Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Optispark decision

Collapse
X
Collapse
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 Next
  • #1

    Optispark decision

    I can get a good deal on a reman opti - 125 bucks and the rep will basicly warranty it for as long as I own the car. Is it worth it, chancing the reman as opposed to the AC Delco (at over twice the price)? Do you think I will be changing Optis every 3 months with a reman unit? Is the quality that poor? I find it hard to pass it up, especially with a lifetime warranty.

    This is coming from my dad's parts supplier for his shop. So, I trust the guy to take care of me if it craps out. I suppose that he would probably upgrade me to an AC delco if I have too many problems too. Is it worth it?
    96 WS6 Formula: Ram Air, 383 Stroker, Ported LT4 Heads and Manifold, 1.6 Crane Rollers, 58MM T.B., AS&M Headers, Borla Exhaust, Meziere Elec. H2O Pump, Canton Deep Sump Oil Pan, 100 HP OF TNT N2O!! , T56 Conversion w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, SPEC Stage 3 Clutch, Hotchkiss Subframe Conn., Lakewood Adj. Panhard Bar, Spohn Adj. LCA's, BMR Adj. T.A., Custom 12 bolt w/ 3:73's, Moser Axles, Eaton Posi, Moser Girdle
    11.6 @ 123mph (1.6 60' - getting there )
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Well you may as try it. The official GM unit for your '96 is around $180 from Dal Salbaugh at Van Deere Olds. I have taken mine apart and cleaned it, it was full of dust from the smaller bearings that the '94 unit has. The dust obstructs the optical reader (a Mitsubishi Electronics part), and causes the misfire problem. Cleaning it gave me another 25k, until I replaced the engine with a '96.

    I remember the cap and rotor alone was $135 last fall.
    The Old Guy! '94 z-28, m-6, t-tops, go-fast red, 316k. Now with '96 engine w/ Lt-4 hot cam, roller rockers, heavy duty timing chain, and Spec stage 2 clutch.

    Comment

    • #3
      While you have it apart, you might want to replace the water pump. I added a hose to the weep hole to route the future leak away from the opti.

      Drill a 3/16" hole about 1/4" deep in the weep hole of the new water pump. Install a 3/16" plastic 90 degree vacum fitting (to route the hose from the crank pulley), add about 2 feet of hose, and locate the end over the back of the steering rack. Wire tie in place. Now when the pump bearing fails, coolant will drip out the hose in a noticeable place, and not onto the opti.
      The Old Guy! '94 z-28, m-6, t-tops, go-fast red, 316k. Now with '96 engine w/ Lt-4 hot cam, roller rockers, heavy duty timing chain, and Spec stage 2 clutch.

      Comment

      • #4
        Originally posted by pete
        While you have it apart, you might want to replace the water pump. I added a hose to the weep hole to route the future leak away from the opti.

        Drill a 3/16" hole about 1/4" deep in the weep hole of the new water pump. Install a 3/16" plastic 90 degree vacum fitting (to route the hose from the crank pulley), add about 2 feet of hose, and locate the end over the back of the steering rack. Wire tie in place. Now when the pump bearing fails, coolant will drip out the hose in a noticeable place, and not onto the opti.
        That is an awesome tech tip. Great job!

        Comment

        • #5
          I've heard good and bad about the rebuilt units. My personal opinion is that the new AC delco parts are higher initial quality, that's what I use as a personal replacement or when for hire. My original opti went at 92 K miles, that's pretty good for a low maintainance distributer.

          Comment

          • #6
            Just make sure its a "complete" unit.... cap, rotor, rear housing with optical sensor.
            Fred

            381ci all-forged stroker - 10.8:1 - CNC LT4 heads/intake - CC solid roller - MoTeC engine management - 8 LS1 coils - 58mm TB - 78# injectors - 300-shot dry nitrous - TH400 - Gear Vendor O/D - Strange 12-bolt - 4.11's - AS&M headers - duals - Corbeau seat - AutoMeter gauges - roll bar - Spohn suspension - QA1 shocks - a few other odds 'n ends. 800HP/800lb-ft at the flywheel, on a 300-shot. 11.5 @ 117MPH straight motor

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by pete
              The dust obstructs the optical reader (a Mitsubishi Electronics part), and causes the misfire problem.
              Im not really getting a mis.....its more of a weak spark problem (im hoping). Ive got an engine vibration and it doesnt pull hard in the upper RPMs. I think Im gonna try replacing the opti, wires, and coil to shotgun the problem.
              96 WS6 Formula: Ram Air, 383 Stroker, Ported LT4 Heads and Manifold, 1.6 Crane Rollers, 58MM T.B., AS&M Headers, Borla Exhaust, Meziere Elec. H2O Pump, Canton Deep Sump Oil Pan, 100 HP OF TNT N2O!! , T56 Conversion w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, SPEC Stage 3 Clutch, Hotchkiss Subframe Conn., Lakewood Adj. Panhard Bar, Spohn Adj. LCA's, BMR Adj. T.A., Custom 12 bolt w/ 3:73's, Moser Axles, Eaton Posi, Moser Girdle
              11.6 @ 123mph (1.6 60' - getting there )

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by pete
                While you have it apart, you might want to replace the water pump. I added a hose to the weep hole to route the future leak away from the opti.

                Drill a 3/16" hole about 1/4" deep in the weep hole of the new water pump. Install a 3/16" plastic 90 degree vacum fitting (to route the hose from the crank pulley), add about 2 feet of hose, and locate the end over the back of the steering rack. Wire tie in place. Now when the pump bearing fails, coolant will drip out the hose in a noticeable place, and not onto the opti.
                I'll try it....thanks!
                96 WS6 Formula: Ram Air, 383 Stroker, Ported LT4 Heads and Manifold, 1.6 Crane Rollers, 58MM T.B., AS&M Headers, Borla Exhaust, Meziere Elec. H2O Pump, Canton Deep Sump Oil Pan, 100 HP OF TNT N2O!! , T56 Conversion w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, SPEC Stage 3 Clutch, Hotchkiss Subframe Conn., Lakewood Adj. Panhard Bar, Spohn Adj. LCA's, BMR Adj. T.A., Custom 12 bolt w/ 3:73's, Moser Axles, Eaton Posi, Moser Girdle
                11.6 @ 123mph (1.6 60' - getting there )

                Comment

                • #9
                  Yea, well Fred as you said, its not a complete unit. Figures! Whats this 180 dollar price at Van Deere Olds? DOes anyone have a number or link they could give?
                  96 WS6 Formula: Ram Air, 383 Stroker, Ported LT4 Heads and Manifold, 1.6 Crane Rollers, 58MM T.B., AS&M Headers, Borla Exhaust, Meziere Elec. H2O Pump, Canton Deep Sump Oil Pan, 100 HP OF TNT N2O!! , T56 Conversion w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, SPEC Stage 3 Clutch, Hotchkiss Subframe Conn., Lakewood Adj. Panhard Bar, Spohn Adj. LCA's, BMR Adj. T.A., Custom 12 bolt w/ 3:73's, Moser Axles, Eaton Posi, Moser Girdle
                  11.6 @ 123mph (1.6 60' - getting there )

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    http://www.vandevere.com/
                    Mr. Dallas Slabaugh
                    lockitup@bright.net

                    Doc
                    97 A4 Pontiac Firebird Trans am with $everal mod$

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Do I have to have an account to get the 185 price? I am getting a price of 360 bucks when I check it online.....
                      96 WS6 Formula: Ram Air, 383 Stroker, Ported LT4 Heads and Manifold, 1.6 Crane Rollers, 58MM T.B., AS&M Headers, Borla Exhaust, Meziere Elec. H2O Pump, Canton Deep Sump Oil Pan, 100 HP OF TNT N2O!! , T56 Conversion w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, SPEC Stage 3 Clutch, Hotchkiss Subframe Conn., Lakewood Adj. Panhard Bar, Spohn Adj. LCA's, BMR Adj. T.A., Custom 12 bolt w/ 3:73's, Moser Axles, Eaton Posi, Moser Girdle
                      11.6 @ 123mph (1.6 60' - getting there )

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Nope....just contact Dal to get the price. Hope includes ALL the set up like Fred said
                        Good luck
                        Doc
                        97 A4 Pontiac Firebird Trans am with $everal mod$

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Jason Cromer at Sam Taylor Buick/Cadillac
                          staylorservice@cybertron.com
                          877-726-8295

                          Dal Slabaugh at Van DeVere Olds
                          lockitup@bright.net
                          800-362-9494

                          both of these guys offer substantial saving over your local dealer.

                          Jason may be a few cents less due to handling charges.....

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Thanks guys, I will try them out.
                            96 WS6 Formula: Ram Air, 383 Stroker, Ported LT4 Heads and Manifold, 1.6 Crane Rollers, 58MM T.B., AS&M Headers, Borla Exhaust, Meziere Elec. H2O Pump, Canton Deep Sump Oil Pan, 100 HP OF TNT N2O!! , T56 Conversion w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, SPEC Stage 3 Clutch, Hotchkiss Subframe Conn., Lakewood Adj. Panhard Bar, Spohn Adj. LCA's, BMR Adj. T.A., Custom 12 bolt w/ 3:73's, Moser Axles, Eaton Posi, Moser Girdle
                            11.6 @ 123mph (1.6 60' - getting there )

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              hey i am replacing my optispark right now. i am installing a power pully on the crank and a electric water pump at the same time. i was planning on buying the new unit from autozone. it is 150.00 and they say it is a new unit not a rebuilt one. has anyone had any experience with the autozone part?
                              1994 Trans Am GT
                              http://www.sounddomain.com/memberpage/208684/1
                              Ram Air hood and airbox
                              headers
                              exhaust
                              lowered 2"
                              underdrive pully
                              sloted rotors
                              electric water pump
                              air foil
                              denso plugs
                              taylor wires
                              tinted windows
                              eagle rims
                              2000 watt stereo

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 Next
                              Working...
                              X