the opti's break when fluids leak on them, so why aren't covers made to shield the optis from fluids etc... i don't know if they are viable as far as the packaging around the opti is concerned but it seems like a good idea????

 

I've asked this question a million itmes....I now own the patent...I will sell it to you for 3.4 Million...

 

Because GM hire's idiot's to design stuff

 

Probebly because GM makes cash every time you buy a new one

 

can water really get inside of an opti.?

i have yet to see water inside of one. i have dumped antifreeze on mine twice and washed the whole motor atleast 4-5 times every year for the past 5 years and my original opti is going on 86k

 

i thought that the primary cause of failed optis, especially nonventilated ones were moisture inside. i don't really know though. anyways, if it is a good idea why doesn't an aftermarket company make one.

 

I think its more of a moisture problem... That's why the vented came along.

 

Wether it is vented or unvented opti, there are still holes at the bottom of the opti to let carbon tracking out.

All the opti really is, is a standard distributor cap like a crab style unit but uses an optical sensor to tell where things are at. It will still have deposits and wear out as a regular cap and rotor would.

I think it is amazing that it even last as long as it does. There is no way to completely seal the unit or else deposits cannot get out. The vented units aid cleaning by the ait from the intake elbow.

I have seen unit with water tracking and rust in them but it is not likely due to a crack or poor seal but from moisture entering in through the bottom.

I have had great results with sealed optis and refuse to upgrade. I have had 2 on my car and both have last 80K or more. changed them due to engine swaps.

The vented units that my buddies run seem to attract more problems. Another myth that the opti is always the problem i believe is that people always do plugs/wires/coil as they change and opti or at least clean up things which could be the problem all along.

In High HP situations it is a poor design, it also does not like high voltage run through it. Life is severely shortened, but for a stock or heads and cam nothing crazy car I do not see why everyone complains.

 

7 years, and 166,000 miles on mine... still going strong.

'97 Trans Am... made on a Wednesday apparently.

 

Can you elaborate why it is a poor design and why it does not like high voltage? It is way more accurate than any rear mounted distributor could ever dream to be and lots of people run ignition boxes with them with no ill effect.

 

There has been a growing number of MSD owners finding their opti's aren't working right. Many people have had this suspicion over the years, but no one's proven anything either way. The best result however seems to be with the LTCC conversion that removes the high-voltage signal all together, and put the coils AFTER the opti determined firing order/timing.

That's where my rebuild will be: LTCC.
(still undecided about the Dynaspark though)

 

This MSD user has not seen any unusual wear to the cap/rotor after 30k miles of use.

 

MSD states that there may be problems with the optispark if it is not a vented system....thier system will work fine with any vented Opti....don't know anyone running one with the regular opti....so I can' say...but it's clearly written in the installation guide.

 

I have thought about a shield for years.Can't understand why nobody has come up with something to defect the water (leaking water pump,and leaking hoses)(check those hose clamps for tightness).I keep thinking,what about a metal one,but maybe it would interfear with the electronics,but a plastic one could melt,but something that would shield the opti when the water pump is going,I dunno.Maybe it's a blessing in dequise,so you know when the waterpump is going,so not to overheat and fry the engine I quess.My02

 

By the way,the opti isn't anything new.My mechanic (who used to race vettes) tells me this system has been around the racing folks for over 25 years.It really rocks when it's working.Hope this helps.