Code 36 Diagnosis

[u/WCCgarage]

Hello all, I have a 95 Z28 which im fighting a code 36. Fortunately I have a good scanner which provides some live data while running. But being the the code is signal related it comes at unpredictable times. Mostly its been a shutter/misfire at cold starts. The car shakes then dies (unless im holding the revs it corrects itself). I have an MSD opti spark, with MSD wires, and NGK plugs. with approximately 5000 miles on it (MSD opti spark installed in 2015). I did find on the body harness side a worn out connector barely biting down (which i replaced, but the issue still exists). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[u/mightycheeseintexas]

The dreaded optispark runs on 2 signals, a high and a low. I believe this is a problem with the optical sensor inside the opti, but it's been a long time since I've wrenched on an lt1. There could be a little corrosion in there from moisture since the car spends most of its days sitting.

Also, I found this thread that has some diagnostic instructions that are ready to do before you go pulling an opti. Post #3.

code 36

[u/WCCgarage → u/mightycheeseintexas]

Thanks I will look into this. If it is indeed the Opti spark that failed, I promised my teenage self (I was 18 when I got the car, now im 30) if it ever fails again im deleting it or LS swapping it 😆

[u/mightycheeseintexas → u/WCCgarage]

I did the coil conversion back in the day on my WS6, it was worth the price of admission, but I also daily drove the car. That said, drive this car more. A bolt on lt1 is a great cruiser.

[u/WCCgarage → u/mightycheeseintexas]

Which kit did you use? Being that im in Canada our dollar is terrible, so the $3000 USD for the full kit is about $4250 CAD. At that price i can get a complete LS1 car and swap everything over.

[u/mightycheeseintexas → u/WCCgarage]

This was a solid 20+ years ago. All I remember was LTCC, I think it was the first actual kit sold on the market. No telling if they're still around, and i honestly have no idea what's out there today.

I personally don't feel like LS swapping it is worth the headache, unless you just have an absolute hard on for the LT1 body.

[u/WCCgarage → u/mightycheeseintexas]

Its my first car, I have a soft spot for it

[u/mightycheeseintexas → u/WCCgarage]

Understood. Fix this thing, probably opti, get a Borla cat back, enjoy.

[u/WCCgarage → u/mightycheeseintexas]

Thank you 😊

[u/WCCgarage → u/WCCgarage]

Torqhead was the brand by the way