MNOPELMANTA Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 Hello! I'm acquiring a 1974 Opel Manta A in a trade deal. I wanted the Opel more than I wanted my 1985 Scirocco. A little about me: I'm 37 years old, grew up in Minnesota. I work in research and development/engineering at a facility where I also play the acting role of lead weld engineer. I specialize in stainless steel and aluminum TIG welding, CNC machining, fabrication, etc. I've been into motors and things that go "VROOM!" since I was a kid. I spend a lot of my free time on motorcycles (or building them), and aside from thinking this Manta is dead sexy, I have a thing for classic Volvos. So, I *DO* have a few questions about this car.... Does anyone know what kind of hp/tq the stock rear end will hold up to? I'm going to build up a Volvo B230F+T 16V hooked to a Mustang T5 transmission. Wondering what the likelihood is that the rear end will handle it, or if I should plan on getting something else? Also, where are you guys finding the front end spoiler? Is this still available new somewhere or are you trading out used parts? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 (edited) Welcome and greeting, Weld the diff, and it will hold 350+ bhp https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dm42lYbv0p1M&ved=0ahUKEwj1vdjAwsvYAhXLLMAKHZIoB2UQo7QBCCYwAQ&usg=AOvVaw38iiEr10skPLuP_aixhdxB Or http://24v-ascona.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/blog-post.html A volvo with Lsd, if find another one sure throw it my way. Ps the manta a and b, are essentially the same, a is little narrower. Good luck with the project, you welding will come in handy! Edited January 9, 2018 by ®evo03 link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNOPELMANTA Posted January 9, 2018 Author Share Posted January 9, 2018 Thanks! I love the B too, but the A seems like it will make a super sleeper in the upper midwest. Not a lot of them around to begin with. I am excited to get this project started. I have access to all sorts of CNC equipment, 3D Printers, casting, etc. at work. I also own a small shop, so I have a tube bender, bead roller, english wheel... all the tools I need to build motorcycle sheet metal bits. I'll definitely be updating as I go along. Hoping to get the Scirocco up there and grab the Manta in about 2 weeks. BTW, what body stuff interchanges or is close to with the Manta A? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 Only some mechanical bits, but limited, may be similar to opel gt, sold in the states, ive a mate in jersey with a isuzi kadett, opel kadett. not a A anorak, but know a bit? Ascona A is closer to manta A Manta A have a sort after axle for rally type vauxhall chevettes replicas, or opel kadetts as they suit wider wheels with arch extensions, a stronger steel torque tube than a cast alloy manta b. A manta b axle is wider, if you want wider stance, but as you are rocking volvo engine why not fit a volvo 7, 9 series axle with LSD Im sure others on here, or search button will be a great help! Germany is a great place for sourcing mechanical original bits, or here! You may like this http://www.hilmersson-racing.com Good luck with your project, pm sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Opelgtsource in California has manta a bits. Mostly geared towards gt but many mechanical parts are shared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNOPELMANTA Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) 18 hours ago, ®evo03 said: You may like this http://www.hilmersson-racing.com Good luck with your project, pm sent Wow!!! Pretty much exactly what I was thinking. Except that's both turbo and supercharged, yeah? I mean, now it is? I thought I saw a video about that car and the owner was saying it was turbo and supercharged? Edited January 10, 2018 by MNOPELMANTA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Welcome! Nice to see a manta owner across the pond. One day I may need ask you a question about this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNOPELMANTA Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 It has arrived. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Nice to see another A on here :-) Reach out to Gil at Opel GT Source as he is super helpful and a fair bit of the stuff for the GT fits the A and i know he gets stuff from Germany. I have a few links to places in Germany on my blog (http://www.theopelproject.com/) that might help with those hard to find bits (window rubbers etc..) Thomas at www.edelschmiede.com is also very helpful. Looks like you might need a few bit :-) Also some useful info on here as well https://www.opelgt.com/forums/forum.php Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNOPELMANTA Posted July 29, 2018 Author Share Posted July 29, 2018 On 7/24/2018 at 16:45, 611 said: Nice to see another A on here :-) Reach out to Gil at Opel GT Source as he is super helpful and a fair bit of the stuff for the GT fits the A and i know he gets stuff from Germany. I have a few links to places in Germany on my blog (http://www.theopelproject.com/) that might help with those hard to find bits (window rubbers etc..) Thomas at www.edelschmiede.com is also very helpful. Looks like you might need a few bit :-) Also some useful info on here as well https://www.opelgt.com/forums/forum.php Andy Thanks Andy! She's a bit rough around the edges, but salvageable. I think these cars are interesting enough to warrant the time it takes to get one back to life. I'm gonna make a list of parts i need once I get this on the rotisserie and get it all soda blasted. Still need to decide on a motor. The og motor is present and unstuck...but I want more ponies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 Its the trim that is the harder bits to find. All the rest is quite easy. Being use to all those V8's you will need something with a bit more power :-) What about a nice V6? Datsun 350z with 6 speed box! Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNOPELMANTA Posted July 30, 2018 Author Share Posted July 30, 2018 7 hours ago, 611 said: Its the trim that is the harder bits to find. All the rest is quite easy. Being use to all those V8's you will need something with a bit more power :-) What about a nice V6? Datsun 350z with 6 speed box! Andy Ha. Well, I'm actually a classic Swedish car nerd....so I have plans for a turbocharged Volvo 2.3L red block with a 16v head on it. >:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 12 hours ago, MNOPELMANTA said: a turbocharged Volvo 2.3L red block with a 16v head on it. >:) Me too, i will volunteer to test the 1st one for you, on a road test, just post one over and i will fit one to a manta, (b). I will even pay the postage. Seriously, any one build these engines, or supply them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 19 hours ago, MNOPELMANTA said: Ha. Well, I'm actually a classic Swedish car nerd....so I have plans for a turbocharged Volvo 2.3L red block with a 16v head on it. >:) Nice, but it must be a lot of work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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