LT1 Problem

[Assian]

My car has been missing pretty bad for the past couple of months. Great timing after I got the tranny rebuilt. Getting a cel "random/multiple misfire".

Car wants to die in traffic and feels really slugish under acceleration from a stop. If its cruising its fine. I also get black smoke out the passenger side exhaust pipe only. I've been doing some research and it sounds like my opti is about ready to expire. It is the original with 136K so it probably wouldn't hurt to change it. Car has new Delco plugs 41-943 and Taylor wires and a new coil so far. Just trying to eliminate the cheaper stuff.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[ygetv8]

I'm not all that experienced, but it sounds like opti symptoms to me! (replaced the one in my old Camaro)

[patriotformula]

hahaha you might get the award for having the longest running opti. I'm sure it's the opti and those are exact symptoms of it. One day it will just die and not run anymo. If you have the money get an entire new opti from GM or the new MSD one. A new cap and rotor along with the sensor unit is a must have.

[Assian]

Thanks for the replys. Also forgot that the car does have a new cap and rotor from a year ago. Before posting, I've had 2/3 people say opti and now that makes 4/5. Thanks again.

Is the MSD really worth the extra $? I'm sure someone has it. I bet this has been discussed.

[383z28]

assian said:

Is the MSD really worth the extra $? I'm sure someone has it. I bet this has been discussed.

My brother just put the billet MSD opti in his car. A very nice looking piece.
He just called me five minutes ago. He's having the car towed home. It died and wont fire now. Who knows what the problem could be, but I'll keep you posted if it was the opti that croaked.

[grandnational]

have the ignition module tested at advance auto. Its free and i have had to replace one on my S-10 (LT1) and my 96 camaro (LT1) Also the opti is the first thing people tend to blame on these cars and alot of times there will be posts saying "changed opti and still no start" Just saying there is alot more problems on these LT1 ignitions than the opti. Also check the fuel pressure, You may have a bad regulator causing high fuel pressure and loading up. I have a gauge you stick under the windshield wiper to watch what it does. You are more than welcome to bring the car over and we can go over some things. Phone # is 309 791 2903. I love the problematic LT1s nomatter what anybody else says. Hey somebody has to right? LOL I also have a known good opti (vented if you would like to try that on your car and see if its the problem.

[Assian]

309? Where in Ill are you?

383z28 - please email me on stuff you find out with that MSD. I'd really be interested in knowing what happended on your brother's car.

Thanks.

[grandnational]

im in moline. give me a call if you would like a hand

[ygetv8]

When I had the opti replaced on my '94 Z, I bought new water pump and drill out and tapped the bottom drain hole so I could run a fitting and hose from that to drain behind/around the opti if/when the water pump started seeping. Not sure if it was necessary, but one more thing that can be done to help keep the opti dry.

[grandnational]

that is a good point. Lots of people doing that as well

[Jeremy]

you don't have a wire arcing do you? I have seen this happen due to this problem. Also like someone said check out the ICM and the coil. Those could be a lead to this. I have a 94 formula with 174k and am not sure if it is the original opti or not. Was not told by the previous owner but everything else seems to be replaced at some point so i would suspect this is not OEM.

Anyways theres some things to look into also.

[Assian]

I've got a new coil thats a few weeks old. I should probably change the control module before the opti. I'll have to check for arcing. I know that my car does run a little better ever since I put in the AC Delco plugs instead of some Bosch plugs before that.

[Jeremy]

i had a problem with my firebird after installing headers. I had dropped a plug or soemthing and pushed the tip down to the electrode on accident and it ran like crap.

[patriotformula]

The ICM is kind of an expensive piece like 67$ or something... Usually, usually they don't go bad but you never know what can happen. BTW how did you just replace your cap and rotor? Most people I know would have replaced the whole unit.

[Assian]

patriotformula said:

BTW how did you just replace your cap and rotor?

I bought my car last July and the previous owner changed the cap and rotor. I guess the opti was still fine a year ago perhaps. I'd have to email the guy I bought my car from to get the full facts. I'm thinkin about getting an ICM and seeing if that works but it is a good price item.

[Lucky]

assian,

The dude you bought your car from just replace the cap and rotor because the screws holding the rotor on worked their way out and caused it to stop running. That's how he bought it when it wasn't running, put the new rotor in and put it back together and it started right up.

[Assian]

Thanks for the info. Glad I know now. Didn't know that. Thanks.

[TripKidd]

Hey,

Get your problem fixed? I bumped into you on the impalassforum a while ago..

anyway, I've got a miss I've been hunting for probably a year now, & I'm tired of replacing parts. Maybe we can get together this weekend & compare notes & see what we can come up with. I've got datamaster so when I get a replacement cable we can log your car -(old cable got tossed when cleaning car, OOPS). I think I put my email in the thread on the other forum but never heard from ya (unless my junk mail filter got ya). try [e-mail]

lateron
-Ryan

[MeanYellowZ]

opti....ugh

[Assian]

tripkidd said:

Get your problem fixed? I bumped into you on the impalassforum a while ago..

Naw, not yet. I found a 23K mile opti for really cheap off an SS since the guy is building a stroker and just going "all new". I'm tired of the miss as well. I'm all for comparing problems and meeting up sometime. I sent an email but you must not have gotten it. I'll try again.

[383z28]

It turned out to be a problem with the EGR or some shit. The MSD opti is still good to go.

[Assian]

383z28 said:

It turned out to be a problem with the EGR or some shit. The MSD opti is still good to go.

Glad it wasn't the opti. I'd be pissed if I found out that thing was the problem. Thanks for letting me know. Also, my egr is good.

[grandnational]

did you check fuel pressure? IGN module? Coil? blinker fluid?<-----thats a joke

[Assian]

Fuel pressure was good. Still gotta check the module and coil even thought the coil's new. I was gonna call you but I had been working. What you doin tommorrow?

ha, blinker fluid.

[grandnational]

um tomorrow im going to wisconsin but will be back sunday evening. i dont have to work on mon or tues so if you would like to set something up give me a call.

[Assian]

Will do, I'll try you then.

[grandnational]

im back. whenever you would like to call

[Assian]

Sorry man had a little fam emergency to take care of. Sorry I didn't call.

[DWANKLD]

Trade it in on a mustang that'll fix everything...............Just kidding.

[jakesz28]

I put a MSD in my 94 two weeks ago ran great for the first week then it wouldn't start. Had to send the opti back to MSD. When I took it off I thought I would take a look under the cap and the rotor was melted???