Bulletproof Opti

[SVTBAIT]

I have a 1995 Z28 and my car managed to eat another opti. I would like to replace with the most bulletproof unit I can buy. What is everyone's overall experience? MSD? Delco?

I'm well aware of the 24x, and the LTCC conversion, but would like to stick to an opti.

Thanks!

[Badhawk]

I have personally had the best luck with the stock replacements.

[firebird_1995]

Everyone seems to have different levels of success with each brand of opti. The stocker (delco) on my first lt1 lasted 110k miles before it needed the cap and rotor changed. Then it made it another 30k before the optical sensor went. I think the answer you will get most is go with ac delco but the truth is, you have to find out why the previous optis failed. There are tests the factory service manual has to check the operation of the fresh air system which is the most important, next to good seals to keep water and oil out.

FWIW I've got 13k trouble free miles on an autozone opti.

[Fastbird]

Don't order a stock replacement from summit. Their AC Delco 95-97 opti's are listed as reman's now. Just caught that today. Total bummer there.

Is Dynaspark still around? THOSE were bulletproof IIRC.

[SVTBAIT]

I've been leaning on the side of a Delco unit. How about MSD? Is it worth the money at all?

[Some_Random_Guy]

I'd go with the delco unit, i had an msd last 5k miles before it went but then again i went through 7 opti's in 2 years.....
you'll get a lot of success stories and horror stories for everything, MSD and AcDelco is the best bet

[waggl1]

I had a delco it lasted 3 months then switched to an msd which crapped out in like 2 weeks this new msd has been on for a year.

[Fastbird]

Looks like Dynaspark is still in business. www.dynaspark.net These were the rage a few years ago, but not a lot of folks ran them due to cost (when a new early opti was $300 and a vented new was $250). Now with current prices, They're right in line at not too much more than the Delco units. These were the rage and are known to be pretty well bulletproof from a few years ago, they just never caught on majorly cause of teh price tag.

[96LT1355Z28]

Every one has it's issues. NEW delco with and MSD cap/ rotor and loctited screws seems to be the most popular. X2 on determining what caused your current unit to fail, simple electronics failure in the sensor/ venting issue/ moisture, etc. I'm happy with my Dynaspark but it's had to go back for minor issues that I can't say were the distributors fault. MSD has mixed reports there's a thread about them and Dynasparks in the LT1/4 performance section. Accel opti's as well as ebay no name ones recently you probably want to stay away from.

Jegs is still advertising they have new delco units FWIW.

If you are intrested in an MSD opti, I just took one off a car that had a stumble between 4-5000 rpm. I put on a delco unit and it hasn't been back to the dyno so I can't say the opti was the problem. I believe MSD charges about $100.00 for a complete rebuild including a cap and rotor. If you want it make me an offer!

[AdamG]

Ac delco only makes remand now even if you go to the dealer. Even worse is that they don't have the Mitsubishi sensors any longer. My opinion is that If you have constant opti problems then the issue probably lies somewhere else. because of the system it seems to allow of a large area of problem. the signal has to travel from the opti to the pcm to the icm to the coil and back for firing. that whole system not only controls the firing order but also the injector pulses. Then add in the vent lines and you have more area for problems. When ever a opti is suspected of being back you should always walk through that whole system to make sure it actually the opti or not something killing the sensor in the opti which tends to be a little sensitive.

my guess is if you check the system out and its okay any opti should be good.