Getting rid of the Optispark...the el cheapo way!

[sandrock]

In my quest to build up the LT1 that didn't come with my project car, I had thought about running the 24x EFI Connection system. This, however, presented a few teeny problems. First was cost. Second was locating a 96/97 LT1 timing cover. Third was adding unnecessary complexity to a car that won't be driven all that much to justify such a system, but will be driven enough to justify axing the Opti.

Then I remembered something. The 0411 PCM can also run a Chevy Express Van OS, which uses the good ol' standardized Vortec dizzy. And only requires a 4x crank signal (like the 96/97 LT1 crowd). Which got me to thinking.....

LT1 block, crank reluctor, and crank sensor. Vortec plastic timing cover (already have it from a previous project, and it's new), electric water pump takes care of the "no hole in the timing cover" issue, and finally...machine a hole for the Vortec dizzy in the LT1 manifold and add the spacer. The Vortec cap has a very low profile so it should fit pretty well in the F-body, though changing the cap/rotor will be a chore. Plus, it also allows for some degree of adjustability.

The only major mod would be on the intake manifold, but the cost for that and a decent Vortec dizzy is still far less than a 24x setup, plus it still lets you tune through an HP Tuner. Thoughts? Suggestions??

[QC97Z]

I'm not savvy on the conversions besides the 24x...and I'm thinking that what you're planning to do is a bit more complicated than that. That's TOO easy.
What are you going to do for a harness?

[Firebat]

-the vortec timing chain cover has a different bolt pattern towards the top, covers a different area than the LT1. Doubtful it will work without fabbing something to cover the part left uncovered
-If you have a 94 or 95 4L60E, it gets complicated:
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/1385255-24x-kit-couple-questions.html
http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/1385255-24x-kit-couple-questions-2.html

[sandrock]

Damnit man....I was hoping I could catch a break with the timing cover issue. Guess I'll have to keep my eyes out on an OBD2 cover then.

The wiring...yeah, that's all going to be custom. I have all the necessary pins, crimpers, most of the connectors. I may just build a protoharness and send it out to have it duplicated. As for the trans, I have an '02 core that will get rebuilt and converted over to accept the LT1, so I'm good on that front.

I really don't think there will be too much more to do for this conversion to work. The EGR valve port will be blocked off, the EGR tube will be built and rerouted (keeping EGR, just will be going with the linear style) to a reworked remote pedestal from a 3800. Cam signal comes from the dizzy, crank signal from the 4x reluctor. Only concern here would be having enough clearance for the dizzy, and whether or not I would have to machine some of the defunct EGR crap out of the intake.

People may or may not know this, but I am starting with a shell of a car, fully stripped. I can go in any direction I please since I am starting with a blank slate, so to speak. I've also been a mechanicin a past life, and I've always been more of the person who doesn't follow the norm. I'm experienced and not squeemish when it comes to electrical reworks (I'm a 3800 guy and I've done some extensive work to several of my cars). The LT1 is my newest platform to learn, so I do have *some* shortcomings going into this.

[AChotrod]

I may or may not have an Extra obd2 timing cover.

[chevymec]

I have an OB2 cover, crank sensor, and reluctor wheel. pm me if interested.

[97superZ]

I had thought about this as well. I think it has been done on another forum but it escapes me right now which. If anyone has a pinout for that computer maybe you could post it up for refferance. I'll see if I can find one too.

[97superZ]

Found a couple on thirdgen.org. First one is kind of hazy but second is pretty clear

8009 ATTACH]8010[/ATTACH]

[FSTFBDY]

Its been done. I've considered it myself just because Id like to get into the 411 swap for ease of tuning.no more chips ( i did the MSD Pro Billet Distrib. swap) and used my stock '92 harness. with custom code/tuning for 3bar map sensor /boost.

Heres a good link for ya to read.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/1414471-loose-optispark-forever.html

[sandrock]

Thanks for the links guys. Looking at the LT1 intake, it looks like I would have to carve out a lot of the egr passages to make that work. The only OTHER method I could think of would be to crossbreed the Opti with the Vortec dizzy (use the Opti base and dizzy drive with Vortec guts and cap/rotor). I imagine even that wouldn't be too bad, and if done right can be marketed as an entry-level method of PCM upgrading. Hmmmm.......

Looks like that Tinbender fella has the right idea, and is working on a prototype dizzy. Might have to get into contact with him (!)

[BIG CAT]

8011 its a msd small base dist. it takes some work but its doable.

[97superZ]

I just bought the stuff to make this work so hopefully soon I can report back

[Fastbird]

Be interested to see how this turns out.

[popo8]

All this stuff is sooooo intimidating to me... I see posts like this, and people who convert to the 24x system, and people who drill a hole in the intake and use a regular cam and run a regular distributer.... all this makes me think, with all the tuning headaches I have with a stock system...... how much more of a headache is tuning something that the factory never thought of....

[97superZ]

Probably not a swap for everyone. But we have a dyno at the shop so having the tools/time to make it work is at my dispossal. We have built/tuned a few vortec trucks using hp tuner that have turned out well and I am hoping all will turn out good. I have two reasons for wanting to change to this setup. I seem to kill opti's every couple of years and I am due for another failure (only partially kidding), and ease of tuning with the 0411 ecm vs the obd2 lt1 software. There is onyl one shop that I know of that has the edit and it kills me to pay them to tune something that I could tune if I had software. I suppose I could buy it, but it is pricey (this is costing me less than half of what the software alone would cost) and we already have hp tuners.

So again, probably not a swap for everyone. But for me makes total sense.

[sandrock]

It makes sense for me too, seeings how I've started with a rolling shell. I already have HP Tuners, the 0411, the Vortec dizzy, and other stuff. For me, it's using what I have at my disposal.

A *better* solution for the intake problem, I think, is to cut out the dizzy hole from a donor manifold and TIG weld it to the LT1 intake, then grind the welds down. Makes for the perfect mounting height, much of the machine work is done away with, and you are still staying SOMEWHAT factory.

[sandrock]

I have another thought. Does anyone think that *maybe* the Optispark can work with the 0411 IF the shutterwheel is changed out for a modified shutter that will output the needed signal instead of the hi-res 360 and the low-res 8? By FAR, that would be the simplest way.

[97superZ]

I have seen a mating of the two on cz28.com but I don't think that is how he did it. As far as the intake goes it's a thought about cutting and welding but the amount of time it would take to make a square fixture and then weld in place,surface,etc. I think would be faster to build a "jig" that would put the hole in the right place and show you how much height to build up. I am going to a single plane at this time so not an issue for me, I'm cheating lol.

[FSTFBDY]

The distributor spacer is the easy part. 1/4" thick aluminum washer 1 3/4" diameter with a 1 3/8" hole 1/4" on the high side but on a 5° angle to match the set angle of the distributor by the engine block.

pro billet distrib. is deff. the easiest. or the 0411 pcm setup.
another option might be"uuughhh" a ford edis setup http://www.autosportlabs.net/Ford_EDIS_technical_information

[BIG CAT]

I have seen a mating of the two on cz28.com but I don't think that is how he did it. As far as the intake goes it's a thought about cutting and welding but the amount of time it would take to make a square fixture and then weld in place,surface,etc. I think would be faster to build a "jig" that would put the hole in the right place and show you how much height to build up. I am going to a single plane at this time so not an issue for me, I'm cheating lol.

the way we marked ours was to leave the intake bolted on. then removed to oil pan and pump. i found a long down rod the same diameter as the hole in the block. sharpen the trip and 1 light hammer tap and you have you center point. i used a carbide bur to open up the hole to same size as the distributor. then just tig welded a bolt pad and shoulder.

[sandrock]

For anyone interested, I emailed eficonnection asking why they didn't go with a recut optiwheel. The response was short, but enough for me..."we didn't like the results". So that leaves two options, IF you still want a distributor...cut the hole in the intake mani (or go with the Edelbrock), or Frankensteining Vortec guts into an Opti housing. Since I can't find any info on the latter, I'll let you guys know what I find out when I tear into both dizzy types.

[dsmawd350]

http://ls1tech.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=13879&pictureid=55468

[sandrock]

I've been putting some thought into this, and here's what I have in my mental kettle, stewing and marinating...

Let's take an Opti apart, down to the base and shaft. New shutter wheel, all solid except for a 180* cutout, roughly 1/8th of an inch away from the edge. Add LSx or comparable cam sensor on top of that (preferably a sensor that is as compact as the Opti sensor). So long as the assembly fits under the dust cover, an upgraded cap and rotor can fit on top of that, and you have the base dizzy for an 0411 conversion, w/o coil on plug. Same setup, and a solid cap instead of a dizzy cap, will get you the 24x system cam signal. Same setup as that, but with a different shutter wheel, will get you the 58x system cam signal.

Theoretically, of course.

DSMAWD350, is there any way you can take measurements of that manifold, if it's available? Or do you have a template that can be scanned in?

[sandrock]

I've been putting some thought into this, and here's what I have in my mental kettle, stewing and marinating...

Let's take an Opti apart, down to the base and shaft. New shutter wheel, all solid except for a 180* cutout, roughly 1/8th of an inch away from the edge. Add LSx or comparable cam sensor on top of that (preferably a sensor that is as compact as the Opti sensor). So long as the assembly fits under the dust cover, an upgraded cap and rotor can fit on top of that, and you have the base dizzy for an 0411 conversion, w/o coil on plug. Same setup, and a solid cap instead of a dizzy cap, will get you the 24x system cam signal. Same setup as that, but with a different shutter wheel, will get you the 58x system cam signal.

Theoretically, of course.

DSMAWD350, is there any way you can take measurements of that manifold, if it's available? Or do you have a template that can be scanned in?