13 replies to this topic

[Tempesta48]

Hi!

The Opel Manta GT/E i bought has some engine modifications. Previous owner changed the block with one from an Opel Rekord 2.2 and kept the same head from the 2.0. This is good for local MOT because they don't see the difference but I haven't found any information about this mod and I'm not sure if it's better to make a swap with a red top or try to improve it.

It also has a custom exhaust and direct air intake, so I'll try to put the car on a RR as soon as possible.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Edited by Tempesta48, 18 January 2012 - 08:21 AM.

[Tempesta48]

Oh, I forgot to say that I also have a Z20LEH from an Opel Astra OPC / Vauxhall Astra VXR. I won't go the canbus way but I think that I might be able to use the electronic part from an Opel Calibra or any other Z20LET, what do you think? I don't have the gearbox and I don't know which one would fit this engine in the Manta :-?

Salut!

[manta400john]

Adjusting the spring inside the air flow meter would make the mixture closer to what it should be. It'll be running a bit lean if it's sucking in 2200cc's of air but only getting fuel for 2000cc's....if you see what I mean.  Although maybe it's been tweeked allready?
How to do this will be on the forum somewhere..........and it's in a Manta Magic from many moons ago.
John.

[Tempesta48]

I think the previous owner leaved this unmodified because I already asked him time ago, so I'll check where you say. I have little notions about this so I'll have to learn a bit... no problem

Sorry for the question, but what's Manta Magic?

Thanks!

Edited by Tempesta48, 21 January 2012 - 07:37 PM.

[monzta]

This conversion is both good and lacky. The good thing is that the compression ratio is good with a 2,0 head on a 2,2 block, it will be a bit higher than a stock 2,0E wich gives you a tad more power. Another good thing is that the camshaft from the 2,0E head is alot better than the one from the 2,2 head. Where this conversion lacks however is in flow as the 2,2 head has a much better flow, bigger and raised intake ports and bigger valves. And as previously stated you will propably run a little lean on the mixture with a 2,0E injection fitted to a 2,2 engine, but this is only a matter of adjustment.

I would totally stay with the current modifications. The 2,2 is one of the best CIH engines you can get and they are easily tunable. Add a sports camshaft and a set of open carbs and you will be able to gain up to 170-80hp depending on the cam profile and carbs of course.

But mind the revs, the CIH engines does not like very high revs and there wont be much more power to gain when you cross the 5500rpm mark on the tacho anyways

[Tempesta48]

Thanks montza!

Regarding the sports camshaft, which one can I fit as I'm a newbie in these issues and because I have a 2.0 head on a 2.2 block, I don't know what to search (camshaft for 2.0 or 2.2).

Lastly, regarding the carbs. Mine is a GTE with electronic injection, so changing to carbs would mean a modification in the car's legal documentation, higher consumption and I'm not sure if it's worth doing it. Maybe this way would be easier to tune the mixture... am I right?

If I leave electronic injection, how can I adjust it? As I believe the default one is not tunable.

I've also thought about changing exhaust manifold for a 4-2-1 and also the intake manifold with a Lexmaul RAM. Would that be worth its cost?

Sorry for asking so much, but when I search for an answer, I get two new questions

Best regards!

[monzta]

This is where you ask questions mate, so no need to excuse yourself

The 2,2 and 2,0 has similar camshafts. But for best ease of access to the parts you need, you will of course need a 2,0 camshaft for your 2,0 head. I know that Cat-cams supply a rather big range of different cams. Remember to tell them that you plan on keeping your injection system. The injection should be tuned for the cam (this is a real rookie mistake) and this is done on a rolling road or by specialists in the old Bosch injection systems. Really all they do is adjust the fuel pressure and adjust your airbox.

Open carbs or throttle bodies allow you to gain massive power from the CIH but if this is not an option for you, i would reccomend the Lexmaul RAM manifold if you can get a hold of one.

Another alternative is to get a 2,2 or 2,4 head for the engine and shorten down a C30NE intake manifold (you cut off the to last cylinder intakes and weld up the hole). This gives you 12hp on a stock 2,2 / 2,4 engine. You still use your old injectors and loom. The C30NE intake has a much bigger throttle body.

There is no need to make any modifications to the exhaust manifold. Only when you get to around 170-80 bhp you can gain some extra hp on the exhaust manifold but you will loose torque. Opel actually made a very good exhaust manifold. I will however recommend a 2 or 2,5" sports exhaust if you don´t allready have one on the car.

[Tempesta48]

Thanks!

I've found an Opel Monza from 1981, the 3.0E version which I think has 180hp but I'm not sure if it also has LSD. I know it's a heavier engine but I don't know if the extra power will be enough for drifting (newbie).

The reason is that i'ts cheap and I can get the whole car, so I'm not sure if swapping the engine to the Manta would be better (because the Manta is lighter and smaller than the Monza) or better to stick with the Monza and forget the Manta for drifting purposes. Just the Lexmaul RAM for my current engine costs more than the Opel Monza!

Best regards!

[monzta]

Is the car supposed to go to MOT or is it a anything-goes-project ?

If there are no regulations, i would go for the 3,0E and move it further back into the car. Just remember that those engines really have problems with cooling and they tend to boil, so a extreme radioator, running with no thermostat valve, and some big electric fans should be considered.

Also you cannot use the LSD from a Monza on a Manta im affraid..

As a previous Monza owner i can tell you that those things definatly can drift, and they are easy to find LSD´s for. The rear wheel setup is also independent on the monza, instead of the live rear axle of the Manta.

In every aspect i can think of, i would go with the Monza as a drifting car. It handles superbly, and the 3,0E can really be made to give som massive power as well. Also a 24V conversion is easy to make later on if you want more power

This is a very old vid of my A1 series Monza C30NE with tripple dellorto´s. Just had them fitted (but not adjusted). The "ticking" noise is the exhaust manifold that is not 100% at that point..
http://www.bilgaller...x?VideoID=16460

Edited by monzta, 25 January 2012 - 09:18 PM.

[Tempesta48]

If I buy the Monza, one would have to pass MOT and the other one would be, as you say, anything-goes-project.

I forgot to say that I also have a Z20LEH (without gearbox) from a broken Opel Astra OPC but I'm not sure if I can fit it in the Monza, not searched for info yet. To fit it in the Manta, I think it might be similar to fitting a C20XE or a C20LET as the block is very similar, if not the same, right? But this would require a difficult to find gearbox, modifying the engine bay, etc. If using the Z20LEH is too complicated, I will sell it and use the money to upgrade the Manta and/or Monza if I finally buy it.

As you can see, I have too many options but for what you're telling me, I think I'll use the Monza for drift and the Manta for a big project (with or without MOT, still have to decide depending of its cost).

Thanks very much for your help mate, tak!

[monzta]

Hi. Yeah i would go for the Monza as a drift car. As said LSD´s are very easy to come by (they are found in Carlton GSi 24v, and Senator 24V and is a direct fit).

Regarding the Z20LEH option, yes i would think the build is very similar to a C20XE build. But regarding gearbox you wouldn´t have to find a expensive 1,8 Manta Getrag 5 speed. If its just for drifting a 4 speed GM box would be fine (yeah they break but they take an hour or 1½ to change and they are so cheap you could have like 7 or 8 of them on the shelfe in the garage to use). Some Manta 1,8´s where build with the 4 speed gearbox and all you really need to do is find a bellhouse from one of theese, they take a stock 4 speed GM box

But still, the Monza is a better car than the Manta in every aspect. You just need to be very attentive regarding the cooling, and all will be fine.

[Tempesta48]

Thanks. I'm going to get the Monza and once I have it I'll check if it has LSD as the owner isn't sure. I suppose that means it won't have but let's see...

Regarding the Z20LEH, if I keep it it would be to fit it in the Manta but here 1.8 Manta's were not sold so I would have to search for the them abroad. Which kind of 4 speed gearbox could I fit to the Z20LEH? From which car I mean?

There's a mate that has fitted a Z20LEH on a Kadett so I'll ask him too.

Tak!

[monzta]

Velbekomme (Your welcome)

If you get a 1,8 bellhousing for the 4 speed gearbox any Kadett C, Manta A / B, Ascona A/B and Rekord / Carlton 4 speed gearbox will fit, as long as it comes from a CIH type engined car ( 1,6-2,0 ). Theese gearboxes are often easy to find and very cheap as most people are interested in the 5 speed conversion if they have 4 speed cars. The 1,8 bellhousing should be easy to find on german ebay or similar, and shouldn´t be too expensive to ship.

Regarding the Monza LSD the plates can be worn and therefore it might have LSD but without it working proper.

Still as said, LSD´s are easy to come by for the Monza as many Carlton/Omega 24v has them, and Opel Senator B series 24V all have LSD´s. But but but, if its for drifting you should just weld the thing up so you get 100% slip. The car will drift like a beaty, but will be undrivable on ordinary roads.

Check out this vid of the Finnish Driftking and his Manta A 2,8 litre CIH6

[Tempesta48]

Hi!

Thanks, I think I'll stay with a street legal Monza with LSD if it's easy to find. I'll keep this thread updated. I'm going to see the Monza tomorrow morning and if it's ok, I'll have it soon to start repairing it (the owner said it's missing the fuel pump and the brakes are not working well).

Thanks again for all your comments!

PS: Nice video by the way, hope to be able to do something similar in the future. Too much time waiting is driving me nuts!

Edited by Tempesta48, 30 January 2012 - 02:33 PM.