MSD Optispark?

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Hawk#217
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Location: Cary, IL

MSD Optispark?

Post by Hawk#217 » Sun May 18, 2014 12:53 pm

My optispark has gone out again. I have 31,000 miles on the car. The first optispark died of natural causes. The second was cracked "THANKS TO SPEED INCORPORATED IN IL". Now the third one has died. Has anyone tried MSD's #8381. I am looking for something better than GM. I appreciate any help or any suggestions. Thanks Jim.
1994 Firehawk Sunfire yellow 6 speed
2007 Trailblazer SS

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BLACK-HAWK
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Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by BLACK-HAWK » Mon May 19, 2014 12:37 am

If I recall correctly if you go with MSD you have you change everything over to msd... Me personally, I would just stick with OEM Acdelco
2001#194 (Unicorn)

tazman71
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Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by tazman71 » Mon May 19, 2014 7:19 am

I have heard great things about the Dynaspark. A little pricey, but have not heard of any of them going out. Most guys do not want to spend the money on this when they can convert to a 24x system for not much more.

I have a Dynaspark on my car now. Was on the engine when I did my swap.
02 Firehawk TA #1237
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Hawk#217
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2002 8:23 pm
Location: Cary, IL

Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by Hawk#217 » Mon May 19, 2014 7:54 pm

I called MSD today they said I would not have to change any other parts, but they do recommend a new coil and wires. I just don't have very much faith in delco optisparks. This is the 3rd one that has failed. The second one was cracked and then super glued together by Speed INC, so I guess I can't say that it just failed. Speed INC said that there was no way that the crack made the part fail. Guy was an A**. I never been back.
New optisparks from GM are remanufactured not new who knows who is rebuilding them. I have a friend who is a GM mechanic and he "thinks" that the remanufactured GM looks alot like A1 cardone, but does not know for sure. Another option would be Delphi cz20009 which are new and not remanufactured, but the cheapest I can find one is Ebay at $395.00. MSD is $431.00 on amazon. I think I am leaning towards MSD so far.
1994 Firehawk Sunfire yellow 6 speed
2007 Trailblazer SS

Hawk#217
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2002 8:23 pm
Location: Cary, IL

Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by Hawk#217 » Mon May 19, 2014 8:00 pm

Oh ya, I found this post about Dynaspark.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modif ... -long.html
1994 Firehawk Sunfire yellow 6 speed
2007 Trailblazer SS

spoogen622
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Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by spoogen622 » Mon May 19, 2014 10:36 pm

I remember paying $120ish for an opti back in 1998 for my 93 hawk. at the time delco was the only option.

the quality was hit or miss back then too.

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Scott Chab
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Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by Scott Chab » Mon May 19, 2014 11:04 pm

You can always convert to coil packs.
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BLACK-HAWK
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Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by BLACK-HAWK » Mon May 19, 2014 11:12 pm

one would have to actually drive the car to make swapping over to coil packs worth it.. that's just my me though.
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Hawk#217
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2002 8:23 pm
Location: Cary, IL

Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by Hawk#217 » Tue May 20, 2014 7:04 am

I ordered the MSD and a new GM water pump last night. We will see how it goes.
1994 Firehawk Sunfire yellow 6 speed
2007 Trailblazer SS

Hawk#217
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2002 8:23 pm
Location: Cary, IL

Re: MSD Optispark?

Post by Hawk#217 » Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:51 pm

Update. The MSD optispark has been installed with a new water pump and thermostat, also new belt. The install of the MSD went fine. The Firehawk is alive and runs great. The MSD also makes a "non-vented optispark" vented. Now my car has a spline drive vented optispark. The vent kit is included in the optispark kit and comes with everything needed. Nothing else need to be changed or purchased for MSD. Timing is also adjustable + or - 6 degrees if it is needed. Now lets see if it last longer than OEM.
1994 Firehawk Sunfire yellow 6 speed
2007 Trailblazer SS

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