New member here, long time listener, first time caller..

Anyways, I have a 95 9C1 {caprice} with a 95 F-body lt1-T56 swap I did about 5 years ago. The Opti took a dump on me, at least thats what I think it is. Its starts and idles fine, but give it any gas and it shakes and stumbles through the rpm range without throwing a CEL. I know with the ABITS system it could be a number of things and in the next few days I'll break out the voltmeter and start running tests.

My question for you LT1 guru's is what brand should I go with that can ensure me some sort of longevity?

The last 5 days or so I've spent reading at all sorts of different Chev/LT1 forums and it seems everyone is on the fence about brand, with the exception of AC DELCO. That's a dealer only item, and I don't want to pay what they are asking.. $250-$350 and that's just for the Cap & Rotor!! I've heard MSD is crap for this app, so? Jeg's? Summit? Borg War?

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!!

 

we have a vender on here, chandlermotorsports, that sells a opti that is warrented and is at a good price. we have a few guys that have used them without issues. i am using a msd on mine without issues and have a gm performance as a backup. you are right the problem could just be fouled plugs or 02 sensors. take a couple plugs and a 02 out and check to see. if there all black then change em and see how she reacts. how old is the opti? i would not change just the cap and rotor. should also consider a new water pump as well if its gettin old. last thing you want is a old pump leaking on a new opti.

 

Thanks for the quick reply!
Well everything from the rad. to rear end has either been rebuilt, replaced or serviced in the last five years with the exception of {you nailed it} the opti, O2's, coil, and fuel pump.The motor {rebuilt with about 20k on it now} & trans are essentially stock. No cats, headers, a PCtune for less, and 4.10's in the rear.
The water pump is new as of last summer including the plugs.. Wouldn't the O2's throw a CEL if one or both went out? Your right though, I should just replace them anyways...

This is my daily driver so I do want it back in action but, I myself am on the fence about how much I want to spend to put it back on the road, because I was thinking of doing a 5.4-6.0 LSX swap, forced induction, and a TKO-T56 this summer.

Most of the cap & rotor kits have a yr-3yr warranty from what I've been told.
How much does your vendor here ballpark the whole opti for?

 

02's can give false proper readings when they get fouled. give a normal or lean reading when rich. if your going to tear it down to change the cap and rotor you should change the whole opti. the opti reader is a common place of falure. here s there buy page. http://chandlermotorsports.com/11040...optispark.html

 

Well I went and read all over hell and back about the Opti their offering and it seems that's the way to go despite what a few tire kickers are saying. I'll be ordering from them tomorrow... Thanks a lot Craby!!! You just saved me some dough..

One other question for you about the coil. Is the $50 MSD unit worth it? I figure I might as well replace it too.

 

thats what im using but i have a msd opti thats made for the extra spark. its not good to use with the non vented style opti. it can overload them with gasses from the increased spark. i think there ok with the vented opti. not really nessesary, the stock coil has some good power. i have found the plugs have more to do with getting good spark. i like the ngk irridium plugs. lol they wont save you any money, well maybe, they last really good so you dont have to change the plugs for a long time. suckers are expensive.