Anyone ditch the optispark for a standard SBC distributor? I'm going to be switching over to DFI soon, so, I figure if I am going to switch the opti, now is the time..

--Sean

 

Like a lot of people will tell you, and I still dont understand it, I dont know why you dont want the opti anymore, it is ten times better than a standard distributor, just keep water away from it ( good WP seals/gaskets) and you wont have a problem with it. You will need a vented if you dont have one to run a good timing chain, but no reason to ditch the opti, unless you are going to a fast or motec system (not sure who else) and get a crank trigger/sensor from MSD.

I doubt that old style distributors last 100k like an opti taken care of will no problem

 

www.lt1intake.com

-Shannon

 

there is reason to lose the opti,and thats for big hp combo's. there is a thread in LT1 tech where Jimlab was having issues lighting off his n/a 396 on the dyno with the opti,tried a new unit and still wouldnt work.

I plan on swapping to a conventional style distributer,for the main reason of a large nitrous hit and dfi.

 

Hmm, I guess I was sorta speaking towards a more mild setup, didnt have Jims crazy creation in mind!

 

I'v been running a FAST system since 99' and have not had any problems since then. I do run a Holley hal effect crank trigger and MSD 7AL box, the motor has seen the better part of 8400 rpm with no problem.

 

And thats with Opti?

 

No-

 

I've posted this before, but I'll post it gain. I've got the optical section of a vented Opti feeding my MoTeC ECU, and the MoTeC is driving 8 LS1 coils with the MoTeC IEX 8-channel driver. The engine has been turned to close to 8,000rpm (don't ask why - normal redline is 7,400) and the ignition system has not been a problem. George Baxter used the EXACT same setup on his 1,125HP 9.04-second 3,900# 30th SS convertible. The optical sensor does not appear to have any problem provide a high accuracy signal in excess of 8,000rpm. Removing the high voltage function from the case seems to eliminate a lot of the problems, particularly the ozone and corrosion issues. I believe the FAST system will accept the Opti as the source of cam and crank position signals.

Properly done, the Opti can be an excellent component in a very high HP LT1 setup. I would agree that niether of the vehicles I mentioned is a daily driver (although mine was for more than a year, and Georges was street driven for 3 years), or frequently exposed to rain and the elements. But for anyone who knows what they are doing, the Opti is not a limit or a liability, IMHO.

And I know that even though George has gone to a Gen 1 SBC Dart block for his current engine (383, Vortech S/C, 1,325HP), he is not using a distributor... he is using a MoTeC with crank and cam sensor inputs, and 8 LS1 coils.

 

I use the opti and crank trigger together, my opti is gutted and use as just a spark distributor.

As using the FAST with the stock opti electronics, yes it will work but not all that great, as the rpm starts to jump around alot over about 6800.

 

Didn't know Baxter had a 3900# beast. Makes that 9.0 that much better.

Bret