EFI Connection in Erie, Penn. has come up with a neat little kit that takes away all the hassles of the LT1’s original Optispark ignition. When the LT1 Gen 2 V8 first came on the scene in the 1992 Corvette, it was hailed as a breakthrough. I was so impressed, I bought an LT1 Firebird in 1993. I loved the power and torque of the LT1, but I soon ran afoul of the dreaded Optispark ignition. It was prone to breakage, and once it failed, it failed completely. Making things worse, replacing an Optispark is one of the most difficult chores known in all of automotive-dom. I can tell you EFI Connection boss, Mike Noonan, knows this firsthand, or else he wouldn’t have worked so hard on this kit!
EFI’s coil-per-plug conversion has a 24-pulse crankshaft reluctor that installs on the crankshaft of early small-block Chevy and LT1/LT4 engines. The 24x reluctor allows the use of the LS1 PCM and coil-per-cylinder ignition system on LT1/4 engines. According to EFI Connection: “this installation broadens the original capabilities of the early small-block Chevy and LT1/LT4 engines by providing compatibility with all GM LS-type equipment, including cable-driven and drive-by-wire throttle bodies, integrated cruise control, and 4L60E/4L80E transmission control.
“The LT1/LT4 Optispark ignition system is completely replaced by the LS1 PCM’s coil-per-cylinder ignition system. Installation requires the 24x crankshaft reluctor within the ‘96-97 LT1 timing cover and a 24x crank sensor. The Optispark distributor is removed and replaced with a 1x camshaft sensor, housing, and target. EFI Connection will offer plug-and-play engine harnesses that replace the Camaro/Firebird LT1 engine harness. Custom engine harnesses will be offered for other LT1/LT4 installations. The 24x LT1/LT4 package will be available in spring 2009.”
For more information, contact EFI Connection at 814-566-0946, or log on to www.eficonnection.com