Conversion kit to ditch the opti

[FormulaSlickG94]

I remember reading somewhere that there was a total conversion kit that replaces the optispark. I've been searching and can't seem to find it. Would someone be able to send over a link...also has anyone used it?

[Injuneer]

There was a kit back in the late 90's, made by Electromotive. Is was called the Super Direct Ignition/Opti-Eliminator (SDI/O-E). I had one on my 94. It was "fair". Since it only had a crank position sensor, it couldn't correctly phase the injectors in the sequential order on the 94 and newer models. IT would have worked fine on a 93, with batch fire injection.





I ran it for a couple of years.. I could spray a hose on the front of the engine and not hurt anything. But E'motive only made/sold about 20 of the units, and then stopped making them to try and solve the "sequential" injection issues.

Since then, an outfit called Dynaspark has come out with a billet Opti that is supposed to last longer. LTCC has been developed, using the Opti optical sensor output to feed a black box that fires 8 LS1 coils, and Delteq has come out with a system that uses the Opti optical signals to feed a Northstar ignition system, using 4-coils in "waste spark" configuration. Delteq - interestingly, the "engineer" is the same guy who worked at Electromotive - claims to be coming out with a FULL Opti replacement "any day".... but its been at least 6 months since they said that.

A few of us use the Opti cam postion signals to feed after market ECU's. I have 8 LS1 coils, with a MoTeC M48Pro and the MoTeC IEX 8-channel ignition driver. The same MoTeC setup was used on what was for 2 years the quickest, most powerful LT1 on the planet. Getting the high voltage function out of the Opti case seems to extend its life. It is an EXCELLENT cam position sensor.

[Nightrage]

It seems like everyone hates this optispark system. Why weren't they recalled if they're so bad?

[DeWynter]

Im glad I have a distributer after hearing about all the opti POS

[markd79ta]

It seems like everyone hates this optispark system. Why weren't they recalled if they're so bad?

Im glad I have a distributer after hearing about all the opti POS

The opti in my T/A lasted about 90,000 miles, still worked, but I needed to change the cap & rotor. I put a new one on. The Opti in my Roadmaster went 150,000 miles, still worked, but I needed to change the cap & rotor. I change the cap & rotor on the 150,000 unit and it is still working great. I haven't had any problems with them.

[Injuneer]

The Opti has 2 parts. The first part is the distributor. How many of you have run a "conventional" distributor for 100-150K miles without replacing the cap and rotor? The Opti was intended to last that long, without replacing the parts. Many of them have fulfilled that design.

The second part of the Opti is the cam position sensor. That is a VERY precise device, that allows the engine to operate with a very low "spark scatter"..... more performance with less emissions. Better fuel mileage. Its one of the reasons the LT1 engine is the seemingly unique combination of power and mileage that it is.

When it works, it is one hell of a distributor.

A couple of "bad" decisions on GM's part:
-location
-weep holes in water pump
-poor seal on harness connector (that's where if leaks)
-weak bearing
-low grade carbon steel retainer for the bearing that rusts and helps "blind" the optical sensor.

GM did not "invent" the Opti.... they copied it from Mitsubishi/Chrysler. They used in in the 3L V6 Mitsu/Diamond Star motors in the late 1980's. To my knowledge, Mitsu/Chrysler never had the same problems. They just had the common sense to put their version in the same top-o'-the-engine location as a "conventional" unit. But GM apparently decided it wouldn't fit with the engine so far under the cowl.