Autocross?

[jtherry]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a brand-new member here, and I don't own an Opel GT, but I'm considering one. I have a lot of experience autocrossing MINI Coopers, the new ones, but I've sold mine and am looking for a good dedicated autocross car.

I always loved GTs. What do you think? Would it make a good autoX car? Not stock, but with say a 2.0 and some suspension work?

Thanks,
James
Washington DC

[jtherry]

I see that there are extensive threads about autox...looks like the car can do well. Light weight is what I am after.

Well, looks like it's time to buy a GT!

James

[MICAH1]

Welcome James......... I am just across the 14th Street bridge, down I-295, and into Fort Washington, Md. There is one opel GT owner closer to you in DC, Jay Swift (Redskinsjbs) just off of Wisconsin Ave. You might want to check ebay, for a GT and opelgtsource.com for whatever autoX specs/parts to satisfy your needs. Check out Jay's car for a close up viewing to decide what mods you might want to do to your GT when you locate and purchase.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by jtherry I always loved GTs. What do you think? Would it make a good autoX car? Not stock, but with say a 2.0 and some suspension work? Thanks, James Washington DC

Me to BUT there are several people on this list that will argue (okay some just like to argue ) that the Mantas and 1900 sedans would make a better autoX candidate and might even be cheaper to purchase. I've rally crossed a stock Manta a couple of times and had a blast. Not sure a GT would have done as well but then again there is a difference between Rally Crossing and AutoX. You'll have a blast which ever way you go and draw more attention since you'll be DIFFERENT than everyone else. Seems like everyone enjoys seeing an old car run.

Welcome to the group!

Harold

P.S. You have two great guys near you, Micah1 and Jay!

[ghcoe]

Manta's handle better from the factory! My fist Opel was a Manta that I bought in 1985 and I loved the way it handled. I loved it so much I began to look at getting a GT. I finally found one and was so excited. This car should really rock in the turns. I cranked it into a turn I could take with the Manta with no problems and whoa I almost wound up in the field. What a disappointment. Started to look into suspension parts and decided I liked the Manta better so bye, bye GT. My wife hated to see it go, but if it looks like a sports car it should drive like a sports car. I use to autocross the Manta and it put a lot of cars in there place. Of course I did not have the fine support that this forum has to offer back in the day so things may have came out different if I did.

[RallyBob]

You have to do quite a bit of work on a GT to make it handle well, at least compared to modern cars. Remember the basic front suspension is Opel Kadett from the early 1960's, designed in the 1950's!

I had the opportunity to autocross a GT a few years ago with 110 rear-wheel HP, 4.88 rear axle and LSD, heavily modified suspension, and Hoosier 20 x 9.5 x 13 cantilever sidewall slicks on 7" wide Keizer wheels. I thought it handled very well compared to other GT's I've driven.

In the same event I also ran a stock 1975 Manta with 140k on the clock (about 55 rear-wheel HP), 215/50-13 Kumho R-compound tires on 8" Keizer wheels, a 3/4" rear sway bar, and Bilstein 'black' shocks from a Euro Manta GT/E. Otherwise all stock, nothing rebuilt. I was about 1.5 seconds per run slower in the Manta on a very fast course run on an airport runway (3rd/4th gear most of the run), and I suspect that with an LSD I'd have made up that difference compared to the GT. It even surprised me that the Manta was that fast, as it had half the power and a TON of body roll, but it just stuck like glue, except for inside-tire wheelspin coming out of corners.

That said, build what you want, regardless of what everyone tells you. A GT can be made to handle comparably to a Manta or Ascona, it just takes twice as much work, a bit more money, and the car will have a harder ride quality.

[Redskinsjbs]

Welcome James!

It is cool to have another washingtonian inerested in Opels.

I have a GT with a completely stock suspension (Except for polyurethane bushings), so if you would like to see first hand what you would be up against, you could drop by and I would be willing to show you. I am working now, so I am not free all of the time, but I am sure that we could arrange something.