Opti fail with Delteq?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Cherry Hill NJ
Opti fail with Delteq?
As the write-up for the Delteq opti replacement says to leave the opti in and further it says it uses signals from the Opti, doesn't it not quite solve all the problems of the opti?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by jimbomill
As the write-up for the Delteq opti replacement says to leave the opti in and further it says it uses signals from the Opti, doesn't it not quite solve all the problems of the opti?
In general failures are a result of cap and rotor and/or the bearing failures.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
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From: Tracy CA
Can you install a LTCC system with a bad opti? It seems like a shame to have to install a new opti AND the LTCC kit.
With newer parts, I'd heard that the LTCC will last longer due to the absence of high voltage in the opti.
With newer parts, I'd heard that the LTCC will last longer due to the absence of high voltage in the opti.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Charleston SC
If you are thinking of either the Deleq or LTCC then I would recomend just installing them before replacing the Opti and see if it corects the proble (Probably will). You have nothing to loose using the old units Low voltage side and if it is bad you can then replace it with nothing lost. The odds are that if your opti is dead and has set no codes, that is the cap/rotor, high voltage portion, as others have stated.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Cherry Hill NJ
Originally Posted by FD2BLK
If you are thinking of either the Deleq or LTCC then I would recomend just installing them before replacing the Opti and see if it corects the proble (Probably will). You have nothing to loose using the old units Low voltage side and if it is bad you can then replace it with nothing lost. The odds are that if your opti is dead and has set no codes, that is the cap/rotor, high voltage portion, as others have stated.
Race Director
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by jimbomill
I'm betwixt and between - the Dynospark, as I read it, is a replacement. The Delteq is a "add-on" or piggy-back setup. Both appear to be positive upgrades and I'm not sure why I cannot make up my mind between them
The benefit of the Dynaspark is that it won't leak if it gets wet like the earlier Opti units and it's vented ('95 & up units were pretty well sealed and are vented..."FYI"). It retains the factory look from the topside of the engine. The downside is it still uses an OEM opti cap and rotor and those wear out. Sure, the cap can be replaced but it's not cheap and it's a PIA.
The benefit of the LTCC or Delteq is that neither of them use the opti cap and rotor so they eliminate the major failure mode. Some like the looks of these setups others do not, but in either case the engine clearly doesn't look stock.
Having said all the above, how often does the opti really fail? Maybe you drive the car a lot and end up changing one every three years. You'll have to own the car another six years before one of the alternatives breaks even from a cost standpoint.
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Originally Posted by mitchcole
Can you install a LTCC system with a bad opti? It seems like a shame to have to install a new opti AND the LTCC kit.
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Race Director
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Of all the failed opti sparks I've ever seen only ONE was ever a cap/rotor issue. Every other one has been some problem with the "brains" of it, which is exactly why I'd never spend a ton of money on a system that is now just as likely to fail.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
Of all the failed opti sparks I've ever seen only ONE was ever a cap/rotor issue. Every other one has been some problem with the "brains" of it, which is exactly why I'd never spend a ton of money on a system that is now just as likely to fail.
OF all the opti failures - including my own - only 1 has been related to a code/brain failure.
The brain, as you call it, is made by Mitsubishi. A friend of mine at a Dodge dealer back home has told me that the Mitsu optical pick ups, which appear identical to the OptiSpark's pickup, very rarely fail.
And from forum experience, the majority, symptomatically, are failures of the cap/rotor.
It is with this body of experience, I went with the LTCC. The opti in my 92 has been there for nearly 4 years and 70k miles. Knocking on wood, no sign of coding.
My original opti had been hit with coolant, the bearings were crap. I have no info on the current condition of my opti's bearings.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by bogus
That is most interesting.
OF all the opti failures - including my own - only 1 has been related to a code/brain failure.
OF all the opti failures - including my own - only 1 has been related to a code/brain failure.
I've never had an Opti fail with a code and I've been thru a few of them. I did replace one unnecessarily while trying to fix my high rpm miss (which for no apparent reason disappeared after my engine rebuild
).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: MO
I have been plagued with OPTIS since my head cam swap! My car eats them like a fat kid eats pizza! Got the LTCC installed in on my failing opti and everything was good to go Like MOJO said. I have never spent the time to tear one of the 5 I have killed apart to see what was actually wrong but I can tell you that when you shook them there was many loose pieces clanking around inside. I assume the is the rotor self destructing from 7k RPM Rips!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by James94LT1
I have been plagued with OPTIS since my head cam swap! My car eats them like a fat kid eats pizza! Got the LTCC installed in on my failing opti and everything was good to go Like MOJO said. I have never spent the time to tear one of the 5 I have killed apart to see what was actually wrong but I can tell you that when you shook them there was many loose pieces clanking around inside. I assume the is the rotor self destructing from 7k RPM Rips!
I woulda pulled one apart to check that out...
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Mexico Beach FL
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
Of all the failed opti sparks I've ever seen only ONE was ever a cap/rotor issue. Every other one has been some problem with the "brains" of it, which is exactly why I'd never spend a ton of money on a system that is now just as likely to fail.
Tom Piper