1987 Opel Manta
1987 Opel Manta
This is my pride and joy. The car I have owned the longest (as I used to swap cars alot in the past). I bought it in March 2007 as a Donor car for another which was rotten. I would have been a fool to cut this up, and decided to rebuild it instead. Bought for a mere £200 with no engine and gearbox.
As it came to me in 2007
I took the 1.8 ohc engine out of the rotten exclusive I had, and put it in this one.
Began to build it back up. All of the parts required were in Boxes.
It got sprayed fordson major blue in the barn I was renting, so I had to buff the paintwork up. Turned out the paint was quite thin The splitter was off a golf VR6, and being a hater of VAG.... I threw it away eventually
I did all nessesary work to get it on the road.
In 2008 I put black wheels with silver lip on. Prefered these to white, and began prep for paint.
Then it was hit with the same colour again. Carmine red.
My 2nd Billing (2008) first time I took my own car, won 2nd in its class.
Loved the Billing experiance (and havent missed one since). I started towing the caravan down there.
Which became hard work with the 1.8 engine.
As it came to me in 2007
I took the 1.8 ohc engine out of the rotten exclusive I had, and put it in this one.
Began to build it back up. All of the parts required were in Boxes.
It got sprayed fordson major blue in the barn I was renting, so I had to buff the paintwork up. Turned out the paint was quite thin The splitter was off a golf VR6, and being a hater of VAG.... I threw it away eventually
I did all nessesary work to get it on the road.
In 2008 I put black wheels with silver lip on. Prefered these to white, and began prep for paint.
Then it was hit with the same colour again. Carmine red.
My 2nd Billing (2008) first time I took my own car, won 2nd in its class.
Loved the Billing experiance (and havent missed one since). I started towing the caravan down there.
Which became hard work with the 1.8 engine.
1976 Manta B coupe
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
So I rebuilt a 2.0 OHC Sri 130 engine. Fitted it with the 32/36 weber carb from the 1.8 and a 1.1 fiesta KnN filter.. which resulted in 124bhp. 54 up on the 1.8. Made towing the van effortless.
Only it didnt quite fit, so I cut a hole in an old bonnet and poked the filter through (last minute before billing 2010).
It didnt look too out of place with a black centre in the bonnet.
The hole in the bonnet provided a good air supply to the carb (in dry weather) and in 2010 I bought a personalised plate.
I did my first trip to Holland in....errr....2011 I think. Cant quite remember. But I needed to cover the carb, so we made a backwards scoop, to keep it dry.
In 2012 I got bored with the 2.0 8V engine and looked at potential engine swaps. I bought this hideous contraption.
Which had this lump sat in the engine bay.
Only it didnt quite fit, so I cut a hole in an old bonnet and poked the filter through (last minute before billing 2010).
It didnt look too out of place with a black centre in the bonnet.
The hole in the bonnet provided a good air supply to the carb (in dry weather) and in 2010 I bought a personalised plate.
I did my first trip to Holland in....errr....2011 I think. Cant quite remember. But I needed to cover the carb, so we made a backwards scoop, to keep it dry.
In 2012 I got bored with the 2.0 8V engine and looked at potential engine swaps. I bought this hideous contraption.
Which had this lump sat in the engine bay.
1976 Manta B coupe
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Im not affraid of the grinder.
Pulled the engine out. The money I made from selling corsa parts payed for the car itself. So the engine was free.
Out with the 8valve again.
Most expensive conversion part was the rear wheel drive manifold. Made from marine grade steel from Retropower.
Looks nice in there, doesnt it
I had to buy an Injection Fuel tank, which I picked up from Canterbury (500 mile round trip)
Painted and fitted
Finally fitted and running. All this done the week before the Billing weekend, 2013. I had an exhaust custom made on the Wednesday morning. The MOT was done wednesday afternoon but it failed on emissions and horn inop. Wednesday night I put it right, ICV and knock sensor plugs were wrong way round. Thursday morning it was retested and passed, and thursday afternoon I took it to Billing.
I still had issues with air intake fouling the bonnet (by which time i had fitted the original back on). I fitted a power cap to no avail.
The only cure was to fit a Rover V8 engine mount on the o/s to lower the engine a fraction to give sufficiant clearance.
Then Last year (2014) I took the plunge and drove it to Holland with the new engine. I averaged 26mpg weather flat out at 120 or cruising at 60. Made no odds. Im now looking for a lambda sensor.
Dover
Sat between her Dutch cousins
And thats the story thus far. Thanks for looking!
Pulled the engine out. The money I made from selling corsa parts payed for the car itself. So the engine was free.
Out with the 8valve again.
Most expensive conversion part was the rear wheel drive manifold. Made from marine grade steel from Retropower.
Looks nice in there, doesnt it
I had to buy an Injection Fuel tank, which I picked up from Canterbury (500 mile round trip)
Painted and fitted
Finally fitted and running. All this done the week before the Billing weekend, 2013. I had an exhaust custom made on the Wednesday morning. The MOT was done wednesday afternoon but it failed on emissions and horn inop. Wednesday night I put it right, ICV and knock sensor plugs were wrong way round. Thursday morning it was retested and passed, and thursday afternoon I took it to Billing.
I still had issues with air intake fouling the bonnet (by which time i had fitted the original back on). I fitted a power cap to no avail.
The only cure was to fit a Rover V8 engine mount on the o/s to lower the engine a fraction to give sufficiant clearance.
Then Last year (2014) I took the plunge and drove it to Holland with the new engine. I averaged 26mpg weather flat out at 120 or cruising at 60. Made no odds. Im now looking for a lambda sensor.
Dover
Sat between her Dutch cousins
And thats the story thus far. Thanks for looking!
1976 Manta B coupe
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
- ilovedmymantas
- Registered user
- Posts: 1203
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 2:54 am
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Lovely job you've done there mate
Is it just me or do the two black ones look wider ?
Is it just me or do the two black ones look wider ?
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina "
1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev
-1995 cdx x20xev
---------------
Matt
1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev
-1995 cdx x20xev
---------------
Matt
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Great work and a nice write up
- vauxhallnutter
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Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Hats off to you for keeping this fine car on the road, lots of great work carried out and a credit to you. I go to Billing every year so i will look out for you this year and come and say hello.
- Cavalier342
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- Posts: 9818
- Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:46 pm
- Location: Dorset
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Finally, someone who has proper sense and sacrificed a corsa with an oversized engine to put that engine in a proper Opel! My hat off to you Sir! Very good project, looks fantastic. Proper classic.
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Very nice...
Looks a bit tricky with everything up against the bulkhead / firewall.
But well organised and laid out in that engine bay.
I seem to recal many rear wheel drive Vauxhalls and Opels being a bit of a cow to service due to all the dizzy stuff under scuttle panel - the joys eh?.
The wheels do look better dark on that red body...
White wheels should only be for the white GTE's.
Anthracite grey metallic alloys would be sweet too.
Looks a bit tricky with everything up against the bulkhead / firewall.
But well organised and laid out in that engine bay.
I seem to recal many rear wheel drive Vauxhalls and Opels being a bit of a cow to service due to all the dizzy stuff under scuttle panel - the joys eh?.
The wheels do look better dark on that red body...
White wheels should only be for the white GTE's.
Anthracite grey metallic alloys would be sweet too.
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Please do, theres always beer in my caravan fridgevauxhallnutter wrote:Hats off to you for keeping this fine car on the road, lots of great work carried out and a credit to you. I go to Billing every year so i will look out for you this year and come and say hello.
Cheers, the two black ones are slightly further forward in that pictureilovedmymantas wrote:Lovely job you've done there mate
Is it just me or do the two black ones look wider ?
A quick list of other modifications done over time
- Vectra B front calipers with carlton 2.2 vented disks.
- Fully poly bushed rear axle (and made a start on the front)
- GTE interior
- GTE side skirts and quad headlights
- Exclusive leather steering wheel
They're only little bits and bobs, but i dont want to go too far. I like Resto Mods, to make old cars feel more modern to drive. I have a digital clock fitted where the old anolog clock sits. Alfa Romeo 166 dash vents. And with fitting the injection system makes the car feel more modern to drive, along with ample power to fend off the saxos and clios.
You're right. Its so tightly squeezed in that ive had to hammer the bulkhead down a fraction so the rear coolant hose doesn't chaff through. The bonus with this engine on Dispack is I could retain the heater box and matrix without the need for the rear distributor. Things are a little tight against the brake servo, which is a royal pain in the arse. ICV is located under the inlet and is only accessible from underneith.... good if you've got a ramp but in my case I dont anymore. (ICV has failed 3 times so far).Robsey wrote:Very nice...
Looks a bit tricky with everything up against the bulkhead / firewall.
But well organized and laid out in that engine bay.
I seem to recal many rear wheel drive Vauxhalls and Opels being a bit of a cow to service due to all the dizzy stuff under scuttle panel - the joys eh?.
The wheels do look better dark on that red body...
White wheels should only be for the white GTE's.
Anthracite grey metallic alloys would be sweet too.
Plans for this year are to change the interior from grey, to black. I have a full set of calibra leather seats for the front, which Im trying to find a decent reasonably priced retrimmer to re-do the leather.
1976 Manta B coupe
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
The corsa was a Dog. It nearly torque steered me into a field on the track up to my garage. It was a weapon. Ive done society a favor and saved a spotty student teenager from instant death by taking it off the road.Cavalier342 wrote:Finally, someone who has proper sense and sacrificed a corsa with an oversized engine to put that engine in a proper Opel! My hat off to you Sir! Very good project, looks fantastic. Proper classic.
1976 Manta B coupe
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
- Cavalier342
- Registered user
- Posts: 9818
- Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:46 pm
- Location: Dorset
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Credit where credit's due!
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
- Chip Pan Dan
- Registered user
- Posts: 732
- Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:06 pm
- Location: Manchester
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
nice, love that manifold
- Lowrider Dave
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- Location: Southampton
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Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Fantastic work, lovely car and a credit it to you.
- vauxhallnutter
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- Posts: 505
- Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:07 pm
- Location: Norfolk
- Contact:
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
I will see you there then! You doing any other shows this year like Enfield?sutty2006 wrote:Please do, theres always beer in my caravan fridgevauxhallnutter wrote:Hats off to you for keeping this fine car on the road, lots of great work carried out and a credit to you. I go to Billing every year so i will look out for you this year and come and say hello.
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Ive never heard of Enfield.
Will be doing a few local shows and might do the Dutch manta club show again this year. My local shows are Weston Park transport show, Trentham gardens transport show (fathers day) and a few other small local shows. I usually do the German classic car show at Haigh Hall up north, and the VBOA show is a definate as always
Will be doing a few local shows and might do the Dutch manta club show again this year. My local shows are Weston Park transport show, Trentham gardens transport show (fathers day) and a few other small local shows. I usually do the German classic car show at Haigh Hall up north, and the VBOA show is a definate as always
1976 Manta B coupe
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
1987 Manta C Hatch 16v
1995 Cavalier Expression
1995 Landrover discovery TDi
2006 Mondeo ST TDCi
- vauxhallnutter
- Registered user
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:07 pm
- Location: Norfolk
- Contact:
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
Its the Enfield Pageant of Motoring, its just off the A10 on the way to central London but suprisingly when you are in your tent or caravan you dont hear a thing. Its on for 3 days and only costs something like 30 quid to camp for 4 nights.sutty2006 wrote:Ive never heard of Enfield.
Will be doing a few local shows and might do the Dutch manta club show again this year. My local shows are Weston Park transport show, Trentham gardens transport show (fathers day) and a few other small local shows. I usually do the German classic car show at Haigh Hall up north, and the VBOA show is a definate as always
More info here: http://www.whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk/html/ ... geant.html
- Envoy CDX
- Club Admin
- Posts: 9682
- Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:51 pm
- Location: Jarrow, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
I like the look of that
Re: 1987 Opel Manta
A testiment to your hard work, what a stunning ride...
I personally loved the saloon version on the Manta Exclusive when I was younger and would still love a Manta one day, so old school cool...
I personally loved the saloon version on the Manta Exclusive when I was younger and would still love a Manta one day, so old school cool...
Free Parking is a bonus, leaving my Cav in a carbon dust filled carpark is not.....