I just bought a totalled 94 z28 with 130k on the clock. Motor will be getting rebuilt and the entire engine/tranny combo will be installed into a 69 camaro. I've heard about problems with the "pull style" clutch as well as the opti spark. What can you tell me about clutch to go with as well as what to expect with the optispark. Initially the engine will be rebuild relatively stock but eventually it's getting an LT4 conversion or something of the sort. I already know that i will need to have the computer reflashed but not sure who does a good job.

Thanks for any help i can get,

William

p.s. Probably not a good way to start off a new membership by asking for help but what the hell i need all the help i can get.

 

The main problem with the "pullback" clutch design is the lack of a wide choice of replacements. The McLeod Street Twin will handle anything you can throw at the T56, but you're talking $1,000+

If you plan to stay under 500HP or so, you shouldn't have a problem with some of the less expensive upgrades. If you are concerned, there is a "universal" SFI-rated bell housing available from Mcleod that will allow you to install the LS1 version of the T56, which uses a conventional "pusher" style clutch. But again, that's big $$$$.

With the Opti, the "unvented" 93/94 version is "problematic". The "vented 95-97 design is more reliable, and less expensive, but you need to do a "converison" to install it in a 94. If you are eventually thinking LT4 conversion, you would do the vented Opti conversion at the same time.

Some of us have found the Opti to be much more reliable if you take the high voltage function out of the case, and use onlyy the optical sensor for cam position. There is an "LTCC" setup pthat does this, using 8 LS1 coils in direct fire. There is another "box" from Delteq that allows the Opti to drive the ICM and lost spark 4-coil setup from the Northstar engine. Within a few months, Delteq is supposed to have an upgrade that completely eliminates the Opti.

You might want to look into some of these options and see how they fit into your budget.

Welcome to the board..... answering requests for help is what the board is all about

 

Thanks for the reply,

What do you guys know about the FAST system because i'm looking at eventually going with that and heard that it might replace the opti but the source wasn't quite sure.

William

 

You could always drill the manifold and install a standard distributor. Only real down side is that you would either have to run the car in batch fire mode, or install some sort of sensor to monitor the cam position. Actually, I wonder if you couldn't keep the opti for the cam signal and install a distributor for timing as well? A FAST or DFI system should have no problem handling those setups. Hmm...