Igntion changes help your LT1 resale?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Igntion changes help your LT1 resale?
Seems with every "value" thread the big deal is guys seem to run away from the Lt1 cars due to the optispark gloom and doom.
Dont want to start an argument about the optispark.
List the simplest and most comprehensive and affordable way to convert to HEI step by step?
Too many nice sub 100k LT1 cars out there going for L98 $ due to the black eye...the C5 and 6 guys are seeing the same with discontinued ecbms and other parts. Big black eye on your resale appeal
Maybe make a sticky out of it .
Dont want to start an argument about the optispark.
List the simplest and most comprehensive and affordable way to convert to HEI step by step?
Too many nice sub 100k LT1 cars out there going for L98 $ due to the black eye...the C5 and 6 guys are seeing the same with discontinued ecbms and other parts. Big black eye on your resale appeal
Maybe make a sticky out of it .
Last edited by cv67; Sep 16, 2018 at 10:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,676
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
too many cretins think a $65 chinese optispark, or a $500 msd optispark (without a mitsubishi sensor) is the way to go.
Instead of blaming themselves for non-oem parts they blame the optispark
Sure, the 92-94 units had a design flaw that can be easily fixed by adding a custom vent hose. The 95-96 units dont really fail (unless vent hose clogs or something).
i can only laugh at the people who have a working fine oem gen 2 optispark and they replace it with a non oem unit ‘proactively’ - then they have issues with the new unit they put in. (And they threw away the oem one)
but yeah, people are stupid.
btw, i am happy that this optidoctor installs a mitsubishi sensor into an msd optispark and tests it. Thats huge for us since oem parts have dried up
Instead of blaming themselves for non-oem parts they blame the optispark
Sure, the 92-94 units had a design flaw that can be easily fixed by adding a custom vent hose. The 95-96 units dont really fail (unless vent hose clogs or something).
i can only laugh at the people who have a working fine oem gen 2 optispark and they replace it with a non oem unit ‘proactively’ - then they have issues with the new unit they put in. (And they threw away the oem one)
but yeah, people are stupid.
btw, i am happy that this optidoctor installs a mitsubishi sensor into an msd optispark and tests it. Thats huge for us since oem parts have dried up
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,479
Likes: 565
From: Clearwater Florida
….. I would think that the easiest /cheapest way would be to do the distributor hole mod to your LT1 intake like the L98 guys are doing (the ones trying to make an alternative (cheap) Mini Ram) … easy enough to fit a small cap HEI (found on most 90's GM trucks) … the trick would be to degree the balancer … not impossible (or expensive) at all …..
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Wonder if you used GM stuff it could pass a visual smog test? Its CARB approved obviously so?
That would definitely have some appeal should the right one pop up in the future. They do ride pretty nice compared to the early C4s.
That would definitely have some appeal should the right one pop up in the future. They do ride pretty nice compared to the early C4s.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 635
From: Dallas TX
I believe at least 1 of the systems(probably more) that converts to LS coils STILL uses the opti as the trigger since the LT motors dont have a crank trigger reluctor wheel on the crank shaft like the LS motors have.
Last edited by rjacobs; Sep 17, 2018 at 07:39 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
Is it possible to replace the optispark or at least the sensor part with say the sensor from a pertronix type unit. Optispark is an optical trigger there must be some way to adapt something else into the unit?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,479
Likes: 565
From: Clearwater Florida
….. I'm pretty sure that the rear distributor mod displaces the EGR valve … so that might nix the visual inspection test …..
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Team Owner
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From: Hartford WI
Here is the problem I see. You mod the car and you are hoping I agree that it is worth the extra you put in. What if I don't like it? What if I don't trust the manufacturer of the part? I sunk money into my car. Now I want to sell it for what I put into it less what I think the depreciation is worth. What happens when you don't think it is worth that much or that you don't trust the guy who rebuilt my engine, trans and rear end?
If you want to mod it for what YOU think increases reliability, go for it. If you think it will increase your resale value, I don't know. What I need is the buyer who appreciates the mods I made to my car as much as me. That shrinks down the market some and that becomes an issue for resale. So, lets say it sits for 5 years before I find the right guy who meets my price. I am paying insurance and doing maintenance, etc. So even if I do get the money I wanted, it is less because of the last 5 years of expenses and my time. IOW, I didn't get what I wanted. OTOH, if I have it stock, it might sell faster and easier than modified, I would think.
If you want to mod it for what YOU think increases reliability, go for it. If you think it will increase your resale value, I don't know. What I need is the buyer who appreciates the mods I made to my car as much as me. That shrinks down the market some and that becomes an issue for resale. So, lets say it sits for 5 years before I find the right guy who meets my price. I am paying insurance and doing maintenance, etc. So even if I do get the money I wanted, it is less because of the last 5 years of expenses and my time. IOW, I didn't get what I wanted. OTOH, if I have it stock, it might sell faster and easier than modified, I would think.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
IDK how you're going to get any other type of ignition system to work in the car w/the stock ECM. It's looking for 360 signals/crank revolution....no other system provides that.
I think the fastest/easiest way would be to grab a '91-'91 engine harness and ECM and distributor and apply that to the 'LT car. Worth it? Not to me, but it would work and be cheap.
I think the fastest/easiest way would be to grab a '91-'91 engine harness and ECM and distributor and apply that to the 'LT car. Worth it? Not to me, but it would work and be cheap.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Aklim its about reliability I dont care about car resale. From the minute I buy it I know its gone....not a savings account on wheels.
Maybe an incentive perhaps to think about getting one. I had a fantastic opp awhile back. (beautiful 96 40k mi $2500) but that opti...and ac ecm...egh
Anything electricla outside a battery I touch catches fire. In fact that battery may be smarter than me. Or a piece of broccoli.
Maybe an incentive perhaps to think about getting one. I had a fantastic opp awhile back. (beautiful 96 40k mi $2500) but that opti...and ac ecm...egh
Anything electricla outside a battery I touch catches fire. In fact that battery may be smarter than me. Or a piece of broccoli.
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
New owner here. Bought a 94 convertible about 4 months ago. I know the previous owner changed the opti he used a parts store brand. So far so good. But after much browsing etc... and people getting me worried about the opti biting the bullet ( which may not be as bad as it is made out to be ) I plan on changing my ignition out to a Torqhead system. Expensive yes, but well worth it to me if I can trust the car to take a long road trip with, and probably better return on investment than some expensive exhaust system. The torqhead system gets rid of all opti stuff.
Last edited by bvlvette; Sep 17, 2018 at 12:58 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2006
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I see this written a lot on these forums and find it odd. Yeah everyone is different....I know. But I drive the bejeeezus out of my car and have never had a "trust issue". I'll drive it anywhere, anytime. My wife's mom got sick a couple years ago, we live in UT...the MIL in Michigan. My wife couldn't find a plane ticket fast enough, her V was down with a blown transmission. I told her, "hop in the 'Vette and take that". She did. 2500 miles later she was back here in UT, no issues and no fears of any, in her travels. Even with "opti issues", a decently taken care of C4 is way more reliable than many other cars out there.
Last edited by bvlvette; Sep 17, 2018 at 02:22 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
Race Director
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Like you, I do the work myself...and *I* don't feel that the labor for the opti replacement is that bad at all. In fact, I've MADE A THREAD about it. With that in mind, I'm bullish on the cheapest opti with the BEST warranty. Right now, I believe that is the SAC city unit which I think has a 2 year warranty.
if the optispark breaks you down, at night, on a busy highway, nevermind the inconvenience - the circumstance could kill you . Distracted drivers, big rigs driving like $h1t, construction zones with no breakdown lanes, etc.
to me, id rather pay $5-600 for the right part and not worry about when ill need a flatbed home.
im happy someone brought up the opti replacements that still use the optispark optical sensor. LOL.
If you are using a knock off optispark with a non mitsubishi optical sensor for this conversion - LOL - lots of luck to you. Though some say the non mitsu sensors hold up better once the high voltage ozone side is eliminated - which may be true.
something that has helped my opti out is likely lowering coolant temps thru reprogrammed fans. I run 175 f max vs 220f max.
i dont see the shrunk cracked seals like i used to when ive had it apart. Everyone also knows electronics dont do well with high heat...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 491
Likes: 40
From: Mardi Gras City
St. Jude Donor '19
too many cretins think a $65 chinese optispark, or a $500 msd optispark (without a mitsubishi sensor) is the way to go.
Instead of blaming themselves for non-oem parts they blame the optispark
Sure, the 92-94 units had a design flaw that can be easily fixed by adding a custom vent hose. The 95-96 units dont really fail (unless vent hose clogs or something).
i can only laugh at the people who have a working fine oem gen 2 optispark and they replace it with a non oem unit ‘proactively’ - then they have issues with the new unit they put in. (And they threw away the oem one)
but yeah, people are stupid.
btw, i am happy that this optidoctor installs a mitsubishi sensor into an msd optispark and tests it. Thats huge for us since oem parts have dried up
Instead of blaming themselves for non-oem parts they blame the optispark
Sure, the 92-94 units had a design flaw that can be easily fixed by adding a custom vent hose. The 95-96 units dont really fail (unless vent hose clogs or something).
i can only laugh at the people who have a working fine oem gen 2 optispark and they replace it with a non oem unit ‘proactively’ - then they have issues with the new unit they put in. (And they threw away the oem one)
but yeah, people are stupid.
btw, i am happy that this optidoctor installs a mitsubishi sensor into an msd optispark and tests it. Thats huge for us since oem parts have dried up
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,467
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
if the optispark breaks you down, at night, on a busy highway, nevermind the inconvenience - the circumstance could kill you . Distracted drivers, big rigs driving like $h1t, construction zones with no breakdown lanes, etc. to me, id rather pay $5-600 for the right part and not worry about when ill need a flatbed home.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,467
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
There's the problem. None of them can guarantee that they won't die at an inconvenient point. Best you can do is get the most statistically reliable one.