opti junk..
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
opti junk..
I have rwo cars a vette and a 94 camaro, both have the LT1 and both have brand new opti in them. They both back fire when trying to start them. The camaro I got from some kids that told me they drove it easy. But I can tell from the bent push rods the were running it hard. The vette has been sitting for 15 plus years. I got the optis at auto zone....The camaro is the worst I think I need to have the heads checked I did a compression test and two cylinders have nothing. The vette has plenty of compression and should run, but I just cant seem to get anything other than back firing out of it...I have checked and rechecked the timing. Thinking about switching to coil packs but tha would have to wait till I have the money for it. I hate these opti junk dizzys
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 752
From: NEwhere Ohio
I have rwo cars a vette and a 94 camaro, both have the LT1 and both have brand new opti in them. They both back fire when trying to start them. The camaro I got from some kids that told me they drove it easy. But I can tell from the bent push rods the were running it hard. The vette has been sitting for 15 plus years. I got the optis at auto zone....The camaro is the worst I think I need to have the heads checked I did a compression test and two cylinders have nothing. The vette has plenty of compression and should run, but I just cant seem to get anything other than back firing out of it...I have checked and rechecked the timing. Thinking about switching to coil packs but tha would have to wait till I have the money for it. I hate these opti junk dizzys
the cheap chinese knock-offs that people put in are the problem
if you look hard for an OEM one (even used), you will find a good one . Except it wont be $59 like a new made in China one.
the failure point is the optical sensor, it needs to be mitsubishi to hold up to the underhood heat.
the original OEM optisparks (1992-1994) had a seal that would fail and a top electrical connector that wasnt sealed well and would allow water intrusion if engine was washed.
(those were fixed on the gen 2 95-96 design)
So if using gen 1 optispark make sure you use RTV silicone as a backup around the 2 halves and electrical connector and you will have 0 problems
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 283
From: Dyersburg TN
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Optispark itself isnt a problem
the cheap chinese knock-offs that people put in are the problem
if you look hard for an OEM one (even used), you will find a good one . Except it wont be $59 like a new made in China one.
the failure point is the optical sensor, it needs to be mitsubishi to hold up to the underhood heat.
the original OEM optisparks (1992-1994) had a seal that would fail and a top electrical connector that wasnt sealed well and would allow water intrusion if engine was washed.
(those were fixed on the gen 2 95-96 design)
So if using gen 1 optispark make sure you use RTV silicone as a backup around the 2 halves and electrical connector and you will have 0 problems
the cheap chinese knock-offs that people put in are the problem
if you look hard for an OEM one (even used), you will find a good one . Except it wont be $59 like a new made in China one.
the failure point is the optical sensor, it needs to be mitsubishi to hold up to the underhood heat.
the original OEM optisparks (1992-1994) had a seal that would fail and a top electrical connector that wasnt sealed well and would allow water intrusion if engine was washed.
(those were fixed on the gen 2 95-96 design)
So if using gen 1 optispark make sure you use RTV silicone as a backup around the 2 halves and electrical connector and you will have 0 problems
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 71
thats beyond cheap lol i didnt even think the worst ones available could be bought for that???? but yes ive seen the levels of quality so i guess its possible. i thought a decent opti was about $750??? i guess that why so many have issues, spend the money and get the best you can or suffer is what im seeing.