I have enclosed a link to a report I forwarded to MSD today regarding the issues I discovered with my new MSD Pro Billet Opti (P/N 8381). This unit was installed for approximately 2 weeks and did not work correctly from the beginning. I returned the unit to MSD for their evaluation. I am waiting to hear their feedback before I decide if I will accept a replacement or return it to Summit for something else.

I have stated the facts as I observed them and provided detailed pictures of the issues. I am withholding my opinions until the manufacturer responds. I will say that I am disappointed that it cost me $25 to return this unit (2 day air) to provide MSD with the opportunity to investigate.

I thought you all might be interested in my experience with this new product.

http://home.comcast.net/~markpoulton/dist.pdf

Jeff "SweetZRag" Muller

 

Very interesting read. I personally haven't had any problems with the MSD opti. I can't wait to see how MSD responds to this. I did address the degree range discrepencies with them, and their response was that the +/- 5 degrees was the advertised range, but it could be capable of +/- 7 degrees.

 

Thanks Jeff,

Problem for me is, I want to get an opti this week, and got an MSD waiting for me at the local store, but not sure what to do. I also want to go on a 2500mile trip in august, and don't want a problem like this. My stocker is OK, but car does missfire at higher RPMs in higer gears, and when driven for a couple of hours at a time, occasionally at part throttle. What to do...what to do....

 

My problem is I already did and now I have a car sitting on ramps until MSD responds.

I guess while I am waiting, I will replace the timing chain and gears. It's been 200,000 miles since the last change !

Jeff

 

Ya, I hear ya man. I also work out of town so for me to get it done alone will be pushing it, let alone have time to troubleshoot. I don't "need" to take this car on the road trip, but I really want to. The new Koni's and sway bars will be fun. Plus I only put 1000miles on the car this summer and want to put on more.

I'm tempted to change my plugs when I get home and try it out. When my opti went on my old car, it acted a bit different. New opti cured it all.

 

Interesting report. I'm guessing you have some technical background?

 

very good writeup. i saw one other problem posted with the msd setup. something about the rotor being burned through in less than 1k miles

 

good read...interested to see what MSD says.

 

have anything bad to say about the new Accell unit? i'm thinking about that one when i get my LTCC setup together...just waiting on coils

 

I have a masters degree in electrical engineering. I can't stand poor design. I am hoping this is a case of poor quality control that can be addressed. If the design is flawed (the rotor rubbing) I am going with something else.

Severous01 - I don't have any experience with the Accel unit. I know there are posts from people who do.

While I am waiting for the MSD unit, I am replacing the timing chain and gears. I'll update as I hear from MSD.

Jeff

 

Job well done in your write up and analysis.

I would not hold your breath waiting for MSD to admit culpability. Typically, they will blame the install process and if your're lucky, send you a new unit back.

This is just one more reason why the Opti is a poor design overall. Dump the Opti and get a Deltec or LTCC and your problems are done with.

 

We need a Sticky at the top that explains you STILL NEED AN OPTI to run both of those systems.

BTW MSD was MORE then fair helpfully at admitting a problem when I burned one of there Rotors up. They blew away every vendor I have ever worked with on customer service!

I am Sure Russel will be getting ahold of him

 

Thanks for the complement. The Deltec and LTCC are definitely under consideration at this point. I am going to see this through before making a decision. By the way, the opti was in the car for about 900 miles before I took it out and took the photos you see.

Jeff

 

How did you manage to get 900 miles on something running that poorly from the beginning?

Why did you replace it in the first place?

According to directions that come with the unit,
http://www.msdignition.com/pdf/8381_frm27275.pdf

The user has to install the oring and cap. Was yours different?

 

I'm working on a customized optispark that works in conjunction with either a Delteq or LTCC system. Here are the preliminary pics:

Stock


Slimline


Mocked up on engine


Completely eliminates the cap and rotor from the equation. Since the Delteq cover is a CNC machined part, and it's being mated to yet another machined part in the form of the Optispark base plate, I believe sealing can be drastically improved. (Via permatex.) Also, since both surfaces are aluminum, there will be less tendency for either part to become warped or brittle over time due to heat from the engine, reducing the chance for leaks to form. As you can tell from the pic, since the entire unit's thickness is just about reduced to half of what it is stock, any potential leakage that may result from a failed water pump will leak in front of the optispark case, instead of on top of it.

I'm currently looking into what will be involved in having a spacer machined to the same diameter of the optical wheel mounting spindle, and drilling two additional holes for a total of 4 mounting screws to hold the optical disk in place. I believe this will aid in keeping things together better during high RPM revving.

The inside surfaces will be painted flat black to reduce glare and the likelihood of blinding the optical sensor. The only real challenge to pulling this off is cutting the stock optical sensor plug port off and grafting it onto the billet cap in the correct location on the Delteq cover. I'll have more updates on this project as things progress and will eventually do a writeup so that anyone interested can do this conversion. Just thought I'd throw this out there for consideration should the results of MSD's tests on your optispark prove to be unsatisfactory.