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| Travis93 | MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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OK got my new MSD optispark today and it has the wrong size 4 conductor connector. The MSD unit is almost twice the size of the OEM. Is there an adapter for this or if someone could help me out with part numbers I could make my own adapter. I have been looking for something but everything I find that looks like it does not have dimensions so I don't know if they are the big little or another size. Please help this is all driving me nuts.
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Posted on: 2009/6/8 23:50
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| tjpreul | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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I ended up hard wiring mine in. Here is an answer from BillH when I installed mine.
"I need to add on the 92, unless MSD made a change recently, the opti connector will fit a Caprice harness but not the corvette. This isn't a big deal, just 4 wires to solder and heat shrink. Here's the wire connections: 92 LT1 MSD black/red(stripe) to brown/yellow - low resolution purple/white to brown/orange - hi res yellow to red - 12 volt black/pink to red/green - ground The 5th wire in the LT1 harness is a ground/shielding wire. It's not needed on the MSD Opti. It doesn't connect to anything on the GM Opti either, just wraped around the other 4 wires for shielding." |
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Posted on: 2009/6/9 0:27
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| pianoguy | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
 
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The MSD was a bit different from OEM (at least it was for my 96) - its longer cable is hard-wired onto the opti where the factory one is not. This eliminated a stretch of factory cable - the longer MSD cable just plugged in up on the passenger side of the intake manifold.
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Posted on: 2009/6/9 0:32
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1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Quote:
Ahh the missing piece of information... What I was upset about being wrong turns out to be a poorly documented improvement. thank you very much for the help. |
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Posted on: 2009/6/9 1:27
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| pianoguy | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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No problem - hope she runs like a champ!
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Posted on: 2009/6/9 1:43
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1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Ok new opti is in and the car runs worse than ever. Now its a bad miss even at idle and now there is a backfire too. If I have time tomorrow I am going to go over everything again and make sure I did not miss anything like crossing plug wires but I was pretty careful so I do not expect to find anything.
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Posted on: 2009/6/10 0:31
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| BrianCunningham | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Ignition module?
When's the last time you changed the filter? |
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Posted on: 2009/6/10 13:27
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_________________
Polo Green 95 LT1 6-spd http://mysite.verizon.net/vzevcp74/ 383 LT1/Vortech Supercharger/AFR heads/Rod end suspension/Penske-Hardbar dual rate coilovers/Wilwood 6pot brakes NCCC Governor: http://BayStateCorvetteClub.com |
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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I just ordered a coil, it was cheep so I figured why not. I am going to test the ignition module when I am able to find the procedure. The air filter was changed last year but I should probably get in there and see what it looks like anyway.
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Posted on: 2009/6/10 14:55
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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It looks like I may have found my problem.
 I don't know how I missed this while installing the new optispark. I am sure the reason I could not see the arching in a dark garage was because they were touching the header and making such a small spark with isolation covering what little there was and it was all happening under the alternator. So now I get to replace spark plug wires one the hardest side to work on. Anyone want to give me some advice about the easiest way to run these wires? |
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 15:56
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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There is no easy way, but loosening up the PS pump and sliding it forward a bit sure helps. Otherwise a trained monkey with long skinny arms would help. I heard there are some GM engineers available cheap, but you probably couldn't train them. |
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 17:26
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2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing |
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| jdtireman | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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I'm just finishing the same job on my 93. I tried to save some time on replacing my wires and while pulling the wires off the dist, I broke three of the nipples on the optispark dist cover. What a Homer! Anyway, I was able to find a stock optispark cap and rotor locally and have spent the last 3 nights learning how to bend my elbows backwards. What a P.I.T.A. this job is!!! The big lesson - read your service manual and don't try to skip a step or two. Once I removed the water pump and crank pulley there is almost enogh room to work. At times like this I would love to have a factory engineer to kick around the garage. Rant, Rant, Rant!! All done now.
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 17:45
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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I know pulling the water pump would make it a lot easier but I really don't want to do that again so soon. Seems like the pump should at least stay on for a week.
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 18:03
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
The PS pump, not the water pump. I didn't say it would be easy. |
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 18:11
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2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing |
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Yea jdtireman said water pump. I just wish there was a way from underneath or something. I know its not easy. |
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 18:21
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Someday I will learn to be more specific. Yes, you loosen the PS pump, slide it forward an inch or so. Take the inner fender panels off. Then go at the wires from underneath and on top as well. If you really want to you can pull the alternator to get a bit more room from the top, but not sure how much that would help. OR do it the lazy man's way and just get the protective boots and slide them over your existing wires and leave them on the car. |
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 18:43
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2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing |
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| pianoguy | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
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Some folks remove the PS pulley - I imagine this might make things easier when you have the water pump, etc. on there.
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 19:07
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_________________
1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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I think loosening the PS pump sounds like a good idea I did understand what you had to say. I don't think the alternator would help much the bracket under it blocks almost everything anyway. Pulling the water pump makes for a lot of extra room but it sucks draining the radiator again so I think I will probably try and work on it with that pump in place and pull it as a last resort.
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 19:09
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Quote:
I looked it didn't look removable, crimped on. Did I miss something? |
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 19:11
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Actually the pulley is pressed on. You can rent (borrow) a puller/installer at about any auto parts store. I don't know if there is enough room in there to pull it off though. |
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 20:37
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2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing |
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| BillH | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
 
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Yes, one of the tools no LT1 owner should be without. For the extremely high price of $24 for the puller/installer, you can save a hours time in the first use. Once the belt's off, pulling the puly takes 60 seconds. Preformance Tool p/n 87022 - $24 available at PepBoys, SummitRacing, etc. You'd spend $24 of your time and gas just going out to borrow one. |
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Posted on: 2009/6/11 23:40
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Every man dies but not every man lives. |
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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I can see how pulling the pulley off would make things a bit better but pressing it back on in there is the problem. I like the idea of taking the hole pump loose right now but I have not started the job yet. New plug wires should be here overnight so tomorrow I will be up to my eyes in back ache.
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Posted on: 2009/6/12 0:18
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| BillH | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Travis, the $24 tool has an installer too. It takes another 60 seconds to put the pully back on. With the pully off you don't have to mess with the pump and you can see the left side of the opti easily. |
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Posted on: 2009/6/12 1:12
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Every man dies but not every man lives. |
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| SpectatorRacing | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Elite Guru
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What fun is that? You might walk away with your knuckles intact, nobody should do an opti job without cuts and bruises! |
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Posted on: 2009/6/12 17:57
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aka Scaryfast |
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| Travis93 | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Well job is done and its running great, I can finally work on the tune. I took the PS pump loose and that didn't get me any ware. I don't see how removing the pulley would help much more so off with the Water pump... Again!! After I got it off I noticed the belt tensioner is right where I wanted to be working and only has 1 bolt holding it on so I took that off too. I am wandering now though if I could have got the plugs on by only removing the tensioner.
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Posted on: 2009/6/12 22:17
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| pianoguy | Re: MSD Optispark with wrong connector, now what? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
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Good to hear! You never know, maybe the tensioner would be the trick - worth a shot if there is a next time ;-) |
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Posted on: 2009/6/12 22:35
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_________________
1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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