74 Opel Manta Build

I know you're planning on a 13B, but if I had a blank slate, I'd do a turbo Ecotec.

That's just me. Carry on!

I agree a turbo Ecotec would be awesome...or a high compression N/A Ecotec.

But I already have a 4-cylinder turbo car and have a few 13b engines and transmissions laying around. The three transmissions I have all have different shifter locations so I should be able to mix and match to get it to line up close to the stock shifter.

A 13B would be cool. Hopefully it will work out.

I think this is my first build thread to make it to 3 pages without any work being done.

EvanB wrote: I think this is my first build thread to make it to 3 pages without any work being done.

All of mine have started that way...

grafmiata wrote:

EvanB wrote: I think this is my first build thread to make it to 3 pages without any work being done.

All of mine have started that way...

We need to get together and wrap up that Atomic Hairball build.

After assisting in relocating this car from hither to yon, I can see why so many Finnish rally videos show four or five guys just grabbing them out of ditches and heaving them up onto the road by hand. Sucker is light.

The center console oil leak is a nice touch.

EvanB wrote: Rally car is high on the list of wants, also hillclimb. It will eventually get a 13b but I'll probably run it with the stock 1.9 while I sort out other issues.

I've thought, more than once, about putting a 13BT in a Manta or a Fiat 124 coupe. I will live vicariously through you!

I'm torn on the rotary. Don't get me wrong, I have two RX7's and an Rx2, I love Felix's mini-keg of an engine. The car is already so close to an RX2 or 3 it seems like if you want one of those get one.

I always look for other engines within the same corporate umbrella. If that fails I think what is the coolest non rotary that will fit. Then I end up pulling a bunch of parts off the shelf and building a rotary...

Opel is German, Felix was German. I think that works for me in the end. Try to find an "RE" badge for the grill.

I think I needed to type this post to convince myself. Thank you for your time, carry on.

I think the engine that makes the most sense is an Ecotec since it is an Opel engine.

I was reminded yesterday that the easiest path to get this running is to purchase a brand new Weber 32/36 DGEV for $200. That will happen soon.

I'll just leave this here..... http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/running-driving-72-opel-manta/97879/page1/

In reply to Imjosh:

I was just about to post that...

I want those bumpers.

EvanB wrote:

grafmiata wrote:

EvanB wrote: I think this is my first build thread to make it to 3 pages without any work being done.

All of mine have started that way...

We need to get together and wrap up that Atomic Hairball build.

Most emotional attachment to the Hairball is gone by now, but it is a pile of pretty cool parts. So...

Getting the rx7 sorted and track-ready is my focus right now. Once that's done, I will probably be calling Exomotive, and using the Miata as a donor for an Exo-ball.

Received the new master cylinder today. It is for a 2000 Chevy Metro since the Opel part is NLA. Should fit well with a bit of rerouting for the brake lines.

Also ordered a new Weber 32/36 DGEV that should be here monday. After that I should just need an exhaust to get it drivable and work through the other issues as they arise.

First off, congratulations, I didn’t realize they sold Manta’s here. When were they imported and when did they stop?

EvanB wrote: There is a small hole in the battery tray and some bubbling on the rockers behind the front wheels but other than that it looks solid.

Look very very carefully underneath. Look at the front chassis legs where they meet the front bulkhead and wrap under the floor pan. Unfortunately that’s an important area that loves to hide important rust. Even the rust belt here is better than Northern England, but look carefully. One advantage of a very strict annual inspection/test, is that rust is looked for, and found, if it exists.

EvanB wrote: Yea they aren't cheap. Demon-Tweeks in the UK has new Super Oscars for $145ea or replicas made by SIM for $85ea. Hoping I can find some used for cheaper but doubt it.

What about some cheap knock offs and get vinyl covers printed to look like Oscars to put over the covers?

EvanB wrote: The current engine is the Opel 1.9L, 80 or so horsepower. I already have a boosted 4 cylinder car so I don't want to go that route with this one. It would either be a high compression screamer or ported rotary. I have both a 1.6 Miata engine and 13b rotary sitting in my garage.

I know you said no boost, but these engines love boost. A friend in the UK was making a genuine 300whp with a Manta in the early 90’s when that was very serious power. OK that was a later 2.0GTE with a 2.3 stroker head, cam and some porting, but the engine is really strong and takes power well. I knew people who were making over 200hp on stock 2.0L engines. I started collecting parts to do mine, but I moved here before I got everything together and sold the turbo a few years ago.

Since you said thread jacks are OK, here’s my B2 hillclimbing. Don’t mind the silver bumper. I fought the tree and the tree won.

They only imported the Manta A, 1970-75. 70-73 had the smaller bumpers, 74-75 had the large ones. 75 were fuel injection.

Turbo isn't out of the question entirely, I am becoming more inclined to stick with an Opel engine but the main priority now is to get it running and on the road. The chassis legs look solid but I haven't done any in-depth poking yet.

I'll probably get some of the SIM knockoff lights with Cibie covers. They are identical to the originals for half the price.

what about a supercharger? That would be different...

That would definitely be different.

I do like redblocks...

Put on the new Weber today. It runs much better even with no tuning to the carb. Now I just need to figure out a linkage for the throttle cable.

Took some parts off one of the Solex carbs to attach the stock throttle cable to the Weber. The throttle cable bracket was too low so I had to make an adapter out of some scrap steel.

Just need to get the proper sized drill bit at work tomorrow to tap some holes then I'll paint it. Not pretty but it does the job.

Also vacuumed out the interior a bit. I have a spare set of Miata seats that I'll probably swap in.

Gotta love the simplicity of that interior!

Picked this up yesterday at the Hotwheels show at Hara Arena. Thought you might like it.

Nice! That is cool.