MSD Pro-Billet LT1 OptiSpark Distributor
Well I'm sure every LT1 F-Body owner knows what a pain in the ass the OptiSpark Distributor is on these cars. I can't even begin to tell ya how many stock opti's I have gone thru. Not even that but just having to replace the damn thing is such a pain as well, especially if your car is stock. I have never actually had a problem with the optical portion of the opti itself, my problem is from destroying the rotor into little pieces just like in the picture you see below. It's obvious to me that anyone who is pushing and decent amount of power and spinning their LT1 past 6k, is more than likely having this same issue as well. It seems to me that spinning the rotor that high that fast causes the rotor tip to eventually catch on the little black plastic ribs on the inside of the cap, thus causing the rotor to snap and break into pieces.
Well now MSD has come out with an aftermarket replacement opti that is really quite fancy. Some of the main features included are...
* Advanced optical encoder trigger design for accuracy and reliability.
* Easily adjust the timing up to +/-5°.
* Improved housing design and extra bolt eliminates leaks.
* Fresh air vented and sealed to keep the elements out.
* Large ball bearing stabilizes timing through 10,000 rpm.
* Rotor drive design is positively indexed and cannot slip.
I myself do not know how good this thing works as far as the rotor is concerned. I actually chose to delete my rotor from my opti since I am running a delteq coil pack setup on my car as well. I honestly just don't prefer to have a standard rotor setup with one coil pack for all 8 cylinders. I myself am running the MSD Opti, Delteq Coil Pack setup, all running thru an MSD DIS-4 box as well. As you can see from the pics below I chose to cut the rotor so that the base stays intact thus helping to provide support when screwing it down to the opti base.
This unit has worked out rather well, been running it for over ywo years now and not had any problems with it. Spinning clear to 7k RPM's. Not really the most cost effecient thing buying this unit and cutting the rotor out seeings as how your paying for it. But personally I feel going without the rotor is the best way to go. It's much nicer having some type of coil pack setup, weither it be the Delteq setup or Bob Bailey's LTCCcoil pack setup.
