Does the water pump have to come off when replacing an opti spark on 93 LT 1? I'm having my opti replaced and if the water pump has to come off I'll probably have that replaced. Thanks.

 

Is your OptiSpark original ? If so, do not trash it. I have also been in contact with Brad lately and his email is still active, he said he has been working on some, so if it is original, you could contact him and see if he can help you out.

Originals, if rebuildable, are a better option than aftermarket, with the exception of Petris (probably)

optisparksolutions@gmail.com

 

My opti is original. My car has been running bad off and on for a few years. It only has 17,000 actual miles. I took it out last night and it ran fine. Started it back up to put in the garage and it missed and backfired some and made a metallic, screeching sound when I reved it. I just dropped it off at the chevy shop where my cousin is a manager and told them to replace plugs, wires, opti, flush cooling system, replace fuel filter and replace the water pump if it has to come off. I did tell em that I wanted to keep the original opti. Unfortunately, I'm in an area with no corvette mechanics but my cousin says he has great corvette techs. They will be running computer diagnostics even though no lights ever come on. I've already been given a price on the plugs, wires and opti including labor and I thought it was reasonable. Plus the car will be kept inside and cared for. We'll see I guess.

 

What brand of OptiSpark are they going to use ?

A screeching sound can also be an idler pulley for the serpentine belt. They will make an awful screaming sound when they go bad. So many parts that make screeching sounds when faulty.

 

To answer your main question: yes, the water pump absolutely has to be removed to access the opti, among other components. I do not care what the old timers on here say, this job is a pain in the ***. Do not skimp on parts, take care of everything you can while it is in progress. I would be curious to hear the price quote if you are having this done by a shop. If they are not LT1 specialists I would ask them to outline the procedure they intend to follow and make sure you know what parts are being used or get them yourself. Particularly the opti, I had some aftermarket junk from the PO that failed, I can't recall the date stamp but it wasn't that old...a couple years maybe.

For the opti get a Petris. It looks like 93 is sold out, try calling to check when it will be in stock. Advantage is that it direct fitment and vented, attaches to vacuum and intake. It isn't cheap, buy once and cry once. Don't cheap out on aftermarket junk here if you have any plans to keep this car.
If you are swapping the water pump get a Meziere electric pump. This further mitigates the opti issues as the weephole in the original water pump can be plugged.
Take care of all gaskets that are exposed (water pump,throttle body, timing cover, whatever) and also seals for water pump and opti at timing cover.

Like I said, ask the shop what procedure they will follow and what parts they will use if you are not doing it yourself. You don't want to do this twice. I cannot imagine a condition where this isn't a well over 2K job if done correctly with quality parts, the parts above I listed cost a grand. Before you even get a chance to LOOK at a bolt on the opti the following steps will need to occur:

1. Remove air intake
2. Remove throttle body
3. Remove knock sensors (replace these while you are at it)
4. Drain all coolant (replace, obviously)
5. Remove accessory drive belt (replace if needed)
6. Remove idler pulley
7. Detach harmonic balancer (can be moved forward, not completely removed, but can be pain)
8. Remove water pump (replace thermostat while you are at it)

Get the right parts and make sure this is done right. Don't leave it to chance. You don't want to hassle with this twice.

 

I really don't know what brand parts they'll use. It's my local chevy dealership where they sell and service lots of corvettes. I know GM probably doesn't have the parts anymore but hopefully they will know what's recommended. This is stuff that needs to be done whether it cures it or not. Manager said they would check everything they could. The saddest thing about it is the car looks almost new inside and out and underneath. I'm gonna have to sell it cause I'm not hardly able to look after it much so I wanted to get it running well. Thanks for your help and wish me luck.

 

The car is at the local chevy dealership with corvette techs. Manager said they would check it out all over. Most of this stuff needs to be done anyway. I do worry about the parts brand but hoping for the best. I bought it brand new and it still looks almost new all over. I'm am reluctantly gonna have to sell it cause I'm just getting unable to look after it. Thanks for your help.

 

Doesn't mean they have anyone that can work on the old cars. I recently had a local Chevrolet dealership tell me the LT1 in my car was special and they just couldn't change the oil for their special offer because it was a Corvette and that it HAD TO HAVE Mobil 1 oil (the service manual doesn't specify that).

I told them to pound it because GM put that engine in station wagons, taxis, Firebirds, Camaros etc and we all know Mobil 1 paid them to put that oil cap on, just like my gas cap said BP fuel. As if someone that didn't have a BP within a 100 miles was going to drive that far.

Dealerships will use the name "Corvette" to try and extort more money out of you.

I told them to take us off the offer list that I didn't want anymore of their stuff being sent to me.

 

Please listen to drcook. Beg and bribe Brad to rebuild your original. That will be the best opti you can buy anywhere. Tell him you will mow his yard or rake his leaves if he works on yours. Dan

 

Opti spark….I guess after around or so 1991 GM toss them in, but why