Opel GT build with Turbo Mazda Rotary

[Kustoms]

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

[opelwasp]

Looks awesome, keep up the great work. I bet it will be smokin fast!

[Sparky73]

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?

[heimue]

My compliments! This baby is lookin' gooooood!

Dieter

[Kustoms]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Originally Posted by Sparky73 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?

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.

[ungermm]

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

[Kustoms]

Originally Posted by ungermm 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.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by Kustoms ...I can't say I'd want one for myself, but we look forward to getting it running to see how it'll do.

Give it time for the illness to set in and you'll be craving an Opel...

[FrankDaTank]

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.

[Kustoms]

Originally Posted by FrankDaTank 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.

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.

[jtb]

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

[FrankDaTank]

Originally Posted by jtb Nice Job! Frank, their turbo will help quiet the exhaust, so they may not experience the dB levels that we do! jtb

That's True!! I think I see a future exhaust sound experiment; Add Turbo

[GoinManta]

REALLY Nice.. The Autometer gauges look really nice..

[baz]

Originally Posted by FrankDaTank That's True!! I think I see a future exhaust sound experiment; Add Turbo

"turbocharging" the sensitive mans way to help environmental noise levels

[Kustoms]

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

[broszzy]

I thought rotary motors where small, man that looks like a lot stuffed in there. Should be a blast to drive!

Broszzy

[Skyline GTR]

gorgeous motor, and opel too lol.

[Kustoms]

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!

[grslightng02]

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?

[West Coast GT]

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.

[magneto]

Originally Posted by grslightng02 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?

I wish he had answered your question...

[Kustoms]

Originally Posted by West Coast GT 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.

The car owner purchased and installed the dash cover so I can't say for sure. Many of his parts came from Opel GT Source though and I see they have the vinyl stitched dash cover listed in their store. I'm quite sure this is where it would be from. Thanks for the compliments.

I'll be back to reply about the cost when I have more time.

[magneto]

Originally Posted by Kustoms The car owner purchased and installed the dash cover so I can't say for sure. Many of his parts came from Opel GT Source though and I see they have the vinyl stitched dash cover listed in their store. I'm quite sure this is where it would be from. Thanks for the compliments. I'll be back to reply about the cost when I have more time.

So how much did this cost???

[Kustoms]

Hello. Sorry for the delay in replying to this, but here are some rough costs.

We had $3500 in the used engine and transmission for a unit that we expected to be a good low mileage assembly. Looking back now, I wish we had skipped this and gone straight to a rebuilt engine. It seems that it is hard to find an good running rotary engine and that it's just best to plan on either having one rebuilt or buy a rebuilt to start with. Rebuilding can run about $4000-5000 depending on who does it and how much modifying they do (can go higher too with greater mods). We had a moderate port job done on this one which involves opening up the intake and exhaust ports. This is where air enters and exits the rotor chambers and modifying the ports effects a rotary like changing a cam shaft does in a 4 stroke engine.

A aftermarket ECM is best over the Mazda computer. These can run $1500-2000 depending on brand and options. The Turbo was a Garrett T04 and was about $1700. Misc. parts like coolers, hoses, wires, wastegate, header, and other necessary parts added up to about $4000.

The other major part that's needed is strengthening the Opel body and installing a stronger rear axle. We added structure in the floor, a roll bar, and a Ford 8.8 rear axle with 4 link suspension. For a used axle, cutting down, regearing, and steel parts there is about $3000 in parts and that could go higher if more was done to the axle and things like coil over shocks were used.

Time adds up quick on a project like this. It could easily run $20,000 or more for installing. What would be really nice to do is cut the floor and inner structure out from the body and build a custom chassis. This would allow for better strength and more room for engine and suspension. It would be more costly too though.

Thanks for your interest in the car. It's a neat project. The owner is working on wiring and interior right now so I'd guess he'll have it on the road next summer. I'll post finished pictures when the time comes. Have a good day.

[Johnvan]

Bravo!! Nicely done! Very cool! John