Has anyone had any experience with this Aftermarket OptiSpark setup.

Reading so many posts on the forum, and having difficulty with my own setup, I'm curious if the extra costs would be worth a change over in the long run. http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm
Tx
Nav

 

It's only been on the market for a very short time. Unfortunately, it will probably take a few years to know if it's really any better than a stock opti. Stock ones last 30K-100K miles.

If you have 95-96 opti, the price differential is even greater.

Better seals would be comforting. IMHO that the worst part for a daily driver.

If you are watching your budget I'd stay with a stock opti. If you have a couple hundred bucks burning a hole in your pocket or you need that extra .001 seconds go with the DynoTech.

 

Like John says, the stock ones last quite a long time.

The price isn't bad considering all that they put into it, but a 12 month 15,000 mile warranty is no good.

If they think it's so much better, they should have a lifetime warranty on it. No mileage limitations.

As it is now, I had my opti replaced at the dealer. Sure it cost me a bundle, but it has a lifetime warranty on it, so I'll never have to pay for one again.

 

Thanks for the input gents. My '94 has but 22k on the Odometer, purchased new, and I'm in the process of installing a second OptiSpark. Luckily, I was able to purchase a new unit, from Vettebuyer, a forum member, for a very good price, which I'm in the process of having installed.

The first unit failed at 7-8k, which was covered under warranty, but the car is now 9 yrs. old and obviously, pampered too much. I have every intention of putting more miles on the car in the coming years.

Sitting in the garage is sometimes harder on the car, than driving it a few thousand each summer.

Thanks again
Nav

 

The problem with the stock Optispark is you can be stranded at ANY time and require towing. The carbon tracking high voltage breakdown issue is a ticking time bomb in all early LT1's. Breakdown can occur suddenly and far away from home/dealer. Many folks are on their 2nd or 3rd unit that they installed themselves in repeated knucklebusting fiascos. In many cases, mechanics ruined the $100 engine dampener during removal (collateral damage and costs). The primary leakage points have been eliminated on the aftermarket unit using sound engineering. Unlike the OEM unit, it utilizes captive seal for upper cap, totally eliminates the lower leak and warp prone lower cap and uses no $2 shrinking foam around the control wiring assy for sealing.

The peace of mind due to added reliability will be worth a couple bucks for many folks. It is cheaper and far less work to do the job once.

It costs quite a bit to buy a new early OEM Optispark and swap to a '95/'96 $150 purge-style cap with integral hose fitting. Discounted cost for OEM parts exceeds $450 & the aluminum base still requires mickey mouse mods to convert the silly weep holes to provide positive, sealed venting. This cost approaches the superior DynoTech unit which already has the base base specifically designed to accept the OEM $15 '96 purge harness hose assy.

So long as there are alternatives, I will NEVER install another OEM Optispark with it's notorious, well-documented design flaws.

 

Good luck getting one however :rolleyes:

Jay

 

Do '95-'96 vettes have a better opti unit?? It's "vented' correct? What are the exact differences, I have 112k miles on my car, I'm sure something like this will go out soon :lol: :smash: