Hi- I can finally start on my toy!

razor's edge · 03-12-2009

Hi, My name's Brian. I've had a 98000 mile Opel GT for 2 years parked out back.It's a 1.9 4spd car. Anyway I hope to be able to talk to some of you about the drivetrain and suspension in particular.I plan on keeping an Opel engine, want to put in the getrag 5spd but I want to know about the rear axle. Can they handle 200-250hp? I've got some other dumb questions too.

Thanks for all your pictures etc. as I think it gives me some motivation. Take it easy, -B.

First opel 1981 · 03-12-2009

Originally Posted by razor's edge

Hi, My name's Brian. I've had a 98000 mile Opel GT for 2 years parked out back.It's a 1.9 4spd car. Anyway I hope to be able to talk to some of you about the drivetrain and suspension in particular.I plan on keeping an Opel engine, want to put in the getrag 5spd but I want to know about the rear axle. Can they handle 200-250hp? I've got some other dumb questions too.Thanks for all your pictures etc. as I think it gives me some motivation. Take it easy, -B.

Hey there, congrats.

What part of Washington are you in? There is someone off of I-5 that has a lot of parts cars if you need parts.

heimue · 03-12-2009

Hi Brian, welcome to the club!
What engine mods are you planning on, when you want to reach this kind of HP from an Opel engine? That sounds quite high. Doable of course, although expensive!
Neither the Getrag nor the rear axle is really made for your HP, but the question is always "How do you plan on using the power?". If you baby your equipment in first and second gear, and use the rest just to drive fast, both the Getrag and the rear axle will last a while. If you go racing, plan on pushing the GT off track at your first race. The Getrag 240 is really OK for about 250 Nm (~ 180 ft-lbs) of torque, while the rear axle is reported to be good for ~ 160..180 HP. Both numbers are ranges where you should really start to not use your raw power (too often).
Let us know what you plan!

Dieter

wrench459 · 03-12-2009

Originally Posted by razor's edge

Hi, My name's Brian. I've had a 98000 mile Opel GT for 2 years parked out back.It's a 1.9 4spd car. Anyway I hope to be able to talk to some of you about the drivetrain and suspension in particular.I plan on keeping an Opel engine, want to put in the getrag 5spd but I want to know about the rear axle. Can they handle 200-250hp? I've got some other dumb questions too.Thanks for all your pictures etc. as I think it gives me some motivation. Take it easy, -B.

Welcome Brian
The axles and ring and pinion seems too hold up fairly well to the lower numbers. We are talking about the power at the flywheel? right?
I see one major problem.. the side gears and spiders wont handle that kind of load. They'll split as quickly as you can say "w............"
http://www.opelgt.com/photopost/data/500/more_gears.jpg

razor's edge · 03-13-2009

I figured hp at the flywheel. The car will be driven on twisting country roads and highways. What's the solution to snapping axles(at least on an Opel)?Thanks- any help appreciated. I'll be building car over next 4 years so I can put together the time and the cash. I'm starting with the bodywork this summer and paint in the fall. The suspension is so different than what I'm used to, but it looks like it can be fairly well tuned as long as I get a posi.I just want a fun fast car that reminds you of the old 70's road racers but with some modern twists. Would a Ford 8" work or? Have a good one, Brian

razor's edge · 03-13-2009

Oh, and I'd like the name of the I-5 yard. I'm in E WA but that's okay. Still trying to figure out the engine but will find someone that can build it or at least assemblies and parts. See ya!

First opel 1981 · 03-13-2009

Originally Posted by razor's edge

Oh, and I'd like the name of the I-5 yard. I'm in E WA but that's okay. Still trying to figure out the engine but will find someone that can build it or at least assemblies and parts. See ya!

I sent you a PM with his contact info.

I could build you a stock engine but a high output engine is something that I don't want the responsibility for. I might be a little far away for the work though.

As far as building a performance engine, there are many here who would love to give you ideas on building one.

Phoenix · 03-14-2009

Here's a thread you might want ot have a look at.

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/opel-te...re-cih-hp.html

Also, both Guyopel and wrench459 know how to build some strong engines but they use a lot of custom stuff.

Last I heard, the waiting list for Getrags from OGTS was 10-12 people deep and would take several months to a year to get. So, I'd go ahead and get in there or plan accordingly unless you have other sources. Or go with the a T5.

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/clutch-...-interest.html

opeletti75 · 03-14-2009

welcome to the club the gt is a easy fun car to work on and parts are pleanty with some on this site i have a getrag 5 spd for sale for 1000 if your interested have funj with your project its well worh it

Anonymous D · 03-14-2009

Last I heard, the waiting list for Getrags from OGTS was 10-12 people deep and would take several months to a year to get.

Above information is out of date. Getrag's were in a recent sales flyer linked here, for about $900.

(Wherever you get it, make sure it's the 240 model supplied with a complete shifter assembly and a warranty. Some recent buyers have found themselves screwed with an unusable transmission, when they tried to save a few bucks by getting it from someone who was more interested in making a sale than in educating themselves about technical requirements of this adaptation).

razor's edge · 03-14-2009

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and experiences! When I first bought the car I didn't know a lot( I still have a lot to learn!) about them- just that I always loved them as a kid; the first thing that opened my eyes was when I found out the engine dropped out the bottom! I'm going to spenda while building it and paying for it to be built(what I can't do). The thought I had about the engine is that I want to build a stroker 1.9 with about 10.5 to 1 compression. RallyBob did an article about that. I want to find someone that really knows the heads and intake systems to make it breathe! I'm still figuring all of it out because it seems like there's as many ways to build an Opel as there are Opels out there! Probably part of why I like them!Again thanks for your help!

03-12-2009	#1 (permalink)
razor's edge Opeler Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 8	Hi- I can finally start on my toy! Hi, My name's Brian. I've had a 98000 mile Opel GT for 2 years parked out back.It's a 1.9 4spd car. Anyway I hope to be able to talk to some of you about the drivetrain and suspension in particular.I plan on keeping an Opel engine, want to put in the getrag 5spd but I want to know about the rear axle. Can they handle 200-250hp? I've got some other dumb questions too.Thanks for all your pictures etc. as I think it gives me some motivation. Take it easy, -B.

03-12-2009	#3 (permalink)
heimue "The Jägermeister" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Newnan, GA - greater ATL area Posts: 1,515	Hi Brian, welcome to the club! What engine mods are you planning on, when you want to reach this kind of HP from an Opel engine? That sounds quite high. Doable of course, although expensive! Neither the Getrag nor the rear axle is really made for your HP, but the question is always "How do you plan on using the power?". If you baby your equipment in first and second gear, and use the rest just to drive fast, both the Getrag and the rear axle will last a while. If you go racing, plan on pushing the GT off track at your first race. The Getrag 240 is really OK for about 250 Nm (~ 180 ft-lbs) of torque, while the rear axle is reported to be good for ~ 160..180 HP. Both numbers are ranges where you should really start to not use your raw power (too often). Let us know what you plan! Dieter __________________ One 2.0-16V Opel is not enough

03-14-2009	#8 (permalink)
Phoenix Trouble Maker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Snellville, Ga Posts: 1,970 Real Name: Tony Holcomb	Here's a thread you might want ot have a look at. http://www.opelgt.com/forums/opel-te...re-cih-hp.html Also, both Guyopel and wrench459 know how to build some strong engines but they use a lot of custom stuff. Last I heard, the waiting list for Getrags from OGTS was 10-12 people deep and would take several months to a year to get. So, I'd go ahead and get in there or plan accordingly unless you have other sources. Or go with the a T5. http://www.opelgt.com/forums/clutch-...-interest.html __________________ Needs a 2dr Ascona, everyone else has one.

03-14-2009	#9 (permalink)
opeletti75 opeletti75 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: rockvile ct Posts: 422 Real Name: mike poletti	gt info welcome to the club the gt is a easy fun car to work on and parts are pleanty with some on this site i have a getrag 5 spd for sale for 1000 if your interested have funj with your project its well worh it

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03-13-2009	#5 (permalink)
razor's edge Opeler Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 8	I figured hp at the flywheel. The car will be driven on twisting country roads and highways. What's the solution to snapping axles(at least on an Opel)?Thanks- any help appreciated. I'll be building car over next 4 years so I can put together the time and the cash. I'm starting with the bodywork this summer and paint in the fall. The suspension is so different than what I'm used to, but it looks like it can be fairly well tuned as long as I get a posi.I just want a fun fast car that reminds you of the old 70's road racers but with some modern twists. Would a Ford 8" work or? Have a good one, Brian

03-13-2009	#6 (permalink)
razor's edge Opeler Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 8	Oh, and I'd like the name of the I-5 yard. I'm in E WA but that's okay. Still trying to figure out the engine but will find someone that can build it or at least assemblies and parts. See ya!

03-14-2009	#11 (permalink)
razor's edge Opeler Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 8	Thanks everyone for your suggestions and experiences! When I first bought the car I didn't know a lot( I still have a lot to learn!) about them- just that I always loved them as a kid; the first thing that opened my eyes was when I found out the engine dropped out the bottom! I'm going to spenda while building it and paying for it to be built(what I can't do). The thought I had about the engine is that I want to build a stroker 1.9 with about 10.5 to 1 compression. RallyBob did an article about that. I want to find someone that really knows the heads and intake systems to make it breathe! I'm still figuring all of it out because it seems like there's as many ways to build an Opel as there are Opels out there! Probably part of why I like them!Again thanks for your help!

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