Possible defective opti-spark
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Re: Possible defective opti-spark (eagle6)
The replacement part of your question can be found here in the TECH TIPS section.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=174&TopicID=2
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=174&TopicID=2
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Possible defective opti-spark (eagle6)
Yes, it can.
That said, it's not the only thing that can cause the problem.
It's not a difficult thing to change. If you haven't worked on the front end of your car before it'll probably take 10 hours. If you have done it before it's a 4-6 hour job.
A few questions to see if opti replacement is indicated:
How many miles on the opti?
Do you have any indication of a coolant leak from the water pump?
Did you recently power wash the engine?
When was the last time you replaced the plugs and wires?
How long has the problem been occuring and is it getting worse?
Do you notice a high RPM miss?
Does the problem get worse as the engine warms up?
Any codes?
That said, it's not the only thing that can cause the problem.
It's not a difficult thing to change. If you haven't worked on the front end of your car before it'll probably take 10 hours. If you have done it before it's a 4-6 hour job.
A few questions to see if opti replacement is indicated:
How many miles on the opti?
Do you have any indication of a coolant leak from the water pump?
Did you recently power wash the engine?
When was the last time you replaced the plugs and wires?
How long has the problem been occuring and is it getting worse?
Do you notice a high RPM miss?
Does the problem get worse as the engine warms up?
Any codes?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Brick New Jersey
Re: Possible defective opti-spark (John Row)
The problem does get worse as the engine warms up and it has 96,000 miles on the original opti-spark. What do you think it might be?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Possible defective opti-spark (eagle6)
It's a rare LT1 that gets 100K miles on an optispark.
If you haven't done plugs and wires recently, I'd do those first. Even if it's the opti, it's good to have fresh ones so it's not money wasted.
If the plugs and wires are fresh, I'd go straight for the opti and water pump. If you haven't already done the pump in the last 25K, it's ready to go as well.
Get the parts from Jeff Kopp at www.superchevyperformance.com/.
Opti ~$330 or Dynaspark $500-$600 (but it'll be the last one you buy)
Pump ~$250 or Meziere Electric Pump $230
Gaskets ~$10
Plug & Wires - depends on what you buy.
While you are at it, think about changing the cooling hoses.
Whether you do it yourself or have it done, be sure to split open the new opti and put a nice bead of hi-temp RTV between the halves.
If you have a good shop do it, plan on $400-$600 labor, if you have a dealership do it, plan on $700-$900 labor (dealership might not let you supply your own parts).
If you decide to do it yourself, there's plenty of help here on the forum.
BTW: Black Rose is a great color.
[Modified by John Row, 9:53 AM 4/25/2003]
While browsing E-bay I found this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33690
and this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33604
[Modified by John Row, 10:20 AM 4/25/2003]
If you haven't done plugs and wires recently, I'd do those first. Even if it's the opti, it's good to have fresh ones so it's not money wasted.
If the plugs and wires are fresh, I'd go straight for the opti and water pump. If you haven't already done the pump in the last 25K, it's ready to go as well.
Get the parts from Jeff Kopp at www.superchevyperformance.com/.
Opti ~$330 or Dynaspark $500-$600 (but it'll be the last one you buy)
Pump ~$250 or Meziere Electric Pump $230
Gaskets ~$10
Plug & Wires - depends on what you buy.
While you are at it, think about changing the cooling hoses.
Whether you do it yourself or have it done, be sure to split open the new opti and put a nice bead of hi-temp RTV between the halves.
If you have a good shop do it, plan on $400-$600 labor, if you have a dealership do it, plan on $700-$900 labor (dealership might not let you supply your own parts).
If you decide to do it yourself, there's plenty of help here on the forum.
BTW: Black Rose is a great color.
[Modified by John Row, 9:53 AM 4/25/2003]
While browsing E-bay I found this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33690
and this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33604
[Modified by John Row, 10:20 AM 4/25/2003]
