Looks awesome, keep up the great work. I bet it will be smokin fast!
Hello guys. we have been working on a project for a while and I thought I'd share. We've installed a 13B Mazda RX7 turbo rotary engine and 5 speed tranny in a '69 GT. I intended to use the twin turbo setup that came on the engine, but just didn't have enough room and had to go with a larger single. This will produce more power though and that's not a problem. We estimate it will be 300+ HP and the car will weight around 2200 pounds.
Portions of the floor were cut out so that square tubing could be installed to brace up the body. An 8.8 Ford rear axle from a fox body Mustang was installed with a 4 link suspension. Even with this the stock floor and engine bay sheetmetal is close to original.
I expect to have it running very soon and am looking forward to that. Have a good one.
Before- http://www.katkustoms.com/projects/a...0010.sized.jpg
After body work- http://www.katkustoms.com/projects/a...2083.sized.jpg
Rotary installed- http://www.katkustoms.com/projects/a...113b.sized.jpg
Auto Meter Gauges in original cluster- http://www.katkustoms.com/projects/a...021b.sized.jpg
Looks awesome, keep up the great work. I bet it will be smokin fast!
Arguing online is the same as racing in the Special Olympics;
no matter who wins, you're both still retarded.
That looks VERY nice. Please keep us updated as much as possible, and with as many pictures as possible!
What is being done as far as interior?
Exhaust clips would be nice!
Taking it to the track or just a cruiser?
Current
1970 GT; Under Construction
Previous
1969 GT; Street/Strip Project
1969 GT; White with Black Interior, Automatic
1969 GT; Black Parts Car
1969 GT; White Parts Car
1970 GT; Silver with Red Interior
1971 GT; Orange with Black Interior, Turbo
1972 GT; Red Parts Car
1972 GT; Blue with Black Interior
1973 GT; Pearl Blue with Black interior. Full body kit.
My compliments! This baby is lookin' gooooood!
Dieter
Thanks for the compliments guys.
The car owner wanted to just tweak the stock type body. The body kit was added as well as aftermarket wheels, but overall it's not getting cut up except what is needed. He will be finishing the interior on his own and I think his plans are to keep it very close to stock appearing. We will try to put a video together once it's finished up. It's mostly just a cruiser/ weekend toy, but it will probably go to the track once or twice just to see what it will do.
Last edited by Kustoms; 01-15-2008 at 12:17 AM.
AWESOME!!! It looks like you specialize in monster 4X4 trucks. How did this project come about, any previous experience on Opels, and what do you think of this little sports car now that your getting close to completion? Thanks, Jerry
Yes, we do a lot more trucks than cars, but enjoy all custom vehicles. The car owner and myself had a mutual acquaintance that put him in contact with us. We've not worked on an Opel before, but it has been fun to do. I can't say I'd want one for myself, but we look forward to getting it running to see how it'll do.
'72 Opel GT (Fireglow Orange) "Sara"
Third Owner, Purchased in 1986
Current Status: Fully Restored
Major Mods: Weber Carb, High Compression Pistons, Electronic Ignition, XM Radio / CD, ADDCO Front / Rear Anti-Sway-Bars, Custom CAI, Sprint Manifold
Restoration Thread
Comments Thread
Other Cars:
'09 Pontiac G8 GT (Panther Black) "Jet"
'06 Pontiac Solstice (Envious Green) "Mina"
'99 Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS (Black Onyx) "Raven"
Very Nice set up...
Looks like you utilized every cubic inch in the engine bay, Nice.
There is a couple of us in the middle(and towards the end) of some rotary swaps.
Just curious, what gearing are you running in the 8.8 Ford, and what are you doing about exhaust.
Good job overall. The Owner will be one happy customer especially when he drop the hammer on the gas pedal and the wankle's RPM's keep on climbing and climbing, and climbing... Rotaries love high RPM's and so will he.
_____________________________________________
Francisco aka "FrankDaTank"
1973 GT
Mazda 12A Rotary Engine
Laredo, Texas
Thanks guys.
Frank, it filled the engine bay more than I thought it would, but everything fits nicely and no sheetmetal cutting. We only massaged the side of driver's footwell a little (less than 1/2" in only 1 spot). We choose a 4.30 gear for the axle also still using the Ford L/S. A stock RX7 has 4.10 and we're running a slightly taller tire. We could have gone higher for performance, but it's mostly for driving so I didn't want it to far up. The axle was cut down and we're stuffing a 275/50R15 Nitto Drag Radial in without having to tub it.
We are able to just barely get a 3" downpipe through the tunnel. That extends to the back of the tranny were a Y pipe will be built using dual 2.25" tubing. We chose the smallest turbo style muffler we could find and will be able to position them under the rear floorpan. Then it will have 2.25" duals that will loop up over the axle and exit in the stock locations. It's a very tight fit, but does squeeze in.
I think he'll have fun with it too.
Nice Job!
I like the solution to using the Mazda clutch, mounting the m/c backwards, that's a good trick.
Frank, their turbo will help quiet the exhaust, so they may not experience the dB levels that we do!
jtb
REALLY Nice.. The Autometer gauges look really nice..
CURRENT
'06 Pontiac GTO
'71 Opel Kadett 4 Door 36D (w/ Opel Parts & Service 2.0L)
'74 Opel Manta (Bens Manta)
'74 Opel Manta (w/ LK5 transplant)
Past
'73 Opel Manta (Blue Max)
'75 Opel Manta (Yellow)
'85 Bitter SC
'73 Opel Commodore B GS
'73 Opel GT (w/ Vinyl Roof)
At least 16 or So Parts Opels
Well, we almost had the car running only to find a problem with the engine. Evidently at some point during shipping or before we got it, the water in the coolant passage froze and cracked the mid plate of the rotary. Banzai Racing in IN built it along with some port work, larger injectors, and other things. It's also getting a larger turbo and will be easily 400+ HP. We have the engine back now and will hopefully have it running soon. Here are pictures of the fresh engine.
Project Gallery :: '69 Opel GT Street Car :: DSC02312b
Project Gallery :: '69 Opel GT Street Car :: DSC02319b
I thought rotary motors where small, man that looks like a lot stuffed in there. Should be a blast to drive!
Broszzy
Hello guys. There have been some issues with tuning the car, but it's running and will soon be going to the body for final paint work. Then the owner will install interior, glass, remaining wiring, etc... Here are some updated pictures.
http://www.katkustoms.com/albums/alb...707b.sized.jpg
http://www.katkustoms.com/albums/alb...708b.sized.jpg
http://www.katkustoms.com/albums/alb...709b.sized.jpg
http://www.katkustoms.com/albums/alb...710b.sized.jpg
http://www.katkustoms.com/albums/alb...711b.sized.jpg
http://www.katkustoms.com/albums/alb...115b.sized.jpg
broszzy, the engines are small, but so it the Opel engine bay. By the time we installed the exhaust, turbo, intercooler tubing, intake, and others it filled up- quicker than I thought it would too. Everything fits well though.
We haven't gotten on it yet at all (fresh engine not broken in yet), but it seems like it's going to be FUNNNN!
Last edited by Kustoms; 06-06-2008 at 06:54 PM.
Excellent pics! Autobody and paint work aside, what's the ball park cost for a motor of this type rebuilt and what are you charging for the installation and fabrication?
Curious, where did the stitched leather dash cover come from? Is it custom made, or an aftermarket item?
And what a great looking car! Love those fender flares.
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