Hey Im looking at a 96 camaro it needs an opti spark the guys says and itl run great how hard is it to install it is there any special things I should know before tearing into it?

 

x2 id like to know also.

 

Theoretically it's a one day or less job.

 

So most likely two

 

Your going to have to pull the harmonic balancer off and you will also have to pull off the water pump just to get to it. You will also need to pull off the air pump and the bracket to be able get to the water pump.You won't need any special tools other than the harmonic balancer puller. Once you get those three items off then there should be 4 bolts holding the opti on that you will have to remove. Take the opti off slowly so that you don't pull out the gear shaft that turns the opti. Reason is that the gear shaft has to be put in the same way it came out or you could have an oil leak from that seal. I've had that problem not to long ago. Get a 12pack of your favorite beer and some tunes because you will be there for a while. Have fun.

 

exactly...put emphasis on "theoretically."

 

Go thise sites for the instruction sheets. This is from MSD, but the procedure is the same.

95-97 cars http://www.msdignition.com/pdf/83811_frm27523.pdf
addendum http://www.msdignition.com/pdf/83811_frm27616_add.pdf
93-94 cars http://www.msdignition.com/pdf/8381_frm27275.pdf

 

To be honest, I love jobs like that. All day with beer, tunes and my camaro...Ahhhhhhhh I hope there are Camaros in heaven...and hell. Havent quite figured outwhere I am going yet.

 

Let me just say this... My mechanic got my car on Saturday morning to fix my cooling system and then replace my waterpump and my opti... Its now Friday of the next week and he says my car wont be done til 2morrow night... and thats even after hes pulled out the radiator and waterpump etc. Just imagine how fun it will be for you... Hes even ASE certified..

 

If hes ASE certified and its taken him that long he obviously isnt a hands on kinda guy. I replaced my optispark in 3 hours. of course i had air tools and a lift at work (im a mechanic) but it simply wasnt a hard job at all. yeah you have to take off the water pump which is 8 bolts total i think, and then the air pump which is 3. the radiator and fans come off in 2 seconds. everyone makes this more complicated than it is. just take your time as other guys said. an enjoy the beer and tunes!