Best Opti Spark
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Joined: Dec 2020
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From: RI
Best Opti Spark
What is the best Opti-Spark to install? Accel, MSD, or are there any others. Does AC Delco produce one? Any insight would be great thinking of replacing opti-spark and wires over the winter. Plugs and injectors were done this past winter. 1993 Lt-1
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Joined: Mar 2017
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From: LeClaire Iowa
I am sure many will chime in with their choice of the best new one but under no circumstance should you throw away your old one if it is original. Dan
EDIT: If it was me I would not order a new one until you open the old (if original) to see if you can clean it up and install a new cap and rotor.
EDIT: If it was me I would not order a new one until you open the old (if original) to see if you can clean it up and install a new cap and rotor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 946
Likes: 244
From: Fruita CO
Most consider the one made by Petris the best on the market. I agree with Whaleman, if you have the original opti, hang onto it. If you are looking at one offered for less than $200, keep looking.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13
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Best Opti Spark
I would stay with GM Delco. ONE MORE THING YOU NEED TO DO WHEN REPLACING THE OPTI SPARK. MAKE SURE YOU REPLACE THE COIL WIRE that goes to the Opti Spark.
The coil wire insulator goes bad on the inside of the OPTI SPARK . The white insulator inside falls apart over time. Pay the extra few $$$$.and replace it.
The best place to buy it from would ROCKAUTO. They have the best prices.
The coil wire insulator goes bad on the inside of the OPTI SPARK . The white insulator inside falls apart over time. Pay the extra few $$$$.and replace it.
The best place to buy it from would ROCKAUTO. They have the best prices.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13
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One more thing, don't ever just replace the cap & rotor. What make the Opti Spark go bad is the bad bearing inside of the Opti disk. When the Opti Disk bearing goes bad the disk wabbles and optics can't read the disk.
If you go through the trouble of taking the front of the engine all apart, why would not do the job right?
If you go through the trouble of taking the front of the engine all apart, why would not do the job right?
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,228
Likes: 1,333
From: LeClaire Iowa
One more thing, don't ever just replace the cap & rotor. What make the Opti Spark go bad is the bad bearing inside of the Opti disk. When the Opti Disk bearing goes bad the disk wabbles and optics can't read the disk.
If you go through the trouble of taking the front of the engine all apart, why would not do the job right?
If you go through the trouble of taking the front of the engine all apart, why would not do the job right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 946
Likes: 244
From: Fruita CO
Checking Rock Auto, they do not list a GM Delco opti. There are several listed as "Delco Remy type." Best prices are not always the best part available.
Last edited by slammin; Jun 19, 2024 at 11:22 AM. Reason: additional info
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
OP, you didn't say how many miles are on your car.
The other thing that you didn't say that is most important, is you didn't say you were having trouble with the Optispark, So, at a minimum, you should start by taking it apart and examining the reader parts. If the Opti is clean and uncorroded inside, the best option is a MSD rotor and cap along with converting over to the vented design.
If not, ignore all the other recommendations for POS Optisparks that came from China. They are a crap shoot. They might work and work well for a long time, but you might be taking the car apart a couple more times and warranty swapping them out because they didn't even work from the get go.
Petris is the only real viable solution right now as Brad (the guy that was rebuilding Optisparks stopped due to issues with clients, people blaming him when the car didn't start before swapping in his rebuilds, and wouldn't start after),
I have been trying to get in touch with Brad (I have his personal email, he lives close to me, but am getting no answer. I don't know if he changed providers, is out of touch with his email, something happened to him, etc.)
https://petrisenterprises.com/collections/frontpage
read this
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hese-days.html
The other thing that you didn't say that is most important, is you didn't say you were having trouble with the Optispark, So, at a minimum, you should start by taking it apart and examining the reader parts. If the Opti is clean and uncorroded inside, the best option is a MSD rotor and cap along with converting over to the vented design.
If not, ignore all the other recommendations for POS Optisparks that came from China. They are a crap shoot. They might work and work well for a long time, but you might be taking the car apart a couple more times and warranty swapping them out because they didn't even work from the get go.
Petris is the only real viable solution right now as Brad (the guy that was rebuilding Optisparks stopped due to issues with clients, people blaming him when the car didn't start before swapping in his rebuilds, and wouldn't start after),
I have been trying to get in touch with Brad (I have his personal email, he lives close to me, but am getting no answer. I don't know if he changed providers, is out of touch with his email, something happened to him, etc.)
https://petrisenterprises.com/collections/frontpage
read this
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hese-days.html
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,228
Likes: 1,333
From: LeClaire Iowa
OP, you didn't say how many miles are on your car.
The other thing that you didn't say that is most important, is you didn't say you were having trouble with the Optispark, So, at a minimum, you should start by taking it apart and examining the reader parts. If the Opti is clean and uncorroded inside, the best option is a MSD rotor and cap along with converting over to the vented design.
If not, ignore all the other recommendations for POS Optisparks that came from China. They are a crap shoot. They might work and work well for a long time, but you might be taking the car apart a couple more times and warranty swapping them out because they didn't even work from the get go.
Petris is the only real viable solution right now as Brad (the guy that was rebuilding Optisparks stopped due to issues with clients, people blaming him when the car didn't start before swapping in his rebuilds, and wouldn't start after),
I have been trying to get in touch with Brad (I have his personal email, he lives close to me, but am getting no answer. I don't know if he changed providers, is out of touch with his email, something happened to him, etc.)
https://petrisenterprises.com/collections/frontpage
read this
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hese-days.html
The other thing that you didn't say that is most important, is you didn't say you were having trouble with the Optispark, So, at a minimum, you should start by taking it apart and examining the reader parts. If the Opti is clean and uncorroded inside, the best option is a MSD rotor and cap along with converting over to the vented design.
If not, ignore all the other recommendations for POS Optisparks that came from China. They are a crap shoot. They might work and work well for a long time, but you might be taking the car apart a couple more times and warranty swapping them out because they didn't even work from the get go.
Petris is the only real viable solution right now as Brad (the guy that was rebuilding Optisparks stopped due to issues with clients, people blaming him when the car didn't start before swapping in his rebuilds, and wouldn't start after),
I have been trying to get in touch with Brad (I have his personal email, he lives close to me, but am getting no answer. I don't know if he changed providers, is out of touch with his email, something happened to him, etc.)
https://petrisenterprises.com/collections/frontpage
read this
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hese-days.html
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 79
Likes: 24
From: RI
Upon research I think Petris is the way to go. Many of the parts on this car are 30 years old with 56k on them. I changed mostly everything over the winter ( fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel regulator, plugs, injectors, EGR, PCV, PCV selenoid, TPS, new flame thrower coil, etc.) This winter I look to complete opt-spark with new water pump and spark plug wires along with headlight rebuild. I am preparing myself although it is only June.
Thank you drcook for bringing that to my attention.
Thank you drcook for bringing that to my attention.
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Upon research I think Petris is the way to go. Many of the parts on this car are 30 years old with 56k on them. I changed mostly everything over the winter ( fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel regulator, plugs, injectors, EGR, PCV, PCV selenoid, TPS, new flame thrower coil, etc.) This winter I look to complete opt-spark with new water pump and spark plug wires along with headlight rebuild. I am preparing myself although it is only June.
Thank you drcook for bringing that to my attention.
Thank you drcook for bringing that to my attention.
ALTERNATIVELY,
Convert over to a LTCC box and coil on plug, which is what I am doing at the moment. You won't need to do anything with the Optispark, the LTCC box takes the high voltage out of it. Of course your coil becomes a throw away/need to sell it. I have a new MSD box that I have to do the same with.
As far as Torqhead goes, I was communicating with them to see if their solution would affect my custom dash and they simply quit answering me.
So I guess they didn't want my money. The LTCC box cost me $399.99 plus shipping. I have coils and harness that I bought out of a junkyard a few years back. By not going with Torqhead, it freed up $2000.00 for other parts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 323
From: Shelbyville Kentucky
Truly, if it is not corroded inside and the bearing is smooth, you could save a bit of dinero by putting a cap on it and a rotor.
ALTERNATIVELY,
Convert over to a LTCC box and coil on plug, which is what I am doing at the moment. You won't need to do anything with the Optispark, the LTCC box takes the high voltage out of it. Of course your coil becomes a throw away/need to sell it. I have a new MSD box that I have to do the same with.
As far as Torqhead goes, I was communicating with them to see if their solution would affect my custom dash and they simply quit answering me.
So I guess they didn't want my money. The LTCC box cost me $399.99 plus shipping. I have coils and harness that I bought out of a junkyard a few years back. By not going with Torqhead, it freed up $2000.00 for other parts.
ALTERNATIVELY,
Convert over to a LTCC box and coil on plug, which is what I am doing at the moment. You won't need to do anything with the Optispark, the LTCC box takes the high voltage out of it. Of course your coil becomes a throw away/need to sell it. I have a new MSD box that I have to do the same with.
As far as Torqhead goes, I was communicating with them to see if their solution would affect my custom dash and they simply quit answering me.
So I guess they didn't want my money. The LTCC box cost me $399.99 plus shipping. I have coils and harness that I bought out of a junkyard a few years back. By not going with Torqhead, it freed up $2000.00 for other parts.
I put Torqhead on a 1996 LT4 that I sold to my Brother. He's driving the crap out of it and it's running like a raped ape. Bonus, I am able to make tune changes for him using HP Tuners. I'm sold, if I ever get another C4 I will Torqhead that one also.
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Would be really hard to answer about a custom dash. Their system is designed to communicate with the factory CCM. If yours is different from that then the answer is probably nope.
I put Torqhead on a 1996 LT4 that I sold to my Brother. He's driving the crap out of it and it's running like a raped ape. Bonus, I am able to make tune changes for him using HP Tuners. I'm sold, if I ever get another C4 I will Torqhead that one also.
I put Torqhead on a 1996 LT4 that I sold to my Brother. He's driving the crap out of it and it's running like a raped ape. Bonus, I am able to make tune changes for him using HP Tuners. I'm sold, if I ever get another C4 I will Torqhead that one also.
Had they not simply started ignoring me I probably would have continued that direction and finished the research as a newer computer is the optimal solution.
Additionally, they are "out of stock" for 96's with no anticipated date. They told me they are redesigning the interface and they could have built one for me like for Firebirds, etc. without the COMMS, but.....
If I was going to make a $2500.00 sale (I was going to get the complete package) I would have tried to help the customer out, but, maybe they sell enough to non-Corvette people that the loss of one potential customer doesn't factor in. After all, they don't have a product to sell me at the current time anyway.
Bob Bailey took some time to make a $399.99 sale.
