Just had my opti go bad. Two things: What could have caused this?(the water pump is still perfectly fine) And, Does anyone know where I can get a new, quality opti spark for a little cheaper? Times are tough, and money is tight. I just bought over $800 worth of books for college...

 

cheap isnt the best in this situation.If the water pump didnt leak onto it, it was most likely the seal behind the opti or possibly the front timing cover seal

 

The opti has a cap and rotor that works just like an old school distributor. The problem is that the opti is so hard to get to, it won't get serviced until it starts to act up. It's not uncommon to let it go for 100k miles, and more. By comparison, nobody in their right mechanical mind would let a conventional cap & rotor (like mine) go for that long between tune-ups since it's so easy to replace.
1) Your opti could have a worn shaft bearing, especially if it's ever been leaked on by a bad water pump. That would make the timing jumpy and erratic.
2) The optical pickup inside could be/probably is dirty and grungy.
3) The electrodes in the cap & rotor I guarantee are badly worn and carboned up, and that alone will make an engine run like crap.
What causes that? High voltage flying around underneath the distributor cap, coupled with a lack of positive ventilation (if it's a 1992-94.5 style opti).
If you have nothing but time, and no money, you have a 2 out of three chance that a simple cap & rotor replacement, and optical cleaning could fix it. But if you find that the rotor shaft is flopping around, it's a goner!

 

summit and jegs are probly the best places for price, quality and service. being on a budget u will want to get the gm performance opti. even that is 400 bucks or in that area. i have seen them cheaper but cant find or remember the place.