[pvcar]

i was checking out some engines that i have seen put in gt's lately mostly the chevy 4.3l 6cyl. i was wondering if anyone has put or thought of putting a 350 HP / 302 Cobra crate engine in a GT??? they run about 6 grand ready to run out of the box. if im gonna pay 6 grand i want it to come with everything. well if any one has any ideas about this engine it would be apreciated.
thanx
sean CA

 

[JML]

Go rotary, stick a Mazda two rotor wankel in it! It's on my long list of future projects for a GT one day! You won't spoil the balance and it will rev like crazy. Hmmm.....of couse the exhaust might melt the car down, but what's a project like this without a few engineering challenges?

 

[RallyBob]

JML, I noticed in your photos the Ascona autocross car. Was that car at one time Ginnie Dixon's championship-winning DSP Ascona by any chance? I have a picture of her from years ago running a car that looks REAL similar to that one, but with black mesh-center BBS wheels. Sorry to steal the thread.

Bob

 

[kwilford]

JML,

While the art of thread stealing is being discussed, what I REALLY wanted to know was more about your role at Panoz. Um, can members of the Opel fraternity get passes to come see your shop? Or get pit passes at a race? Or shine your shoes?

Any chance of getting you to take a moment and give us a story in the "Introductions" section? Thanks!

 

[pvcar]

rotary engine???

what is needed for a rotary install. does the whole drivline need changed over or does just the trans and engine need chang??? also what model mazdas used rotary and what years, also do u no the pricing on a trans/ and engine??? also do u now if it is a good fit??? thats all for now any help would be appreciated.
Sean
CA

 

[pvcar]

pricing is right

i looked up some prices for the diffrent things need ie trans. engine engine brain. it looks like it would be around 3500 for a setup w/ a 5 speed trans and a turbo rotary engine. pretty cheap atleast for me. i origanaly planned to have to spend 10 grand or more. well i also read some stuff that said they are pretty easy to work on. but about a/c u would have to get the a/c system of a rx-7 due to the rotary engine right??? has anyone seen this done??? also would the unit be small enough to fit under dash???
Sean
Palos Verdes, CA

 

[JGard18]

someone on my Subaru board, whom I'd say knows a lot about cars and such, told me that one of his local aquantances got a 3-rotor engine and transmission from Japan, for only $2,000.

That sounds pretty low, but I'd like to find out if that's really true! That would be great, because it's a 3-rotor, a turbo would be unneccesary, and that would allow you to run a carburator instead of FI.

 

[opelbits]

www.rx7forum.com

Go there for TONS of rotary info. 12a, 13b, 20b, non turbo, turbo, twin turbo, JDM, etc. Plus a forum for roary powered cars.

www.mazdatrix.com

Lots of info and pics for rotary parts. Plenty of parts to mix and match for exhaust, trans, engine, FI, or carb.

 

[JML]

JML, I noticed in your photos the Ascona autocross car. Was that car at one time Ginnie Dixon's championship-winning DSP Ascona by any chance? I have a picture of her from years ago running a car that looks REAL similar to that one, but with black mesh-center BBS wheels. Sorry to steal the thread.

Bob

Yes, this is Ginnie's old car, I have the mesh BBS wheels stacked up in the garage. My Manta GT3 car also came from Mike & Ginnie a few years ago. Recently they decided to move to Florida and wanted to clear out their years of accumulated Opel parts. Through a mutual friend, as a long time local Opel person, I acquired the car and became the curator of as many parts as I could store!

 

[JML]

JML,

While the art of thread stealing is being discussed, what I REALLY wanted to know was more about your role at Panoz. Um, can members of the Opel fraternity get passes to come see your shop? Or get pit passes at a race? Or shine your shoes?

Any chance of getting you to take a moment and give us a story in the "Introductions" section? Thanks!

Actually, I'm the Chief Engineer/Head of Engineering/R&D for the road car division. Sounds impressive, but I started out as their first Engineer, so as soon as they hired anymore, by default I became the head Engineer

I'm always happy to do tours for the Opel fraternity or anyone else for that matter. The local Ferrari club was just here last weekend.

 

[kwilford]

You mean you actually have other Engineers WORKING for you? I have been a Vice President (of engineering and operations) for a few years, but it always seems that my wife & daughters have it figured out; I am actually the V.P. of Nobody! Which on some days, is a "Good Thing"!!!

 

[RallyBob]

Interesting coincidence, A friend of mine bought the 'Ferrari F40' Opel (from a Manta shell) that was on ebay a few months back. The gentleman who originally built the car was from Sweden, and now works as a fabricator at Panoz. Can't recall his name offhand though.....

 

[JML]

Interesting coincidence, A friend of mine bought the 'Ferrari F40' Opel (from a Manta shell) that was on ebay a few months back. The gentleman who originally built the car was from Sweden, and now works as a fabricator at Panoz. Can't recall his name offhand though.....

Yes, that was Johan Ragnarson. The car was out back here at Panoz for many months. I would have liked some of the parts off that one (rear discs, 5 speed) but my shop was too full and the price wasn't good enough that I couldn't say no.

Now I will say that it was a very unique vehicle and I feel that I should share a pic. I shot when it came off the truck and let everyone else in on this most unusual Opel conversion!

 

[RallyBob]

Yes, that was Johan Ragnarson. The car was out back here at Panoz for many months. I would have liked some of the parts off that one (rear discs, 5 speed) but my shop was too full and the price wasn't good enough that I couldn't say no.

The price ended up being very good indeed. $2055. My friend Gregg got some neat parts. Rear axle with NEW rallycross limited slip and 4.22 gear set. Rear disc brakes (calipers were junk-VERY seized up), NEW Getrag 5-speed, racing clutch, 2.0 block/crank and forged pistons, 2.2 head with stainless valves, reworked ECU with 2.2 FI, NEW GIK TurboTeknic Ford Escort Cosworth turbo (I got that!), reasonably large NEW intercooler (also GIK brand), vented front disc brakes, custom front and rear sway bars, and lots of other MISC bit and pieces. About $10,500 worth of new parts in all.

Bob