MSD Optispark
 

I just wanted to update everyone on my experience thus far with the MSD Optispark. I installed the new unit last June or July (of 2006) when my stock opti failed due to a rotor screw simply falling out. I drove the car for approximately 3500 miles before a valve spring broke and took out a piston, valve and 2 pushrods. Well, last week I finally got around to putting the optispark back on the newly built 355 LT1. While installing it, I noticed the sound of something rolling around inside. So I disassembled the unit and found one of the screws from the rotor had fallen out and been rolling around. The other screw took less than 2 turns before pulling out. So, basically another day driving the car and I probably would have been stranded yet again because of the optispark...after paying $500 for an MSD opti I would have been very disappointed to pay another tow bill back to my garage!

So, I guess make sure you check your screws before you install ANY optispark. I put a little blue locktite on them and put it back together. I don't think they recommend locktite but THEY aren't the ones who have to do the labor when the screws fall out! Other than that, it still seems to have high quality materials and I still recommend it above a GM unit.

Michael

That sucks Michael, glad you caught it, for the price of this unit, I cant say have been impressed with the build quality, your not the only guy to have issues with it. Think I'll just stick with new GM Optis, this last one has gone 5 years and about 20K miles trouble free.