The good news is...
The optispark is a device that delivers spark where spark is needed, when it is needed. The optispark is a very advanced part of the car that acts as a "smart" distributor. The way Optispark works is there are 2 disks with slots cut out of them and LED with light sensor. The LED lights up on one side of the disk, and the sensor picks up light when the disk spins and the light goes through the slots on the disk. One disk has very small slots for a fine resolution that tells exactly where the crank shaft is positioned the other disk has large slots cut out to help time the combustion stroke. These together give information that the car's computer needs along with other sensors to tune the engine for maximum power. This is a very precise process and eliminates the need to spend tedious hours fine tuning the ignition of the car. The timing is done "on-the-fly" which means it is constantly adjusting the engine so when you drive and then stomp on the gas pedal, the computer retards the timing so you get maximum horse power when you need it most.
The problem is...
In short the Optispark is not by any means water proof... in fact washing the engine or a hard rain could mean $400 in parts alown... the optispark came in 2 versions the unvented (94 and down LT1/LT4) and the vented opti (95+ all LT1/4 LS1) the unvented opti could go bad if...
A: Your water pump leaks
B: You wash the engine, or have chevy "detail" the engine for you (had it done I know).
C: You drive on the freeway when it pours rain...(yeah I know)
You may be thinking that the opti sucks now but heres the kicker...
The vented opti is much better and you can actually get it somewhat wet because there are 2 vacuum lines that blow air through the opti to dry it out...
Don't get me wrong if the opti gets wet the car still runs but runs like crap... eventually there will be a lightning bolt that rips through the front of the optispark, I kid you not! Do a google search on "optispark"
In conclusion the best preventative measures you can do for your LT1 and I quote the dealer : P "use contact grease on the spark plug wires that fit into the opti so water don't get in it." (yeah "so water don't get in it"? Thats why he works there and I don't)
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