What's Your Ideal Recipe for Vintage Compact Madness?

"Blake Noble" (no-bull) 01/25/2014 at 01:58 • Filed to: None

0

38

Earlier, on Oppositelock, someone posted a photo of what I can only describe as a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Typically when I see any sort of '70s Japanese car, I crack a smile because, to me, they're the automotive equivalent of lava lamps and "earth tone" fabrics — they're novelty items.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

This particular Celica, though, didn't make me smile. There was nothing to smile about. It had large flares bolted to its fenders covering up a set of wheels and tires meaty enough to grab traction in the cold vacuum of space. Aside from a splash of white paint to accent the grille and header panel, the jet black bodywork was all business and no show. No, this car made me grin , but not because I thought it was asinine. I thought it was awesome. (I tried digging up some specs, but aside from two other photos I found on some douchey site dedicated to tuner Civics and JC Whitney bodykits, I came up empty handed.)

I hate to pigeonhole myself, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that I'm a big fan of American Iron from the '60s and '70s, and I like pro-touring cars. There's something about the idea of an old American car with a modern American V8 engine, good brakes, suspension, and seats that I just like. It's been a dream rattling around in my head for the last couple of years to build one of my own — ideally based around a '77-'81 Firebird — but it just never seems to pan out.

However, that Celica rekindled my interest in another take on the pro-touring formula: what if I couldn't buy an old muscle car and a newer V8 for a pro-touring build and was stuck with an older compact car from the same time frame and couldn't use anything larger than a recently manufactured six-cylinder engine? Here are my top three alternatives to a pro-touring '70s Firebird, and their respective ingredients list.

1.) 1968 - 1973 Opel GT

Recipe 1: Take one late '60s to early '70s Opel GT and add the turbocharged 2.0L LNF Ecotec four and corresponding six-speed manual from a Saturn Sky RedLine/Pontiac Solstice GXP. Throw on the available GM Performance turbo upgrade kit, and that LNF is good for at least 290 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque . The Opel GT's curb weight is only about 1,850 pounds, which is incidentally about the same weight as a late model Lotus Elise. That much power with so little weight? Mmmm , my mouth is watering. Throw on some big tires, build a custom front subframe and suspension, and bolt up some big Brembro brakes and then you're set to really cook.

2.) 1970 - 1975 Opel Manta A

Recipe 2: Just substitute the Opel GT in the recipe above for an early '70s Opel Manta A. If the GT is the C3 Stingray's European Mini-Me, the Manta is the Chevelle's. The Manta is slightly heavier than the GT by about 200 pounds, but that shouldn't matter too much.

3.) 1970 - 1977 AMC Hornet Two-Door Sedan or Hatchback

Recipe 3: Take either one '70s AMC Hornet two-door sedan or two-door hatchback and add a 4.0 I-6 and six-speed manual from a circa 2004 to 2006 TJ Jeep Wrangler. Build the 4.0 into a 4.7L stroker using some off-the-shelf parts from Advance Auto and toss on a junkyard supercharger, and do your best to refine the manual transmission for smoother, shorter shifts and bulk it up for the supercharged stroker. The supercharged inline-six should be good for around 300 horsepower and almost 400 lb-ft of torque. While the Hornet is heavier than either of the two Opels at about 3,000 pounds, it still wouldn't be any slouch on the street or the track after bringing the suspension and brakes up to snuff. Also, since the Hornet was the basis for the AMC Eagle crossover, there's a chance that the Eagle's all-wheel drive system could be retrofitted, too.

Those are my ideas for building a bad-ass vintage compact car. What can you come up with?

puddler > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 02:03

0

i had a '68 opel kadette rallye 1.1L it was a blast. i learned how to weld sheetmetal on that car, shaved the driprails, filled the bolt holes from pulling the bumpers off...was fun.

ideal? esslinger 2.3 in a '60 falcon.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 02:11

1

Mazda Cosmo 110 rockin' a 276hp 13b from an FD RX-7 and a 6-speed manual out of an RX-8.

RMudkips > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 02:12

0

This with a modern N/A I6, but since you're talking insane, the twin turbo I4 found in the 1M. I think an E30 six-speed could do the trick in this. And with some modern suspension bits; I don't want to be too specific now, but it should be lowered with purpose. Subtle aero kit pieces would do the trick for the car.

A 190e with a modern AMG CLA45 engine would be killer in this. Or even better, the C63's massive engine, for the hell of it. Yes, there's the Cosworth special, but why not have fun with modern Mercedes parts?

RMudkips > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/25/2014 at 02:13

0

Would the 3 rotor from the last Cosmo work?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > RMudkips 01/25/2014 at 02:17

0

It might but what with the large size and all those turbos the 20b might not fit in such a small car. I'd have to look into it.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 02:22

3

Step 1: Take a small British roadster (Spitfire, Elan, Jensen-Healey, etc...)

2: Add one (1) Hayabusa engine

3: ???

4: Profit

Blake Noble > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/25/2014 at 02:26

0

Oh, man. I totally forgot about the Cosmo 110. What a wonderfully weird looking car. That's an excellent choice, ditto the 13B REW.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > RMudkips 01/25/2014 at 02:28

0

Screw subtle, why not go full-on csl with the aero?

RMudkips > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/25/2014 at 02:55

1

Batmobile in black, fine. Oh, with those hoses poking out of the grille. I'd love that.

promoted by the color red > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 03:19

1

+ 220 HP N/A Integra Type-R engine

KirkyV > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 03:38

1

Mine's effectively been done for me: the 'Pug1Off' Peugeot 205 GTi. I'm not sure if I'd take one over an original unmolested example, but if we're talking restomodded classics, there's nothing I'd rather have.

(EVO review: http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evo… )

(Autocar road test of the original.)

(To clarify, they have actually made excellent GTis in the spirit of the original 205 since, but none have carried the '20-' name. The 106 and 306 GTis of the 1990s/early 2000s were absolutely superb.)

Chase > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 03:52

0

I wrote this out over in the thread with the picture, but here's some more information on the car (and the others this guy owns)
Linky

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

chiefstinky > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 04:41

0

Opel GT! Always saw one growing up, parked at some guy's house. You can find them decently sorted for about $10K. Thanks for rekindling the interest.

For example on CL

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > RMudkips 01/25/2014 at 04:45

0

The 1M's got a TT I6, so that should satisfy both conditions :)

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 06:42

1

RX-3 with a Renesis swap. Well, either that or a Fiat 124 Spider, with the new 1.4 Multiair Turbo swapped in. That could be a fun mix.

JACU - I've got bonifides. > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 06:42

0

Opel GT outfitted as written for sure. Few cars that size, even today have the styling chops that car did. Take my money.

Better yet. One built from scratch using carbon-fiber body panels, fully modern mechanicals and interior.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 07:14

0

I love this idea :) The trouble with the Opel GT is that it really is tiny, and the Ecotec is a huge engine for a 4-cylinder (especially with the turbo). The Vauxhall/Opel redtop high power I4 is a swap that's been done before, and produces plenty of power for such a featherlight car. They're brilliant :)

Another great one is the BMW M2 (a 2002 with an S14 from the E30 M3 in it). Great video of one here:

I've seen a couple of other great ones. There was a TR6 with a BMW S50 .

There's lots of classic minis with Honda VTEC engines, although personally I'd love to make one with a hot K-Series (they can be bonkers engines when tuned).

Another popular one is swapping the later T-Spark 2.0l I4s into Alfa GTVs, which can be pulled up over 200bph N/A (if you want to go nuts) using what is essentially a development of the original engine.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > KirkyV 01/25/2014 at 08:44

0

Sweet :) I hadn't heard about that one.

I have heard about people swapping GTi-6 engines into 106 GTis though, or the Mi16 engine from a 405. I think they're the same engine, unless the GTi-6 engine has an iron block. The Mi16's all-alloy.

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 08:46

2

S30 240Z

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully 01/25/2014 at 08:48

0

An RX-3 Renesis would be excellent.

Also, the Fiat twincam in the spider is the same basic engine as the one used in the Lancia Delta Integrale. A 200+bhp turbocharged Spider would be excellent as well.

Sn210 > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 09:18

0

Vr6 swapped Rabbit

Or Yamaha R1 swapped mini

RMudkips > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 01/25/2014 at 09:44

1

Oh, even better! I personally like N/A, but it isn't mad enough for this car (unless if you get a Cossie engine).

Would a 240z with a VR38DETT work? Sure, there's the size of the thing, but I think it could be done.

Timmy - MINI With a Big Blower > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/25/2014 at 09:59

1

This man deserves a beer! Who gives a damn if it's 10am.

speltbackwards > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 10:27

3

I used to own a manta with a 350 chevy in it. Lots of fun, but it was a crap DD. The guy I sold it to turned it into a full drag car.

speltbackwards > speltbackwards 01/25/2014 at 10:28

0

(it was blue when I owned it - the bumble bee theme was all him!)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > RMudkips 01/25/2014 at 10:43

0

Possibly. I know they fit RB26DETTs in them and they're enormous engines with all the piping for the turbos.

Would be monstrous :)

GhostZ > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 10:54

0

My ideal recipe is insane.

Delete the bumpers. Add a G-nose front end and rear ducktail. Shaved rear end. Low side skits. Pearl white with no decals or logos.

Arizona Z Car 6-piston caliper front and rear brakes. Much wider, but still 16", watanabe rims. Front coilover conversion, new coilovers on all 4 corners, front and rear sway bars, front and rear adjustable dampeners.

Frame completely stripped and stitch welded with carbon fiber cross bracing on the engine bay, rear seats, and truck, with an integrated roll cage. Carbon fiber hood, hatch, and fenders.

VK56VD with custom sleeved 3.94" overbore, with a 2.5" stroke crankshaft. custom grind cams, 11000rpm redline, 9500 rpm peak, 3995cc. Direct injection, and methanol injection. Twin turbos pushing 20 psi total, to the tune of 4 digit HP numbers. 6-speed transmission with custom rear end LSD capable of spinning to 250mph without air resistance.

Redesigned underbody, low-mounted air intakes, crank-shaft driven underbody fan. Exhaust-blown diffuser from straight pipes. Active underbody aero through hydraulics.

On-board diagnostics computer, GPS, radar detector, boost control, aero controller, traffic map, and all sort of other eletronic goodies.

I figure it would only take about $200,000 to build.

GhostZ > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/25/2014 at 10:56

1

Why stop at one Hayabusa engine?

Hayabusa V8!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Timmy - MINI With a Big Blower 01/25/2014 at 11:39

0

Sorry but I'm only 20!

Timmy - MINI With a Big Blower > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/25/2014 at 12:06

0

I am indeed only 19.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > Blake Noble 01/25/2014 at 12:13

0

Lotus Europa. CBR1000 engine. Enjoy.

Pockets > Blake Noble 01/26/2014 at 14:39

0

Alfa Romeo 1750GTv & the Arese V6. Don't know how you'd do the details exactly (gearbox, etc.) but it would be awesome.

I saw a few photos of a really nice Skoda Estelle/120LS with a Fiat Twin-Cam swap somewhere on the internet a few years back, wouldn't mind one of those.

I'd also be tempted to do a big power Saab turbo engine into a Morris Marina, because it's the dumbest thing that comes to mind.

Nothing compact about it, but in terms of "best non-V8 swap into a '60s car" that has actually been made has got to be the Vox Volvo Amazon.
Some of the RB26DETT-into-old-Skylines swaps have been pretty cool too.


Would Ford's Ecoboost 1.0t fit into a 2CV?

SpeedSix > Blake Noble 01/26/2014 at 18:21

0

Toyota Sports 800 or Honda S600 Coupé with the 13B rotary engine.

Extremely lightweight 1960s Japanese coupes with a lightweight, small rotary engine, upgraded brakes, reworked suspension, strengthened chassis, and stock wheels with upgraded tires.

Shiftright > Blake Noble 01/26/2014 at 23:44

0

A lowered Subaru XT with a WRX STi power train transplant. It would be of course Subaru racing blue w gold wheels and have a huge WRX wing on the back. Yes, I'm weird I know.

everycarneedsanls > Blake Noble 01/29/2014 at 22:32

0

Nash Metropolitan with an LS...

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicl…

Eric Sundell > Blake Noble 01/29/2014 at 23:19

0

Volvo 240 with the new turbo 6 whiteblock in it. Bitch would scream.

BlandonNimrat > Blake Noble 01/31/2014 at 02:12

0

Hey, you stole my profile photo!

In all seriousness, as said in an earlier comment, the engine bay in an Opel GT (and the Manta) is quite narrow. The car is effectively mid-front engined, and you've got the strut towers right alongside the engine.

Some people have made LS engines fit, but it is apparently, really, really, really tight and an arseload of work.

BlandonNimrat > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 01/31/2014 at 02:15

1

+1 on the redtop Opel / Vauxhall swap for an Opel GT or a Manta. That is really the easiest way to go. I suppose you could stuff a centrifugal supercharger on the front if you were really desperate for juice. or give it some bottle. On the other hand, there is an tremendous amount of room in front of the engine and into the nose area, so a custom fab exhaust to a turbo in front could be possible, though difficult.