Ok, I'm thinking about tackling this job with a tech from my shop that has the right tools. I'm curious, being the first time to do a water pump and this Optispark replacement, what kind of time would I expect out of myself? It took us about 4 hours to do plugs, first time for us both on an LT1. It took us at least 2 hours trying to thread the last plug under where we removed the alternator. We thought for sure we stripped the thread!

Anyway, I'm slowly taking care of the common engine faults that the LT1 has, so I'm just trying to plan this job out. Considering the work here, what inexpensive mods should I consider while I have everything apart? Pulley & new belt? 1LE elbow? Which Optispark? Which water pump?

I thought about an underdrive pulley and new belt, GM water pump, and an aftermarket, more reliable Opti. Any suggestions???

 

Try looking for a guide on Brents Site
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/guides.htm

Water Pump and Opti shouldnt take that long at all even of its your first time. Maybe 2 hours from start to finish. I usually spend most of the time jacking up/down the car, bleeding air out and checking for leaks. If your talking about working on your 96 in your sig, if you have no big mods..just go with a new oem factory waterpump and factory vented opti, both are fine for stock and even mildy moded. If you happen to need a dowel pin edit:blah bah, heres the part number (dowel pin) #10128487 @ $6.74. Also, replace the belt if its cracked or looks worn. As for the intake elbow..I have a spare MBA resonator plug if you wanna buy it off me, if not..just get a 1LE elbow #25147187 @ $43.82 from Jason or Dal. I wouldnt worry about underdrive pullies and you might wanna do a search on that so you can see what the feedback is before you start throwing money in that direction.
Contact Jason or Dal for parts since their parts are wholesale. http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#Dal_and_Jason

Parts you might consider
1993-1997 water pump #12527741 $133.93
1993-1997 water pump gasket #10128343 $0.30
1995-1997 optispark (vented) #1104032 $230.97
(The opti should already have new o-rings on it, if not...)
1995-1997 optispark o-ring (need 2) #10474278 $0.76

Anyhow, as far as mods go since you mentioned it..if you havent already...I would suggest in the following order...CAI Intake, Headers, a good catback exhaust with 3 inch piping, good sticky tires,160 stat, gears and PCM tuning from pcmforles.com or madz28.com. Do searches for all this.

 

"Dowel pin that connects the water pump drive to the opti" ? What is that? If you mean the dowel pin in the cam, if he has a 1996, there should be no need to change anything.

 

woops, did I goof with the dowel and said it *** backwards? ha ..its in case he looses that lil piece in the process.

 

LOL, lose a dowel pin? They are like murder to pull out!