Manta B tech info, please!

AirForceWeather · 11-10-2006

Hey everybody:
I'm new to this forum, but you guys seem to love your Opels as much as I do mine. I live in Germany and own a 1980 Manta GT/E, with an automatic transmission. Which transmission is it?? The car has a 2.0L 4-cylinder. I'm having a hard time finding info on this car online, even though it was a very popular car here, with it's own sort of culture and associated lifestyle [think of a German Joe Dirt!] Anything anyone can contribute would be appreciated. it's an awesome car, not so fast on the Autobahn, but incredible punch off the line for a 26-year-old four-banger. I'm gonna double post so I can upload some pics. Thanks!

GTJIM · 11-10-2006

The Manta auto box is made by a GM transmission plant in Strasbourgh, France and is known as the TH180 or "Tri-matic" - used in Opels from before 1970 till the mid-1980's. Also used in Australian Holdens - search for "Tri-matic Holden Australia" on the WWW (The Aussies claim it as theirs!)
It is very much like the other GM three-speed autos but smaller.
Try finding an early 1969-70 Opel workshop book as they very comprehensively cover the rebuilding of these boxes - later ones like the Haynes ones from the UK only cover the day to day adjustment and maintenance.
There is also lots of stuff here about them to - Go to GT.comlite on the LHS of the home page and you will find the index for this site here.

HTH - and Welcome!

hallgeir · 11-11-2006

The Manta B is a fine car. Here is a link to tech data for both Manta and other Opels.

Opel specifications - Opel cars, information, technical specifications, auto specs and automobile data

HTH

GTJIM · 11-11-2006

Should never have followed that link, Hallgier - now I WANT a 1933 Opel "Moonlight" Roadster ... with a Lexus V8 !!

hallgeir · 11-11-2006

Originally Posted by GTJIM

Should never have followed that link, Hallgier - now I WANT a 1933 Opel "Moonlight" Roadster ... with a Lexus V8 !!

Oh yes, that would be nice, Jim. Hmm... I think I need a second job so I can get the cars I want.... correction, I need to get paid twice as much from the job I already have, so I can get the cars I want.

AirForceWeather · 11-11-2006

Everybody-
Thanks for the replies. I have some more questions, not specifically related to transmisions, but hoping it won't take us too far off topic. For one, is the 2.0L OHV offered by Opel in 1980 the same basic 2.0L OHV offered by GM North America in the Chevette, trucks, etc? I'm trying to avoid difficulties finding parts, etc upon return to the States in '08.

Rionart · 11-11-2006

Originally Posted by AirForceWeather

Everybody-
Thanks for the replies. I have some more questions, not specifically related to transmisions, but hoping it won't take us too far off topic. For one, is the 2.0L OHV offered by Opel in 1980 the same basic 2.0L OHV offered by GM North America in the Chevette, trucks, etc? I'm trying to avoid difficulties finding parts, etc upon return to the States in '08.

Fill your shipping allowance with CIH 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4's and as many getrag 5 speeds as you can find...you can pick them up for next to nothing in Germany, and if the goverment covers the shipping, you can make a killing when you get back.
Find a spare set of bumpers, and glass.
Service items are no problem: Opel GT Source --- Welcome
You will be able to source a correct MPH speedo from UK.
Nice to know you are bringing the B over, there are not too many of them here...probably less than a dozen.
rgds, Rob.

AirForceWeather · 11-12-2006

Regrettably, large auto parts are against shipping regs; I wouldn't be surprised if some enterprising military member tried years ago to ship Ferrari or Porsche engines/trannies home! will probably stock up on trim, small parts, glass [if I can find some] but I'm an E-3 [E-4 in January] and as such am on a budget. So the CIH engine is different from the 2.0L offered in America? Damn. Oh well, at least the transmission won't be an issue.

Mike Preble · 11-12-2006

The story goes that an Air Force captain bribed with liquor the packing people to pack a disassembled small airplane and ship it to the states. He wasn't caught until they unloaded his "furniture" in the states. He was allowed 7,000 lbs and shipped everyting but the engine which was in the trunk of his car. He would have gotten away with it but he didn't bribe the unpackers as he thought once in the states he was safe.

Not trying to get off subject, though. Nice looking car. Loved Germany when I was there. Worked with a guy who loved BMWs. After going to Germany and finding that BMWs are the equivalent of the Chevy Nova over there his attitude changed.

Long live Opels.

Mike

AirForceWeather · 11-13-2006

Yeah, my original car here was a 1989 BMW 320i, a 2.0L I-6, compression was too high for them to make an American spec version. I loved it, but the head cracked, so I had to junk it- I only paid $1700 for it. So I got my wife an '04 Taurus and drove her Audi 80 'til the Opel came up for sale. Now, I'm selling the Audi for $800 more than I paid for the Opel! Enough to get a new transmission seal with Euro to spare :] Back to the subject at hand, though, was the CIH 2.0L ever sold in the States? Is it really so different from an OHV or OHC design to carrant being called something other than one of those, or was it just a GM designation? I know I sound like a broken record, but I simply cannot find English-language material on European-spec Opels at all, aside from what links I've gotten from this board and site [Thanks!]

baz · 11-13-2006

try voxon
Vauxhall Owners Network - Powered by vBulletin

the cavalier had the cih at the same time as the opels ( its basically an ascona )
the site is British so is in proper English like what i speek

so you will need to read it carefully as the dreaded text speak it in full swing there

GTJIM · 11-13-2006

There are three Haynes Manta Repair Manuals on eBay.UK at the moment .. all starting at GBP1.00 or less!

Try here: eBay.co.uk: vauxhall OPEL ASCONA AND MANTA haynes manual (item 130047570663 end time 18-Nov-06 17:40:02 GMT)

This is the book you need .. and cheap!
To look for more on eBay just put "Manta Haynes" into the search on eBay...

opelwasp · 11-14-2006

what the heck? the site doesn't have a search function?

alpharm · 11-14-2006

I hope that the images will be helpful:

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6623/145dw1.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6134/146pn2.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9320/147gw7.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/460/148bh0.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4264/149gt7.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7971/150vx5.jpg

Anthony

baz · 11-14-2006

Originally Posted by opelwasp

what the heck? the site doesn't have a search function?

what us or e-bay

ours is in the centre near the top and e-bay is top right corner

11-10-2006	#1 (permalink)
AirForceWeather Opeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 13	Unanswered: Manta B tech info, please! Hey everybody: I'm new to this forum, but you guys seem to love your Opels as much as I do mine. I live in Germany and own a 1980 Manta GT/E, with an automatic transmission. Which transmission is it?? The car has a 2.0L 4-cylinder. I'm having a hard time finding info on this car online, even though it was a very popular car here, with it's own sort of culture and associated lifestyle [think of a German Joe Dirt!] Anything anyone can contribute would be appreciated. it's an awesome car, not so fast on the Autobahn, but incredible punch off the line for a 26-year-old four-banger. I'm gonna double post so I can upload some pics. Thanks!

11-10-2006	#2 (permalink)
GTJIM Old Opeler Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 5,686 Provided Answers: 12	Th 180 The Manta auto box is made by a GM transmission plant in Strasbourgh, France and is known as the TH180 or "Tri-matic" - used in Opels from before 1970 till the mid-1980's. Also used in Australian Holdens - search for "Tri-matic Holden Australia" on the WWW (The Aussies claim it as theirs!) It is very much like the other GM three-speed autos but smaller. Try finding an early 1969-70 Opel workshop book as they very comprehensively cover the rebuilding of these boxes - later ones like the Haynes ones from the UK only cover the day to day adjustment and maintenance. There is also lots of stuff here about them to - Go to GT.comlite on the LHS of the home page and you will find the index for this site here. HTH - and Welcome! __________________ GTJim Opel Owner since last Century! Copyright © 2000-2009 J D Henry All Rights Reserved

11-11-2006	#3 (permalink)
hallgeir Viking Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 853 Real Name: Hallgeir Provided Answers: 1	Welcome The Manta B is a fine car. Here is a link to tech data for both Manta and other Opels. Opel specifications - Opel cars, information, technical specifications, auto specs and automobile data HTH __________________ Hallgeir Opels now: -69 GT 1900, -95 Omega B 2,5 V6 CD Aut. Previous Opels: -91 Omega A 2,0i, -85 Ascona 1,6S CC, -78 Ascona 1,9S, -81 Commodore 2,5S Berlina, -82 Ascona 1,6S CC, -78 Ascona 1,9S, -72 Ascona 1,6S http://www.opelgt.com/forums/vbgoogl...4650269&zoom=5

11-13-2006	#11 (permalink)
baz opel free after 26 years Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: sunderland england Posts: 4,941 Real Name: barry williams Provided Answers: 4	try voxon Vauxhall Owners Network - Powered by vBulletin the cavalier had the cih at the same time as the opels ( its basically an ascona ) the site is British so is in proper English like what i speek so you will need to read it carefully as the dreaded text speak it in full swing there __________________ Copyright © 2003-2009 barry williams All Rights Reserved save praying to God for sunday today we pray to Nike and run like hell

11-13-2006	#12 (permalink)
GTJIM Old Opeler Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 5,686 Provided Answers: 12	EBay => Manual There are three Haynes Manta Repair Manuals on eBay.UK at the moment .. all starting at GBP1.00 or less! Try here: eBay.co.uk: vauxhall OPEL ASCONA AND MANTA haynes manual (item 130047570663 end time 18-Nov-06 17:40:02 GMT) This is the book you need .. and cheap! To look for more on eBay just put "Manta Haynes" into the search on eBay... __________________ GTJim Opel Owner since last Century! Copyright © 2000-2009 J D Henry All Rights Reserved

11-12-2006	#8 (permalink)
AirForceWeather Opeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 13	Regrettably, large auto parts are against shipping regs; I wouldn't be surprised if some enterprising military member tried years ago to ship Ferrari or Porsche engines/trannies home! will probably stock up on trim, small parts, glass [if I can find some] but I'm an E-3 [E-4 in January] and as such am on a budget. So the CIH engine is different from the 2.0L offered in America? Damn. Oh well, at least the transmission won't be an issue.

11-12-2006	#9 (permalink)
Mike Preble Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 368 Provided Answers: 1	The story goes that an Air Force captain bribed with liquor the packing people to pack a disassembled small airplane and ship it to the states. He wasn't caught until they unloaded his "furniture" in the states. He was allowed 7,000 lbs and shipped everyting but the engine which was in the trunk of his car. He would have gotten away with it but he didn't bribe the unpackers as he thought once in the states he was safe. Not trying to get off subject, though. Nice looking car. Loved Germany when I was there. Worked with a guy who loved BMWs. After going to Germany and finding that BMWs are the equivalent of the Chevy Nova over there his attitude changed. Long live Opels. Mike

11-13-2006	#10 (permalink)
AirForceWeather Opeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 13	Yeah, my original car here was a 1989 BMW 320i, a 2.0L I-6, compression was too high for them to make an American spec version. I loved it, but the head cracked, so I had to junk it- I only paid $1700 for it. So I got my wife an '04 Taurus and drove her Audi 80 'til the Opel came up for sale. Now, I'm selling the Audi for $800 more than I paid for the Opel! Enough to get a new transmission seal with Euro to spare :] Back to the subject at hand, though, was the CIH 2.0L ever sold in the States? Is it really so different from an OHV or OHC design to carrant being called something other than one of those, or was it just a GM designation? I know I sound like a broken record, but I simply cannot find English-language material on European-spec Opels at all, aside from what links I've gotten from this board and site [Thanks!]

11-14-2006	#13 (permalink)
opelwasp Non Civilian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Between Chico and Sac, CA Posts: 1,596 Provided Answers: 1	what the heck? the site doesn't have a search function? __________________ Arguing online is the same as racing in the Special Olympics; no matter who wins, you're both still retarded.

11-14-2006	#14 (permalink)
alpharm OPEL PARTS GREECE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: GREECE Posts: 140	I hope that the images will be helpful: http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6623/145dw1.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6134/146pn2.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9320/147gw7.jpg http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/460/148bh0.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4264/149gt7.jpg http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7971/150vx5.jpg Anthony

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