MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's
05-21-2002, 03:33 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Member Since: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's
I'm not the type to cross link forums but thought this guy has the right idea in talking to MSD about building a replacement for the LT1 OptiSpark.
http://web.camaross.com/bb/Forum1/HTML/100985.html
http://web.camaross.com/bb/Forum1/HTML/100985.html
05-21-2002, 03:52 PM
#2
Safety Car
Re: MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's (XTwinTurbo)
I added my name to his list. Just email him showing interest. Then lets see what MSD can do. :smash:
05-21-2002, 04:51 PM
#6
Drifting
Re: MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's (XTwinTurbo)
If you don't mind running without the egr and rear air tube, the solution is already out there: drill your intake and drop a small body hei in there. A lot easier to service the wires, cap and rotor. I have not yet had a need for such measures, as I think the opti is good for around 7,000 rpm operation, I had mine over 7,000 rpm (by mistake) with no misfire. What I do know about optis is that they do not like any sort of multi strike ignition add on box (this will shorten opti life IMO). All that they really need for performance is a low impedence ignition coil (standard on '96 and newer, or use aftermarket like MSD for '95 and earlier), and a good set of ignition wires. As I now have LT1Edit to do my own programming, I really don't want to replace the opti with something different.
Thomas
Thomas
05-21-2002, 11:02 PM
#9
Re: MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's (ASRoff)
The stock Optispark IS a flawed design and definitely junk. However, an Optispark with less than $20 worth of Permatex sealing mods and a '96 vacuum purge kit is bulletproof. Everyone is entitled to ignore the "kiss" solution, whine look elsewhere. If MSD sold an LT1 kit with two rubber hoses and a gasket with a "free" bumper sticker I think some folks would pay $400 for it.
05-22-2002, 06:49 PM
#10
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's (Rick93Z07)
Electro Motive computer system will eliminate the Opti. I talked to them recently, but it is about $2500.00 for thier computer system. What is that about 4 Optis?
05-23-2002, 01:18 PM
#12
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Fort Knox, KY
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Re: MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's (XTwinTurbo)
I opened a hail, too. It can't hurt!
05-23-2002, 03:02 PM
#13
Re: MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's (onedef92)
The Electromotive solution had zero reliability. It looked like an 8th grade science project & was pulled from the market in 1999 when they were going broke on chronic warranty returns. Use the Permatex and purge hoses....they're available right now at a "dealer near you". I know...that sounds too easy and cheap to work.
MSD reliability is not impressive. Their popular MSD-6 and digital series produce good spark, but they frequently fail and they're suseptible to water. I know many folks on their 2nd and 3rd MSD warranty unit. I don't see MSD coming out with a complicated unit for a motor that was in production for just 5 years. For distributors, they only support a couple "simple designs" for wildly popular off-road applications. Their coverage is not even close to the Mallory/Accel line.
[Modified by Rick93Z07, 2:13 PM 5/23/2002]
MSD reliability is not impressive. Their popular MSD-6 and digital series produce good spark, but they frequently fail and they're suseptible to water. I know many folks on their 2nd and 3rd MSD warranty unit. I don't see MSD coming out with a complicated unit for a motor that was in production for just 5 years. For distributors, they only support a couple "simple designs" for wildly popular off-road applications. Their coverage is not even close to the Mallory/Accel line.
[Modified by Rick93Z07, 2:13 PM 5/23/2002]
05-24-2002, 08:26 PM
#16
Race Director
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: Oakland CA
Posts: 13,128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's (Rick93Z07)
What really gets me is that my 87 Cavalier had a distributorless system in it that never failed. This car was finally driven into the ground by my father this year with well over 200K on the odo and not once was there a problem with the distributorless system on that car. So if GM had a good distributorless system for a V6 back in 1987 why the heck couldn't they put it on the V8 of their priemium sports car?
05-25-2002, 01:26 AM
#17
Drifting
Re: MSD, another option instead of OptiSpark for LT1's (94 LT1 Lou)
Lou, this is too simple, MONEY is the answer. The opti system was cheaper for GM than the distributorless system - but maybe it was a bad engineering bargain with all the warranty work that had to be done.
Thomas
Thomas
