Opti Spark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Opti Spark
Anyone have an tip on replacing one? Not repart it but replacing it. Any adjusting that needs to be done when replace it? And what all should I get to replace one. I'm being told like there's two different parts of it I need. I don't care about doing the venting on it as I'm just fixing it and trading it in on a C5.......any help would be helpful!!! :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Opti Spark (bwagner)
If you are just trading it in, do they know about the opti problem? If not, go ahead and trade it in. if there is a opti problem, and they know about it, the cheapest way to fix might be to just replace it with an Auto Zone special. But, there is no cheap way to replace the ole opti-spark, it's the labor. Now if you are doing it yourself................................ lots of help right here.
Good luck with your C-5 :skep:
:flag :flag :flag
Good luck with your C-5 :skep:
:flag :flag :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Opti Spark (Vette 89)
Complete opti.
Yes.
Credit for the number goes here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=526871
[Modified by John Row, 11:03 AM 3/31/2003]
Yes.
Credit for the number goes here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=526871
[Modified by John Row, 11:03 AM 3/31/2003]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Re: Opti Spark (Strick)
If you are just trading it in, do they know about the opti problem? If not, go ahead and trade it in. if there is a opti problem, and they know about it, the cheapest way to fix might be to just replace it with an Auto Zone special. But, there is no cheap way to replace the ole opti-spark, it's the labor. Now if you are doing it yourself................................ lots of help right here.
Good luck with your C-5 :skep:
:flag :flag :flag
Good luck with your C-5 :skep:
:flag :flag :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Opti Spark (bwagner)
Be sure it's the complete opti for a 94 LT1 (95-96 are something like $100 cheaper). I priced an opti at Autozone some time ago, and I thought that it was either a base or cap and rotor, not the whole thing.
If you want to be nice to the new owner, a new water pump would be good. Even if you don't do the pump, you will need the water pump gaskets.
If you want to be especially nice, split the new opti open and put a nice seal of hi-temp RTV. Doesn't take long to do and it's not expensive.
If you want to be nice to the new owner, a new water pump would be good. Even if you don't do the pump, you will need the water pump gaskets.
If you want to be especially nice, split the new opti open and put a nice seal of hi-temp RTV. Doesn't take long to do and it's not expensive.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Re: Opti Spark (John Row)
If you want to be nice to the new owner, a new water pump would be good. Even if you don't do the pump, you will need the water pump gaskets.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS USA
Re: Opti Spark (bwagner)
I could never get the balancer off the hub, but you don't have to. I just pulled the hub out far enough to remove the opti ( I have my own puller). I also heard that you can losen the balancer bolts one turn, then run the engine. I guess the belt losen's it up. Good Luck. :seeya :flag
[Modified by C4Crazy787, 4:35 PM 4/2/2003]
[Modified by C4Crazy787, 4:35 PM 4/2/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,556
Likes: 0
From: Jenison MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Opti Spark (C4Crazy787)
I could never get the balancer off the hub, but you don't have to. I just pulled the hub out far enough to remove the opti ( I have my own puller). I also heard that you can losen the balancer bolts one turn, then run the engine. I guess the belt losen's it up. Good Luck.
Now for the Opti, heck go on ebay and get a used one if your just getting rid of it and don't care to be nice to the next guy... If not get one from Jeff Kopps or that other guy that was posted here.. Changing it is not that big of a ordeal I just did it, for me getting the Rad. out was the hardest.. You could do it in a 8 hour time if you know how to get the things out.. Oh and make sure you remember the order that you take things out and put them back in the opp. or you will be taking things out again.. <Mental note the fans have to go in then the Rad.> :smash:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Re: Opti Spark (fsr402)
Now for the Opti, heck go on ebay and get a used one if your just getting rid of it and don't care to be nice to the next guy... If not get one from Jeff Kopps or that other guy that was posted here.. Changing it is not that big of a ordeal I just did it, for me getting the Rad. out was the hardest.. You could do it in a 8 hour time if you know how to get the things out.. Oh and make sure you remember the order that you take things out and put them back in the opp. or you will be taking things out again.. <Mental note the fans have to go in then the Rad.> :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Opti Spark (bwagner)
A tip: After you get the new opti installed, start the engine. You can safely run it for 30 seconds or so at idle without everything attached. Listen for misses or rough running (e.g. wires crossed), etc.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Re: Opti Spark (John Row)
A tip: After you get the new opti installed, start the engine. You can safely run it for 30 seconds or so at idle without everything attached. Listen for misses or rough running (e.g. wires crossed), etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Opti Spark (bwagner)
You shouldn't have any problems. Another tip: Don't force the opti. I slides right on if it is in the correct position. You'll see a little white dot on the opti shaft that has the keyed spline.
If you've never worked on the front end of the engine, you will spend most of your time scratching your head thinking "How the HELL do you get a wrench on that!", rest assured, you can get a wrench on everything... somehow.
If you've never worked on the front end of the engine, you will spend most of your time scratching your head thinking "How the HELL do you get a wrench on that!", rest assured, you can get a wrench on everything... somehow.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Re: Opti Spark (John Row)
I wrote up a step-by-step from the last time I did the job. I can send you a copy if you want it.