As it is my first post here, I'd like to say hello to all.

I have some problems with my car (Trans Am GT '94). The problem was with ignition when engine warmed up, missfires, hesitation, etc. Friend of mine gave me the link to this forum and it was realy helpfull.
I have read a few topics about my problems and started investigation from spark plugs replacement then the wires, then coil and finally opti.
Opti is the problem in my case. Now I have borrowed opti, but I need to buy a new one.
My question is, can I buy vented opti and install it? I am thinking that way, because it's cheaper then non-vented (oryginal) one.

 

Welcome, here's what's necessary to change over to vented opti.

http://para.noid.org/~muttvette/opti.html

 

Aaron. The 95+ Opti is vented so you would have to get one of them.
First problem. The 95 and up LT1 has a different camshaft with a different pin on the front and the timing cover wont match up with the cam on a 94. There may be a way to still use the 94 cam with a longer pin in the front but I couldnt find a way when I upgraded mine. The timing chain cover is different also.
I had to replace my timing cover, camshaft (was doing it anyway..LT4 Hot cam), timing chain and gears (I went with the LT4 Extreme Duty set available thru GM), and the harness for the newer style optispark. It seems like a relatively simple task but there is more involved than it seems. You cant just bolt up a 95+ vented opti to a 94 LT1 based on my experience.

 

Anaik........excellent pics and description. I wish someone would have made that clear to me when I did mine. I did all of the hard work and then when it all came down to turning the key....the SOB wouldnt start. Nobody told me and I didnt even think to check that the plug in connector on the 95+ opti was deeper so I had to learn by having someone come over with a 95+ LT1 and using their harness to fire it up. I replaced 2 94 optisparks because they sucked....after converting it in 98....I have not yet had to replace the vented unit. Considering you have to pull the water pump when it goes bad...I would say converting to a 95+ opti is well worth the hassle.

 

Now I am confused, because I've replaced non-vented opti with vented one right now and it's working.
I'd like to know is it safe for longer time, now it's just temporary solution.