i only paid $4500 for the car. if it was normal would've only been $100....

[-]

AJSLS6@reddit

I'll never get why these weren't distributorless from day one, GM was slapping coil packs on V6 and I4 engines since the mid 80s, I get why the L98 still had a distributor, it was more or less a fancy intake on a 50s small block, but the LT was as close to a clean sheet V8 as they were going to get and the specifically re engineered the ignition system. So why not coil packs?? Why does grandpa's buick Century got a more advanced ignition than the brands flagship V8??

[-]

ELECTRICxWIZARDx@reddit

I wonder if there's something specific to the SBC firing order that makes it not get along with waste spark setups.

And technically, at least in terms of how accurately it can measure crankshaft position, Opti is far more advanced than a 3800's ignition system. A 90's-00's 3800 uses a 3x and 18x dual pattern CKP reluctor wheel built into the harmonic balancer. The 18x wheel gives an edge transition every 20°, and the 3x pattern uniquely identifies each pair of "companion cylinders," while an opti-spark has a 360 slot encoder wheel, meaning crankshaft position is measurable down to a single degree of rotation.

[-]

FatalSky@reddit

The optisparks resolution was actually an issue back in the day for aftermarket engine management systems. The MegaSquirt and Holley both had issues until a couple years back not supporting that big of an encoder. You actually had to change the encoder wheel or use a crank sensor on the damper for LT1’s. Researching this years back made me buy the GM performance swap kit for a carb since it was cheaper, and gave me more torque for the truck it was going in.

[-]

Navi_Professor@reddit (OP)

probably because by the time this was made in 92, LS was the priority in the background and there wasnt an intrest or funding to go that far.

[-]

AustinGearHead@reddit

Ditch the optispark and move to 24x or torqhead. Best mod I've ever done.

[-]

who_even_cares35@reddit

How lame they only make it for 94 and up

[-]

AustinGearHead@reddit

You can make it work on a 93, it’s just not plug and play. My Trans Am is a 93. I did the conversion and it’s running great, I just had to add a few extra sensors and do some re wiring of the harness.

[-]

Navi_Professor@reddit (OP)

in Cali, I can't. Not carb. also, the whole kit is 2200 bucks, all said in done...i wouldn't spend that much regardless.

[-]

AustinGearHead@reddit

Whats bonkers is moving to a torqhead let me have a more modern tune where my car runs much cleaner.

[-]

Navi_Professor@reddit (OP)

i'm not the one that makes the rules. but hey, i can supercharge it at least.

the car does run clean though. when i first got it and smogged it, it did amazingly well. i was actually stoked how low the numbers were. i was concerned it would need a cat job...considering my jeep which was much newer needed new ones.

though i did run it om a misfire for too long because i didnt know what was going on as i was still learning so its not completely its fault.

[-]

Socalwarrior485@reddit

I would suggest engine swap, but that’s def not cheaper.

[-]

Navi_Professor@reddit (OP)

naw. and it would have to be a much newer engine to make the power increase worth. i already have 300hp/340ftlbs ...so LS3 at min as well as Trans and upgrading to D44. Thats realstically an 8-10k job.

[-]

Thee_Sinner@reddit

You can if you find a smog place that doesnt care

[-]

Squidking1000@reddit

I’d be LS swapping so fast but we don’t have emissions testing!

[-]

Navi_Professor@reddit (OP)

i can legally swap this LS Car. my car is 96 and it would just need all of its emissions systems...nost likely from a camaro or vette. its just expensive and i can legally supercharge it. i have found a procharger with a carb number.

[-]

jaywon555@reddit

Maybe wait and save up, that would be awesome if you could get that.

[-]

Bob_tebuilder@reddit

Rockauto, it'll be your best friend and the mistress that takes your money!!

[-]

Navi_Professor@reddit (OP)

i'm best freinds with them, i promise. the opti is just something not worth cheaping out on, and a lot of cheap units are utter garbo

[-]

newbieITguy2@reddit

and you're 100% sure you need a new opti? They do fail but I've also seen lots of people throwing a new opti on because the car was not running and their logic was it's a common point of failure.

I have 150K on my LT1, still the original opti

[-]

Navi_Professor@reddit (OP)

my car has 145k on it now and yeah, i'm pretty sure.

ive replaced almost the entire fuel system, ive replaced the entire vaccum harness, plugs are brand new, wires are in good condition.

it leaks oil massively in front and rear, and now it starts cold like shit with a massive missfire, and once it does settle it still misses under throttle. it didnt do this a couple months ago.

it doesnt help it really started to act up after it blew a coolant hose off and got coolant everywhere...

so, doing this and replacing every front seal is a goal. i'd like to take the current opti and refurb it. clean it out, new cap and rotor, etc, and have a spare.

[-]

Agent_Eran@reddit

Replacing the seals on the front is one of the most important parts of the job. People skip this and ruin the new optispark and blame the optispark for the continued issues.

[-]

Navi_Professor@reddit (OP)

thats why i got the seal kit and tool. and i know from replacing the bottom vent hose on my current opti its DRENCHED in the front. i also got a Harmonic balancer sleeve and oil pan gasket. from what i can tell the water pump has stood the test of time. The oil seals have not

[-]