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

How to ID Good GM Optispark

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 6, 2017 | 11:24 AM
  #1  
LTxDave's Avatar
LTxDave
Thread Starter
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,946
Likes: 63
From: Marianna FL
Default How to ID Good GM Optispark

How can I tell if the optispark I purchased years ago is a "good" one with the Mitsubishi sensor vs the not so good later replacements?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2017 | 11:35 AM
  #2  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Default

Originally Posted by LTxDave
How can I tell if the optispark I purchased years ago is a "good" one with the Mitsubishi sensor vs the not so good later replacements?
I always understood you had to do a visual on the sensor BUT it might be interesting maybe to check the part# on the distributor and in the same vicinity there's likely a "date code" of sorts that could answer the question without the "open to peek"!!

Post the info off of yours and maybe a snapshot?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2017 | 11:53 AM
  #3  
Silver96ce's Avatar
Silver96ce
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
Default

Open it up - it won't cause any problems to do so. You can check the rotor screws and blue locktite them at the same time.

There should small Mitsubishi diamond logo on it and there may be a dot of light green paint also. The paint dot was on the ones I bought used.

Here's a link with photos -
https://www.impalasuperstore.com/nai...TOPIC_ID=47010

It's the 15th photo and about 1/3 down the page showing the logo and paint dot.

Reply
Old Feb 6, 2017 | 12:18 PM
  #4  
40flier's Avatar
40flier
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 701
Likes: 79
From: 40 miles N. of the Everglades
Default

You tube test hook it up to car, wire to plug, spin with drill, look for spark
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2017 | 07:55 AM
  #5  
LTxDave's Avatar
LTxDave
Thread Starter
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,946
Likes: 63
From: Marianna FL
Default

I looked to last night and could not see any date codes when installed on the engine. I was more interested in getting tunercat to talk to my 95 than ID the opti on the spare engine.

Thanks for the info guys! Now I will know when I year down the engine of ours worth keeping.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2017 | 08:12 AM
  #6  
LT1_383's Avatar
LT1_383
Advanced
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 88
Likes: 7
Default

@LTxDave, a new option to TunerCat is EEHack on the fbodytech.com website. Take a look at it. It's free.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To How to ID Good GM Optispark





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:47 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
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-8
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-9
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