[Guy Singleton]

I have just bought a 1971 GT , this is an ex US car imported to the UK about 5 years ago.

The clutch is beginning to slip and the engine is smokey so will need some work soon . It seems to me that it would be a good time to fit a better engine and a 5 speed gearbox .

Does anyone have info on what cars to look for as a donor car for the parts , ideally I plan to buy a complete car and break it for the parts I want something that will drop straight in without any problems - have enough of those with the bodywork !!

Also interested in any help and advise regarding the car - I am more use to playing with Triumphs and Bonds ( have 13 !)

Guy

 

[Gary]

hi Guy,
Welcome to OpelGT.com.
I moved this thread to the "Engine Swap Forum" so it will be in an area with similar questions. Being in the UK, you have access to more Opel/Vaxhaul drivelines that will drop in fairly easy and give you more power.

Use the search feature here to check old engine swap threads and look at the 16V thread that's going on now.

 

[baz]

hi guy from the cold and desolete north
see if you can find a nice rolled/ rearended omega it has all the engine box and electricals in that you will need then its just a case of getting a fitting kit theres a thread about one from rlc in leeds at
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4986
after that you need a shortend /alterd prop and the exaust and your away
btw gary remember when this was the new england opel gt site ?? seems years ago

 

[Gary]

btw gary remember when this was the new england opel gt site ?? seems years ago

Yes, I do. I really thought we would max out at 1,000 to 1,200 members. I am still amazed at the worldwide traffic for old Opels!

gary

 

[madhatterpdc]

Seeing the words "Opel Omega" in the engine swap forum made me dreamy thinking about a Lotus Carlton twin turbo motor in a Manta, or a SportWagon, or an Ascona, or a... well, just about anything with the steering wheel on the proper side of the vehicle.

 

[Gary]

Seeing the words "Opel Omega" in the engine swap forum made me dreamy thinking about a Lotus Carlton twin turbo motor in a Manta, or a SportWagon, or an Ascona, or a... well, just about anything with the steering wheel on the proper side of the vehicle.

Can you say Cadillac Catera!! Hmm.......

 

[madhatterpdc]

I always loved the Catera, even before I was an "Opel-guy". I am beside myself with the thought of fitting a Carlton motor to a Catera and then Opel-izing it. The Carlton was built on the previous generation Omega platform, but blessed be, close enough.

If you think you get the "what the hell is that" when you drive a GT, I can only imagine what it would be like if you rolled up in a 400hp Catera with Opel badges.

Curse you Gary!!! You have planted an evil, evil seed in my head.

Catera w/ blown motor, $5,000
Carlton motor imported, $10,000
misc fab work, badges, $5,000

$20,000 four-door Viper-M5-Corvette-SL500 eater!!!

If you look at the Catera with an open imagination, and imagine it with bigger tires, lowered stance, it resembles what a 4-door GTO might look like.

 

[baz]

just put a 5.7 vette engine and box in ,thats what holden do and call it a manaro
cant remember what diff they use but its from the US
big power and you can call it an opel

 

[Gary]

Doesn't the Catera have a RWD Opel engine/ trans/diff.?
Put that in a GT!

BTW, My Senator has a nice limited slip independent rear suspension. Wonder if those could be "adapted"?

 

[baz]

bit of rear floor work and some nice flares
and roberts your fathers brother
engine is V6 so big front work may as well convert front to take catera front while your about it
your senitor rear will be an early version of whats on the caddiddallydack
cross bar with trailing arms and seperate diff so 3 mount points and 2 shocks

 

[greensmurf20]

you really better keep the senator under lock and key, carlisle might be a big no no now

3.0 liter intake AND Limited slip IRS on the same car...one can only imagine.

 

[baz]

"j" just makes me smile about the monza (proper opel for ron) i test drove a few years ago

 

[GTJIM (R.I.P.)]

Gto!

just put a 5.7 vette engine and box in ,thats what holden do and call it a manaro
cant remember what diff they use but its from the US
big power and you can call it an opel

The Monaro is for sale in the U.S.A. - just rebaged as a "Pontiac" GTO so all it needs is and Opel bagde and blitz to be an "Opel" GTO. If GM do it you can and there would be a 5.7 litre, fire breathing Opel!

ps: Holdens are as common as muck here and GM is now 'up-marketing' by using Opel badges here anyway.