I just got a great deal on a 406 small block chevy motor,complete with AFR 220 heads & everything well actually it's someone that I work with and we are in the process of working out a deal on it. But heres my question how can I change over a distributer to an Optispark? This is NOT an LT1 block, and it's going in my 97 T/A will I have to get a cowl hood or what? And I think I'm gonna run a DFI system so I don't really have to worry about the whole computer thing and how hard it it to change the motor mounts? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

There is no practical way to run an Opti on a gen I SBC. I believe that there are people who have been able to fit a distributor under the cowl of a 4th gen. The other options are complex, and since ignition/electrics are my weak point, I will leave it to others who know more about this to respond.

Good luck.

Rich Krause

 

pardon my ignoreance, but wha tis opti spark? If thats the distributerless ignition stuff, i tihnk Holley Annihilator makes a DIS system for sbc's. buts its like $2500

 

The Optispark is the distributor on an LT1/4. It is mounted on the front of the motor and consistents of two sections. One is a conventional distributor. The other is an optical cam position sensor that is used to time the spark and the fuel injectors.

The design has it's good and bad points. The main negative is that they often don't last very long due to corrosion of the optical section. You can't easily completely substitute another system for the Optispark because the PCM relies on it to time the fuel injection as well as the ignition.

Rich Krause

 

Have you looked at the front mount distributors? I am personally running a crab style low mount msd distributor. And i don't think there would be a probl with clearance unless you wanted to remove in the car...

What style efi?

 

Why would you WANT to run the opti w/ DFI? Ditch the opticrap and go w/ HEI or a crank trigger (like I did).

Hood clearance will depend on what intake you use.

 

I,ve done a swap like this. 427 Motown sbc. Alot of fab work required.Motor mounts,cutting of cowl,radiator type and mounting so on and so fourth.
Personally I think the purchase of tubular K - member made things
a little easier. Hooker LT headers worked,and no beating of fire wall was performed. Removal of cowling necessary. Picture where
the carb would sit. Also with this gone, motor can be installed
with dist in. Makes install easier. I made my own motor mounts.
Lt1andLs1 mounting configuration on block is way diff than earlier
sbc's. Nothing really hard but I have one hell of a personal shop
where this was completed at in backyard. Welders,tourches,tools,toolsetc.......
I also run a 4in ramair hood. Gives clearance for air cleaner.