I've been reading horror stories about getting the "opti" wet when washing the engine. Please forgive my ignorance, but is that an optical ignition crank trigger? Also, does an '02 LS1 have one that is easily messed up be getting it wet? I really need to spray off my engine. A rag & cleaning fluid is not going to get it. Thanks for your help.

 

The Optisparkk is a complete, traditional "distributor", with an optical cam position sensor included. The problem is that on the LT1 engines, it is mounted on the front of the engine, driven off the nose of the cam (or the cam sprocket 93-94). Its directly under the weep holes for the water pump. The harness connector tower is pointing up at about 11:00 o'clock, and the seal is very poor. A dripping water pump puts coolant directly into the distributor. And, its low enough that even a splash from a flooded road or a car wash will cause similar problems.

You LS1 does not have anything even close. The cam position sensor is a magnetic pickup, reading a button on the cam sprocket. Its not susceptible to the same problems as the Optispark distributor. Your crank position sensor is also magnetic, reading the teeth on a wheel mounted at the back of the crankshaft. Again, no inherent problems.

All this being said, be VERY carefull if you wash ANY engine. You don't want water getting into the harness connectors, plug wire terminals, atc. It will cause corrosion, and problems in the future.