in stage 1 yes its still optical.........but in stage 2, the optical part is removed and replaced with magnetic..........so does that make it a magnetispark?

 

Thank you for the correction Fred

 

I'm just trying to make sure there is no misunderstanding..... my adventures with one of the few Electromotive Opti-Eliminator/SDI units left me a little suspicious of some new products.... and particularly when I see possibly one of the same people involved, and remember how little "customer support" I got from E'motive.

 

Hey Fred i have had an Idea for a few years but had a question no one has ever answered. It may help a few of us.

Does the 96- SBC Vortec Cam postion sensor(I.E. plastic distributer) send out a compatable signal for a LT1 PCM?

I have worked on a few and have always wondered but never had the time or sources to find out.

IF it does Many of us could convert to this unit HARD part would be setting it. The Vortec is easy to set with a scan tool but we would not have that help on the LT1.

Just and Idea to add to what we all ready have

Then again it woild not eliminate the OPTI per say but move it to a new place

BTW I have yet to see one of thiese fail....I am sure they have but not nearly as often as a LT1 Opti

 

OneFlyn95z28,
The Vortec plastic distributor only outputs a once-per-cam-revolution pulse via a hall effect sensor.

This will NOT drive an LT1 computer...

-Pete

 

Why couldn't someone just adapt a pcm from anther GM model to our cars so that it does not require the input from the opti?

 

I have the unit installed but it is on my Vette. Thought you guys would like to look anyway.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=710111

 

Just get a FAST/gen7dfi etc..

 

How many other sequential EFI, 8-cyl setups does GM sell, other than the LS1?

The Opti low res pulse pattern is nothing exotic. I always felt that you could start with the cam position signal from the MSD CPC distributor "stub".... fits fine under the cowl of a 4th GEN.... and do a translation from the MSD signal to the Opti pulse pattern on a chip. Or, put the stock Mitsubishi optical sensor in a pancake distributor housing.

 

Thank you HOZZ4. Finaly an answer!

Here is why I ask

http://groups.msn.com/WashingtonFBod...to&PhotoID=530

Not to mention it a Distributor OPTI replacement would let us all run a Standard SBC block!

 

So if my current opti is having issues would this unit bring my ignition back to life or is it more like to ltcc where it needs a good opti to function?

 

94-3.4
The "Stage 1" system needs the Opti Sensors to be in place. The cap and rotor, however, are not needed.

OneFlyn95z28
Yes, I have seen people do the old-style distributor on the LT1 as long as they have aftermarket engine management.
On an F-Body, you could probably adjust the timing by cutting an access hole in the dashboard to turn the distributor! Just kidding...
I wonder if you could even remove the distributor on a regular SBC in an LT1. I used to have a 3.4L 4th gen, and you had to insert the bolts in the upper intake when you installed it...or else you wouldn't be able to get the bolts in! The y would hit the firewall. So, I would bet that a distributor would be "non-servicable" in an SBC 4th gen.

Pete

 

HOZZ4: From what I've measured, the answer to whether you could remove a regular dist. from an LT1 when installed in a 4th gen (without a modified cowl) is a resounding no. Just not enough room under there to pick it up and out. You COULD however put in a stubby dist. body (IE for just signal pickup purposes), and remove/install it by pulling the intake manifold along with it. Even then, it's ultra tight. I wouldn't think that it would be a concern though, as there would be nothing to go wrong with the dist shaft other than the drive gear, or the oil pump drive slot, and you would be stopping in short order and pulling the engine (or at least the intake) either way...

Yet another view

Dave C.

 

Looks awesome!! I know what I am swapping to if my optispark ever dies.

Those coils look like the exact same ones as come on my GTP, I wonder if they are the same, if so the coils are really easy to come by at most junkyards or ebay.

 

Hehehe we also had a 3.4

I would like to find a suitable replacement for the opti. Problem might be that it turns at half the speed of the Motor