Quad Four Engine Swap

[Washout]

Has anyone looked at the feasibility of using an 89 through 94 Olds Quad Four 2.3 liter? These little motors are light and stock will provide around 190 hp, with some mods it can easily produce 210+ Hp.

Thanks,

[GT-Freak]

I looked at this 5 years ago. What I remember is the starter is on the drivers side (front on FWD). It'll take some work to make it RWD as some things are backwards. Getting a tranny or bellhousing with a drivers side starter is tough. The engine itself is powerful considering it's size. There are aftermarket and factory performance parts available. It'd be great if you can get past the FWD related issues.

[svopel]

There was a GT at Carlisle a few years ago that had a Quad Four installed. I don't remember who ... I believe he was from Ohio. His car was well detailed ... SHARP!

[Washout]

I'd be interested to see that conversion SVOPEL. Maybe the guy that did it will speak up if he's around here. One of the guys I work with is building one of these engines for his son and they seem to have a lot of mods available. He's been able to get several of these engine VERY cheap, Like in the 100.00 range. I'm not really hot to do a swap but this might be good one if the problems that GT-Freak pointed out can be overcome.

BTW, I'm new here so, what is Carlisle?

[BQS4]

It is the Carlisle, PA "Import & Kit Car" show held in May every year, but, tons of imports show, and we try to make this the East Coast major Opel gathering. If you go to the photo section on this site and look for Carlisle 2003, you can get a good look at the field that was there earlier this year.

[BQS4]

here's the link to the pictures.
http://www.opelgt.com/photos/showgal...=534&password=

[Washout]

Thanks for the link BQS4, looks like I need to pencil that in for May.

[Nathan Acree]

FYI,


There is a place called Quad4 Rods http://www.quad4rods.com
that has all the parts needed for FWD to RWD quad4 conversion.


Nathan Acree
Albuquerque New Mexico

[husker]

I think that Doug Grove was the name of the guy who had the Olds Quad 4 at Carlisle. I believe the issues he ran into was that the motor was very tall and was tough to stuff into an Opel engine bay. The Quad 4 also had problems steming from the dual cam and is less reliable than other engine swap choices.

I looked at the webpage Nathan referenced above and parts seem to be quite expensive...

[Gary]

Yes, it was Doug Grove's wife's white GT. A pic is Here He brought that one and a sweet red GT to Carlisle back in 1997. Entered them in the Custom Compact show and the white one with the Quad 4 took second (or third) place.

[bret brummitt]

tim a Manta Part used to sell a bellhousing kit for these.
The last time I talked to him a couple years back, he still had a few.
He sells all performace GM FWD parts now.
mantapart.com

[husker]

Hey Gary,

I thought the white one with the Olds Quad 4 took a 1st and another GT of his with a Ford 2.3 in it took 2nd.

[CDN OpelNut]

Confirmed - The white testarossa GT was first and the 2.3l red was second in the Radical Class.

I knew I kept these old printed copies of the OANA newsletter for a reason

[Washout]

This is all good stuff, thanks guys.

[Gary]

I stand corrected.

That was the year I drove my '69 385 miles from MA to Carlisle.

Gil and Todd made the trip. Excelsior also taped the weekend.

[Lindsay]

eBay Motors: Opel : Opel (item 260145920905 end time Aug-09-07 13:35:11 PDT)

Painesville, Ohio
This Opel GT has been in many car shows, in three different states and has always placed 1st or 2nd. All body, suspension, brakes, wheels, and other misc parts are all from Opel GT Source in California. Engine and the car after restoration, has approx 12,000 miles. Restoration took eight months to complete. This car is a head turner where ever you go!! It also sounds as bad as it looks. 2 1/4 pipe to the rear and dual chrome 3 inches out the back. The flip head lights work with ease. I took many hours to get them to work in this condition. This is a street legal car. This car also comes with a Custom European rear license plate that reads "OPEL 1972" I used this at car shows. A-1 condition locking gas cap. Doors shut like off the show room. Rear windows open also. No cracks or wiper scratches in the windshield.

MOTOR:
Powered by a high output Quad4 Pontiac Engine new out of the crate. Dual 45mm DCOE side draft carburetor's, Pontiac Rocket parts aluminum intake. Custom made Stainless Steel Header. Electromotive HPV-1 direct ignition system with Rev limiter. Motor is approx 217hp. (estimated by professionals)
DRIVE TRAIN:
10" Ceramic Button Clutch Disc, 5 speed Aluminum Borg Warner T-10 Transmission, Opel 3.67:1 Ring and Pinion rear end.

[opeldean]

I think someone got a heck of a nice car.

[spdkilz02]

they definitely did...wish i would have the finances to purchase such a car.

[Lindsay]

Picture of Quad4 in GT engine compartment looks nice.
Questions:
1. If GT radiator brace or heater core sheet metal required modification to clear carburetors and/ or exhaust?
2. Weight of Quad4 Vs GT engine?

[mod mini gt 75]

s10 gm 2.8 bellhousing goes up against the Quad4 .and the 2.8 has the T5 tran,s.

[oldopelguy]

Originally Posted by mod mini gt 75 s10 gm 2.8 bellhousing goes up against the Quad4 .and the 2.8 has the T5 tran,s.

Nope, quad-4 has a different bolt pattern, much closer to the Ecotec pattern. Far as I know Mantapart is the only supplier of a RWD bell-housing.

[NathanH]

Originally Posted by oldopelguy Nope, quad-4 has a different bolt pattern, much closer to the Ecotec pattern. Far as I know Mantapart is the only supplier of a RWD bell-housing.

The Olds Quad4 iron block/aluminum head DOHC 4V engine weighs 325 Lbs for an engine with clutch, flywheel, starter, alternator, water pump, intake and exhaust manifolds and coil pack; and, made 160hp-ish for the "D" code (8th VIN position) and 180-190hp for the H.O. "A" code (8th VIN position)Credit goes to the Quad4Rods.com FAQ. Hot Rod magazine did an article on that engine...combining the later 2.4 block with the early '90's 190hp "A" Code head and cams...made into the low 200hp range (220hp+ iirc) with better torque.

Quad4Rods.com (Q4R) and Mantapart both have what you need for a RWD setup. I believe they both have several transmission applications as well as Q4R has other front drive to rear drive bellhousings and adapters (ecotec, zetec and duratec). Mantaparts makes a variety of parts but Ive never dealt with them. Q4R also has some nice tasty bits to make your engine look somewhat Offy-esque including throttlebodies & standalone computers, adapters for side draft DCOEs, a cast waterpipe that looks like an Offy engine part and finned front covers. Very cool.

There is also a Quad4 rebuilders excerpt on the net (http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/ar49935.htm) that discusses the different cranks
(with the reluctor wheels), timing sets, con-rods, heads and the ability to mix and match parts.
GO SLOW HERE and take notes because they throw part numbers around willy-nilly and its somewhat dense reading; but its only 2 or 3 pages max, along with quick reference tables and lots of pics included.

I didnt get around to getting an Opel GT yet. I built an 87 TransAm 350tpi/700r4 for my longtime girlfriend because it was dropped in my lap. BTW those of you in the north east; "RUST FREE" does NOT mean Bondo free...I found that out the hard way; looked like someone tried to drive in a garage door opening that was 4" too narrow. Whoever did the Bondo work was an artist, and my magnet stuck, so I had no idea. 52 self-tapping screw holes welded shut in the drivers door alone (guy can sculpt bondo like michelangelo, and buy a slide hammer but he cant weld the holes shut? GAWD!). 3 coats of black and 2 coats of clear plus a "flow coat" ( Sherwin-Williams TEC/Base available at your local NAPA [GM8555 BLK and NAPA 15420 airdry high gloss clear-$90 for the clear and activator a gal and its AWESOME, shines like glass and buffs like iron]) and wet sanded with P800,P1000,P1500 and P2000; then buffed the snot out of it. Shes one SLICK girl, but ALAS! too new for me. Now I have a Sunbeam Alpine with a bum motor; and a th200-4r sitting next to it, contemplating the quad4 myself which is actually how I found this post.

I know I wasn't here much, but I admire you guys immensely, and when I do get my Opel...I'll be back in force, I promise. But for now, I'll keep trippin by, checkin on you guys and keep my eyes peeled for the perfect GT

Best Regards,
Nate