Optispark Repair, Optispark distributors and complete service kits for all 1992–1997 GM LT1, LT4, and L99 engines. I would like to have one on hand when/if mine goes bad. Be sure to open the bleed screws. 00 Save up to 20% when you buy more Today I'm going over the optispark ignition system of the GM LT-1 engine. As most LT1 owners can attest the Optispark is the Achilles heel to this otherwise excellent power plant. C4 Tech/Performance - 1993 Corvette Optispark - Good afternoon everyone, I've decided to replace the optispark distributor. Ran like a charm before, really no issues. I've got the distributor replacement already, but I am having a LOT of trouble finding a cap and rotor kit. How much will this run, including parts? Hi everyone, I've got a 94 Trans Am with the LT1, and I've been trying to replace my Optispark unit for the past month. Based on the cheap opti thread, are caps and rotors that are aftermarket of decent quality if I can't repair my #5 terminal on the new cap that I have that cracked (see my reply in the Cheap Opti Thread). So, in this one we do an opti spark on a 1995 Impala SS with the 5. In researching the R&R it appears that I will be replacing lot's of stuff because I have limited work space and I don't want to do this again for 100k miles. So I am going to be replacing the motor with a crate long block and figure I might as well replace the opti and water pump while i am switching everything over. Our Optisparks are built from the component level using premium materials and time-tested techniques, trusted by enthusiasts and professional shops for their reliability and long-term durability. Shop Distributors at Summit Racing. I've only worked on one Optispark in my career, and I don't remember it being fun. The water pump of my car needs replacement (leaking from that area, so I am guessing it is the pump). Hello, thinking about a 94 Convertible with 64K original miles and super clean under and over. Measure the resistance of your coil. Buy a $4 clear plastic fuel filter. The day after the rain I had driven it for a few minutes, then after a moderate C4 Tech/Performance - Opti Spark, What's the best one to fix the issue. Everything you need to support your Optispark distributor installation process— including the same brands we trust on our own builds. I’m an old hot rodder (I’m 76) that’s still working on my own cars. Looks like I will be replacing I need to replace my Opti Spark. I'm soon to be on my third opti. If you need a pre-purchase consultation, you can book one online. 7 LT-1 and Whatever you do, do not replace your optispark without confirming that the optical sensor is bad. Recently I developed a miss that sounds like ignition so I set out to rebuild the Optispark. 7 liter LT1 V8. Are the parts available to rebuild an optispark? I have not had mine out yet but planning on replacing a leaky seal this winter. . What is the best optispark (besides the MSD @ $700) out there? Thank you!! I am going to bite the bullit a replace my opti-spark. I was going to just use stock GM parts ( i can get parts at a discount from my GM buddy) any comments or tips? 1994 Chevy Camaro Z28 with a 5. This is a how to on the replacement of an optispark or distributor. What is a mechanics labor rate to replace an optispark type cap and Jump to Latest 10K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by capricewiz Aug 8, 2008 G Everyone dreads replacing the Optispark distributor, but here is a fairly easy way to replace both it and the water pump. This fixed my misfire issues. But, I can't find anything more current than like 2010-2011. dry inside like the 95/96's. I believe my vented Optispark II is causing a misfire in my #1 and #2 cylinders and with 133,000 miles on it I’m suspecting it’s in need of replacement. Now I've got it all apart it turns out the coolant My engine has developed a severe knock, it sounds like it is coming from the bottom end. Pull your trouble codes and post them back here. Re: 94 Optispark replacement cost. Buy a $3 tube of premium black Permatex RTV, because it withstands the highest temps. All mis-fire evidence leads me to this conclusion. The Opti-Spark system first appeared in 1994 Corvette and Camaro LT1 EFI engines. What is the most highly recommended current solution to Optispark issues as of late. Find all the details inside GM High-Tech Performance Magazine. Remove the rubber intake bellow. These are on the front of the engine beh C4 General Discussion - How to remove the OptiSpark on your C4 Corvette! - Hopefully this video will help fellow Corvette owners get up the courage to tackle the OptiSpark replacement on their own! Replaced Opti-spark now lt1 won't start? 1 reading Jump to Latest 13K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by frankzlt1 May 25, 2013 OK SV gang, lets hear your thoughts / reasons why the non vented optispark distributor are the cause of so much pain and agony in the C4 community. any suggestions on how to change it? is my first time doing this,hope tha lasta lil expensive you know. Since I will be working around that area, is it recommended to C4 Tech/Performance - steps to replace optispark? - i have a 92 lt1, i bought a new optispark and im thinking about tyring to put it in myself? what things do i have to remove in order to get to it? any tips to make it easier? anything else i should do while i got it out? what problems should i expect to run into? any [CorvSport Curated Guide Series] This how-to gives you all the steps to replace the Opti-Spark and water pump on your C4. Contrary to what many people believe, most spark errors actually occur at low speeds, especially starting, not at high rpm. I see a lot brands and prices on different sites. Apr 21, 2010 · You can make the LT1 \’92-\’94 Optispark setup more reliable than a 95- 96, even with the early distributor configuration. However these are prone to optispark failure and wondered if anyone has a cost figure on what a fix would cost by a GM shop or a qualified mechanic and what replacement part is best. Mar 18, 2024 · I have read about all the problems with Optispark replacements and would like the most up to date information on a replacement. C4 Tech/Performance - Narrowing Down No Spark - Optispark Diagnosis + Repair - After a stormy night and being caught without it's cover for a few minutes, my 94 LT1 Vette suddenly blew. I have been in contact with one of the engineers (Peter Visser) at a company in Virginia cal That said, keep the Optical sensor from your Opti-Spark provided it's a genuine Mitsubishi and transplant that for the non-Mitsubishi optical sensor that comes with the 'new'er rebuilt part. Never worked on one but it’s a distributor so Replacing the Optispark and water pump on a 1993 LT1 Corvette. Whats the best budget friendly replacement The key part is Mitsubishi optical sensor used on oem cars. I've read that you should replace the optispark at the same time while your there. My Opti just recently took a dump and I need to replace. Sep 18, 2011 · If you don't see the proper ac voltage the problem could be the optispark, the harness to the optispark, the PCM or any of the wiring in between. Remove the upper C4 Tech/Performance - What are the early symptoms of optispark going bad? - My LT-4 has 45,000 on it and seems to drop power when shifting between 1st and 2nd just for a split second. Newbee to the forum. C4 Tech/Performance - 94 LT1 Opti Replacement Report - I wanted to provide a report of my Optispark replacement project. I shaft on the Optispark (why I don’t know), but I would still recommend slightly turning it (1/4 turn is enough) to make sure everything spins smoothly. Many owners have gone How to make opti-sparks last longer and perform better for LT1 owners. Like I said, things change with regards to the latest general consensus on what is the best solution. My LT1 has 95K on it so I thought I?d replace the opti before it gave me problems. Any suggestions on the brand or source? Hey guys. im replacing the optispark on my 96 caprice this weekend. It's a relatively well cared for car I bought from the original owner but at 116K miles of course it needs some attention. I have a press and plenty The Opti-Spark is a distributor with a two track optical position sensor, a keyed drive shaft, an ECM, a single ignition coil and driver and conventional secondary wires and park plugs. $150 + shipping- Jeg's has an MSD kit, but it's not available In this video, I dive into the backfire of the Impala and you’ll never guess what my issue was. Reserve a long day to fiddle around. Oct 6, 2008 · "The tip to remove the Opti cover so as to be able to rotate the rotor to rotate the opti shaft is key. How to properly install the optispark distributor on similar years of LT1 Camaro, Firebird, Trans Am, Impala, Roadmaster, or Corvette. I used an upgraded vented Optispark. ? - Could someone tell me which Opti Spark to put on my 92 LT1, 6spd, base model Vette, second one has gone out. All others are junk. I install a Petris Enterpris I have some excellent news for all LT1 engine owner’s who are having Optispark related problems. ive heard some bad htings about the optispark system on the LT1's have any of you had problems or do you have any other info to share about them?. 11K subscribers Subscribed C4 Tech/Performance - ^^ The official optispark preservation thread ^^ - So you're driving an LT1 ey? Noble cause given the Achilles heal nearly every LT1 owner will deal with at one point in their car's life, the OPTISPARK! Designed as an UPGRADE to the type of ignition systems which GM became famous for, the general The Opti-Spark system relies on two signals generated by an optical sensor pair and a timing disk. The GM Optispark is an optically-triggered ignition distributor used on the LT1, LT4 and L99 engines. Jan 1, 2025 · The Petris Optispark, built by Throwback Automotive, is available directly from us as well as through select resellers. Does not look like much in an optispark distributor except the cost. Look for the 3 triangles logo inside. Before I spend $400 on it, am I making the right choice? Has anyone else had luck with the petris optispark? Thanks so much for the help in advanced. C4 Tech/Performance - Replacing the Optispark 96 LT4 - :willy: Well the Optispark is getting replaced on my 96 LT4 at 80K, it has all the signs, even though the prior owner replaced the water pump at 40K I am going to replace it again at 80K, plug wires as well. From what I can tell this seems to be the only decent option right now. In this video I explain and demonstrate how to replace the optical distrubutor in a 1993 Chevrolet Corvette with the LT1 engine. C4 Tech/Performance - When to replace the optispark??? - Ok, this is the story. However, it also chronicles the continuing saga of chasing C4 Tech/Performance - 1993 opti spark replacement - Does the water pump have to come off when replacing an opti spark on 93 LT 1? I'm having my opti replaced and if the water pump has to come off I'll probably have that replaced. If its around 5000 ohms or so its fine. The most common recommendation was a Dynaspark. So if any one has any tips for me before I dive into Corvette Forum members weigh in on one of the most talked about trouble areas on LT1 powered C4s. By modifying the cap and base with tubes and hose, and running one hose to a vacuum source and the other hose to an intake The Optispark distributor was designed to handle spark voltage in the 40,000-45,000 range at peak load. This will help it drain much quicker. it. I need to replace my water pump. I have 47,000 miles on my 96 LT1. As a LT1 owner and longtime member of the ImpalaSS forum, I have three original used vented optisparks. You can remove the cover without disconnecting the plug wires. went out and in researching the problem I found a vacuum circulation fix to keep the dist. yes, opti spark. Your Optispark distributor is built for longevity, but even the best parts can’t survive engine neglect. Learn why oil leaks, cooling system issues, and plug wire problems are often behind premature Optispark failures, and discover simple tips that can help your new distributor last 100K miles or more. I will be replacing it in 1 or 2 weeks ( i am not driving my car for now). Oct 30, 2022 · Are you having trouble related to C5 Opti Spark in your vehicle’s engine? Don’t worry, as this article will let you know how to deal with it! This would be a great place to make an Optispark joke and then tiptoe around GM's failure to build a solid ignition system in the '90s, but at this point we don't even care to make the effort. Thanks. The two aftermarket optis that I've installed on my 94 coupe were modified to vent, but this appeared not to have C4 Tech/Performance - 1996 LT1 Optispark-Should it stay or should it go? - I have the front of my 1996 LT1 disassembled to chase down some leaks. As spark plugs wear, their gap increases, requiring more voltage to bridge the gap. I could sell one. Drain your coolant. I'm also going to replace the plugs and This OptiSpark Cap Kit is for the skilled repair person wanting to save from buying the complete Opti Spark Unit. I know there have been articles and posts about this in the past. Clean, tested, low miles. Any higher than 7000 ohms means you should replace it. Where I live it rains often and this is aggravating I cant drive a car because of water on roads or whatever. What about the wiring harness? A new wiring harness doesn't come with a new cap and rotor kit. Every single time there is an issue with an LT1 everyone automatically screams optispark. The "opti" has two parts, a low-voltage optical section and a high-voltage cap and rotor section. This was important to me because I was operating in mortal fear that I would get the plug wires crossed. I give a basic overview, show troubleshooting techniques, and tear down the system to show what's involved and why it is Based on this, it would seem worthwhile to improve the durability of your existing Opti-Spark system rather than just replacing it. If your planning on only replacing the water pump, think really hard about also replacing the distributor and vice versa. early optispark vacuum source My 93 optispark dist. Surely there has to be Anywho, should my customer go forward with the repair I'll be sure to document the process. Buy a $12 \’96 GM Vette distributor vacuum harness assy. Wondering if the bearing is available or if there is a seal on shaft. New opti seal already I found a killer deal on an optispark on amazon with a harness for $97 plus shipping and its not an accel brand but it mentions it only works with the early years. C4 General Discussion - How much will opti spark/waterpump/spark plug work cost? - I am not mechanically inclined enough to do the work my self, so I'm gonna have to get a mechanic to do it for me. This video is a How-To for you to DIY replacing your optispark if you have a 90's era LT1 F-body Firebird Trans Am, Camaro, or Corvette. I read the other best option is the Delphi optispark, but I can’t find one available anywhere. The sensors produce a high-resolution signal of 180 pulses per crankshaft revolution (for ignition system accuracy), and a profiled low-resolution signal. $55. I have a 95 SS that has been my daily driver for the last few years. Anyone willing to offer any tips or clues to a guy replacing an optispark for the first time? Whole new unit or just the cap? Any brand to avoid? I've done some looking around here and some other sites and the process seems pretty straight forward. Free Shipping - MSD Pro-Billet LT1 Distributors with qualifying orders of $109. Detailed Optispark Replace on LT1: MSD distributor with tips to increase life Pickle's Garage 3. But if they are still in businessI can't find C4 Tech/Performance - Replacement Optispark and Water pump install - Part 1 (includes pictures) - A little background story: A few month's back, my '92 developed a very strange hesitation problem which would show up a few seconds after the car started running - only to last a few seconds - then disappear all together. The Nitty Gritty First disconnect your battery. Each kit includes top-tier c Its an original GM opti-spark unit. 7crnh, rdji, w10h0q, aigw, mzra, p9yfx, ixe88, qwo25, l7rl, mkeu0,