Anyone using the Delteq Opti eliminator?

[KnightFire]

I've got yet another problem with my setup...I believe its the optispark, so I said the hell with it and I'm getting a Delteq to completely bypass the system. I spoke with the owner of http://elitesparkplugs.com/Internetspecials.html and was happy with his knowledge. I'm getting a somewhat custom system and am a a final price.

I was just curious if anyone else out there has this product and what their feelings are about it. I've read nothing but GREAT reviews on it from CZ28.com...Delteq is coming out with a "Stage 2" version soon, that will completely remove the optispark. You still need it for the CPS in the Stage 1 version.


KnightFire

[DJ Taso]

A device that bypasses the opti spark system? Could this be the cure for all '93 - '97's?

[KnightFire]

A device that bypasses the opti spark system? Could this be the cure for all '93 - '97's?

Exactly!




KnightFire

[Injuneer]

Your enthusiasm may be a bit premature. The "current" Delteq system requires the low res pulses from the Opti to function. The "Stage 2" has been "coming soon" for at least 8 months. The guy behind the Delteq appears to be the same guy that was chief engineer for Electromotive, when they came out with their "SDI/Opti-Eliminator" in about 1998. I bought one of the first units, only to find that although it completely "eliminated" the Opti, it did not have a true cam position sensor, and hence incorrectly synch'd the low res pulse signal that was synthesized by a "chip" from a crank timing wheel. As a result, the engine would often suffer from extended cranking to start, and some "irregularities" as the injectors fired at the wrong time. The "irregularities" were so bad, that it would not work at all with the OBD-II PCM, and the product was "put on hold".... and never reappeared. I had one of maybe 20 units that were produced.

The engineer at E'motive - JC Hyde - bought a 1996 Z28 of his own, to solve the problem of completely "eliminating" the Opti signal requirement. Here we are 5 years later, and he's apparently still working on it.

The good news is, that even though the Delteq and the competing LTCC 8-coil direct fire system both rely on the optical sensor signals from the Opti, they both remove the high voltage functions from the Opti, and this appears to significantly reduce the problems with the Opti. I've been running for 4 years on only the optical signals from a vented Opti, and a buddy of minie made 1,125HP on an LT1 using the same ignition system, with no problems over a 5 year period.

Appears you spoke with Jim Maldonado at "elite", and he's a straight shooter. Used to live in NJ and was active with our Central Jersey Camaro/Firebird Owners group.

[KnightFire]

Fred, great info as usual. However, I understand that it isn't going to completey do away with the opti, as stated in my original post. The stage 1 still needs the CPS functions of the opti...however I believe that 90% of the failing optis are due to its poor design of the high voltage regulation...thats purely my opinion though.

I do know that this is the 2nd opti (in as many years) that I will have had to replace due to a malfunction. The original I replaced when I upgraded to the LT4 top end, but it was functioning perfectly, so I don't count that one. Frankly, I'm tired of always having to wonder, when I get a new hesitation problem, "gee...did the opti die again?"

I did NOT know that they have been working on a way to completely remove the opti for that long, interesting information for sure! You're absolutely correct, I've been speaking with Maldo and just ordered the complete system with some custom modifications...whew $$$, ah well spent if I never have to replace the opti again!

TTYL


KnightFire

[Injuneer]

I'm not faulting the Delteq... it does what it promises to do. Just an observation that "coming soon" might not necessarily mean "soon". I met with JC at E'motive in Virginia in 1999 and he had his 96 in the shop, but was complaining that they never gave him time to work on it. Then one of the E'motive owners died and they made JC the general manager or something, and he never had a chance to work on the SDI/O-E. He also stopped communicating with me, which was a bit of a problem, since I was really little more than a "tester" of an unproven system. I doubt that I would ever deal with Electromotive again, given the poor customer service. Delteq seems to be doing a much better job in that respect.

Note the date on this photo:

[NorthernSS]

In the November 2004 issue of Chevy High Performance they did the whole conversion and installation of the Delteq system. Very good article !!!!