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-   -   Final word on best opti spark to buy (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/2873371-final-word-on-best-opti-spark-to-buy.html)

Drew1Down 07-16-2011 04:07 AM

do not go dynaspark, there not dynaspark (from back in the day) anymore, just put a dynaspark in my 93 vette and it looks nothing like the one i put in my lt1 monte carlo a few years ago. I think they are using chinese optical pickups and not the japanese ones that lasted 100k miles like delco uses.

If i had to do it again id go MSD or mod an ACDelco OEM unit

Charleston2012 07-16-2011 04:39 AM


Originally Posted by Drew1Down (Post 1578146458)
do not go dynaspark, there not dynaspark (from back in the day) anymore, just put a dynaspark in my 93 vette and it looks nothing like the one i put in my lt1 monte carlo a few years ago. I think they are using chinese optical pickups and not the japanese ones that lasted 100k miles like delco uses.

If i had to do it again id go MSD or mod an ACDelco OEM unit

It would be nice if you could buy just the Japanese Mitsubishi Optical sensors.

Drew1Down 07-16-2011 04:51 AM


Originally Posted by Charleston2012 (Post 1578146500)
It would be nice if you could buy just the Japanese Mitsubishi Optical sensors.

you sir, would be a hero if you can find the mitsu optical pickup GM uses, and buy a boat load becasue your going to sell alot of them.

that little optical pickup's origins of where its made have plegued opti users for years, no one can find where you can buy JUST the sensor. I have searched high and low and can't find it for the life of me!

Charleston2012 07-16-2011 11:07 AM


Originally Posted by Drew1Down (Post 1578146518)
you sir, would be a hero if you can find the mitsu optical pickup GM uses, and buy a boat load becasue your going to sell alot of them.

that little optical pickup's origins of where its made have plegued opti users for years, no one can find where you can buy JUST the sensor. I have searched high and low and can't find it for the life of me!

Dodge used them years ago in there little V6 cars in the distributor. I think it was a Daytona. I got tired of researching.
I did find the opti bearing. The NTN bearing was only allowed to be bought by GM. But, there was a bearing that had a lip on it that could have been cut off and would end up being the same bearing.
Opti, not my favorite.

mfi 07-16-2011 11:46 AM

This one from Corvette Central is supposed to be a modded Delphi..guess I'll know when I get it. Going to loctite the rotor..and pray for the best..if it craps out on me down the road..well that may be it for her ..cause I don't have time to do major surgery all the time..might go back to a 72 GTO..real easy to work on...

vetteblack 07-17-2011 05:00 PM

The factory delco did not give me good service, so the 1st time was the Accel. Not a good choice. 2nd opti was a summit. Not a good
choice. 2nd opti was a summit. Not a good choice, though better than the Accel. Thursday I put in a Cardone from Rockauto. It has a one year/18,000 mile warranty. And its $70 less the the 2 previous units and has a better warranty.

Charleston2012 07-17-2011 05:31 PM

I honestly believe anyone, except a genuine GM from the dealership is a rebuilt Opti with Cap and Rotor.
You cant buy the bearing, unless you are GM
You cant by the Optical Sensor, unless you are GM (OEM Mitsubishi ones, not China crap Sensors)
You cant get new aluminum housing, Unless you are GM or are willing to make your own like MSD.
But you can buy, in bulk, cap and rotors.
Rebuilts are Summits/Accels/Cardone/etc etc. Junk.
If you are a waxer who drives to and from work or car shows, they are fine. Anyone who drives it to enjoy with spirited driving, auto cross, HPDEs, then you are dancing with the Devil unless you buy Genuine GM, as they are more than likely new old stock thats just waiting for the stock to run out.

vetteblack 07-17-2011 05:44 PM

Cardone has a new and rebuilt. The one I bought is advertised as new.

Charleston2012 07-17-2011 05:50 PM


Originally Posted by vetteblack (Post 1578158590)
Cardone has a new and rebuilt. The one I bought is advertised as new.

Take it apart and see what the Optical sensor and cap and rotor are made by. Yes, they may be new (but not the Mitsubishi sensor, for example), but I seriously doubt they have new housing.
Cardone is an average company. I have used their New water pumps too. One of them leaked. It was a warped housing.
Regardless, Good luck.

vetteblack 07-17-2011 05:56 PM

The delco lasted just 43,000 miles. Now granted, thats a lot more than the replacements I've been using, but it still doesnt give me alot of confidence. I think GM should have did a distributorless ignition, and we LT1 owners would be a lot better off.

Charleston2012 07-17-2011 05:58 PM


Originally Posted by vetteblack (Post 1578158700)
The delco lasted just 43,000 miles. Now granted, thats a lot more than the replacements I've been using, but it still doesnt give me alot of confidence. I think GM should have did a distributorless ignition, and we LT1 owners would be a lot better off.

The cardone says new, but without module. Wonder what that module is?
No one else advertises their Opti "without module"

vetteblack 07-17-2011 06:13 PM


Originally Posted by Charleston2012 (Post 1578158717)
The cardone says new, but without module. Wonder what that module is?
No one else advertises their Opti "without module"

I dont know, but its in and running. Just 100 miles on it so far.

mfi 07-18-2011 04:06 PM

Wonder if the Deltech or that other coil pack conversion is worth it...prolly can't hurt to get the high voltage out of there...

BucfanTitan 07-18-2011 07:10 PM

Since a lot of people are replacing the optispark who has the best write up on the Internet to replace one. If my mechanical skills are pretty basic is this a task I can take on. Also having a 95 any different then the 92 mostly talked about in this thread?

mfi 07-18-2011 08:34 PM

The hard part is getting off the balancer but also basic shop practices such as cleaning gasket surfaces, removing and replacing seals..this stuff is hard to learn off the web..not that you can't but if you get it wrong..its a mess and you could wreck the opti..again...but if you want to try it..we can walk you through it..it is a mother of a job..and I've been doing this stuff for 30 years..just let us know..what I can't..or it seems no one can..is what is the best opti to buy..

JM95 07-19-2011 12:49 PM

Modify for vented Optispark and install Chandler Motor Sports Vented Optispark with lifetime warranty for $135. This has been a better solution on my 95 then any other expensive products $300 or more.

mfi 07-19-2011 01:28 PM

The one I'm getting from Corvette central is modded with vents..469.00 though..they claim its a modded Delphi..we'll see when I take it apart to locktite the rotor..

93VettePilot 07-19-2011 01:52 PM


Originally Posted by JM95 (Post 1578174671)
Modify for vented Optispark and install Chandler Motor Sports Vented Optispark with lifetime warranty for $135. This has been a better solution on my 95 then any other expensive products $300 or more.

:iagree:

This has been my experience too with 2 different LT1 cars. Get the vented version and make sure the plug wires are high quality. It will last for 200,000 miles.

mfi 07-19-2011 05:19 PM


Originally Posted by 93VettePilot (Post 1578175321)
:iagree:

This has been my experience too with 2 different LT1 cars. Get the vented version and make sure the plug wires are high quality. It will last for 200,000 miles.

Bought the stock oem wires..they lasted 100,00..figure I don't need bigger ones as the motor is stock and prolly will always be...

BucfanTitan 07-19-2011 07:11 PM

Well a vented opti seems like a good way to go. I think I am able to figure out the importance of removing old gaskets and puting new ones on correctly. If I can change a gasket on a lower unit outboard and rebuild a small outboard carb. I should be able to figure this out.

So yes mfi I would like to try this task. If you have a good write up I would like to read it.

Thank you for your help.


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