optispark ID questions
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
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optispark ID questions
How can you tell an original GM opti from an aftermarket one? Are there numbers on it somewhere? I'm thinking in doing some junkyarding to find a few optis but how can I tell if the car still has the original GM one in it? Also, what does the Mitsubishi sensor look like as opposed to an aftermarket one? Are there any identifying markings on it? Any help is appreciated.
Last edited by TheGreek!; Dec 3, 2018 at 07:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
How can you tell an original GM opti from an aftermarket one? Are there numbers on it somewhere? I'm thinking in doing some junkyarding to find a few optis but how can I tell if the car still has the original GM one in it? Also, what does the Mitsubishi sensor look like as opposed to an aftermarket one? Are there any identifying markings on it? Any help is appreciated.
it will a mitsubishi diamond star emblem on it.
make sure its crisp and not painted over. If the sensor has been painted , thats indicative of a rebuild.
the opti cap should be the tan kind, not the greenish/grey opaque cap where you can see the electrodes thru it.
Ac delco was manufacturer of gen 1 optispark (92-94) and im not sure who was the manufacturer of the gen 2 optispark.
the most important thing is to take it aprt and look for that mitsubishi sensor inside !
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,549
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From: Glastonbury CT
There are numbers on the casting This i found when removing the unit from my car Look closely for they are machined on with little dots. As far as what the numbers mean i discussed this on the NCRS forum and no one was aware of there meeting. As far as finding a original will involve many hours unless the unit is off the car.Good Luck!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 388
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From: Jackson Michigan
(with dizwiz24). Also, keep in mind that there are two different drive versions. Pre-95 has a small spline shaft that drives through a coupler to the cam, while 95 & 96 have a larger hub that drives off the cam through a pin arrangement. The early versions were not vented while the 95 & 96 are vented. The vent hoses are the easiest way to tell them apart before you try to pull them off.Regards,
John
Last edited by WhiteC1; Dec 4, 2018 at 08:08 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 388
Likes: 116
From: Jackson Michigan
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 388
Likes: 116
From: Jackson Michigan
Sorry TheGreek, I stumbled across this and I'm planning to keep it on the shelf for if/when my 95 needs it. I do have another (used) 95 Optispark with a Mitsubishi sensor that I'm planning to list for sale soon... I was going to keep that one, but once I found the NOS one, I don't need to keep this one.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
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Sorry TheGreek, I stumbled across this and I'm planning to keep it on the shelf for if/when my 95 needs it. I do have another (used) 95 Optispark with a Mitsubishi sensor that I'm planning to list for sale soon... I was going to keep that one, but once I found the NOS one, I don't need to keep this one.