I think I accidentally got some water in my Opti while cleaning my engine off today. I can't think of why else my car won't start, so this must be it...cranking but no fire. Anyway, I was going to wait until the summer to upgrade to the OptiDirect system, but now seems like a good time to do so since my car won't start. I have an MSD Ignition Control Module and a Jacob's ignition box of some sort (see attached pictures) installed in the car, both were in before I purchased the car (1994 Z28).

Will having these two boxes make it difficult to install the new OptiDirect system? If need be, is there a way to bypass them?

Thanks for any help.




I need to know kind of quickly as I can't go without a vehicle for too many days in a row.

 

Talk to jim @ Elite Spark plugs, see our sponcer list and helpful.

 

The msd can not be use on the Delteq unit. It is only able to handle one coil (one channel). Delteq also states that ignition box isn't needed when using their system. Asfor the Jacobs, I would say, no. Since you are using it with the msd, I would thing it only works with coil as well.

Msd does make ignition box that works with the delteq. Just buy one for the Caddy northstar engine. It isn't needed, though.

 

Ok, so the extra ignition control isn't needed. That is good, I think the things are an eyesore underneath the hood anyway. I need to call Elite SparkPlugs tomorrow afternoon, I have read that Jim really knows his stuff. Guess I will order that up as soon as possible and find a junk yard optispark to hold me off.

Thanks for the input, guys.

 

You might want to buy a rebuilt opti from Autozone. The only trouble buying from the junk yard is you don't know the mileage. The opti is prone to have a cheap bearing.

I have 150,000 on mine. I believe the bearing is failing in the opti, do to the symptoms the car is having. I am buying part to replace the timing chain and opti, do to the high mileage. I'm going to buy an opti from autozone because stage II isn't ready yet. Also, I believe autozone has a limited lifetime warranty.

 

Yeah I feel that the delteq system is the way to go.I had it.

 

You mean buy a coil made for the cadi northstar engine?

 

Delteq ignition uses caddy northstar coils. In order to a MSD ignition box, you need to use a msd box made for the northstar coils (4 channel). The delteq system doesn't need the use of CD ignition boxes. It would be a waste of money..

 

Well, I think I am going to just replace the opti instead of redoing everything with the Direct system for right now. I don't want to risk a crap distributor or anything, so I called up O'Reilly and they saidd 152.50 for a rebuilt opti with a 50 dollar core charge. Sounds good to me, I just want to drive again. Thanks for all the help.

Also, fesgali, on the Elite Spark Plugs site, you can order the Opti Direct as well as the Northstar Coil that is recommened all in one place. It is the same thing.

 

Delteq only uses the optical portion of the opti, it doesn't make a difference if the cap/rotor has failed.

I went Delteq and I LOVE it....money very well spent!

 

New question, not really about the Delteq, but about the ignition. If I wanted to take that Jacob's ignition coil out of the system and go back to the factory coil, I could just unplug the connectors and stick them in the factory spots, correct? The factory coil is still attached on the driver's side of the motor, just sitting there.

 

Yes, You would be able to run the stock ignition that way. If you want to use the msd you would have to but a msd wiring harness. You could cut and spice it in if you wanted too.

 

Well, I cut out the MSD and the Jacob's coil just to see what happened. The car started right up! Without even installing the new distributor. But now, the car runs real high RPMs at idle...around 14-1500 compared to my normal 10-1100. I guess the computer needs to be flashed to work with the stock coil from the Jacob's one...

 

pull the ECM fuse for about a minite to reset the computer. This should help.

 

Well that didn't work, car still idles like hell. Surely driving like that can't be good for the clutch or motor. I guess maybe some water got in the TPS or the IAC valve is stuck open?