WELCOME!
   

Go Back   PY Online Forums - Bringing the Pontiac Hobby Together > PY Welcomes 1993-02 Firebird/Trans Am Owners > 93-02 Electrical Tech

93-02 Electrical Tech Anything electrical related

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-07-2013, 02:17 PM
eric_cspan's Avatar
eric_cspan eric_cspan is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 660
Default The Dreaded LT1 Optispark

Which brand do you guys prefer if you had to replace your distributor?

I replaced mine TWICE with a GM one. I know MSD is popular too.

Has anyone gotten away with the Chevy Performance one not dumping out after 1 year?
__________________
"LIKE" Max Performance on Facebook!
"LIKE" Cold Case Radiators on Facebook!
"LIKE" GTOG8TA.COM on Facebook!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-10-2013, 07:47 PM
JD311's Avatar
JD311 JD311 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 175
Default

still have the original one, got water in it from pressure washing the engine. Replaced cap and rotor with MSD.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-11-2013, 06:55 AM
Txbobcat Txbobcat is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: crowley,texas
Posts: 3,860
Default

I still have the original in my 92 corvette. I was going to use ac delco when it went out.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-11-2013, 10:24 AM
quicksilver97ta's Avatar
quicksilver97ta quicksilver97ta is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Oak Leaf, Texas
Posts: 1,923
Default

Do you have any idea what failed? Mine have been the rotor screws, everytime.
Best luck so far is a genuine GM with an MSD cap and rotor installed, with locktite on the rotor screws.
__________________

68 Firebird, trying a q-jet now. 434/10.5:1/997's/240-242 HFT/4L80E/2800 Yank/3.42's/ Vintage Air/ 13.0 @105 mph
70 Lemans, 350/350, A/C, mostly stock
14 Ram CC, 5.7 Hemi, 8-speed, 3.92 lsd
97 Trans Am, HPP Aug 2012 http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...tiac_trans_am/ ***Sold***
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-11-2013, 01:42 PM
eric_cspan's Avatar
eric_cspan eric_cspan is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 660
Default

Yea. The guy that repaired it the first time probably didn't know to do that.

I want to hear how guys have been with the cheaper $100 versions. See how long they last because it's not the easiest job to install these!
__________________
"LIKE" Max Performance on Facebook!
"LIKE" Cold Case Radiators on Facebook!
"LIKE" GTOG8TA.COM on Facebook!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-11-2013, 03:37 PM
quicksilver97ta's Avatar
quicksilver97ta quicksilver97ta is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Oak Leaf, Texas
Posts: 1,923
Default

I've read many, many threads about bad opti's, MSD billets and ebay specials. You always read about the bad ones but for the job it is to replace and the money spent if I had to do it again for some odd reason I still just couldn't bring myself to do other than what I have ended up with.
__________________

68 Firebird, trying a q-jet now. 434/10.5:1/997's/240-242 HFT/4L80E/2800 Yank/3.42's/ Vintage Air/ 13.0 @105 mph
70 Lemans, 350/350, A/C, mostly stock
14 Ram CC, 5.7 Hemi, 8-speed, 3.92 lsd
97 Trans Am, HPP Aug 2012 http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...tiac_trans_am/ ***Sold***
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-11-2013, 04:40 PM
eric_cspan's Avatar
eric_cspan eric_cspan is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 660
Default

That's what I keep saying. Some people may think the $400 savings is worth the risk.
__________________
"LIKE" Max Performance on Facebook!
"LIKE" Cold Case Radiators on Facebook!
"LIKE" GTOG8TA.COM on Facebook!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-12-2013, 11:54 AM
JD311's Avatar
JD311 JD311 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 175
Default

I initially thought mine was bad, bought a reman from napa. That thing was a pos, sounded like someone shooting ducks! Glad I didnt put the waterpump on yet before test firing! Ended up putting the old one on with the new bearing from the napa one, only thing really wrong with mine.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-15-2013, 07:35 AM
77 Canamman's Avatar
77 Canamman 77 Canamman is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 4,022
Default

I have a customer with a '93 T/A that had several Optispark issues. I replaced it with a $350 Delphi unit, and it has been fine since.
__________________
1976 LeMans B09 Freeway Enforcer, 455/M40 Smokey

1977 Trans Am, 400/M21 Black/Gold Bandit. 44K actual miles

2017 Sierra SLT 1500 Z71 4X4

2019 Canyon SLT Crew 4X4

Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-21-2013, 09:26 PM
mike nixon mike nixon is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: PORTLAND,IN,47371
Posts: 12,322
Default

I've had two of the Cardone [all the remans are the same company] in my Roadmaster. they last about 10k miles. I need a better alternative also.
__________________
so many pontiacs, so little time..................


moderator is a glorified word for an unappreciated prick..................


"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the
former." --Albert Einstein



"There is no such thing as a good tax."

"We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."

- Winston Churchill
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-24-2013, 07:41 AM
77 Canamman's Avatar
77 Canamman 77 Canamman is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 4,022
Default

Delphi is the only one I would trust since AC Delco units are hard to find. They are essentially the same. They are a good chunk of change. Delphi is a GM spin off of Delco. Delco Phillips combined.
__________________
1976 LeMans B09 Freeway Enforcer, 455/M40 Smokey

1977 Trans Am, 400/M21 Black/Gold Bandit. 44K actual miles

2017 Sierra SLT 1500 Z71 4X4

2019 Canyon SLT Crew 4X4

Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-24-2014, 04:39 AM
Drag Star Le Mans's Avatar
Drag Star Le Mans Drag Star Le Mans is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Arlington, WA.
Posts: 665
Default

I bought a Summit unit for $250, lasted about a year and half. Went to Auto Zone because they had a unlimited life time warrenty. When I questioned the parts person about it they said "Life time no BS" don't remember the price? Its been in for over two years no problems? I did spent a week on the salt at Speedweek and washed the hell off the car afterwards. What the hell were they thinking putting it down there? Stupid bastards!
__________________
DragStarLeMans
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-24-2014, 07:43 AM
Sirrotica's Avatar
Sirrotica Sirrotica is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Catawba Ohio
Posts: 7,191
Default

The best way to fix the optispark problem and what I was going to do with my 97 T/A before it caught fire. This system is what GM should have done in the first place.

http://www.delteq.com/
__________________
Brad Yost
1973 T/A (SOLD)
2005 GTO
1984 Grand Prix

100% Pontiacs in my driveway!!! What's in your driveway?

If you don't take some of the RACETRACK home with you, Ya got cheated


Last edited by Sirrotica; 04-24-2014 at 07:50 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-04-2014, 11:36 AM
chief455's Avatar
chief455 chief455 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 455
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sirrotica View Post
The best way to fix the optispark problem and what I was going to do with my 97 T/A before it caught fire. This system is what GM should have done in the first place.

http://www.delteq.com/
No. Delteq is out of business and for good reason. He could never resolve his conversion box issues = some worked, some did not. I know first hand.
Difficult to install as well.

http://www.bailey-eng.com/LTCC.html

This conversion kit is still supported and uses superior, common LSX coils per cylinder.
Very simple and complete install, all that's left to your opti is a loctite screwed on rotor to hold things in place. The optic sensor triggers the spark. The conversion box comes with an adjustable rev limiter and spark retard option.
Best, and last money spent on LT-1 ignition.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 09-12-2014, 11:50 AM
Alvin's Avatar
Alvin Alvin is offline
Suspended
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Pontiac Land
Posts: 3,332
Default

Well thanks to this "opti-spark" thread, and the others on PY, I've decided against purchasing a 20k mile mint condition 94 LT1 FBrd here locally. Now I know "the rest of the story" on these late model LT1s.

Glad to know "known issues" ahead of time. And really not interested in converting (taking away originality) systems of an all original Pontiac.

Greatly appreciate the information shared here.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 09-12-2014, 07:18 PM
chief455's Avatar
chief455 chief455 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 455
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alvin View Post
Well thanks to this "opti-spark" thread, and the others on PY, I've decided against purchasing a 20k mile mint condition 94 LT1 FBrd here locally. Now I know "the rest of the story" on these late model LT1s.

Glad to know "known issues" ahead of time. And really not interested in converting (taking away originality) systems of an all original Pontiac.

Greatly appreciate the information shared here.
oh, I wouldn't let an opti spark scare you away from a deal on a nice car.
If it fails, like any distributor, you must replace it.
I won't buy another LT-1 f-body just because I pay for labor, and can't leave anything stock.
If I had an original car, any decent mechanic could work on it - and they are great value for what you get in driving pleasure.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-13-2020, 11:52 PM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,035
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by eric_cspan View Post
Yea. The guy that repaired it the first time probably didn't know to do that.

I want to hear how guys have been with the cheaper $100 versions. See how long they last because it's not the easiest job to install these!
I am 0 for 1 with the cheap crap from Jegs. Bought their cheap opti-spark kit for a friends Caprice and it left him stranded out of town after about 300 miles. Bought a used junk yard replacement unit and he drove it another 100K + miles no issues. I won't make that mistake again.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-14-2020, 12:53 AM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 948
Default

I’ve had lots of luck with the MSD units. I have 4 LT-1 cars and they all run MSD units.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:04 PM.

Featured Vendors


Advertising Info