Been kinda thinking I may do that if/when my opti fails. I dont plan on the opti going bad but they are known for it, so I was curious what the conversion cost and how much time it takes to do it, if i dont pay someone to do it for me.

 

To do the "conversion" you still need an Opti with a healthy optical sensor, at least with the systems currently available. Go to the websites for the LTCC and Delteq. They have info on how they work, the parts required and the prices.

http://www.delteq.com

www.bailey-eng.com

 

If you need some LS1 coils... I can get my hands on a working set for around $150.

 

so whats the point in doing the conversion if the opti is required?

 

qouted from the first page of www.delteq.com:

"The Opti-Direct (and every LT1 ignition system) uses the Opti-Spark sensors to determine crankshaft position and calculate the spark timing. Therefore, any Opti-Spark-related trouble codes must be resolved before installing the Opti-Direct. Unfortunately, this sometimes requires Opti-Spark replacement at additional cost. On the good side, Opti's seem to last longer without all that high voltage running through them."

"The Delteq Opti-Direct system solves most of the LT1's Opti-Spark problems by converting to a distributorless system similar to that used on the Cadillac Northstar engines. With high voltage removed from the Opti-Spark, the problems of cap & rotor wear, internal arc-over and cross-firing vanish. The rotor can be removed, preventing the problem of high RPM rotor failure, seen on many race applications."



hope this helps.
dave

 

The Opti optical sensor is really a very good cam and (psuedo) crank position indicator. Very precise. It makes an excellent input to the PCM for a high quality ignition system. Unfortunately, the Opti design was compromised with poor choice of mounting location and poor seperation of the high voltage system from the sensor. As noted above, remove the high voltage function, and you've got great electronics left, that no longer seems to be susceptible to all the problems caused by the high voltage discharge and resulting ozone generation.

You also gain the advantage of multiple coils. With 4 or 8 coils in the system, you've greatly increased the time available to charge the coils (4 or 8 times as long) and you can have an extended number of degrees rotation for the spark discharge, providing more complete ignition.

I've been running 8 LS1 style coils for almost 5 years, on a vented Opti conversion, driving the system via a MoTeC ECU and their 8-channel ignition driver. The engine routinely turns in excess of 7,000rpm. A friend of mine used the same system for several to provide the ignition system for his 1,125HP 383 Vortech motor, routinely turning in excess of 8,000rpm.

 

Both Opti replacement systems currently out only use the optical pickup in your Opti. This is a very reliable part and normally dosn't fail. Normaly what causes the missing and crapy running are missfires within the cap it's self. Dirt and moisture get in the cap and it's all over.

I installed My Delteq 4k ago and when I did my car was showing typical Opti failure symptoms. It missed at high RPM all the time and would almost not run at all when it was raining or extremely damp out. After installing the Delteq all thet is gone and my car runs like a dream.

I can't speak for the LTCC system, but the Delteq radiator mount system took me about 2-3 hours to install. about 80% of this time was spent installing the new plug wires.

Weather one of these systems will be of benifit to you depends on why you Opti fails. If the bearing of optical pickup goes, you will still need to replace your Opti unit. But if your car is running like crap because dirt and moisture have trashed your Opti, then this is for you.

 

I am looking to Delteq or LTCC too. Heard a lot of good and bad things equally. Do they have some kind of hassle-free or trial offering, so I can get full refund if I'll be not that lucky? Anybody have any experience with resolving these problems with them?

 

Nope...Your not going to find anyone to let you try it out for free. What problem are you talking about. Although I don't know much about the LTCC, I'm not aware of any problems with the Delteq system.

 

You can do a search on "Delteq Problem", it will pull some interesting threads. Stumbling and missing at different RPM's. Even just after install. There a lot of small things to look at, It can be installation issues etc., noone blames manufacturers. But definitely involves some risk, and trial will boost sales

 

do you have any pics of the radiator mount system? I am trying to clean up my engine bay by hidding wires and getting rid of unessesary crap. I don't want the coils seen at all and i don't want to run 5 ft plug wires.