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Opel Kadett C

27K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  ggl  
#1 ·
Hi all, I´m new here, but will get to the point right away.
So I bought a 74 year Kadett and it needs some work, so I decided to also swap the engine and planning to go with an 86´ Sierra 2.0 carb, a V6 with a 5 speed tranny, because I have one that I can use right away.
The question is, will it be to heavy ? With the transmission it weights about 150 kg.
Also need to change the rear end, so thought of a Hilux differential with axles.
Also a little picture to see what I´m talking about.

What are your opinions ?
 
#2 ·
That engine and tranmission won't be too heavy if the Kadett originally was a CIH engine version...those engines weigh about 125 kg plus the gearbox weight. But if it has the OHV 1.2 litre, then the entire front crossmember and suspension are smaller and would need to be upgraded to support the weight.
 
#3 · (Edited)
:cool: That´s good, because as soon as I get enough money, it will be replaced with a 2.9 Scorpio motor, it only weights 30 kilos more and for the front the last owner advised a Rekord front axle ( don´t remember what year ) with disk brakes, would that be enough, or what other axles would fit there without a major mod. And the suspension will be changed on the whole car :)
 
#5 ·
Okey, so that ford motor doesn´t have a choice now, because I would get in lot of trouble here. So it needs to be a Opel inline 4 engine.
So what would you recommend ?
I thought of and Omega engine but any better opinions ?
Also about the axles, I need to find something from estonia, because it would be too expensive to order it from germany.
Thanks,
Andre
 
#6 ·
Still haven´t decided yet if to go with the 2.9 V6 from a ford scorpio or the C20NE, which is a lot smaller engine, but that´s the point, I´m not sure if this opel will handle this weight on the front.:ugh:
And I also bought an ascona axels, because the front had disc brakes, will see if I can only use the brakes or maybe even the hole axle and if the rear axle is okey it will go in use also. I´ll show the pictures later.
 
#8 · (Edited)
It needs some work and since I´m rebuilding the whole car I thought I make it a pit more interesting. It will be a project car and it´s very hard to find spare pars for the original 1.2 engine. It´s a pretty rare car here in estonia:banghead:
And it looks like I can only use those discs from the ascona axle
Image

The rear axle fits, but looks like it will be a bit too week.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
And it looks like I can only use those discs from the ascona axle
Image

The rear axle fits, but looks like it will be a bit too week.
Your original Kadett C 1.2 front axle should already have disc brakes. The last front drum brakes Opel used were on the 1.0 Liter Kadett A.

Dieter
 
#11 ·
Thoughts..

There never was a 1.0 liter Kadett B. The Kadett A 1.0 and early Kadett B 1.1 did have front drums.

A Kadett B front axle couldn't have been fitted to a Kadett C without major surgery...

The standard 1.2 Kadett C front axle will not safely handle the weight of the larger 4-cylinder Opel engines, let alone the Ford V-6, as Bob mentioned.

-Kurt
 
#14 ·
That was an OHV Kadett B, the replacement front axle came from a CIH Kadett B (different motor mounting, 3-leaf spring instead of the original 2-leaf), so it was a little better suited to support a heavier engine.

-Kurt
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Kadett C Limo

For me it is not a good choice to fit an iron V-6 in your Kadett.
Why don't try to fit the CIH from an Ascona/Manta/Rekord?
it will fit easily, engine and gearbox, and the only 'special' components will be the engine mounts that you will be find in Germany for 70Euro approx.
If you don't like this , you can fit the newer C20NE or the C20XE (to me the best choice). These are lighter and stronger than CIH and easier to restore or modify these days as they are more modern and there is availability of engine components.
You can also choose different engines to fit but as the Kadett is a light car the fitment of a heavy engine will change its characteristics in a bad way.
For example a Ford Duratec 4cyl, a Mazda BP (from MX5) or a new alloy Opel 4cyl are all good engine as they are light, strong , almost 'bulletproof' and with good (small) fuel consumption.
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
Let me get this correct.

To fit the XE engine in a Kadett C (later 1.2 unit) you would need to upgrade the front cross-member and suspension.

Engine mounts and sump from the Manta can be gotten pretty easily but would the front cross member and suspension from a Manta A (or B) fit into the Kadett and be strong enough to support the weight.

I have never seen the upgrade kit mentioned earlier so a link would be handy.

For the gear box would it not be easier (and cheaper) to use a 5 speed type 9 box ?

That's what they seem to use on all the type 7 cars (Westfield, etc) and bell-housings to suit are cheaply available along with remote linkages to keep the gear leaver position.