CK5
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LT1 issues
- Thread starter campfire
- Start date
But you only have one job and 3 kids
It's a time issue. I can spend $200 on a distributor, or I can spend the same $200 on a low-mile FWD 3800. I'm 90% sure I can have one converted and installed for well under $1000. I think it's just rerouting the exhaust, reversing the intake, and using the RWD motor mount holes already in the block. A 4.3 swap is probably half as much work, and donors are just as common. Engine swaps are fun (for me).
But if I don't have 5 hours to swap a distributor this week, I certainly don't have 50 hours to swap an engine.
And I have a few other engines that would be higher on the list of desirability, too.
Like a turbocharged 4.3It's a time issue. I can spend $200 on a distributor, or I can spend the same $200 on a low-mile FWD 3800. I'm 90% sure I can have one converted and installed for well under $1000. I think it's just rerouting the exhaust, reversing the intake, and using the RWD motor mount holes already in the block. A 4.3 swap is probably half as much work, and donors are just as common. Engine swaps are fun (for me).
But if I don't have 5 hours to swap a distributor this week, I certainly don't have 50 hours to swap an engine.
And I have a few other engines that would be higher on the list of desirability, too.
Naw. I like inlines, and I like oil burners. But you're right about the turbocharger...
F Optispark.
Had a '96 Z28, had been through 3 optisparks through it's life up to 100K. When I bought it, I'd replaced the Opti twice myself (was my brother's car for a number of years), so I knew about it. Always threw the dead Opti code, replace it, then good.
The last time it never threw a code that pointed to the Opti or really anything ignition related, just had a random misfire every once in awhile. Chased it for a couple years, swapping ignition modules, coils, injectors, etc. Finally got the optical sensor code, replaced the distributor again (4th distributor in ~140K, two were AC Delco and the other two were MSD). Totally fixed, problem was the optispark even though it didn't throw a code for it.
Moral of the story is I sold the car shortly after it was fixed and couldn't be happier to not own that generation of LT1.
F Optispark.
Had a '96 Z28, had been through 3 optisparks through it's life up to 100K. When I bought it, I'd replaced the Opti twice myself (was my brother's car for a number of years), so I knew about it. Always threw the dead Opti code, replace it, then good.
The last time it never threw a code that pointed to the Opti or really anything ignition related, just had a random misfire every once in awhile. Chased it for a couple years, swapping ignition modules, coils, injectors, etc. Finally got the optical sensor code, replaced the distributor again (4th distributor in ~140K, two were AC Delco and the other two were MSD). Totally fixed, problem was the optispark even though it didn't throw a code for it.
Moral of the story is I sold the car shortly after it was fixed and couldn't be happier to not own that generation of LT1.
F Optispark.
If you donate a motor, we just might find out...
I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures of a 12 valve in a B-body. But it would be too heavy for comfort. That car is already a whale without almost doubling the weight of the engine.
The internet is full of stories like this. This is the main reason I'm giving serious thought to alternatives. It's not that I'm too lazy to change the optispark, it's that I have a hard time trusting it. My intuitive reaction to putting a distributor in a wet space does not involve warm, fuzzy feelings.
Oh, and I haven't found a source for an actual NEW GM-branded late-model optispark unit. Just rebuilds, knockoffs, and one guy on Ebay wanting $400 for what he claims is a GM unit.
The GM unit is the good one? News to me.
If you can't tell, I think the whole concept is garbage and that goes way further than just water in the distributor (I don't think that was the cause of failure on any of the dizzy's on that Camaro). The MSD ones are $$, I'd get something cheap and available or look at another platform.
If you can't tell, I think the whole concept is garbage and that goes way further than just water in the distributor (I don't think that was the cause of failure on any of the dizzy's on that Camaro). The MSD ones are $$, I'd get something cheap and available or look at another platform.
Another reason I like points..
..
I know a guy who had a Camaro with that crap Opti-Spark setup,he put in more ignitions than spark plugs in that car,like 4 times in as many years...not one of GM's best inventions--why they didn't just stick with HEI when it worked reliably I dont know..
Isn't there some aftermarket "drag race" ignition that could be adapted to eliminate that setup without paying $1000+ bucks for the MSD one..?..I've seen some that use a reluctor wheel on the harmonic balancer and a MSD box like the 6AL to run the engine when guys want a cheaper way to use a newer computerized engine in a race car or pulling tractor without having to wire up a harness to use the oem computer..
..I know a guy who had a Camaro with that crap Opti-Spark setup,he put in more ignitions than spark plugs in that car,like 4 times in as many years...not one of GM's best inventions--why they didn't just stick with HEI when it worked reliably I dont know..
Isn't there some aftermarket "drag race" ignition that could be adapted to eliminate that setup without paying $1000+ bucks for the MSD one..?..I've seen some that use a reluctor wheel on the harmonic balancer and a MSD box like the 6AL to run the engine when guys want a cheaper way to use a newer computerized engine in a race car or pulling tractor without having to wire up a harness to use the oem computer..
Friend of mine has had 3 lt1's that I know of, all of which had Opti-spark's fail. Every one got a MSD unit and never another issue for 20-30k miles. He is dropping a lt1 into his 1st gen Blazer currently, with a MSD.
Some people have good luck with them. Personally I'd set the lt1 on fire and ls swap it.
Some people have good luck with them. Personally I'd set the lt1 on fire and ls swap it.
Wasnt there a "fix" for optispark setups (other than just replacing the LT1)? I recall something years back that was supposed to keep those distributor problems from occurring, but maybe it wasnt as much of a fix as it was being sold as, if not being mentioned here?
I remember something about using a vent tube to the air intake to suck the moisture and ozone out of it. I've used that trick on a couple high power ignition setups with standard distributors before. Works really well for some things.
thats all I have to say
Well if you get to the point you consider a 3800, i have a crate engine never installed I can let go cheapIt's a time issue. I can spend $200 on a distributor, or I can spend the same $200 on a low-mile FWD 3800. I'm 90% sure I can have one converted and installed for well under $1000. I think it's just rerouting the exhaust, reversing the intake, and using the RWD motor mount holes already in the block. A 4.3 swap is probably half as much work, and donors are just as common. Engine swaps are fun (for me).
But if I don't have 5 hours to swap a distributor this week, I certainly don't have 50 hours to swap an engine.
And I have a few other engines that would be higher on the list of desirability, too.
20k miles between failures isn't ok, this is going to be on primary DD duty.
Yes, setting the LT1 on fire is an option we're considering. I've owned this car less than 500 miles, and while we immediately liked the B-body part, the LT1 is a different matter.
Since mine is a 1996 model, it already has a factory-installed vent setup like you're describing.
PM me an offer. The stock intake is a headache, but otherwise it looks like a decent swap candidate.
