I am dealing with and noticing the optispark distributor is a huge headache in misfiring issues, between dirt or oil getting into the distributor, and other issues with the opti. I wanted to see whether or not it would be better to just switch over to HEI(reasons it would be better than opti) & the estimated cost of doing such from someone with the experience versus the cost of fixing any issues the opti distributor might come up with.

This is on a 1996 5.7L 350 no egr or cats, so the intake elbow has been replaced with an aftermarket elbow without the exhaust tube.

Thanks,
Terry

 

A well sealed properly installed opti with a well taken care of engine with good seals should last a while. And will last longer if you do the 8 LS1 coil conversion, then you're not passing the high voltage through the sensor which will make it last longer.

Don't know much about the HEI though...just never had a car with one or read up on them that much.

 

yea, I bought the car about a year ago, and it ran into trouble 6 months in, I toyed around with it here and there, I didn't have much time in the first 4 months because of my departure process from the military. however I came to realize the previous owner wasn't very good with maintaining the car. the engine wasn't well taken care of and I replaced the cap and rotor. I've heard of many camaro drivers changing it to HEI here in florida... I'd like to know if I should fix up what I have, maybe replace the distributor or replace the distributor with an HEI and get the new water pump and other unknown neccessities included in the change. My mechanic buddy told me the trouble with my camaro was a small amount of oil leaked down the front and got into my distributor and is messing with the lens, so I'm in the process of fixing it, and wonder if HEI or OPTI would be the best way to go... your input helps me want to stick with OPTI if I learn more about this coil conversion.

 

I would first try to reconnect the exhaust tube. Moisture is likely building up in it and causing your misfires. Connecting the tube will actively remove it and will likely make it work better. You should at least try it before investing in an expensive outside system.

 

Your stock PCM will not function without the low resolution cam position signal from the optical cam position sensor in the distributor. You might be able to figure a way to put the optical sensor in a conventional distributor - I believe its been done.

The alternative is to remove the high voltage function from the Opti by using only the optical portion to provide cam position to the PCM and an outboard system like the Bailey LTCC, which moves the high voltage to direct fire via 8 LS1 style coils. Or for those with a healthy limit on their credit card, delete the Opti completely, and switch to the EFIConnection 24X system, using a cam sensor mounted in the timing cover and an LS1 PCM.

http://www.bailey-eng.com/LTCC.html

http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/24x.aspx

The Opti isn't all that bad. A lot of the problems stem from faulty installs, or plain stupidty like pressure washing the engine. And there are even some people who manage to pressure wash and claim they've never had a problem.

 

@rbaski - the exhaust tube is discontected because the vacuum is removed along with the egr. Moroso cold air directly into the front of the engine, this is common among peoples vehicles I've looked at.

@injuneer - not going to lie, most of what you said confused the crap out of me. this is what I understood, it's very expensive to change to the hei, pressure washing your engine isn't the best idea anyone has ever had(kind of a given), the opti could be bad from faulty installation.

How long after a new opti is installed could it go before it starts to show problems?
from what I can remember the guy telling me, he replace the distributor because it was having some problems (can't remember exactly what it was he said was the problem).

I will have to look into these 8 LS1 style coils and this outboard system.

 

If you are confused about what Fred said, you will likely want to stay with a good opti (like genuine GM) and get some of the neglected maintenance done to the car. Replacing an opti with an HEI is a step backwards in technology and lots of work. MHO of the opti is that it is the best/most accurate distributor ever put in an SBC. People may not like it's location, but even non-vented ones have lasted over 300k miles. I think it was the POs maintenance issues that doomed yours.

 

okay, that's just about what I was looking for, I had no idea what an HEI distributor was and how it affected the car. also, learned about a way to make it last longer with an LS1 set up of multiple coils. I do thank you all very much for getting me answers I needed asap.

Thanks