We were thinking of using this setup to eliminate the problematic opti.

1. Keep the optical sensor for injector timing.
2. Install crank trigger for more accurate ignition timing
3. Mill back of intake for conventional distributor.
4. Hardwire coil for use with system

This is on a race car so lock out the distributor, phase rotor and use the MSD components for timing retard with nitrous.

Is this something that would work? Seems to us that in theory it would be possible.

OR could you do all the above but eliminate the crank trigger and use the factory ignition control module to drive the coil, which would be directly hooked to the conventional distributor?

The only thing that seems to be bothersome about this would be the issue of space for distributor install/removal.

Any thoughts?

 

You will not gain accuracy with a crank trigger... a crank trigger can't even tell which stroke of a 4-stroke cycle a cylinder is on. The low resolution pulse of the Opti knows exactly where each piston is at any point in time within 1 crank degree, and which stroke its on. Couple that with the 720-pulses (360 "on", 360 "off") per cam revolution that the high res signal produces, and you have one of the most accurate timing devices ever installed in an production engine. The system achieved new levels of reduced spark scatter, allowing more aggressive spark timing, reduced emissions and increased fuel efficiency. It was the subject of an SAE paper back in 1992.

Problem is the location of the system, under the water pump, and the cross-effects of the high voltage discharge/ozone production and the precision optical sensor. They don't get along well. Remove the high voltage function from the Opti, use the high and low res pulses to drive an external box firing 8 LS1 coils in direct fire, and you have a sytem that is hard to beat. That would be the Bailey Engineering LTCC.

I've run the Opti as a cam position reference signal for my MoTeC ECU, driving 8 LS1-style coils for 8 years now, and the system is faultless. Not sure what you would gain by cramming a distributor in the back of the manifold, under the cowl.

 

I understand what youre saying, and have no doubts about the accuracy of the opti. The LTCC option is a great alternative as well, but it is limited in the regard of having only one controllable device. On an automatic nitrous car we need two-one being the two step, and the other being a timing retard. So, we would have to purchase an additional dis box, which adds to the cost.

With this idea, we could utilize the current Digital 6 and HV coil, spend a lot less money (distributor is only 266 dollars) and bypass the problematic high voltage side of the opti.

No offense, but the Motec system (while kick ***) is way too much for the budget right now..

 

I wasn't suggesting the MoTeC, just noting that it provided a killer system, that could be duplicated with the LTCC for a fraction of the cost.

 

I would be all for the LTCC if it wasnt limited..

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Surely over the years since the inception of the LT1 and the problematic opti spark someone else has considered doing this..no?

 

Have you read through this:

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/advanced-tech-38/any-progress-opti-alternative-25146/

 

sure have! Oh well, I guess we are going to try another MSD box before we spend tons of money. Pretty sure spark is getting blown out.

The strange thing is it only misses above 55-5800- only on the spray. On the motor it pulls to 7500 without missing..