We are trying to determine whether or not to proceed with manufacturing
and/or developing of new ignition distributor products for the LT1/LT4
engine platform and we would like your candid input on this subject.

We will factor in your comments to aid us in evaluating what the true
market demand is for this distributor and it's variations for different
applications. The decision will then be made to decide if/when we proceed
with this product any further, so now is your time to chime in.

As you know, the current retail cost of this product is somewhat
prohibitive to many LT1/LT4 owners and we realize that it has been the
subject of our product's "bashing" on the internet, despite the offending
persons' having never even tried one out for themselves.

This product is very expensive to manufacture for us and there is a lot
more engineering designed into it than a "spiffy red case" as I've seen
some people describe it as. We have done our best to reduce costs without
reducing durability, but we have found that even the modified/improved
components are costly...even to our company. We now realize why no other
manufacture has tried to make a better Optispark......cost vs. demand.

We designed and engineered this product for you as an alternative to
the weak, failure-prone OE unit, so that you could have a reliable ignition
without having to replace multiple engine components to "upgrade" to the OE
Gen II junk or be stuck installing the same poorly-built OE product, only
to have it fail again soon.

WE are not "making a mint" with this product as I've seen some people
claim and we're doing this mainly for you, with little profit for us with
the labor/components involved.

Now, DTE is at an impasse.... We have a reliable product that delivers
the performance we claim, (unlike most companies) but it is costly to
manufacture. We are willing to continue it's production if the numbers are
there, but it is not financially viable to continue if they are not. Like
anything else on the market today, when we reach our break-even point for
this venture, the cost will come down and we are no where near that point
yet.....

Listed below are the different types of the Dynaspark designs that we
either have in production now, are about to start production soon or have
plans/blueprints to produce in the future.


1) Gen II Billet Dynaspark Distributor: Replacement for original, OE
equipped vented dist. applications and owner retrofitted early style
applications. In production now.

2) Gen I Billet Dynaspark Distributor: Direct bolt-in replacement of
original OE equipped, non-vented dist. applications. Shares all of the
refinements, improvements and components of the Gen II design. Production
pending outcome of results from this contact.

3) DTE "Gen III-A" Billet Dynaspark Distributor (Gen I and Gen II
applicable): This distributor is rotorless and utilizes our own exclusive
billet aluminum cap. It's recommended for very high horsepower applications
where high engine RPM is the norm. It's to be used in conjunction with the
OE PCM, the LTCC and individual ignition coils. High voltage is removed
altogether internally from this iteration of the Dynaspark Distributor.
Production pending.

4) DTE "Gen III-B" (Gen I and Gen II applicable): This distributor is the
same as "A" version, except that is designed to be used with aftermarket
engine management systems that require a single cam sync pulse to enable
sequential EFI to be used. The user can then retrofit the '96-'97 crank
reference components so that a crank signal can produced. Production
pending.

We want to continue to produce these products for you, but if no one
has any real interest in purchasing them, then we will have no choice but
to shelf the idea indefinitely.

Our question to you is, do we need to keep going or is it to cost
prohibitive for you to purchase? Your thoughts are welcome and we look
forward to your comments. Thank you for your time.


Regards and God Bless,
Phil Rickard, President
Dynotech Engineering, Inc.

 

Those products seem awesome. But what I haven't seen is a customer with one of those. If you can get a forum member to have one of the products installed and put a hose to the front of the engine, and it runs fine, then we are sold. Since the majority of us knows the optispark flaws, we know how to work around them.

When my opti goes out I will get one of those units since the prices are around the same. They do sound great. Please stick with it. :cool:

 

I think Mr. Mojo has purchased one and hasn't had a chance to install it yet.

 

I certainly would be interested in number 3.

I put on a new Opti-Spark about 3K miles ago. So, it will probably be some time until I need your model.
However, depending on the cost (including what it would cost me to purchase the coils, etc.), I would purchase it.
My other concern is I would have to know this is a long-term product. I wouldn't want to purchase the entire thing, including coils and such, to find out three years from now that I can't replace the new style Opti-Spark. After all, everything that moves wears out eventually. I would definitely need a commitment from you on a continued product.

Tom Piper

 

I plan on buying one soon. :steering:

 

Gen I Billet Dynaspark Distributor: Direct bolt-in replacement of
original OE equipped, non-vented dist. applications. Shares all of the
refinements, improvements and components of the Gen II design.

I was interested in one of these in Feb but couldn't get any feedback. Is it cost effective? It's just that the labor involved to replace it if I'm not sastisfied or have problems with it. I know I can have a problem with a GM replacement also but I just need to know if your product is bettter. I have 60k on mine now and I am planning to replace it soon. I know that any min quantity item is expensive to produce as for any custom items are. I'm glad that someone is trying to better the Opti but how much of the public has tested it like a beta version. :confused:

 

My 92 just turned over 70K miles. I suspect in the future I'll be needing a replacement. Obviously I will not be replacing with the stock unit.

 

The option that Mojo went with was the LTCC system. It uses the 8 coil packs from an LS1.

DTE - I will make a deal with you. I will be your road test guinea pig.

You send me a Gen I opti, at a negociated and discounted price, and I will install it and report back on its reliability, giving regular updates as milestones are reached.

I put on at least 15,000 miles a year on my 92. That is mixed with city, highway, 4 seasons and weather conditions.

I will even put the car on a dyno and scan tool to make sure all things are functioning prior to the install, and give condition after the install.

I believe in the concept. I want to believe in the product.

Please let me know if this is acceptable. I have already been in email contact with you all.



[Modified by bogus, 7:30 PM 5/26/2003]

 

I think what the forum members want is...........Real Life Data. :yesnod:
Prove it....and you will sell them. :yesnod:

 

I agree with most here, I am gonna be buying a new distributor very soon and would like to see some real life data on this one because I am very interested in it. I know it cost more but when I replace mine I don't want to be doing it again for a long long time. I would really like one that water would not kill and I could be very confident that if my engine got dosed with a hose it would still run.
I think plenty are really interested in your product and I believe many don't mind paying a premium for better and more reliable equipment. SO just give us some real world proof, not that we think you are not telling us the truth, but some times pictures and testimonials really help.... :flag

 

Whatever option will let me wash my engine just like any other car I would buy. If it passes that blast with water test, then I assume that is good enough for me. I would like something that would make removal and installation easier (if relieving the opti of its coil duty, so be it), that would be great too.

 

Hi Guys,

Just got an e-mail from you and I answered it with my feelings about your product.

Just to summerize, I'm so glad you have put so much energy into making a reliable upgrade from the OEM Opti-spark. Those of us that have replaced the opti would be more than happy to pay a little more to have a new distributor that will do two things: last longer (reliable) and be able to with stand a blast of water as in washing the engine. Any self respecting Vette owner can't stand a dirty engine or one that leaves you stranded along the roadside. I wish I knew about your product before I did the transplant :banghead: But if your company keeps producing them, I'll be buying one in the future. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU STOP MAKING THEM! I'm sure this forum will buy the remaining ones if you do stop production.

I agree, let one or two of us be a test bed for you, although, I'm sure you have tested its limits. Keep up the good work.

Strick :flag :flag :flag

 

I've got one on the 396 I've built, just waiting to drop it in a do some testing. It sure is a nice piece. If it works as well as it looks, I'll be a happy camper. :steering:

 

Where's your electric Mez water pump? :skep:

Good looking motor :yesnod:

 

Tom. while I was gathering parts together for the motor I had already installed a R&D crossbar(love it) and an electric pump was not an option. Now Dave will fix them up to work with an meizer, but I had already installed the GM heavy duty timing setup along with the rest of the front cover. I think when I change to AFR LT4 heads with direct port injected N2O, I'll slap one on. :steering:

 

I am definitely going to purchase this opti > #3. PLEase PLEAse build it. I just finished my stroker and i had upgraded to the vented without knowing a new unit from you guys was even available. 7500 rpms will surely kill my opti soon enough and then I WIll buy #3. :cheers:

ramrod... i had the same dilemna... just sell the crossbar, and get the new that fits with the mezziere. I think people have underestimated the mezziere for too long. I gained 11 rwhp @ 5750 (stock redline) , which is at a point which the motor doesnt even make real power. I have dyno proof of +11rwhp @ 5750
+13rwhp @ 6300
+18rwhp @ 6750
+21rwhp @ 7300
+24rwhp @ 7650 (redline)

seems to me that it was designed with LT1 stock redline in mind... after 6300 rpm (LT4 owners do tend to have lotsa waterpump failures) the rwhp jump was significant. I just simply didnt trust a stock waterpump at the rpms my mtor sees. The guys in the dyno room were skeptical at first but afterwards they were like
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

DTE please build the optis.... when you do and people try them..... they will sell like hotcakes. :yesnod:

 

Damn Tommy, what value train are you running to spin that high? I'm going with a Crane 109841 234/242 that the spec card states will start floating the valves at 6500. Anybody got a LT pump housing they need to get rid off? :steering:

 

no doubt you have a hydraulic roller cam. Mine is a mechanical.. shaft mount rockers.. lightweight valves..titanium retainers..shims.. lightweight pushrods..etc. Only downside is i learned afterwards the zf tranny cant handle 7000+ in first and second.. and it will blow up. Oh well i better start saving.. :lol:

 

I agree with the above comments about real-life experience. I would have a lot more confidence if there were a few long term testimonials. I wouldn't pull my working OE opti to replace it with an unknown (even though better engineered) product.

That said, if I were in the market for a new opti I would be ordering one (just installed my last opti about 10K miles ago).

I hope you are posting this survey on the F-body boards as well.

 

Hey John, I can give you a real long testimonial about the OEM Opti-spark; It stinks :rant: But like you, I didn't know about the Dyna-spark until after I installed the OE opti. :banghead: