I'm looking to buy a new Opti-spark for my 94' z28 and need some advice. From looking online I've found anything from cheaply made foreign opti's selling for $120-200 (complete) to MSD opti's for $400-500. I realize that with most electronics you get what you pay for, but keep in mind I need the part quickly and under budget (which is roughly $200-$250). I'd also have to pay to have it installed, being that I don't have all the tools to properly install this part. From looking on E-bay I see that there are a couple companies claiming to have OEM or even upgraded quality. The two that popped out at me were AIP International Automotive Electrons USA and Chandler Motor Sports. Both of these complete Opti's sell for $119-139 shipped. Also both claim to have quality opti's (meets/exceed OEM standards), but I'm just unsure because I haven't found feedback from others online about these two. Any Info would be helpful, Thanks.

 

thepartsladi on ebay sells a genuine GM piece. It is probably your best bet.

 

You get what you pay for comes to mind when purchasing this item. I have no experiance with those optis I bought a used OEM one from a board member with less than like 500 miles for cheap. My post was no help

 

Use only the true OEM (Delphi) replacement. Anything else (other than the MSD), and you will be replacing it again in anywhere from one day to one year. NO one can sell you an OEM part for $119-139.

 

My experience is that OEM is the best. I had aftermarket and the car would just not perform as smoothly and had cam surge. Once I put in the OEM, the cam surge went away.

Ebay Partsladi has a Delphi (AC Delco) for 260 delivered.

 

Well thanks for the input. It looks like I'm going with a mid-grade opti from Summit or Jegs, that way I can save a little (in the short-term) and I'm sure there's not too much of a hassle if the unit doesn't work. The only other thing is I DON"T have a new water pump and I know that lt1 pumps are prone to fail, but anyone think a w.pump could immediately fail after it's been reinstalled???

 

How many miles are on the waterpump? Honestly, for how cheap they are, i would replace it too because when the waterpump goes, the opti usually get ruined too.

 

your decision to go with a cheaper replacement you will regret, and most likely it will fail just out of warranty - if there even is one
the point is you will be right in the same place very soon and have to spend the extra money on the oem from thepartladi - plus what you already spent now

the price difference is only like 20 dollars anyway from jegs to the oem from thepartsladi

 

I just replaced the opti on my 95z28. I went with the summit brand ($250), and the quality is very impressive. If you got like 80,000 on the motor you should go ahead and replace the waterpump, you can get one from autozone with a lifetime warranty for $50.

 

Wow the cheapest lifetime pump I can find around here is $70 and its an Orielly. The cheap autozone is a one year.

 

why would you spend that much money on some junk aftermarket piece that you are no doubt taking a chance on when you can pick up a OEM unit for another 20 bucks shipped

i am asking because i just dont understand the logic on that one

 

I think we should avoid the "what is the best Opti" threads, because no matter how many people give the same answer, the recommendations are almost always ignored. Not sure why people even bother to ask the question, when they've already made up their minds. I know I'm not going to waste my time on this topic any more.

 

Well Injuneer you convinced me. I've decided NOT to go with Jegs/Summit or any other junk out there. I realize now that you have to spend more to get quality, and anything else is a gamble. I'm going with thepartsladi on ebay, because they have a non-vented opti for $295 plus shipping. I'd rather spend that then take a chance. Thanks for the input.

 

What is the latest consensus on where the best place to buy a factory replacement/Delphi unit is?

I don't think I want to take a gamble on a Chandler/etc. unit.

 

GM Parts Direct:

$366
$30 Core
$87 S&H?