Hi.
Here are some pics of the Opti I pulled out of my ’94 Z. Supposedly, the dealer replaced the cap and rotor when they replaced the long block (long story as well) less than 1800 miles ago.
Do you guys think this could’ve happened in 1800 miles, taking into account that the a$$-monkeys routed my heater hoses wrong and the serpentine belt cut one open, hosing the opti (and everything else) with coolant back in February?
Symptoms didn’t start showing up until about three months ago. The metal part of the rotor is about to fall off, as is shown in the pics. Apparently, it was arcing all over the place… I’m amazed it ran as well as it did for so long.

Cap
Cap Closeup
Rotor
Rotor Closeup
Rotor Sideview Normal
Rotor Movement Sideview

Here are some pics of the replacement Opti showing what it looks like for a ’94, and the three drain holes that go from the bottom straight into the unit. I didn’t know these were there until I really started looking at it. I only bought this part thinking that the cap and rotor were fine, being new, and the rest of it being suspect, having 68k miles on it. Surprise, surprise!

New ’94 Optical Pickup & Disc
New Opti Drain Holes
New Opti Drain Hole Illuminated


Now for the important questions:

Where is the cheapest place to get the cap/rotor for my year (non-vented, of course), and is it possible to use the vented cap (95+) with out any major mods? Or should I try to return the new part and buy a whole one separately?
This is in case the new owners of the dealership refuse to help me out; I think the warranty ended a month ago, and it seems the new owners are not responsible for the crap the old ones were pulling. Take into account, I’m on Maui and and all we have are Napa, Carquest, Checker, and Standard Motors, none of which have the cap/rotor, let alone an entire opti unit, - OEM costs $805!

Also, has anyone tried to use the drain holes for some kind of rudimentary ventilation system? I’m thinking of driving hollow metal tubes in there so hoses may be attached. I’m not sure about clearance issues at this point, because I’m not in the mood to go outside and mess with it right now!
I appreciate any ideas you guys might have.

Thanks.



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`94 A4 Z28, Black, of course. Only wish it was a stick.
Brand New long-block, fuel injectors/pump/regulator, Transmission, A/C, and various things. No toys….. Yet!

 

Here's a good link http://www.fierolt1.com/lt1_95_up_OptiReplace.htm

 

NegativeCreep, thanks for the link. Just the info I needed.

Does anyone have any ideas where I can mail order a cheap opti or cap/rotor set? I really need one quick!

Thanks...

 

Do a search on here for Jason Cromer. Him and a few other people work at GM dealerships and sell the parts way below list. He will ship it to you from florida. I think the entire, non-vented opti is $300 or less from him. The newer, vented one is cheaper, but you would need a few other things to make the conversion. I have bought several things from him.

My local NAPA had a cap and rotor in stock not to long ago when I went there to price it.

Dustin

 

If all else fails get one from summit for 360 800.


Summit 18002303030

I would go to the dealer talk to one of the mechenics and have him order it under the table.

Call Jason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck

 

This should help:
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/
remember to get the proper vent lines, and don't apply full manifold vacuum to the opti...

Your pics... that cap actually looks usable.. [that rotor is shot though!..]
The opti you have there is OK looking too[ you say it's new... a rebuilt from an auto store?[not new GM?]
Remember that a new unvented opti is 300+ from Jason Cromer[ the cheapest source]
If you are tight for bux, just get another rotor and put that cap on the 'new' opti you have there in the pix?
That looks like it will work...
A cap and rotor for these runs about 125 or so...
I may have a used rotor in a box here that I can send if you need one bad..

 

Your Opti is definately a remanufactured unit - it has it stamped right on it, plus the two screws and white washers on the optical wheel are a dead givaway.

It appears that two pairs of the electrodes are cross-firing. You should take a close look at those spark plugs and wires. Did they replace the plugs when did the long block? Never assume anything. They may have reused old plugs, did not tighten them properly, etc. I would suspect loose plug wires, loose plugs, or wide plug gaps (platinum tips blown off?) Any of these will cause excessive spark voltage, which lends itself to cross-firing in the distributor.

 

The metal part of my rotor broke off a few weeks ago and I used JB weld on it and so far it has held up. I know it's getto but if saves me $135, I going to try it.

Later

 

I know everyone warned me, but I went to AutoZone to get my opti. It was considerably cheaper and came with a lifetime warranty. So far so good, installed fine and I haven't had any problems yet, been about 5 months

 

Hi, everybody.

Sorry for the delay in responding... I've been pretty busy!

I actually found a cap & rotor kit locally from Carquest for $189 (I couldn't believe it). The GM dealer was no help at all, but I kinda expected that.
So, after a few modifications to the new opti, I slapped it in the beast, and got it running last night. Needless to say, it's WAY happier now, but I didn't really get a chance to test it as it started raining 20 minutes before I started it up!
Can you say 'induced power oversteer'?!

What's interesting is that every cap/rotor kit I've seen seems to be the replacement for the 95+ vented opti, even though the parts listings were for the '94. This is a good thing, however, in that I modified the distributor itself to have a hose fitting for complete ventilation (thanks Mtrhds94Z for the link). Now I just have to get the hoses from GM and I'm on my merry way!

I'll post a more detailed description later, but right now, I have to go drink Champagne!

By the way, I guess my original posting was a little confusing, but the remanufactured opti in the last three pics are of the new one I bought; I was just posting the pics in case anyone was interested in the differences between it and the newer models.
After I pulled apart the old one, I found a whole lotta rust and other damage, most likely caused by its previous coolant bath! I'll post some pics later.

Gotta go... Thanks, everybody!