Alright, after 115k I think that my opti decided that its time to die on me, so i guess i need to replace it. I just wanted to ask a couple of questions:

1. Where would be the best place that i can get another one and is their anything special i should look for?
2. I'm a decent backyard mechanic and just wanted to know how hard it is to do this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanx for any help

Ohh the car is a 94 T/A M6 if that matters at all.

 

TO answer your first question Jason Cromer can probably get it to you the cheapest: 877-726-8295. Remember since your car is a 94 you will need a non-vented style opti.

I think you will have no problems replacing the opti.

 

Buy the whole unit like said above.

I replaced mine recently and changing it isn't a huge deal... Just takes time to remove everything to get to it... You'll probably need a three jaw puller to get the balancer/pulley off... To keep the balancer from moving when I removed the three bolts, I had to stick a skinny craftsman prybar through one of the openings in the balancer and then rested it on the block... You may have to rotate the engine a little with a wrench so the tabs of the hub are out of the way so you can get the optispark off... Those are the only "issues" I had changing it... You don't have to be a mechanical genius to replace it... If your water pump is original you should change that... It's a good time to change the spark plug wires too since it's easier access at the opti... You shouldn't have any problems.

 

Since you have an M6, put it in gear to get the 3 balancer bolts broken loose..
Also, be very careful that the spline is properly engaged when putting the new opti on[there's one 'missing tooth' that indexes it]

 

Never tried that but I suppose it would work, just be aware the car may try to roll when you do that.

What I usually do is put a second ratchet on the center hub bolt.