...opti spark future.....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: stanwood wash
...opti spark future.....
....after purchasing a very nice 94 c4 with 94k miles on it and a 2 year old water pump without an optispark changeout, it appears that i will be doing the job myself in the future........especially after an $1800 price quote from a local corvette maintenance center......any experienced owners and major difficulties when doing the change out?......one question that i have is timing the new unit when installing it.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: ...opti spark future..... (corvette1271)
This is a good DIY job. If you've never worked on a C4 before it'll probably take 2 days. Most of the time, you'll spend scratching your head thinking "How the H*LL do I get a wrench on that?". Another good part of the time you'll be running to the parts store for another tool.
The second time you do it, it takes about 4 hours.
There is no timing to do with an opti spark. The 'puter does it all automagically.
Lots of us have been through this process so there's lots of help.
Here's an excellent article from Corvette Fever on replacing and venting the opti. http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/
I recommend doing the venting as well as resealing the opti with Hi-Temp RTV.
The second time you do it, it takes about 4 hours.
There is no timing to do with an opti spark. The 'puter does it all automagically.
Lots of us have been through this process so there's lots of help.
Here's an excellent article from Corvette Fever on replacing and venting the opti. http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/
I recommend doing the venting as well as resealing the opti with Hi-Temp RTV.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
Re: ...opti spark future..... (corvette1271)
I've done this job three times on my '95 and I agree with Johns assessment.
I live in Kenmore and would be willing to help if you want - It seems to me I even had to 'make' a tool...oh never mind - that was when I was going to replace the rotor without the base. Anyway, let me know.
Jay
I live in Kenmore and would be willing to help if you want - It seems to me I even had to 'make' a tool...oh never mind - that was when I was going to replace the rotor without the base. Anyway, let me know.
Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
Re: ...opti spark future..... (JayH)
I dont mean to brag at all but the first time i did it the hardest part was just the water pump mess... coolant etc. Now that ive doen it so many times id say its an easy hour job max. I even swapped a water pump at the track for a mezziere pump just to see the diff... its NOT hard at all.
basically you remove the belt... loosen the 6 pump bolts... the pump pulls off.. then undo the opti wires and unbolt it. oh yeah... to get the dampener out of the way i loosened the bolts then hand tightened them leaving a few mm slack. i quickly cranked the car over for half a second.. and it loosened it. remove the bolts and dampener/balancer should slide off.
:cheers:
basically you remove the belt... loosen the 6 pump bolts... the pump pulls off.. then undo the opti wires and unbolt it. oh yeah... to get the dampener out of the way i loosened the bolts then hand tightened them leaving a few mm slack. i quickly cranked the car over for half a second.. and it loosened it. remove the bolts and dampener/balancer should slide off.
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: ...opti spark future..... (DieL)
I've done it a few times for people and it's not bad at all anymore. I can do it in about 4-5 hours. There is a local shop here that does it for $150 labor!!! :eek: Once you figure out the tricks, it's not that bad. What ticks me off is the price of the damn thing and that they go out ALLLL the freakin' time!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,410
Likes: 252
From: Little Elm TX
Re: ...opti spark future..... (GlockLT4)
What ticks me off is the price of the damn thing and that they go out ALLLL the freakin' time!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: ...opti spark future..... (R94 LT 1)
What ticks me off is the price of the damn thing and that they go out ALLLL the freakin' time!
That's why you go with a DynaSpark and hopefully not ever have to replace it again! :D
That's why you go with a DynaSpark and hopefully not ever have to replace it again! :D
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: ...opti spark future..... (corvette1271)
Here is an article I wrote for the Tech Tips. It might be good reading for you before you begin. Since I wrote this article, two things I would consider: 1) go with a Dyna Spark or 2) go with the Northstar ignition system or LTCC.
When replacing the opti, it's a good idea to replace wires, plugs, water pump (go electric) gaskets if needed to correct oil leaks. I also replaced the serp belt tensor and idle pulley. If you don't have one, get a Helms Service Manual for your year Vette.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=231&TopicID=2
When replacing the opti, it's a good idea to replace wires, plugs, water pump (go electric) gaskets if needed to correct oil leaks. I also replaced the serp belt tensor and idle pulley. If you don't have one, get a Helms Service Manual for your year Vette.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=231&TopicID=2
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: ...opti spark future..... (Strick)
I will be honest, they have their weaknesses, but they don't "go out all the freek'n time".
It seems that way, but gee, there are 180k Vettes on the road with an Opti, so the sampling gets skewed.
I have had mine for 4 years... I replaced the opti 3 years ago... I removed the highvoltage side last fall.
That opti, short of a complete flooding, should last for a long long time!
It seems that way, but gee, there are 180k Vettes on the road with an Opti, so the sampling gets skewed.
I have had mine for 4 years... I replaced the opti 3 years ago... I removed the highvoltage side last fall.
That opti, short of a complete flooding, should last for a long long time!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 182
Likes: 4
From: Gardena CA
Re: ...opti spark future..... (corvette1271)
Here the website
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,410
Likes: 252
From: Little Elm TX
Re: ...opti spark future..... (leego)
Here the website
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm
While the price is quite high I think it's well worth it considering how many GM optis I've been through in the last few years. Grant it we buy our optis discounted from people like Chris May, but if you compare the RETAIL price of a GM opti (about $549) to a DynaSpark, there's not as big a difference. Did you read all the defects the DynaSpark addresses that was found in the stock GM opti?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
Re: ...opti spark future..... (corvette1271)
:nopity Try this company http://www.delteq.com/products_opti.htm
this might be easier and longer lasting
than a dyna-spark?just my 02 :jester
this might be easier and longer lasting
than a dyna-spark?just my 02 :jester
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,410
Likes: 252
From: Little Elm TX
Re: ...opti spark future..... (REDC4CORVETTE)
:nopity Try this company http://www.delteq.com/products_opti.htm
this might be easier and longer lasting
than a dyna-spark?just my 02 :jester
this might be easier and longer lasting
than a dyna-spark?just my 02 :jester
[Modified by R94 LT 1, 8:57 AM 4/30/2004]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: stanwood wash
Re: ...opti spark future..... (R94 LT 1)
...i just spoke with them on the phone(delteq), and i guess the attractive thing
with this system is that (1) there is no requirement to tear the front of the engine down.......just disconnect the old optispark at the spark plug leads, even tho there is a connection back into the new sytem (2) so far this new system just keeps going.....except for plugs of course. (3) price at this point is $785........so right now i am interested, but there i am still researching this topic....
with this system is that (1) there is no requirement to tear the front of the engine down.......just disconnect the old optispark at the spark plug leads, even tho there is a connection back into the new sytem (2) so far this new system just keeps going.....except for plugs of course. (3) price at this point is $785........so right now i am interested, but there i am still researching this topic....
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: ...opti spark future..... (corvette1271)
...i just spoke with them on the phone(delteq), and i guess the attractive thing
with this system is that (1) there is no requirement to tear the front of the engine down.......just disconnect the old optispark at the spark plug leads, even tho there is a connection back into the new sytem (2) so far this new system just keeps going.....except for plugs of course. (3) price at this point is $785........so right now i am interested, but there i am still researching this topic....
with this system is that (1) there is no requirement to tear the front of the engine down.......just disconnect the old optispark at the spark plug leads, even tho there is a connection back into the new sytem (2) so far this new system just keeps going.....except for plugs of course. (3) price at this point is $785........so right now i am interested, but there i am still researching this topic....