knucklehead!
Just kidding skippy! It just not simple. The LT1 / Opti is easy enougn to program out the signal that a conventional distributor can be used. But when they do that they still retain the opti for the cam signal.
The opti has two functions: The optical part is the cam position sensor (the low Res side) which tells the ECM which individual injector to fire ( except 93s that are batch fire - another issue ) and the other function is the spark distribution (High RES). The high Res is the root of the evil of the opti. How long does a conventonal cap and rotor last? Well that is how long a Opti cap and rotor is going to last! Could be 20,000 miles, could last 200,000 miles.
If you replace the distributor part of of the opti with a conventional distributor or remore/direct spark coil pack then the opti will most likely last allot longer. The sparking within the unit results in some heat (and later condences) and Ozone that eventually can corrode the optical portion. This is why later models are vented, it's a bandaid, not a cureall. The cure was to eliminate the opti completely.
To swap a LS1 ECM into a LT1 car would require some way to convert the cam signal such as how the Deltech or Electromotive system does. It is a bit more involved then just the harnness and ECM. The LS1 ECM will require data as to which cyclinder to spark.
As far as the tuning, both are basically the same other then the software used. The problem with LT1 tuning is that there are less people that do good work locally so they use mail order which is far less quality then having someone like Bill working real time on a LS1 car.
LS1/LT1 tuning isn't really a problem with the EMC. The big advantage of the LS1 ECM is that it can handle high RPMs. An LT1 computer simply locks up before 8,000RPMs. But if you've invested the money to spin that high your going to go with a Motech, Gen7 other other type unit that has far more flexabilty. Plus that high an RPM will kill an opti, there seems to be allot of folks that have had them self destruct when pushed near 7,000RPMs. Couple we found had a drive pin too long, but I think the stockers just weren't designed to handle much over 6,500.
here is what's on the inside of an Opti:
http://www.charm.net/~mchaney/optisprk/optisprk.htm
My solution was to use an aftermarket ECM, Coil packs, Crank pistion sensor, and a conventional type mount distributor that is just a sensor for cam postion. This will completely eliminate the opti. I purchased everything, just never got around to installing it and found the stock ECM can actually handle what i need ( for now! )
JB
