71 Opel GT with Miata swap
12-02-2009, 09:47 AM
#1
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Jackson, MS
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
71 Opel GT with Miata swap
Kind of a cool project. I always liked the overt mini-Vette "Hey look at me! I'm a SPORTS car!" styling of the GT. On the other hand, why the hell would you bother swapping a modern drivetrain in and then use an automatic?
Somebody buy this (not at that price) and turbo it.
71 opel gt with miata swap
Somebody buy this (not at that price) and turbo it.
71 opel gt with miata swap
I am selling my opel gt. Its has a 95 mazda miata engine and tranny. This swap was done professionally and the car drives like a new car. The miata motor makes 140 horsepower and the 4 speed automatic tranny with electronic locking torque converter keeps it in line. this car cruzes on the freeway at 80 with no problem. fuel injection starts every time, and it gets about 35 miles per gallon.the car is black and is ready to be restored if you desire to make it a show car. Or it makes an excellent daily driver as it is. There is no rust as it is a california car. If you have any more questions call Darren @916-320-0689
Reply
0
0
12-02-2009, 11:09 AM
#4
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Jackson, MS
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
The upside is that (according to Wiki) the GT had a curb weight of 2072 lbs, so if you could turbo it up to 220ish WHP, it'd be a nice kick. No idea about the quality of the suspension or rear end though.
Reply
0
0
12-02-2009, 03:02 PM
#5
Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,647
Total Cats: 3,009
The rear ends gears are a little weak (same one was used by Chevy in the Chevette). It is a five link rear suspension with coil springs and a panhard bar. The front suspension uses a transverse composite leaf spring. Performance springs and big brake kits are readily available. The engine is set back in the chassis a little and gives it a front-mid layout. The cockpit and driving ergonomics are quite good. No other car from that era fit as much like a jet fighter plane cockpit. Loved mine. Miss it...
Reply
0
0
12-02-2009, 03:52 PM
#9
Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,647
Total Cats: 3,009
Those Buick motors are wide and heavy. The 231 is a 90 degree vee. You have to cut the footwells on the Opel to get it in there and they make 120whp naturally aspirated in most cases.
Those cars handle pretty well if you don't put two extra anvils under the hood.
Those cars handle pretty well if you don't put two extra anvils under the hood.
Last edited by sixshooter; 12-02-2009 at 05:13 PM.
Reply
0
0
12-03-2009, 01:09 AM
#10
I had a '69 that my grandpa and I rebuilt the motor in and sold. Fun car to drive, I swapped a '78 Opel by Isuzu rear end into mine. Grandpa took the car out without any gear oil with the stock rear and seized the pinions bearings rock solid. Thus the swap, fun welding project.
Reply
0
0
12-03-2009, 01:19 AM
#11
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7,930
Total Cats: 45
Instant wood for me. We had an orange one in our shop when I was going to school for ASE ****, and I would always drool over it when we were standing around not doing **** like we often were doing. The damn thing never moved or ran the entire 2+ years I was there, not sure who it belonged to or why it was there. Almost wish I had figured out and made someone an offer on it.
Also had another orange car I hadn't seen before, it was also an Opel I think, but it had a fiberglass body so I'm not too sure. Looked almost like a 240Z in shape. It was also pretty bad *** and never left the shop or ran.
Also had another orange car I hadn't seen before, it was also an Opel I think, but it had a fiberglass body so I'm not too sure. Looked almost like a 240Z in shape. It was also pretty bad *** and never left the shop or ran.
Reply
0
0
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
