1973 Opel GT build

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Jeff Groves

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So kind of a GM car.
I bought a rolling Chassis. Fresh paint no interior or drive train. $1000
Shipping cost me another $650

I'm in the process of buying and building a 3.4 Chevy V6 to drop in it.
Now a stock 1.9 4 cylinder is about 80+ HP
A stock 3.4 V is about 180 hp.
Swap some heads and intake stuff? You get about 200+ HP.

Should be fun!
 

Tonyrodz

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So kind of a GM car.
I bought a rolling Chassis. Fresh paint no interior or drive train. $1000
Shipping cost me another $650

I'm in the process of buying and building a 3.4 Chevy V6 to drop in it.
Now a stock 1.9 4 cylinder is about 80+ HP
A stock 3.4 V is about 180 hp.
Swap some heads and intake stuff? You get about 200+ HP.

Should be fun!
I always thought they were cool looking cars. I didn't know they were so underpowered.
 

Danny3737

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My first car was a 75 Opel Manta. It was a fun car and easy to work on. The GT had the flip up headlights which could be a problem sometimes. You can get a decent HP pick up with just a reworked head, cam, headers, and Weber carb with the stock motor, but I doubt those alone will get you 200 HP. Either way, it will be fun to drive. Hopefully the rear end will be able to handle the extra HP of the V6
 

Danny3737

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I honestly don’t remember. That was 40 years ago...ugh. I do remember it was fairly slow off the line, but it had a lot of top end speed. It was a great car, very easy to work on.


What was the stock rear ratio?
 

drakon543

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id have to look for it but there are a few cam options for the 3.4 also. one company makes a thumper cam for the 3.4 gives it a real nasty sound.
 

Danny3737

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It’s a cool looking car. Looks like a mini vette. I had Turn 6 suspension on mine with KYB’s. I also had a header and mild cam reground. The 1985 year had fuel injection.
The V6 should give it some good pep. Too bad you can’t put one of the Ford SHO motors in it. I hink The show Wheeler Dealers did a GT on one of their episodes. Add some pics when you get a chance.
 

Danny3737

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This is identical to the Manta i had, except mine had a front air dam I had on mine. I also had beefier springs for the 2” drop. The GT is a cooler looking car.

3240F526-176C-4168-8DF1-8AA4B037A59E.jpeg
 

Tonyrodz

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It’s a cool looking car. Looks like a mini vette. I had Turn 6 suspension on mine with KYB’s. I also had a header and mild cam reground. The 1985 year had fuel injection.
The V6 should give it some good pep. Too bad you can’t put one of the Ford SHO motors in it. I hink The show Wheeler Dealers did a GT on one of their episodes. Add some pics when you get a chance.
Yup, it was a green one. I didn't know they made them in 85. Thought they were only made in the early to mid 70's.
 

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