It's about that time to replace the Opti - it finally went out at 116K, heh. But my question is..

While browsing prices on new Opti's, I notice an average range from Summit's LT1 Opti ($250) all the way to MSD's LT1 Opti ($515). So, could someone help me out and maybe give some info about each brand. Is it basically you get what you pay for (the life of the opti, durability, etc)??

Any info would help -- thanks!!!

 

As you said, basically u get what u pay for. MSD is supposed to be the best and permits timing to be changed at the distributor by a few degrees. However, this is a new product and I have seen quite a few complaintsabout these things being DOA or improperly assembled. Personally, I would get the GM unit, till MSD can improve their quality control. The timing feature is really no big deal, as the computer automatically optimizes the spark advance on the fly.

 

Thank you for the info pete! Glad you could give me advice.

 

I just installed a MSD Opti on a 96 Impala SS. It seemed like a really nice part, but I don't know that I wold spend $500+ on it when the GM units seem to work pretty well.

 

Ive had a lot of electrical problems so I purchased the MSD unit, and it has run great ever since. Ive gone through 2 GM optis from Summit since i bought the car a year ago. I paid $590 at Auto Zone for the distributor, cap, rotor, and Blaster coil. I had to change the wires also, because the MSD distributor blew spark out the sides of the stock 7mm's. Dynaspark is also a good alternative to the GM opti. But as said already, you will get what you pay for

 

I went with the Summit brand for $150 and so far it's worked great for me.

 

So, would a good upgrade to replace the opti, wires, plugs, blaster coil be MSD products(except the spark plugs)? So far I've heard alot of good feed back on their items. Any other suggestions? Thanks for the help so far!!

 

I would go with the MSD brand but probably not the $500 one. Just the $200 one would work for me cause like Z28Pete said the computer would adjust the timing automaticly. But the Summit brand has worked out great so if it aint broke don't fix it.