LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links
#1
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LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links
A couple of months ago, I did a search on these forums and actually came up with a couple of threads talking about the Optispark. Here is a short list of links that I came up with and saved:
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm
http://www.corvetteclinicinc.com
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/
Someone else presently has a thread with distributor problems and they mentioned Dynotech and Corvette Clinic. However, the Corvette Fever link wasn't mentioned, so I decided to throw this thread up.
The reason I'm even doing this is because I have problems right now with, I assume, my distributor. :smash: :banghead: The car runs rough upon first cranking it, hesitating and backfiring until it warms up. Previous discussions have all pointed toward the Optispark. I have not done anything yet and have been living with it for a couple of years; it's probably a wonder I haven't stranded myself somewhere yet (knock on wood).
My question is, have any of you done any of the things listed in the links? Or have you done something not covered here? The other thread presently going talks about Dynotech having some problems with a new build of their distributor, so if I do anything soon, they're probably out. The Corvette Clinic solution would work great I'm sure, but it's a tad expensive (I'm not saying it's not worth the money, just it's more than I want to spend :nopity ). The Corvette Fever article, though, with the Chris dude from Corvette Clinic seems like a great read and is very thorough for anyone with a little experience working on cars. If I fix my distributor soon, I'm opting (ha ha) for making my own mods to a new distributor.
If anyone is having problems with their LT1 distributor, hopefully these links will help and at least get you on the right track. And again I pose some questions. Has anyone with Opti problems gone with any of these solutions? If so, how long has it lasted? Did you try some other solutions not listed in my few links?
Thanks!!!! :thumbs:
[Modified by semvhu, 4:57 PM 4/29/2003]
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dynaspark.htm
http://www.corvetteclinicinc.com
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/
Someone else presently has a thread with distributor problems and they mentioned Dynotech and Corvette Clinic. However, the Corvette Fever link wasn't mentioned, so I decided to throw this thread up.
The reason I'm even doing this is because I have problems right now with, I assume, my distributor. :smash: :banghead: The car runs rough upon first cranking it, hesitating and backfiring until it warms up. Previous discussions have all pointed toward the Optispark. I have not done anything yet and have been living with it for a couple of years; it's probably a wonder I haven't stranded myself somewhere yet (knock on wood).
My question is, have any of you done any of the things listed in the links? Or have you done something not covered here? The other thread presently going talks about Dynotech having some problems with a new build of their distributor, so if I do anything soon, they're probably out. The Corvette Clinic solution would work great I'm sure, but it's a tad expensive (I'm not saying it's not worth the money, just it's more than I want to spend :nopity ). The Corvette Fever article, though, with the Chris dude from Corvette Clinic seems like a great read and is very thorough for anyone with a little experience working on cars. If I fix my distributor soon, I'm opting (ha ha) for making my own mods to a new distributor.
If anyone is having problems with their LT1 distributor, hopefully these links will help and at least get you on the right track. And again I pose some questions. Has anyone with Opti problems gone with any of these solutions? If so, how long has it lasted? Did you try some other solutions not listed in my few links?
Thanks!!!! :thumbs:
[Modified by semvhu, 4:57 PM 4/29/2003]
#2
Le Mans Master
Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (semvhu)
The car runs rough upon first cranking it, hesitating and backfiring until it warms up.
#3
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Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (Vette92)
Well, it doesn't completely go away. There is still a bit of hesitation sometimes when starting off, but not always.
If it isn't the opti, what could it be? :confused: I've never replaced the distributor since I've owned it, and I've put almost 80k miles on the car since I bought it at 89k miles.
Thanks!
If it isn't the opti, what could it be? :confused: I've never replaced the distributor since I've owned it, and I've put almost 80k miles on the car since I bought it at 89k miles.
Thanks!
#4
Team Owner
Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (semvhu)
you need a complete tune up. wires, plugs... clean the throttle body. I would bet the IAC is dirty as hell, and the TPS is more than likely the cause of your off idle stumble.
Ultimately, I would replace the opti.
I am waiting for dynotech to get the first gen opti on the market.
[Modified by bogus, 9:06 PM 4/29/2003]
Ultimately, I would replace the opti.
I am waiting for dynotech to get the first gen opti on the market.
[Modified by bogus, 9:06 PM 4/29/2003]
#5
Race Director
Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (semvhu)
I'm one of the guys talking on that other thread. Yes, I went with Chris' venting. I would have done the whole thing myself, but I was worried about the vent tube attachment to the cap. So, for the $100 I had him do the venting on a new opti-spark from GM. To me it was good insurance that the job was done right and he did an outstanding job. I too am anxious about Dyno-tech's re design of the opti.
BTW, how's your coolant pump? Any signs of a leak? If so, it usually leaks right on the opti-spark.
:flag :flag :flag
BTW, how's your coolant pump? Any signs of a leak? If so, it usually leaks right on the opti-spark.
:flag :flag :flag
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Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (Strick)
bogus,
The TPS is only about 6 months old (10k miles), spark plug wires a year old (20k miles), and spark plugs 1.5 years old (30k miles). The spark plugs might be getting close enough to check again, but none of these things helped the problem at the time. :nonod: Good call, though, as sometimes it's the simple things that need checking. IAC? A quick 'net search resulted in "Idle Air Control Valve." I have no idea where that's at. :smash: The throttle body hasn't been cleaned since I've owned the car, and probably is extremely dirty. *sigh* I need to throw together an Excel spreadsheet (or something like that) to keep up with all my necessary maintenance.
Strick,
That's not a bad idea just to let Chris do it for $100, although I wouldn't mind the "learning experience." Sometimes, though, those "learning experiences" can cost you more in the long run. :lol: Coolant pump? I haven't actually checked it out, but since it possibly has the entire 168k miles on it, it will get replaced as well anyway since we'll be right there at it.
Another question for anyone watching: while I'm down there replacing the distributor and water pump, are there any good modifications that can be done on my LT1? Nothing extreme like new heads or cam, but something "simple" that can give me a few ponies.
Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming! :thumbs:
The TPS is only about 6 months old (10k miles), spark plug wires a year old (20k miles), and spark plugs 1.5 years old (30k miles). The spark plugs might be getting close enough to check again, but none of these things helped the problem at the time. :nonod: Good call, though, as sometimes it's the simple things that need checking. IAC? A quick 'net search resulted in "Idle Air Control Valve." I have no idea where that's at. :smash: The throttle body hasn't been cleaned since I've owned the car, and probably is extremely dirty. *sigh* I need to throw together an Excel spreadsheet (or something like that) to keep up with all my necessary maintenance.
Strick,
That's not a bad idea just to let Chris do it for $100, although I wouldn't mind the "learning experience." Sometimes, though, those "learning experiences" can cost you more in the long run. :lol: Coolant pump? I haven't actually checked it out, but since it possibly has the entire 168k miles on it, it will get replaced as well anyway since we'll be right there at it.
Another question for anyone watching: while I'm down there replacing the distributor and water pump, are there any good modifications that can be done on my LT1? Nothing extreme like new heads or cam, but something "simple" that can give me a few ponies.
Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming! :thumbs:
#7
Race Director
Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (semvhu)
.
Strick,
Another question for anyone watching: while I'm down there replacing the distributor and water pump, are there any good modifications that can be done on my LT1? Nothing extreme like new heads or cam, but something "simple" that can give me a few ponies.
Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming! :thumbs:
Strick,
Another question for anyone watching: while I'm down there replacing the distributor and water pump, are there any good modifications that can be done on my LT1? Nothing extreme like new heads or cam, but something "simple" that can give me a few ponies.
Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming! :thumbs:
:flag :flag :flag
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Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (Strick)
Sorry for the uninformed questions, but are these links to what you're referring to? http://www.msdignition.com/1msdcoil.htm#anchor32098
http://www.meziere.com (water pumps, GM, chevy, small block)
Still not exactly a gearhead here. I rely on my dad for the experience side of things. :) :smash: Thanks again!
[Modified by semvhu, 1:06 PM 4/30/2003]
http://www.meziere.com (water pumps, GM, chevy, small block)
Still not exactly a gearhead here. I rely on my dad for the experience side of things. :) :smash: Thanks again!
[Modified by semvhu, 1:06 PM 4/30/2003]
#9
Race Director
Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (semvhu)
Sorry for the uninformed questions, but are these links to what you're referring to? http://www.msdignition.com/1msdcoil.htm#anchor32098
http://www.meziere.com (water pumps, GM, chevy, small block)
Still not exactly a gearhead here. I rely on my dad for the experience side of things. :) :smash: Thanks again!
[Modified by semvhu, 1:06 PM 4/30/2003]
http://www.meziere.com (water pumps, GM, chevy, small block)
Still not exactly a gearhead here. I rely on my dad for the experience side of things. :) :smash: Thanks again!
[Modified by semvhu, 1:06 PM 4/30/2003]
The MSD site is correct. I bought the GM coil listed there. I bought it through Thunder Racing (listed on the left column) I think the part # is: pn 8226.
Still hope I'm helping
:chevy
:flag :flag :flag
#10
Le Mans Master
Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (semvhu)
IAC? A quick 'net search resulted in "Idle Air Control Valve." I have no idea where that's at.:smash:
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Re: LT1 Distributor / optispark problems, some useful links (Goody)
Thanks for the tip, Goody! I definitely need to try cleaning that first and see if it doesn't help things, as well as get the throttle body cleaned up. After those things, the last option AFAIK is the distributor. I'll chalk all this up as "experience." :cheers:
Thanks!!!!!! :thumbs:
Thanks!!!!!! :thumbs: