A few questions about my C4

After years of taking my 96 LT4 to the dealer for service I've decided it's
time to start tearing into it myself. I am currently going to replace the
water pump and the opti-spark. In the course of taking it apart I've run
across a couple of things that I am hoping someone has experience with.

1. When I removed the MAF I noticed that there was a lot of debris caught by
the MAF screen. This is quite disturbing considering what might have gotten
by this course screen and entered the engine! When I took the air box out I
noticed that the plastic frame the filter sits on is quite warped. Anyone
run across this before? I had ordered a K&N filter and cover before finding
this. Is there an aftermarket air box or should I just get a factory
replacement?

The kit that I got for the Opti-spark from my local parts store appears to
only be in effect a cap and rotor. When opti-spark units go out, is it the
cap or rotor that fails or is it the sending unit and slotted disk? Did I
get the wrong thing or not enough things?

As I get into the engine I am finding lots of other little things going
out - like vacuum hoses and couplings. The vacuum connectors at the intake
for the AC vents is crumbling apart (explains the AC issue of recent). Other
vacuum hoses are cracking and showing age. What other things should I be
looking to replace while I'm in here. The car has about 70k miles, all in
the SF bay area. The radiator and associated hoses have recently been
replaced.

Are there any simple (and relatively inexpensive) performance mods that can
be done while I've got things apart?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.


--
Jeff
http://home.comcast.net/~jkingsley4/...ome.html-.html

Jeff Kingsley started a controversy when he said... :

> 1. When I removed the MAF I noticed that there was a lot of debris
> caught by the MAF screen. This is quite disturbing considering what
> might have gotten by this course screen and entered the engine!

Could be a problem if sand particles made their way into the cylinder.

> The kit that I got for the Opti-spark from my local parts store
> appears to only be in effect a cap and rotor. When opti-spark units go
> out, is it the cap or rotor that fails or is it the sending unit and
> slotted disk? Did I get the wrong thing or not enough things?

You shouldn't have to worry as the optispark units that were prone to
failing were the 92-94 vehicle year. I believe it is an electrical
component in the distributor that fails from exposure to moisture.

> As I get into the engine I am finding lots of other little things
> going out - like vacuum hoses and couplings. The vacuum connectors at
> the intake for the AC vents is crumbling apart (explains the AC issue
> of recent). Other vacuum hoses are cracking and showing age. What
> other things should I be looking to replace while I'm in here. The car
> has about 70k miles, all in the SF bay area. The radiator and
> associated hoses have recently been replaced.

Obviously, replace all rubber that shows dry rot or cracking. It's a good
idea to replace the plug wires if you've noticed a rough idle or a miss
under load.

> Are there any simple (and relatively inexpensive) performance mods
> that can be done while I've got things apart?

I think the LT4 is a different animal...I don't know if there are any mods
for it.

--
Robotron Tom *remove nospam to email*
See the Flashback Arcade at: http:// www.arcadeguy.net

Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.
-M. Smith

Jeff,

The air filter box, the lower section, always warps and if you get a new
one it will end up warping too. I ended up bracing the housing with
screws run through the underside to keep the sealing surface in contact
with the K&N. There are several different filter housings that the
aftermarket have and that could be a replacement. But, you already
spent the money on the K&N like me...

The Opti Spark is a POS from 92 to 96 and then Chevy got rid of it. If
yours is original and you have ever washed the engine or had the water
pump go out you probably spring for a new distributor. If you just have
miles and have no indications of misfire you could get away with a cap
and rotor. Also, you should do the plugs and wires when you do the cap
and rotor. Mine works great now... On the subject of water pumps I am
already on my third one... The plugs on mine were gone at 78K so you
are already close and if you are in the engine you might just get it all
done at once. The factory plugs are great but pricy at around $10 bucks
each...



Jeff Kingsley wrote:

> After years of taking my 96 LT4 to the dealer for service I've decided it's
> time to start tearing into it myself. I am currently going to replace the
> water pump and the opti-spark. In the course of taking it apart I've run
> across a couple of things that I am hoping someone has experience with.
>
> 1. When I removed the MAF I noticed that there was a lot of debris caught by
> the MAF screen. This is quite disturbing considering what might have gotten
> by this course screen and entered the engine! When I took the air box out I
> noticed that the plastic frame the filter sits on is quite warped. Anyone
> run across this before? I had ordered a K&N filter and cover before finding
> this. Is there an aftermarket air box or should I just get a factory
> replacement?
>
> The kit that I got for the Opti-spark from my local parts store appears to
> only be in effect a cap and rotor. When opti-spark units go out, is it the
> cap or rotor that fails or is it the sending unit and slotted disk? Did I
> get the wrong thing or not enough things?
>
> As I get into the engine I am finding lots of other little things going
> out - like vacuum hoses and couplings. The vacuum connectors at the intake
> for the AC vents is crumbling apart (explains the AC issue of recent). Other
> vacuum hoses are cracking and showing age. What other things should I be
> looking to replace while I'm in here. The car has about 70k miles, all in
> the SF bay area. The radiator and associated hoses have recently been
> replaced.
>
> Are there any simple (and relatively inexpensive) performance mods that can
> be done while I've got things apart?
>
> Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
>
>
>

Vented or not the Opti Spark sucks. An optical pickup and trigger below
and behind the waterpump is pathetic. Since I have had three I still
ahve the opinion that they are good for about three eyars and then they
go south. Not to mention that you have to remove the waterpump to
change the cap and rotor.

RicSeyler wrote:

>
>
> john smith wrote:
>
>> Jeff,
>>
>> The air filter box, the lower section, always warps and if you get a
>> new one it will end up warping too. I ended up bracing the housing
>> with screws run through the underside to keep the sealing surface in
>> contact with the K&N. There are several different filter housings that
>> the aftermarket have and that could be a replacement. But, you already
>> spent the money on the K&N like me...
>>
>> The Opti Spark is a POS from 92 to 96 and then Chevy got rid of it. If
>> yours is original and you have ever washed the engine or had the water
>> pump go out you probably spring for a new distributor.
>
>
> '94 mid - '96 were a different design on the OptiSpark John...
> They were vented, thus relieving the chronic moisture problem.
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Jeff Kingsley wrote:
>>
>>> After years of taking my 96 LT4 to the dealer for service I've
>>> decided it's
>>> time to start tearing into it myself. I am currently going to replace
>>> the
>>> water pump and the opti-spark. In the course of taking it apart I've run
>>> across a couple of things that I am hoping someone has experience with.
>>>
>>> 1. When I removed the MAF I noticed that there was a lot of debris
>>> caught by
>>> the MAF screen. This is quite disturbing considering what might have
>>> gotten
>>> by this course screen and entered the engine! When I took the air box
>>> out I
>>> noticed that the plastic frame the filter sits on is quite warped.
>>> Anyone
>>> run across this before? I had ordered a K&N filter and cover before
>>> finding
>>> this. Is there an aftermarket air box or should I just get a factory
>>> replacement?
>>>
>>> The kit that I got for the Opti-spark from my local parts store
>>> appears to
>>> only be in effect a cap and rotor. When opti-spark units go out, is
>>> it the
>>> cap or rotor that fails or is it the sending unit and slotted disk?
>>> Did I
>>> get the wrong thing or not enough things?
>>>
>>> As I get into the engine I am finding lots of other little things going
>>> out - like vacuum hoses and couplings. The vacuum connectors at the
>>> intake
>>> for the AC vents is crumbling apart (explains the AC issue of
>>> recent). Other
>>> vacuum hoses are cracking and showing age. What other things should I be
>>> looking to replace while I'm in here. The car has about 70k miles,
>>> all in
>>> the SF bay area. The radiator and associated hoses have recently been
>>> replaced.
>>>
>>> Are there any simple (and relatively inexpensive) performance mods
>>> that can
>>> be done while I've got things apart?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>