town the less and less I get I am at 15 miles per gal. Now if I go on a 300 mile trip I will get the 24-25 miles per gal and when I park it for a couple days and start town driving again it slowly will go down to 15 mpg again. now before I started having problems with this opti spark I was averaging 18-20 mpg around town not getting any help from dealer or the Corvette shops I have been dealing with for the past 15yrs. So now I am wondering if my fuel has something to do with the opti I am completly at a loss about this situation.

Any help out there is greatly appriciated.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 22, 2014 | 01:31 PM
  #9  
AVID's Avatar
AVID
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Steel City PA
Default

Originally Posted by RVRVETT
THANK You AVID for that info, it seems you are very familiar in this area I know that the installer of my recent opti didnot follow all your suggestions. Now I do some wrenching but when it comes to the opti I just figuer to have a shop do it. the one I had put on was the vented MSD unit. now I am wondering if the problems I am still having are related to the opti unit. The problems are still having arcing around the opti, ignition wires and coil. I have replaced the coil,coil moduel,ignition wires,opti spark new water pump. I am stumped and so is the shop that did the work Mmmmm.

another thing is that my fuel miledge is not the same. The more I drive around town the less and less I get I am at 15 miles per gal. Now if I go on a 300 mile trip I will get the 24-25 miles per gal and when I park it for a couple days and start town driving again it slowly will go down to 15 mpg again. now before I started having problems with this opti spark I was averaging 18-20 mpg around town not getting any help from dealer or the Corvette shops I have been dealing with for the past 15yrs. So now I am wondering if my fuel has something to do with the opti I am completly at a loss about this situation.

Any help out there is greatly appriciated.
I can't take credit for all that great knowledge, that was from 36Volt's post. I just quoted it for truth
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 03:37 PM
  #10  
kimmer's Avatar
kimmer
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Default

For what it's worth I put in a Chandlers and have had no problem for 3 years of pushing it hard. Must be lucky after hearing such horror stories.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 06:13 PM
  #11  
Mr. Peabody's Avatar
Mr. Peabody
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Freddy that was a great post with lots of valuable info. Thank you for sharing!!


Check out the PNW section of the forum there are quite a few of us between Seattle & Everett that are not affiliated with any club that get together for runs and grub
Reply
Old May 23, 2014 | 12:18 AM
  #12  
lt4obsesses's Avatar
lt4obsesses
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Default

Originally Posted by kimmer
For what it's worth I put in a Chandlers and have had no problem for 3 years of pushing it hard. Must be lucky after hearing such horror stories.
There was a thread some time ago where someone had disected a Chandler opti. It looked like it was built quite well.
Reply
Old May 23, 2014 | 05:48 AM
  #13  
Lloyd Smale's Avatar
Lloyd Smale
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
Default

so far we only have one guy thats made more then 2 years.
Reply
Old May 23, 2014 | 11:27 AM
  #14  
lt4obsesses's Avatar
lt4obsesses
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Lloyd Smale
so far we only have one guy thats made more then 2 years.
Right, the lesson here is to do thourogh diagnosis and make sure that it is indeed the opti that is the problem. There are many systems on these cars that can cause a misfire, hiccup, and such.

Just one example. I think I mentioned earlier that my opti has survived a radiator hose burst. One of the lingering effects of this was that apparently coolant had found it's way into the pigtail connector on the opti. Driving one day in the rain, the car started to stall, miss, and generally run bad. Code came up "low resolution" so I thought my opti was finally toast. (this was a good two years after the hose burst).

However, I wasn't sure. So I parked it for couple of days. Went to start it and it ran pretty well so I ruled the opti out. But I did replace the pigtail. When i looked down in the connector, there was a good amount of dried coolant that had started eating at the connector. Cleaned it all out with some brake cleaner and canned air, new pigtail, and it's perfect now. Point is, that most of the surrounding, supporting, and related parts will fail before the opti does under normal conditions.

The other problem we have is that when GM discontinued making these around '06, they sold the patents to other companies. These companies can now use whatever parts they want, and build them however they want. The trouble is that most care more about bottom line profitability, and not so much about durability.

For me, I think when the time comes, I will look into one of three solutions. The first is to make an attempt at searching for the holy grail, the NOS AC/Delco opti spark, the second is to find a good rebuild kit for the seals and bearings, clean the sensor, and fresh cap and rotor. The third is to convert to the aftermarket coil on plug systems if still available at that time.

The fourth option relates the the second above, if the other options are not doable. That is to buy the Chandler, MSD, or such, and use the sensor, and whatever else from my factory opti that is still in good condition. The opti is really a simple piece. The parts that experience actual wear are the cap, rotor, seals and bearings. The optical sensor and the slotted discs really don't have any stress put on them. The reason these fail are due to intrusion of fluids, oil, coolant, water. These will either cloud the optical sensor or short it, or clog the slots in the hi and low resolution discs making them unreadable. So, fix the intrusion issues, clean the discs and sensor (provided it's not shorted), install a good cap and rotor, and perhaps it's good for another 160K+?
Reply
Old May 23, 2014 | 01:35 PM
  #15  
Lloyd Smale's Avatar
Lloyd Smale
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
Default

I just got a new jegs catalog in the mail today and they claim to have new delcos. Says right in there add there not rebuilds but oem originals. they want 700 bucks for them. Anyone got one and is it true there new oem units?
Reply
Old May 23, 2014 | 04:51 PM
  #16  
don hall's Avatar
don hall
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Default

On-line catalog shows all opts as 'remanufactured':

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...Term=optispark
Reply
Old May 24, 2014 | 05:49 AM
  #17  
Lloyd Smale's Avatar
Lloyd Smale
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
Default

I saw that too. The catalog lists a new not reman. unit. I wonder which is right?
Originally Posted by seabright
On-line catalog shows all opts as 'remanufactured':

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...Term=optispark
Reply
Old May 24, 2014 | 06:38 AM
  #18  
Lloyd Smale's Avatar
Lloyd Smale
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
Default

anyone know where to find a opti vent kit? I know gm made them to upgrade the first gen optis but i cant find them anywhere.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To again with the optispark big question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:35 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE