mfi

It died..need to replace..what is the final word on the best one to buy??

Jegs and summit have one..
MSD
Dynaspark
somehow finding a real one..
What to do?????
92 vert...

VetteAholicC4

I think one of the best things to do is venting it. They sell the kit for the non vented ones.

mmracecars

have had good luck with the chandler motorsports one,134$ for a lifetime warranty one.have been through all the others,summitt,autozone ,ac delco,msd,dynaspark.just whatever unit you decide on take the cap off and loctite the rotor screws.

dizwiz24

OEM ACDELCO (not some made in china) optispark.


Add a vented cap and a vacuum vent to the base (in one of the 3 weep holes, block off the other two) and you are good to go.

DOnt mess with the MSD or dynspark crap. Its junk.

mfi

but where to find a real one...these sites that sell these are very tricky..how do you know its oem???

dizwiz24

good point.

someone used a seller on ebay (thepartsladi?) or something like that and said they got a good part.

the issue I have (not sure if this is case w/ optispark) is you can get something that says 'ACDELCO' but in reality is made in CHINA for ACDELCO.

Not the same.

JackDidley

Last time I got AC Delco relays, they were made in china.

jabez

Using an MSD on mine . 3 and half years no problems. My last Opti lasted 9 months.

dolbnyc

I haveseen both the Summit and the Chandler units and I can honestly say they are from the same source. take the cap off and loctite the rotor screws and you should be fine.
I have the chandler one and I have used him before. any issues he will back up his parts
I can attest to that. The post office messed up the box that was shipped and he sent me another one. Good vendor great price

Ramrod92

Early Dynaspark unit with no high voltage. Delteq (or LTCC) setup for the that.

mfi

corvette america has one retrofitted with the vaccuum system for $489.00.....wonder who makes that...might go with it as I wouldn't have to fab it up myself..

rklessdriver

Pretty small sample size but I have 3 MSD Opti's running at the moment. None of them have shown a hint of problems. One is the baddest LTX daily driver most of you will ever see, the second is what most LTX people hope to build one day and the last is what most LTX owners actually own and drive.

One is in my personal 92 6spd.... well over 7000RPM, low 11's at 127MPH on street tires and I drive it to the track. Over 5000 miles on it this year already and I race it once a week (35 passes on the car this year alone).

I have another in a 420+RWHP 96 LT4 383 I built. 7000RPM capable engine that now has over 25,000 miles on it over the past 3yrs - with no Opti Problems.

Lastly the stock 67,000 mile LT1 out of my 92.... I sold it to a friend with a 94 Z28. Stock engine with 1.6 rockers and some bolt on's. It's a daily driver for his wife and they are not having any problems with the MSD Opti, since I sold it to them last year.

Either I'm the luckiest SOB on the earth with these MSD Opti's or the people tearing them up are doing something wrong.

I'm going to tell you to buy the MSD (it comes with a vaccum hose system), take the cap off of it and locktite the rotor screw, then make sure the cap seal/o-ring is installed properly before you install it on the car and put the cap back on.
Will

Charleston2012

Optis are a sensitive subject.
My advice is get an OEM(New AC DELCO made in USA) or MSD.
What is very important is installation also. Make sure you take your time and do it right, Dont rush it.

mfi

I was thinking about the MSD but read so many bad reports on them. Maybe they hae cured it? They used to be the go to guys for ignitions way back when...

jaa1992

In my 92 I have a later engine that uses the pin drive.
I needed an opti for it real quick and took my chances on a Summit Racing opti.
So far that Opti has seen a good 4 or 5 hours over 4k RPM with no issues.
The 92 sees all its time on road courses so I don't keep track of miles.

On my original engine I had an original Dynaspark. It had no issues, however I wouldn't buy one anymore. Do a search here and other sites, the manuf has become cheap while still demanding a premium and not standing behind it.

mfi

Think I'll spring for the MSD as its pretty much the same price as the other ones, might as well get the 8.5 wires..prolly an MSD coil too..
Which plugs are the best??

rklessdriver

I run NGK plugs. TR55 is the correct PN plug for your car.

I have MSD 8.5 wires (custom fit so they come up from the bottom) but still use the stock coil on my 92.
Will

mfi

Now I've read that Taylor wires are better...ooookkkkay...

STL94LT1

I've been running the same set of Taylor Spiro Pro 8mm wires for ~9 years without problems. Also running NGK TR55's.

mfi

Its funny but the more I read about which opti to buy..the worse it gets..I want the vented option but don't want to hack it up...Summit sells a vented one, and MSD...read the msd does not hook up to the harness without modifying??? oy..my head hurts and I haven't even started...