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OldOpelGuy is right in the respect that it's probably easier to remove the complete engine and swap it for an earlier engine.
Recently while in Califonia I helped Roger Wilson pull the stock engine from a customer's GT awaiting a 2.4 litre build-up. We got to his shop at 9:00, and the engine/tranny was sitting on the floor at 10:30. But it was already VERY hot out, and I worked at a leisurely pace (I was on vacation after all). Plus, I have never owned a GT, so it has been 17 years since I last pulled a GT engine out (back in '84-'86 I used to strip Opels for C & R). So I'd think that even with minimal experience, two guys could have a GT engine sitting on the floor in 2 hours.
The whole 1.5 head thing has been blown out of proportion I think. I don't care for them for racing use, but I feel that a prepped 1.5 head (valves and porting) makes an excellent hi-po street head for a 1.9 or 2.0 block with flat-top pistons. Depending on the amount of milling, unshrouding, and valve sizes, you can get 10.5:1-11.2:1 compression with a 1.5 head on a 2.0 block. And you can STILL run pump gas if you have a decent camshaft in the engine (bigger than the Torquer cam for sure). I have built quite few street engines with 2.0 pistons (forged 265 Chevy pistons in reality), and with big-valve 1.5 heads. Then run VERY well on the street. Depending on ancilliaries, you can get 125-160 hp out of this combo.
For a 2.2 block, a 1.5 head would be a bit much. Compression would be so high, you'd need racing gas. Besides, the best part about a 2.2 engine is the head, the ports flow SOOO much better than a 1.5, 1.9, 2.0 head.....
Bob
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