Opti???? Need help
 

Howdy all,
I finally get my egr headache fixed and start throwing SES light and code 36. At the very same moment she started idling pretty rough. I reset the codes and it's running pretty good now. I've decided with 103K miles that God has given me a warning and I'm replacing the opti. To the questions, when I bought it, Autozone-life time warranty, I only got the distributor base. Do I need to replace the cap and rotor also? Do they wear out like old plastic ones do? Does the combination of the base, spacers, rotor, and cap=opti? Did I just buy the wrong part? I'm treading in new territory! Help!!!!!!!
Thanks,
Gabe

the autozone ones are horrible replacements. take it back and call jason cromer, brand new opti for $209+shipping

Who is Jason Cromer? For 209 are you getting the entire assy?

Jason Cromer is THE parts guy at Sam Taylor Buick Caddilac in Ft. Walton Beach FL. 850-243-8826

$209 plus shipping for a COMPLETE vented opti. Can't beat it.

Stay away from the autozone one. It's a remanufactured crap unit.

Thanks for the info, I just found Jason's website and phone number. You guys have me scared, I hope Autozone will take this back.

Since you have a 1994, you have a non-vented opti. Even Jason does not sell them for less than ~$300. That's the best deal you will get for a complete non-vented optispark.

Thanks Rob,
I just returned it! It was 230 with a 90 $ core fee. They wanted another 172 for the rotor and cap. I'll go with Jason or even gmpartsdirect for a little more and get the whole assy. I don't have the resources to go vented unless there's pre packaged adapter kit that wouldn't cost more total than non vented. Thanks.

Howdy all,
I haven't got it yet, but I bought a nonvented opti from Jason for 299 and 8 bucks shipping. Gonna put it in next weekend. Anyone run into problems with installation? Be nice to know about surprises before starting. Is it really necessary to remove the water pump if you do it from the bottom?
Thanks,
Gabe

whoa, $300 for a non-vented opti? How exactly did you get in touch with Jason cause i need an opti replacement as well, and the cheapest i could find it was for about $385, thanks!

It's at Sam Taylor Buick in Florida--1 877 726 8295 just ask for Jason Cromer. The 94 part number is 10457702. Just tell him you need an opti and what year he can quote the part #.
Good luck,
Gabe

It might be helpful to stop by your local GM dealer parts dept...they can give you exploded view drawing of the whole front of the LT1...yes you need to remove the water pump, and there are a bunch of seals to replace...some are necessary and some you should just do "while your in there." depending on age/mileage on car it might make sense to get new or upgrade to an electric water pump...I forget what year your car is, but you'll also need some reverse torx sockets (its been awhile I forget the size)...The job ain't too bad...its just a lot of work, so it pays to plan ahead...might as well flush and fill cooling system too...

Are reverse torx the 6 pointed adapters like the ones for headlight adjustment and removing the back seat upper latch mounts? Or are they like those Craftsman torx that can also remove stuck screws?

The wrench you will need is actually a socket...the bolts you will be removing are for lack of better term "male" torx heads...they are small either #4 or #5 I think...hope this helps...opposite of head light adjusters...

So you're saying they're allen wrench sockets? Since you're saying #4 or 5, is that a standard number or is it metric of some sort? I'm digging through the books and don't see any thing like this so far. Where are they used?

No...I didnt use a hex socket head like an allen wrench...although I guess if you found one small enough it would work...the torx bolts attach the "cap" to the opti base....I dont have an exploded view of the front of an LT1 handy...just grabbed my haynes book...Im a dumb ass...I forgot that the last time I worked on the opti I just changed the cap and rotor...for that you need the reverse torx wrench to get the cap off the distributor....other wise its just the 4 "regular" bolts....sorry bout the worry...must get more sleep, I guess...