Hi all,

I have a 1992 LT-1 with 140,000 miles. The original coolant pump finally gave up the ghost (the original clutch continues to fight the good fight!). A friend with a 1998 M3 just lost his as well, so we're planning to have a No Pets Allowed party in another friend's multi-bay garage and paint the walls green.

While I'd love to go whole hog and do the Meziere, upgraded OptiSpark, and heavy-duty timing set, if I can get out of this with a $130 Autozone Apora replacement pump, I think that's the way to go.

So, questions:

(1) Any known problems with the Apora pump? The local Chevy dealer is charging twice that for the GM pump.

(2) Is there any realistic hope that the OptiSpark survived the ordeal? The pump definitely puked all over the pavement; this wasn't the initial trickle I've read about on these boards. Does coolant on the Opti mean sure doom? If there's a chance, what's the best way to diagnose? (Start the car?)

(3) If the Opti fell victim to collateral damage, what's necessary for an upgrade from the '92 unit? I read that the best options are either a vented OptiSpark off a '95 or a DynaSpark. If I understand correctly, the '95 Opti requires replacing the front of the motor (timing chain, sprocket, cover). Can someone spell out what exactly is required, as well as whether the same is required with the DynaSpark?

I know the whole shebang is highly favored around here, and I certainly plan to go that route on the 383/396. If I can manage a low-cost, low-labor fix for the time being, however, that would (of course) be preferable.

Thanks for any help.

Matt

 

I would say if the opti has 140k on it you should replace it now, I would go with DynaSpark, as for the "Apora" water pump I don't know, but http://superchevyperformance.com has the LT1/LT4 12522739 water pump for 153.68 ea. :seeya

 

Hi Matt, I, too, have a 92. I had an oil leak at the water pump drive seal and that started me into what you are going into. Here is what I did:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=231&TopicID=2

Now, the only thing I would suggest is going with the DynaSpark for the 92. That wasn't available when I wrote the article. Now if you want a quick cheap fix to get you to the bore & stroke project, go with the cheapo AutoZone pump and if the opti is still working, don't touch it. My ultimate fix would be to go with the Meziere HD pump, change the timing cover to the 95-96 version, change the cam, and go with the fully vented Dyna Spark, and finish it off with the upgraded timing chain.

 

I bought a waterpump for my 93 from Superior chev for ~$150, how can you not buy factory parts at those prices. I also replaced my opti at that time, just for the hell of it since it was 100k. I used the standard non-vented opti since the first one went 100k without a vent. I just sealed up the gasket surface with RTV as is suggested here. :cheers: