May June 08 Blitz - Opel Motorsports Club

Volume 28, Issue 3
May/June 2008
Your other car doesn’t need to know.
Inside this Issue
Racing Engines
Understanding Relays
Canadian Rallye Kadett
New GT Racing Book
SEMA News
ECO Speedster
Manta A & Manta B retrospective
Nostalgia Day Car Show Flyer
‘08 GT Tuner & Targa News
Welcome to the Opel Motorsport Club
T HE OPEL M OTORSPORT CLUB IS CELEBRATING ITS 28TH YEAR OF DEDICATION TO THE PRESERVATION AND APPRECIATION OF ALL GERMAN OPELS , WITH
SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON M ODELS IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES . WE ARE HEADQUARTERED IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA, AND HAVE CHAPTERS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN EUROPE, AS WELL AS MEMBERS IN CANADA AND M EXICO. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE SUBSCRIPTION TO OUR NEWSLETTER , T HE BLITZ , LISTINGS FOR PARTS AND SERVICE SUPPLIERS , BLITZ INDEX & TECH T IP INDEX (1985-DATE), FREE CLASSIFIED ADS (3 PER YEAR ), CLUB
ITEMS, M EMBER ROSTER , OWNER SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES , INCLUDING MEETINGS AND OUR ANNUAL P ICNIC & CAR SHOW
The Club
Regional Chapters
The Blitz
TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP
CONTACT:
OMC TREASURER, c/o Dick Counsil
3824 Franklin Street
La Crescenta, CA 91214-1607
European Chapter (Netherlands)
Contact Louis van Steen: (011 31) 297 340
536 (please take note of the time zone
before calling), fast69gt (at) yahoo.com
SEND EVENT INFORMATION, TECH
TIPS, PARTS INFORMATION, LETTERS ,
CHAPTER ACTIVITY ANNOUNCEMENTS,
ADVERTISEMENTS AND ALL OTHER
ITEMS OF INTEREST TO:
MEMBERSHIP DUES:
Regular: $45 Annually via Checks and
Money Orders (US funds only, made
payable to Opel Motorsport Club) or $47
annually via PayPal.
Online: $20 annually or $21 via PayPal
Send PayPal funds to:
[email protected]
Include your name and address information.
MEETINGS:
The OMC meetings are as announced, at
varying locations. Please consult the OMC
Blitz calendar or OMC website to find out
who is hosting the next meeting or event.
Online Opel Sites
Florida Chapter (Coral Gables, FL)
Contact John Malone: 305-443-8513
Michigan Chapter
Contact John Brooks: 616-233-9050 ext 12
Johncinquo (at) hotmail.com.
Mid Atlantic Opel Club (Richmond, VA)
Contact Charles Goin: 804-379-9737
cgoin (at) mindspring.com
New England Opel Club (Swansea, MA)
Contact Gary Farias: 508-679-2740
Gary (at) opelgt.com
North American Opel GT Chapter
(Chicago, IL)
Contact Jim Toler: 630-964-9797
Northern California Chapter (Sonora,
CA) Contact Gil Wesson: 209-928-1110
Opelgts (at) opelgtsource.com
Ohio Chapter (Columbus, OH)
Contact Larry Shal: 614-861-1565
Pacific Northwest Chapter (Shelton,
WA) Contact Paul Kaman: 360-426-9267
OMC is on the Internet. The site features
Club News, Event Coverage, Tech Tips,
OMC & Opel History, features and much
more.
Rocky Mountain Opels (Security, CO)
Contact Branston DiBrell Jr 719-391-9421
dibrellb (at) rmi.net
Visit us at: www.opelclub.com
San Diego Opel Motorsport Club
Contact TBA when available.
Other Good Opel Sites:
www.opelgt.com
Website of the NEOC
Includes a Tech help Bulletin Board
Texas Opel Club (Leonard, TX)
Contact Rodney Killingsworth, 903-5879640 Tyrodk (at) fanninelectric.com
[email protected]
Subscribe to this useful e-mail posting site
Carolina Opel Club
Contact Roy Bell: 704-782-1866
E-mail: CarolinaOpelClub (at) aol.com
http://clubs.hemmings.com/
frameset.cfm?club=oana
The OANA Website
We chose to use (at) in place of @ for spam
2008 OPEL MOTORSPORT CLUB
OFFICERS & STAFF
CLUB OFFICER’S
E-MAIL ADDRESS
[email protected]
PRESIDENT -ELECT : PAUL H.
VP/S ECRETARY: Matt N.
ACTIVITIES : TBA
TREASURER: Dick Counsil 818-248-5504
BLITZ EDITOR: “Guest”
WEBMASTER: Rich
Opel BLITZ Editor
P.O Box 4004
Sonora, CA 95370-4004 USA
Deadline: (At Discretion of OMC Editor)
Submissions will be accepted either typewritten,
on Microsoft Word, Publisher or Works
compatible disk or e-mailed to the Editor.
[email protected]
Drawings or Photos accepted and encouraged.
Contributions to the Blitz will be published on a
space-available basis.
The Blitz is the official publication of the Opel
Motorsport Club (OMC). Published bi-monthly.
Circulation is limited to club members and
prospective club members. All submissions become the property of the OMC and will not be
returned. Articles, photographs, drawings,
technical tips, and other materials appearing in
the Blitz may not be reproduced without the expressed, written permission of the OMC.
Views expressed are not necessarily those of the
officers or members of the OMC.
ADVERTISING IN THE BLITZ CLASSIFIEDS
(CARS & PARTS FOR SALE OR WANTED):
Up to 50 words, plus name & phone, and a
single photo:
1 Month $6.00
3 Months $15.00
6 Months $23.00 12 Months $39.00
(3 Free Ads per year for members)
BUSINESS ADS : (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Half Page $35 for 1 month,
Full Page (Temporarily Unavailable)
Insert $120 for 1 month,
Business Card $60 for 1year
Color Back Cover (Temporarily Unavailable)
Send Ad Copy and payment (payable to Opel
Motorsport Club) to Blitz Editor.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS::
To minimize delays, please provide the OMC
Treasurer with address changes at least one
month in advance.
ON THE COVER:
Cover: Then & Now
Opel Ads from the 1950
and the GT Ad 2007
OMC Club News
All OMC members benefit, when submissions to the Blitz are received, and we want to acknowledge a couple
articles that were sent (which are printed here in this issue). We encourage members to continue this trend,
as it frees up our hard-working guest editors (to be able to spend more time on larger featured topics).
The officers elected for 2008 have been busy, although results of their behind-the-scenes efforts have
yet to be seen. (To clarify Officer duties, the OMC By-Laws are reprinted in this issue).
One item for discussion, is how to distribute the OMC Roster, with the intent
of balancing the goals of easy member-to-member access, while protecting
the privacy of members’ contact information (which unfortunately was
targeted for unauthorized use by rival commercial interests in the past).
Another item that’s still in discussion, is the 2008 OMC Picnic.
We have received a volunteer for Activities Coordinator,
however, actual details of a Picnic have not yet been finalized.
Any formal announcement, will probably be post-deadline for this issue.
OMC Picnic details may be distributed in an OMC
“Email Newsletter,” So if you haven’t already done so,
please submit your current email address to OMC
(c/o: [email protected])
Treasurer’s Report
February - March 2008
Treasurer’s Report
February/March 08
Beginning Balance February 1, 2008
Income
Member Dues
February 1st. - February 29th.
March 1st. - March 31st.
$6,726.42
$405.00
$745.00
Opels of Washington Show
Where: Kelley’s Café
16302 Pacific Avenue
Spanaway, WA
Date: July 19th. 11am-4pm.
Info: John (253) 581-5372
$1182.00
Expenses
Blitz publication w/ postage Jan-Feb.
Member/Other expenses
Expense Subtotal
Closing Balance
$964.11
$95.00
July– August
OMC’s 28th. Annual Picnic
Where: California
$1,059.11
March 31, 2008
$6,894.31
Outstanding Expenses (Estimate)
Member Dues - Say 10 @ $45
Balance
$400.00
$6,494.31
$6,494.31
$6,494.31
($450.00)
$6,944.31
Deposits
02-28-08
03-14-08
04-06-08
Total Deposits
2008 OMC Opel Nationals
Charlotte Autofair
Where: Charlotte, NC
Dates: Sept. 5th. - 7th.
see Jan./Feb. Blitz pg. 7 for details
September
Nostalgia Day Car Show
Where: Livermore, CA
Date: Sept. 28th.
$452.00
$360.00
$415.00
February-April 08
Details?: TBA
September
April 2008
Blitz Publication
Treasurer’s Expenses
Editor’s Expenses
All GM Car Show
Where: Woodley Park, CA
Date: June 8th.
July
$32.00
Income Subtotal
June
see Jan./Feb. Blitz pg. 30 for details
Regular 1 New & 27 Renewals
Online 6 New & 1 Renewals
Blitz Advertising, Sales
2008
OMC
Opel
Events
Calendar
$1227.00
see pg. 8 & 9 in this Blitz for details
and registration form.
The sporty Manta coupe, was a true BMW competitor
Last month Tom Esterkin mailed me a photocopy of an article from Automobile magazines ‘Ignition’ column,
written by Jamie Kitman and entitled, ‘Domestic carmakers took their eye off the ball. It’s time to get back in the game.’
In his two page article Kitman makes some scathing but valid points about Detroit’s “big three” automakers and the decisions
they’re making and have made in the past. I do not personally agree with everything Mr. Kitman states, however he does
make some very nice comments on the Opel Manta.
The following are excerpts from the March 2008 Automobile magazine article by Jamie Kitman from pages 30 & 31.
“Today, much of America’s best new-car stuff is German GM. Saturn’s Astra and Vue are rebadged Opels. Along with the
Aura, which is built on GM’s global Epsilon platform, they’ve vaulted Saturn, once the exclusive province of consumers who
didn’t know cars, into the thick of informed choice. Ditto the Epsilon-based Chevy Malibu, which has the automotive press
straining for adequate superlatives.”
“Many will say the American industry went wrong in the ‘90s, but the seeds of its destruction were sown fourty years ago
when it chose to shunt overseas products, even when they surpassed homegrown offerings. Whether it was due to selfdelusion, internal polictics, or that supposed impossibility — underestimating the American public’s intelligence—we may
never know. But two examples illustrate the corrosive force of engineering chauvinism.”
“GM sold Opels from Germany at Buick dealerships here in the 1960s and ’70s. Although the chintzy Kadett fairly blew, the
nifty 1900 line that followed, included the sporty Manta coupe, was a true BMW competitor at about 75% of the price. It
found an appreciative audience, but in 1976, GM chose to turn off the German Opel spigot, substituting Japan’s surprisingly
vile Isuzu Gemini for a brief run as “Opel by Isuzu” and doing serious injury to all three brands’ reputations. Many of those
old German Opels were still plying U.S. streets in the 1990s, their longevity proving just how good they really were.”
Confessions of an Opel Manta Driver:
Back in 1983, I purchased my first ‘74 Manta for $100.00. She ran, but just barely. It had been well used and abused by my
relatives since ‘77 when they purchased it from the original owner. This Manta was not much to look at, as she had numerous
dents and electrical problems, but she had a sun roof and was mine. Since ‘83 I have only been without a Manta for a little
over 2 years when I went back to college. Since then I’ve had 2 more Mantas, and currently I’m working on a ‘73. Dennis G.
Return To Us Our Manta! It Shall Save GM!
Not just the US Press is saying, “Bring Back Fun cars!”
Call me “Ich-Manni.” I have often implored manufacturers to bring back a simple, lightweight RWD sports coupe. At Jalopnik, we collectively have bemoaned the lack of certain European models, built by American manufacturer, but not sold on our
shores. And of course, I have professed my love of the Opel Manta so many times that it borders slightly on the ridiculous.
Kind of like the time in college when I used to piss off the guy in the Doobie Brothers shirt by playing "Louie Louie" incessantly on the guitar while he attempted to extol the virtues of Dave Matthews. But I have hit upon an idea, and if GM does
not grab hold of it…?! Here’s what I propose: Bring back the Opel Manta.
Think of it. Fuel prices are rising, but we still need to play. You’ve got a small, RWD platform (the Chevy Nomad concept of a
few years ago). Plus there’s a hole in the market for a vehicle that comes in below the V6/V8 pony cars or Japanese iron in
the form of the 350Z. You could easily build this car, GM. And what’s more, I believe you should.
In Europe, the Manta has a storied image. Sure, it’s got a sub-culture attached to it, but so does the
Camaro, and that didn’t stop people from collectively flipping their wigs when it was decided to
resurrect that nameplate, did it? The Manta is Europe’s Camaro, and while we think Americans
weren’t quite ready for the Manta in the 1970s, now there’s a wide open market for such a car right
now, and Hyundai seems like the only company willing to do something about it.
The current Ecotec mill is an evolution of Opel’s “Family” series, developed by a global team of
engineers from Rüsselsheim, Detroit and Trollhättan. Referred to as “Family II,” its lineage can be
traced back to the engine originally designed to power the Ascona B, which, of course, was the
basis for the Manta B. And the Manta B, of course, begat the Manta 400, which of course, raced in
Group B. What’s more, the current iteration of the GMs corporate four-banger is capable of
making staggering amounts of power, having crested 200 mph numerous times at Bonneville. Plus
Manta-drivers love tinkering with their rides.
And what of Oz? Jeremy Clarkson, (British TV
host of Top Gear) absolutely loved the
Vauxhall Monaro (Pontiac GTO, USA). Seems
to us that fuel-price-conscious types with tired
Silvias would love to slip into something like a
new Manta. We know you’ve said that it isn’t
cost-effective—But if you had a world-beating,
segment-defining car that the rest of the
automakers have left behind, wouldn’t it be
worth it to make sure it was available around
the globe? You’d need to stretch the platform
Manta 400
somewhat to make sure Jonny, his girlfriend,
her parents & little brother could come along.
As it’s probably too much to ask in this day and age to sell the car as an Opel the world over, so
we’ll accept a Saturn Manta. And we’re sure the Australians wouldn’t turn their noses up at a
Holden Manta. Just do us a favor and don’t ever sell it as a Vauxhall Manta. Somehow, that’s
tantamount to sacrilege.
So what say ye? Come on GM, let’'s turn dining back into eating.
– Davey G. Johnson, Ireland http://jalopnik.com
Editor’s Note:
Til Scweiger played the
male lead in the German language comedy
movie ‘Manta-Manta’,
which delved into the
stereotypical German
Manta driver. Til later
played a rival Formula
1 driver in the 2001
movie ‘Driven’ with
Sylvester Stallone.
Sema News
Troubling News for WA state residents, and Concerning News for NY, VT & HI car owners.
Goods News for NJ, PA & UT residents.
THE BAD NEWS! WASHINGTON STATE CONSIDERS TAXING VEHICLE EMMISIONS
In an attempt to reduce motor-vehicle emissions, legislation has been introduced in the Washington State
Senate to establish two separate progressive fees for state motor vehicles based on (1) engine size and (2)
calculations of carbon emissions. These fees would be collected by the state at the time of initial vehicle
registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.
If this effort is successful, the expense of driving a vehicle of choice in Washington could be substantial.
The measure would tax vehicle owners with an engine size of 8.0L or more $600 at the time of registration
or renewal. An additional tax of $600 would be assessed for vehicles emitting more than 362 grams per
mile of carbon dioxide. Smaller engine vehicles would be taxed at a lesser but still significant rate.
GOOD NEWS! WASHINGTON HOBBYISTS SAY NO TO GREENHOUSE GAS TAXES
With the help of grassroots hobbyists across the state, SEMA defeated two bills in Washington State that sought to tax vehicle
owners in an attempt to reduce motor-vehicle emissions. The first bill would have established two separate progressive fees for
state motor vehicles based on (1) engine size and (2) calculations of carbon emissions. These fees would have been collected by
the state at the time of initial vehicle registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.
The second bill sought to establish a progressive annual excise tax for all passenger motor vehicles based on the EPA’s
fuel-economy ratings. This tax could have required some vehicle owners to pay up to $240.00 each year.
Editors Note: Back in the 1980s & ‘90s when I was performing smog checks for the state of California, I predicted this
type of legislation!
NEW YORK PROPOSES SURCHARGE ON “GAS GUZZLERS”
Legislation has been introduced in the New York State Assembly to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new
motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require
owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle.
Funds collected under the program would be used in part to fund discounts for hybrids and electric cars. If this
effort is successful, the effects on a consumers’ ability to purchase the vehicle of choice, not to mention vehicle
safety, could be dramatic.
HAWAII TARGETS VEHICLE ENGINE SIZE FOR ADDITIONAL FEE
Legislation has been introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives to establish a progressive fee for state
motor vehicles based on engine size. These fees would be collected by the state at the time of initial vehicle
registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.
These fees would be in addition to fees and taxes normally required for registration or renewal. The measure would tax vehicle
owners with an engine size greater than 0.2L, and the fee would increase depending on engine displacement.
NEW JERSEY INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND USE OF HISTORIC VEHICLES
Legislation that would amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their use for pleasure driving
one day per week has been introduced in the New Jersey State Assembly. Under current New Jersey law, use of historic vehicles
is strictly limited to exhibitions and educational purposes by the owner.
WEST VIRGINIA BACKYARD VEHICLE RESTORATION JOBS UNDER SIEGE AGAIN
For the third time, a bill has been introduced in the West Virginia State
Legislature that would further restrict the ability of West Virginia vehicle
hobbyists from maintaining inoperable vehicles on private property. The
measure would redefine “abandoned motor vehicles” to include vehicles
or vehicle parts which are either unlicensed or inoperable, or both, are not
in an enclosed building, and have remained on private property for more
than 30 days.
Under current law, the abandoned vehicle law applies primarily to vehicles
on public property. The bill would make a violation a misdemeanor
offense punishable by substantial fines, community service and jail.
UTAH PRO -HOBBYIST INOPERABLE VEHICLE BILL INTRODUCED
SEMA-model legislation has been introduced in the Utah State Legislature that would exempt certain owners or occupants of
land in a municipality from ordinances or land-use regulations that prevent automobile collectors from pursuing their
hobby. Junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property would only need to be maintained
out of ordinary public view.
PENNSYLVANIA PRO -HOBBYIST “SHOW CAR” BILL INTRODUCED
A version of SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for “show cars” and provide for special license
plates for these vehicles was introduced and referred to the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee for consideration.
The bill would permit show cars to be driven up to 5,000 per year and would exempt them from the state’s new enhanced vehicle-inspection program.
VERMONT INTRODUCES BILL TO IMPLEMENT VEHICLE SCRAPPAGE PROGRAM
A bill has been introduced in the Vermont State Senate that would implement a vehicle scrappage program and finance it with a
progressive purchase and use tax and higher registration fees for some new motor vehicles based on fuel-efficiency ratings. Funds
collected under the program would be used dismantle vehicles deemed by the state to be “clunkers,” regardless of their historical value or collector interest.
If this effort is successful, purchasing the vehicle of your choice could be significantly more costly. Furthermore, this proposed
scrappage program could deny hobbyists the availability of vintage cars and parts for restoration projects.
WEST VIRGINIA EXPANDS SUNDAY DRIVER ANTIQUE VEHICLE USE
SEMA-supported legislation that would amend state law governing antique motor vehicles to expand their permissible use was
approved by the West Virginia House and Senate and signed into law. Under the previous law, use of antique vehicles was strictly
limited to club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, testing, obtaining repairs and for recreational purposes. This bill would increase
weekend use to begin on Fridays at 12:00 p.m. and extend through Monday at 12:00 p.m.
MARYLAND PROPOSES EMISSIONS TEST EXEMPTION FOR LOW-MILEAGE CARS
SEMA is supporting Maryland legislation that proposes to exempt motor vehicles that are driven 1,000 miles or less from the
state’s mandatory emissions' inspection program. Vehicles of any model year would be eligible.
TENNESSEE: SEMA-MODEL CUSTOM VEHICLE LEGISLATION APPROVED BY TENNESSEE
LEGISLATURE; MOVES TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE
The Tennessee State Legislature has approved a version of
SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration and titling
classification for custom vehicles. The bill defines a custom-built
car as a vehicle that is built for private use and is not constructed
by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer.
Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a
certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the
production vehicle it most closely resembles. The measure will
now be sent to Governor Phil Bredesen for his signature and
enactment into law.
KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE APPROVES BILL TO
CREATE TITLES FOR PROJECT CARS
SEMA-supported legislation to create classic motor vehicle
project titles for vehicles at least 25-years old, not road-worthy,
and currently without a title or with a title from another state,
was approved by the Kentucky State Legislature.
Under the bill, a classic motor vehicle project title would prohibit
the use of vehicles bearing these titles on the highway but, once
restored, a regular title could be issued. The measure will now be
sent to Governor Steve Beshear for his signature and enactment
into law.
OMC, watching your
automotive back!
HOW TO BUILD AN OPEL 4-CYLINDER
“RACE ENGINE”
by Roger Wilson
Part I
Over the years I found that ‘to a man’ you all thought you knew exactly what you
wanted when you asked for a high performance engine. Because I was known for high
performance, those who had to go faster would show up asking “How much to go
faster, out drag, out corner, and in general, Rule the Road?”
And when I tried to get you to be reasonable I would inevitably hear “Well, Harry’s
GT blew off a 911 Turbo”, and…” Be careful what you wish for; there are only so
many horses in an Opel engine - unless it’s running nitro-methane, nitrous, a turbo,
super charged, and there’s always...ALWAYS...a downside.
Horsepower (a momentary, fleeting moment of RPM) is derived by an increase in rpm.
Thus, as the RPM goes up - the bottom end (idle...under 3500 RPM...goes down) or
suffers. As does the engines ability to start, not stumble from the stop sign, loose gas
mileage, and have a necessity for high octane and the inability to get it to stop (turn
off). Then there’s the availability of parts to create a 150, 200 or 250 HP engine NONE - that is from “off shelf” parts. I could build 3 & 1/2 350 Chevy V8s for the
price of one Opel 1.9L.
You thought you wanted HP, when you really wanted Torque.
The cost is usually commensurate with HP - although it’s actually ‘Torque’ you all really
wanted and either didn’t understand or confused the two. And when you wanted to
drive it on the street it became absolutely ridiculous. When you let out the clutch (too
soon or too late) you gave only enough throttle to get it just barely across the intersection, went to second gear and basically did the same thing through all four or five gears
- hardly ever exceeding 3000 rpm - and for most of you it was 2500 rpm, and then you
complained that it didn’t have enough power.
Most of the power you thought you didn’t have was a result of ignorance - you drove the Opel as if it were a diesel truck.
When building an engine, the inability to absorb common sense is usually ignored, and unreasonable expectations, seem more the
rule than not. Thus...there are only a handful of legitimate individuals in the USA that are capable of an actual build-up (start to
finish) of a 4-cylinder Opel racing engine.
The inherent design of the Opel Cam -In-Head engine is a great part of the stigma of a high performance engine. The engine
is a short stroke 2.75”, overbore 3.70”, Wedge-Chambered, Siamese port head, with hollow rocker studs, heavy valves, pistons,
rods, crankshaft, flywheel, etc.
There are quite a few who claim this expertise, but in reality a lot of it is experimental and hypothetic and I only know of ‘two’
people who can make an Opel head ‘flow’, which is, - Bob Legere and myself - and even we have a different approach & result,
mostly due to our ‘niche’ as it were! Bob is mostly street and rally. I was a little street and mostly road race (SCCA - F-P, GT-4
now GT-Lite and ITB). We both have yet to do a Bonneville engine. Without Bob, I would have struggled to hit the bricks
running, and I still like to discuss situations that are ambiguous and not of common interest. I owe him a lot!!
Continued page on 22
Hello Gil
Wanted to mentioned there is a Altamont Cruisers
Nostalia Day Car Show in Livermore, CA that will be
held on Sunday Sept. 28th. from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Car registrations received before September 1st. Cost
only $30.00
Registrations received after Sept. 1st. Will cost $35.00.
An estimated 699 cars and trucks, should be at this
show.
{ Excepts from a letter from Stewart Parker to Gil W. }
More Info, go to:
http://www.altamontcruisers.org/
Stewart Parkers’ 71 GT
Understanding Relays
- and How-To make them ‘Work’ for you The relay is a simple electro-mechanical device that has many automotive uses, but it’s not well understood by most. It is
the ‘Black-Box’ that many fear. Its function can be learned, however ‘how-to’ wire up a relay and make it ‘Work-for-you’ is
another matter entirely. Automotive relays are used to handle heavy electrical currents by using a small remote mounted
switch.
For example, let’s say you wanted to add fog lights to your Opel. You have two choices; A. mount a heavy duty 25 amp
switch on the dash and run two heavy gauge wires through the firewall to the switch and back, or B. run a shorter wire from
the battery to a relay and from the relay to the fog lights while using a small dash switch to energize the relay.
The advantage of mounting the relay near the battery means you keep voltage losses to a minimum, plus you eliminate the
chance the heavy duty wire chaffs at the fire wall, and potentially shorting out and catching fire.
Relays can be used to activate auxiliary lights, fuel pumps, electric fans, starters or even transmission torque converters.
They can also be used to deactivate items like your ignition switch, often used by car alarms. Relays can be used to operate
both power or ground circuits. More advanced uses would include combining multiple relays together to activate & deactivate
accessories depending on your needs.
The two basic automotive relays. The first is the SPST -single pull single throw- relay, illustrated below, the second is
the SPDT –single pull double throw relay illustrated on the following page. The SPST relay has one output terminal marked
87 and the SPDT relay has two outputs marked 87 & 87a.
For Example; A SPST relay could be used to power an electric fan and a SPDT relay could be used to deactivate the ignition
switch for your car alarm.
No
Power
87
30
+12v Battery
86
No +12 volt
85
Volt
87
30
+12v Battery
86
+12 volt
85
Volt
87
SPST Relay (relay deactivated)
Power comes in to terminal 30, & flows to through to terminal 87,
because terminal 86 is receiving a +12 volt signal from the dash
mounted switch. Terminal 85 is grounded.
Switch On
Ground
+12
Note: You can also buy SPST relays with two 87 output terminals
Switch Off
Ground
+12
SPST Relay (relay deactivated)
Power comes in to terminal 30, there is no power at terminal 87,
because terminal 86 is not receiving a +12 volt signal from the
dash mounted switch. Terminal 85 is grounded.
30
+12v Battery
86
+12 volt ON
SPST Advanced: Terminal 85 switched, (relay activated)
Power comes in to terminal 30, & flows to through to terminal 87,
because terminal 86 is powered with +12 volts and the 85 ground
terminal is switched ON.
Note: Terminal 85 can be switched
85
Switch On
+12
Volt
87
30
+12v Battery
86
+12 volt
85
Ground
SPST Advanced: (relay activated)
Power comes in to terminal 30, & flows to through to terminal 87,
because terminal 86 is receiving a +12 volt signal from the dash
mounted switch, and terminal 85 terminal is also switched to
ground.
Switch On
Switch On
Ground
Note:
In this configuration both terminal 85 and 86
must both have closed circuits for the relay to
be activated. Conversely either terminal 85 or
86 can deactivate the relay.
+12 Volt
No Power
SPDT Relay (relay deactivated)
Power comes in to terminal 30, with +12v available at terminal
87a and no power at terminal 87, as terminal 86 is not receiving
a +12 volt signal from the dash mounted switch. Terminal 85 is
grounded.
87a
87
30
+12v Battery
86
No +12 volt
85
No Power
+12 Volt
Switch Off
SPDT Relay (relay activated)
Power comes in to terminal 30, with no power at terminal 87a
and +12v available at terminal 87, as terminal 86 is receiving a
+12 volt signal from the dash mounted switch. Terminal 85 is still
grounded.
87a
87
30
+12v Battery
86
No +12 volt
85
Switch Off
Decoding the Electrical & Relay terminals:
Circuit: a closed path providing continuous passage of electricity {aka. a closed-circuit}
Open Circuit: a break in electrical flow {ie. switch or broken wire}
Relay Terminals:
Terminal 30 is the main power in to the relay, often this would be from the +12 volt battery terminal.
Trigger Terminals:
Terminal 85 is normally attached to the chassis ground.
Terminal 86 is normally the +12 volt trigger for the relay, usually coming from a small dash mounted switch.
Relay Output terminal/s:
Terminal 87 is the relay power output.
Note: terminal 87 is open when the relay is at rest & is closed when the relay is activated
Terminal 87a is an alternate main output for a SPDT relay.
Note: terminal 87a is closed when the relay is at rest & is open when the relay is activated
Relays can be used to handle a variety of electrical tasks.
Now that we have illustrated the SPST & SPDT relay as well a number of different ways to trigger a relay, let’s look at how you
would wire a relay into an Opel. First we’ll look at the starter solenoid circuit. In the Opel GT, Manta/1900 & Kadett, Opel
chose to have the ignition switch directly power the starter solenoid for starting. The Opel ignition switch is good for about
100,000 miles or 10 years of service. To extend the service life of the switch a relay can be added between the starter and the
ignition switch.
Battery
+
_
Fuse
87
30
86
+12 volt
85
Ground
Ignition Switch ‘ON’
red/black wire from
ignition terminal 50
SPST Relay (relay activated)
Power comes in to terminal 30 from the battery flows through the activated relay to the starter solenoid terminal 50.
The ignition switch wire (red/black) engages the relay instead of the starter, protecting it from the high current demand of
the solenoid. Terminal 85 is straight to chassis ground. The relay is best located under the hood near the starter.
How–To Upgrade the wiring for Halogen Head Lights
Factory head lamp wiring on most cars is just adequate for standard sealed beam non-halogen head lamps.
However when switching to halogen head lamps, especially high powered halogens, it is recommended to rewire
to ensure peak performance from your new high dollar lighting system.
2 lamp system: GT or Kadett
87
Head
Lamp
Head
Lamp
30
Fuses
86
Alternator
B+
High
Beam
Relay
85
87
30
Hi-Low Beam
Selector
86
High
85
Low
Low
Beam
Relay
4 lamp system: Manta
87
Low/Hi
Beam
High
Beam
30
Fuses
86
Alternator
B+
High
Beam
Relay
85
87
30
Hi-Low Beam
Selector
86
High
85
Low
Low
Beam
Relay
Why use Relays?
High
Beam
Two main reasons: One, the oe wiring on most cars is too small & Two, the wire
distance from the battery to the dash and back out to the headlights is rather long.
Halogen bulb brightness is severely compromised with decreased voltage. For
example, normal engine–running voltage in a 12 volt automotive system is about
13.5 volts. At this voltage, halogen headlamps achieve 100% lumens output. When
operating voltage drops to a mere 12.8 volts the halogens will only produce 83%
lumens. If available voltage is even lower, say 12.15 volts, bulb output drops dramatically down to a paltry 67% of lumens output.
Low/Hi
Beam
This voltage drop problem is far more common than you might think.
Note: Opels use ‘full current’ amp meters, so it is best to take power from the alternator, rather than the battery + terminal.
This way the power for the headlamps doesn’t go through the Opels existing wiring
at all, which in turn reduces stress on the entire wiring harness.
Info from Hella KG Hueck AG, Germany
How–To
Automatically switch off Driving lamps when high beams are activated
Most states require that auxiliary driving lamps, only be On, when low beams are activated and be, switched Off, when high
beams are activated. Once again employing a simple relay will aid you in avoiding a traffic violation and/or blinding any oncoming traffic (especially the local constabulary).
Note: Lighting Laws vary from state-to-state, in regards to what type & number of auxiliary lamps you may have, when
they can be used, and what the maximum & minimum installed heights may be. Please check your state specific regulations before installing auxiliary lamps.
Driving
Lamp
High Beam wire color in our Opels is: White
87a
30
87
When the high beam is activated relay ‘B’ is energized and flips from terminal 87a to 87 effectively
deactivating the driving lamps.
86
85
Hi-Beam
B
Driving
Lamp
Fuse
87a
87
Battery
+
30
_
86
85
Auxiliary Light
Master Switch
Fuse @ Fuse Box
Got Lights?
OMC BY-LAWS (As annotated & amended, January 2008)
ARTICLE I: Name and Insignia
Section 1. The Name of the club shall be Opel Motorsport Club.
Section 2. The club shall have official insignia, as the members shall determine.
ARTICLE II: Club Activities
Section 1. To promote interest in Adam Opel AG vehicles and associated activities
Section 2. To promote good fellowship, skill and sportsmanship among the members.
Section 3. To promote competence in maintenance and safety of operation.
Section 4. To publish a bi-monthly newsletter with the name of The BLITZ.
(Note: The Blitz newsletter became a bi-monthly, starting with the January/February 2007 issue).
ARTICLE III: Membership (Amended January 1999)
Section 1. There shall be two (2) types of members in this club: Active and Honorary.
Section 2. Definition of Members:
Active: Pays dues and votes regularly. May assign by written proxy any other active member to act in his or her
stead. Spouses of members are entitled to all privileges of membership except voting rights.
Honorary: Affiliation shall be awarded or rescinded by unanimous vote of the elected officers. Honorary members shall be entitled to receipt of newsletters but shall not have voting privileges.
Section 3. Club members, and advertisers in The BLITZ, shall be subject to discipline for cause. Motions for discipline shall originate with the membership and shall be determined by the elected officers as they see fit. Any
member expelled from the club shall receive the remaining unused balance of their dues. Any advertiser whose
advertisements are removed from The BLITZ shall receive the unused portion of any fees paid.
(Note: January 1999 Amendment restricted award of Honorary membership and Motions of Discipline, to
“elected” officers. Published November 1998)
ARTICLE IV: Dues
Section 1. The annual dues for active membership shall be $45.00US annually for North America and overseas.
Section 2. Dues are payable to the Opel Motorsport Club and are collectable by the club treasurer.
Section 3. Any member whose dues are in arrears two (2) months shall automatically be suspended from membership.
(Note: Online-Only $20/21 option added August 2002. PayPal options at $47/$21 added April 2002.)
ARTICLE V: Officers (Amended January 2003, January 1999)
Section 1. The officers shall be the President, the Vice-President/Secretary, Editor, Treasurer, Activities Coordinator, Motorsports Coordinator, and Webmaster.
Section 2. All officers in good standing shall be entitled to a complimentary extension of their club membership.
Such extension shall be equal to the length of time that they actually serve the club as an officer. The Editor of The
BLITZ, in recognition of the unusual demands inherent with this position, shall receive a membership extension,
in months, equal to twice the number of newsletters published under his/her tenure.
Section 3. There shall be two (2) types of officers in this club: Elected and Appointed.
Section 4. Definition of Officers:
Elected: Shall be elected for a one-year term by a vote of the active members. May assign by written proxy any
other active member to act in his or her stead.
Appointed: Shall be appointed or removed by unanimous vote of elected officers. Appointed officers shall be
entitled to the same benefits as elected officers but shall not have the voting privileges of an elected officer.
(Note: January 2003 Amendment combined the VP/Secretary and eliminated the Motorsport Coordinator
positions, and changed some of the duties of each Officer. Published November 2002. January 1999 Amendment
added the Webmaster position and “Appointed” Officer clause. Published November 1998).
ARTICLE VI: Elections
Section 1. The President shall appoint a nominating committee at the September meeting. Nominations shall be
solicited from the membership by mail in the October issue of The BLITZ. Nominations shall be requested from
the floor at the November meeting.
Section 2. All nominees for office must consent to their nomination prior to their name being placed on the ballot. All nominees for office shall be active members in good standing.
Section 3. Election ballots shall be sent out in the December issue of The BLITZ. Elections shall be decided by a
simple majority of all active members returning valid ballots. Ballots to be counted shall be limited to those which
are returned no later than one week PRIOR to the January meeting. In the event that a write-in candidate receives a majority vote of the ballots returned, that candidate must consent to serving as an officer. Otherwise, the
position in question shall be awarded to the candidate with the next highest quantity of votes.
Section 4. All officers shall be elected in December, shall assume office in the following January and shall hold
office for one year. All officers are eligible for reelection. If a vacancy shall arise among the elected officials during
the course of the officer’s term of office, the remaining elected officers shall, by a simple majority vote, select a
successor to serve out the balance of the remaining term.
ARTICLE VII: Duties of Officers (Amended January 2003, January 1999)
Section 1. President: (Elected) Presides at all meetings, appoints ad hoc committees and acts as ex-officio
member of all committees.
Section 2. Vice-President/Secretary: (Elected) Performs the duties of the President in His or Her absence,
and is responsible for all general correspondence. In addition, takes minutes and secures entertainment at the
monthly meetings.
Section 3. Editor: (Elected) Shall be in charge of The BLITZ and responsible for the publication of same.
Section 4. Treasurer: (Elected) Collects dues, issues receipts, manages other club assets, keeps financial records, makes payments from club funds as required. Signs club checks and makes reports to the membership in
The BLITZ. Has automatic authority to reimburse members for bona fide Club expenses incurred by them upon
presentation of receipts up to thirty dollars ($30.00). Any expenditures of greater than thirty dollars ($30.00)
must be authorized by a majority of the elected officers. Checks for over thirty dollars ($30.00) must be countersigned by another officer of the club.
Section 5. Activities Coordinator: (Elected) Plans the yearly event calendar, assists all event chairpersons
and promotes Club activities and assists the Vice-President/Secretary in membership activities.
Section 6. Webmaster: (Appointed) Shall be responsible for development and maintenance of the club’s Web
site. Due to the special skills required for this position, the experience and qualifications of the candidates shall be
considered during selection.
(Note: January 2003 Amendment combined the VP/Secretary and eliminated the Motorsports positions, and
changed some of the duties of each Officer. Published November 2002. January 1999 Amendment added the
Webmaster position, and the term “Elected” to descriptions. Published November 1998).
ARTICLE VIII: Meetings (Amended January 2007)
Section 1. Meetings shall be scheduled, with advance consent and by agreement, of a majority of club officers.
(Note: January 2007 Amendment changed the previous schedule from monthly meetings. Published Dec. 2006)
ARTICLE IX: General Provisions
Section 1. This club shall be a not-for-profit organization.
Section 2. In the event it becomes necessary for this club to disband, the Active members shall decide by a majority vote as to the disposition of the club’s assets.
ARTICLE X Delegations (Amended January 1999)
Section 1. Delegations shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of a majority of the elected
Officers, to represent this club at any convention, meeting or assembly as may be deemed necessary. Such delegations shall exercise only those powers specifically vested in them by the Officers.
(Note: January 1999 Amendment add the term “elected”. Published November 1998)
ARTICLE XI: Amendments
Section 1. This constitution and by-laws can be amended only by a written motion for amendment and a written
second. Such motions for amendment must be submitted for publication in The BLITZ. In the following month, a
ballot for the amendment shall be sent out in The BLITZ to all active members. The amendment shall have passed
if two-thirds (2/3) of those responding within sixty (60) days of the ballot mailing have approved the amendment.
If two-thirds (2/3) of those responding by mail should not approve the amendment, that amendment shall be said
to have failed. In either case, the results of the vote shall be published in the next issue of The BLITZ.
Section 2. Amendments so adopted shall take effect immediately.
Opel Shoe ?‘s’?
While this may sound like an April Fools’ Day gag, the Opel Agila high-heel shoes do indeed exist.
Designed by Luca Stappers, these one-of-a-kind aqua-colored high heel shoes were unveiled on Wednesday April 2nd. 2008
during a special party at the SHOEBALOO shoe shop in Amsterdam, Holland as part of Opel’s promotional campaign for the
new Agila minicar.
Still don’t believe me?
Shoebaloo is designer/footwear boutique with three shoe shops in Amsterdam,
and their concept store in Rotterdam has a large and exclusive collection of
shoes, bags and accessories from designers like: Miu Miu, Gucci, Fendi, Dior,
Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and many more.
So, if you find yourself heading to Amsterdam, and you have a shoe fetish…
then check out the Shoebaloo store located on PC Hooftstraat #80 .
Canadian Rallye Kadett
Owner: Ray Morley, Devon, Alberta Canada
Greetings from Devon, Alberta Canada
Ray Morley is a long time Opel owner who contacted me
some time ago stating he was eager to get his long-time
Opel project back into action, and to get this project done.
Pictured to the right is Ray’s orange 1970 1.9L Rallye
Kadett with automatic transmission. Ray has also done a
great deal of custom upholstery on his rallye’s interior.
Ray sent me some pictures of his work in progress. In his
words; “Here are a few more pics. of my interior. It is
coming together quite nice. Still lot’s of detailing to do
and I have only ran into one snag. I put my 36 year old
dash pad back on, and I was very delicate with it. It
ended up getting a small crack in it on the left side. Oh
well...........what can you do??? I used some glue to seal
the crack and made a small homemade Dash Pad out of
the same material the seat covers are made with and until
I find another mint black dash this will have to
do. Actually, it looks pretty good and to the untrained eye
one would think its OEM!”
Ray also mentioned to me that he has made progress and
that he has already replaced the ignition coil and spark
plug wires. His next project is to replace his Weber. The
1.9L engine currently does have a Weber in place, but Ray
mentioned it was in rough shape and that he would
prefer to start with a fresh one.
Above: Ray’s custom upholstery handy-work.
The seats and door panel material is tweed.
Below: Back seat area cleaned prepped and
ready to receive the new back seat.
Above: Front and rear
seats upholstered, ready to
be install.
Right: New door panels.
The gray and black color
combination make a nice
fresh and clean statement.
Opel’s Eco-Speedster
- The Future is already here. The Opel Eco Speedster first wowed crowds at the Paris Auto Show in 2002 and has also been aired in the
Discovery Channel’s Future Car series. The sleek concept car holds a distinguished place in the growing family of
high performance modern diesels that are breaking records, as well as prejudices about what diesels can do on the
road and on the track.
September 18, 2002 The premiere of the spectacular Eco-Speedster concept at the Paris Motor Show marked
the start of the new diesel offensive by Opel.
The Eco Speedster, with its diminutive
1.3L ECOTECH CDTI, tops out at an
impressive 155 mph and logged an
equally impressive average fuel
economy of 113 mpg during its 24 hour
endurance test. A combination of low
weight (660 kg/1,445 lbs.), minimal
drag, mid-engine design, and a 5 speed
automatic transmission let the Eco
Speedster rip and sip at the same time.
Opel built the car to spotlight its ability to make highly efficient, next generation diesels that are a blast to drive.
Above: Wind Tunnel Testing at Opel.
The mandating of clean diesel cars
here in the USA is expected to open
up the gates to a host of new diesel
powered models. Unfortunately
many of us are still wary of diesel and
more often than not associate diesel
with tractor trailers and black soot.
However, Opel’s Eco-Speedster
should be proof enough that diesel’s
can tear it up. In contrast many
pickup owners have become familiar
with the efficiency of a turbo powered
diesel engine under their hoods, so
why should we not begin to find a
performance diesel under the hood of
a sports car. Perhaps our prejudice
will need to go out the window.
From late 2002 through 2003 Opel and Vauxhall introduced four new
diesel engines with power outputs up to 177 hp. The launch of Eco
Speedster marked the start of this new emphasis on diesel power.
It demonstrated how lightweight aerodynamic bodywork
and the new 1.3L CDTI common-rail diesel engine
can achieve an amazing top speed combined
with an amazingly frugal fuel consumption.
During initial testing the 112 hp concept
car reached a maximum speed of more
than 155 mph while fuel consumption on
the combined cycle was an unbelievably
incredible 113 mpg.
The prototype was based on the midengine Opel Speedster {aka. Vauxhall
VX220 in the U.K. } and featured carbon fiber
bodywork with improved aerodynamics. These improvements significantly reduced the drag coefficient
down to 0.20 and reduced body weight down to 1452
pounds. The chassis then received the new compact ECOTEC 1.3L 16 valve CDTI engine. The engine uses a multijet common-rail fuel injection and a variable geometry turbocharger.
The four cylinder engine, a manifestation of the first joint venture from GM-Fiat Powertrain, made its production
debut in 2003 while complying with the strict Euro 4 emission limits. In the diesel is mated to GM’s Easytronic
automated manual transmission.
Explaining the background of the prototype, Opel CEO Carl Peter Forster said: “The Eco-Speedster is the symbol
of our comprehensive diesel offensive and at the same time demonstrates the engineering expertise of Opel in
powertrains, lightweight design and aerodynamics.”
Convoluted Diesel Laws State-by-State
Currently four states have followed suit with California in banning new diesel passenger car sales. Currently these states
include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The only vehicle that
is scheduled to be legal for ‘lease-only’ in these states is the new Mercedes E320 with Bluetec diesel technology. It is
legal for sale in the other 42 states. Other states like Maine will allow a used diesel car to be registered from out-of-state
if it has more than 7,500 miles on the odometer. Massachusetts and New York are banning non-California legal diesel cars.
I was just able to snap a
quick photograph of the Eco
Speedster at the end of the
factory tour that I recently
completed with the Dutch
Opel GT club.
It was real neat to see this
vehicle, up close & in person.
Editor’s Note:
Last year, an Audi TDi took
first place in the opening
race of the famous Le Mans
series, and the biodiesel
powered Lola raced in the
24 Hours of Le Mans in
France in 2005. Diesel based
hybrids and plug-in hybrids
are seen as a promising next
step in the evolution of the
internal combustion engine.
Königseder
- The Newest Hot-Tuner Opel GT. Konigseder
Giovanna
Introducing the Königseder Opel GT ‘aime.
Königseder decided to debut his Tuner Opel GT - not in Essen - but instead at SEMA in the Giovanna booth.
According to Königseder, ‘Opel men and women know exactly what they want.’
They want a 300 sleek-tuned HP roadster - the Opel GT.
With aerodynamic accents - front spoiler and rear wing - race wins over mass and causes exactly the right
tension between driver and car. Königseder emphasizes the soft silhouette on the one hand and the power
dynamic character, of the car, on the other.
The GT employees a KW coil-over suspension system {version 3} which guarantees not only sporty driving, but
will also record outstanding lap times, through individual shock adjustments and the aggressive Yokohama tires.
The GT was displayed with a custom built Brembo brake system which provides excellent deceleration with its
332mm brake rotors and 4 pistons brake calipers.
The interior received a special hand made floor mats in black and red, with Opel’s ad slogan GT ‘aime script.
This GT was debuted last year in Las Vegas at SEMA sporting 20” Giovanna Dalar wheels.
Hard Top Future? 2009 Solstice
- Could a hard top become available for the GT Text: Dennis G.
Pictures: by Carscoop
After talking with a number of classic Opel GT
owners, many of us have come to the same
conclusion, that the new Opel GT and
Saturn Sky-Redline is a fun and
very powerful vehicle, however
it is not the most practical car
on the road today.
It has the right engine. A 2.0L
turbo direct injection engine
pumping out a healthy 260 hp
that delivers a respectable 26
mpg on the highway. It has four
wheel disk brakes coupled to
modern ABS with traction control and
GM’s Stabili-trac system. It has a hydroformed
frame. It even has massive hollow front and rear
sway bars measuring 33 and 25 millimeters respectively.
Without any doubt, the Kappa platform GT, Sky and Solistice
are exceptional cars in many ways.
Now if it wasn’t for the lack of storage space for the weekend get-away. Although James Bond might like traveling
light, with a lithe blond heroine and her loaded lipstick, however most of need just a tad more luggage space.
GM Design to the rescue! Introducing the ‘09 Solstice that was unveiled at the New York Auto Show in
March, with its removable hard top. We can hope that the Opel GT and the Saturn Sky will shortly be available
with this option soon.
It is not too difficult for me to see, with just minor tweaks to the quarter windows and back glass, the classic GT
lines. They could very easily be achieved. From the specifications table there will be a small sacrifice in the form of
a slightly higher curb weight, but the open air feel of the convertible is not sacrificed. The center roof is removeable for that classic Targa roof look. Expect the hardtop option to arrive at Pontiac by early 2009.
Editor’s Note:
Round off the rear edge of the quarter
window, slightly square off the back glass,
keep the rear deck spoiler and you can
easily image the classic GT lines in the
roof. With any luck, and good sales at
Pontiac, GM could and should introduce
a hardtop option for the GT/Sky.
James Bond
approved.
The DB5’s
ejection seat
can be easily be
incorporated.
Continued from page 8
I would suggest (in my case, demand) that a thorough review of the end result is understood and that cost is also discussed. Time
is not always an accurate endeavor as not all vendors, machinists, and suppliers are of the utmost integrity, nor ethical!
Look before you leap and ask questions - the truth is if you are going to budget your dream engine, it may be more of a nightmare! “Don’t start something that you can’t finish.” And remember this - there are always four things in an internal combustion
engine that must be compatible to the end result: Compression - Cam - Carburetion, and Exhaust.
In addition, there are: B.M.E.P. (Brake Mean Effective Pressure) - Rod Ratios - Weight of Reciprocating Mass - Swept Volume
Material - Gear Ratios - Types of Lubricants,… and a thousand other necessary things that eventually crop up.
The next chapter will start with the bottom end (block, rods, bearings, crankshaft, pistons, rings, gaskets), and so on.
Part II
As stated in Part I of “How To…” , I will start with the bottom end the block, crankshaft, rods, pistons, rings and bearings. But, before I do,
I will answer to ‘flack’ that I have received for Part I. “Thank you” Since most comments were negative, I am doing what I set out to do that is, educate the ignorant. And, “Yes,” ignorance is not stupidity - it is
what it is - ignorance. And, we “all” are ignorant of something, as
pointed out to me by someone (whose name I choose not to reveal) who
purchased a head from me. And, yes, this is important to the end result!
Then this individual phoned (from New York ) & said he had a head he
wanted me to make into a “HOT” or high performance - he wanted the
works. But when we discussed the cam that he wanted to use (one he
had already purchased), I explained that to use that cam in a 2.2 head the
spring base would have to be sunk (lowered) by at least .40 of an inch &
that the roof of the inlet port would be in danger of collapsing due to
the thinness of the top of the intake port that would result in doing so.
After much discussion as to spring bind, lash caps, retainers, etc., I
explained that if he would go to a .100” longer valve stem, we could
achieve the right spring pressure, albeit a degree less of geometry in the
rocker arm, but double the degree of safety. He said “No,” that he had
spent hundreds of dollars in the valves, springs, retainers and locks and to do what I could with the existing “envelope.”
After much measuring and planning I ported the head (142 cfm at .500 lift), installed stainless steel seats, guides, port matched
and did final assembly and painted it a beautiful cherry red. - It was shipped!!
About a month later I get this irate phone call saying that the head would not flow enough to produce the HP he had planned.
We went through the situation all over again -- and I got an “Oh...I forgot.”
A month after that I got another phone call. “You stupid so and so, - my head broke and you did a bad job.”
What eventually came to light was that he put in the cam he had originally purchased - it caused spring bind and also broke the
head above the intake port.
In retrospect, I wish I had written this long ago - but not only did I not know what I was getting into, I made the mistake of assuming (a bad thing) that most of you knew more than you actually did - my mistake. I was also guilty of ignorance. I learned a
lot in these last twenty years. - Whew...pause...now the engine block.
I’m not going to discuss the “have nots” in this case, but say “I looked for the following in choosing a good block.”
No, or minimal rust in the water passages, no serious rust on the top surface (where gasket fire ring will be), and “BIG” main
caps. (1.???) and measure the bore - if more than 3.760 the walls will be too thin; if a 2.0 or later engine block is used, the walls
start at 3.746 and you can go .080 over. A 1.9 block will be 3.66 standard bore.
Always...bore the block to the piston(s), thereby establishing the best
way to achieve proper clearance. The block should also be flat - no
more than .006 difference. Just a light resurfacing will achieve flatness.
Keep the deck height, if possible, to no less than .010 removed. If you
go beyond .010 the compression goes up and the piston-to-valve relief
becomes compromised.
Too be continued...
Street vs. Race
There is no comparison
Classified
Ads
The Opel Motorsport Club offers Advertising as a service to its
members and does not endorse or bear responsibility for any claims
made by advertisers. OMC strongly suggests exercising caution in
any transactions for items, including: Checking out Vendor reputation on Internet discussion boards such as at: www.opelgt.com
Sales Brochures
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WWW.OPELSUNL.COM
COMPLETE
PARTS &
SERVICES
FOR ALL OPELS
FROM
1960 TO 1980
“If You Bought It
Somewhere Else,
You Paid Too
Much”
Opels For Sale, by Private Parties
1968 Opel Kadett- $3000
Good Condition.. White, Some restoration needed..
Phone: 717-808-9269 (PA)
1971 OPEL GT 1-OWNER, NEEDS RESTORED.
$1000.00obo Call 412-758-7140 ASK FOR RICKY. IAM
MOVEING OUT OF STATE (PA)
6 opel gt's - Going to part them, need to sell all parts
2 opel mantas - need to be parted A lot of the lights and
little stuff is parted, we have one air conditioning unit and a
few brand new parts such as side panels. You name it we
got it. Come check it out, the more you buy the better the
deals!! or let me know if you need a specific part.
Call Scott at 425-485-3996, leave message (WA)
1970 OPEL FUNNY CAR STREET LEGAL 2 BODIES
TRADE - $17555
LOOKING FOR THE PROJECT OF A LIFETIME? THIS IS
ONE OF THE WILDEST STREET DRIVEN CARS EVER
ASSEMBLED..FIRST APPEARED AS 1976 OPEL GT
FUNNY CAR "MOODY BLUES". IN 1978 AND 1979, THIS
SAME GEARHEAD WAS DROPPING JAWS AT THE
STREET ROD NATIONALS IN A '23T ALTERED. IT WAS
IN FACT THE SAME CHASSIS WITH TWO DISTINCT
BODIES. IN RECENT OUTINGS, THE OPEL WAS
AWARDED 2ND PLACE HONORS IN THE FUNNY CAR
DIVISION AT 2005 AND 2006 WORLD OF WHEELS.
IN 1978 HOT ROD MAGAZINE RECOGNIZED A GROUP
OF HARD CORE SUPER STREET PIONEERS DUBBED
THE "WILD BUNCH". THIS GROUP WAS DEDICATED TO
PUSHING THE ENVELOPE OF PERFORMANCE TO THE
LIMIT– .THE ROOTS OF TODAY'S PRO STREET MANIA
CAN BE TRACED DIRECTLY BACK TO THESE FIRST
"GO FAST GUYS". THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PIONEERING VEHICLES. ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN STORED
FOR A LONG TIME, THIS STREET DRIVEN FUNNY CAR/
ALTERED IS STILL A NATIONALLY KNOWN PIECE OF
STREET MACHINE HISTORY.
EVERYTHING IS SOLD IN ONE LOT AS A PACKAGE
DEAL. IT IS A PROJECT CAR- ALL THE HARD WORK
HAS BEEN DONE. THE PACKAGE INCLUDES ENGINEREBUILT AND INSTALLED, COMPLETE ROLLING
CHASSIS, BOTH BODIES, AND EXTRA
PARTS..CURRENTLY A PROJECT THAT DOES NOT
MOVE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER.., A WELL KNOWN
HISTORICAL VEHICLE, AND AREN'T AFRAID TO JUMP
IN AND TURN SOME WRENCHES, PLEASE READ ON.
TRADESACCEPTED: PRE 70 CORVETTE or Street Rod,
(value $20,000) 815-467-6353 Randy (WI)
2008 Southern Pacific Road Race Schedule:
Date:
June 6-8
August 30-31
Sept. 27 -28
Oct. 25-26
Nov. 15 -16
Event:
Res. Regional/Enduro
Double Regional
Double Regional
Dbl. Regional/Enduro
Double Regional
Track:
CA Speedway
BRP 18A CW
WSIR
BRP 1A CW
BRP 14A CCW
Region:
CA Club
CA Club
CA Club
CA Club
CA Club
Info. For the south western regional racing events, courtesy Roger Wilson.
For the first time ever one
book delivers a comprehensive
documented look into the
racing history of the Opel GT
between 1968 to 1975.
Special attention is given to the
professional teams, and cars of
the tuners; Virgilio Conrero,
Henri Greder and Klaus
Steinmetz.
In English & German, order
yours at: www.petrolpics.com
This book was painstakingly researched and written by Maurice van
Sevecotte of Belgium, a friend of mine and OMC for over a decade.
Maurice has spent the last ten years researching the racing history of
the GT by traveling and visiting with the original drivers, engine
builders and mechanics throughout Europe.
I was able to interview Maurice last month at the GT Europatreffen
near Stuttgart Germany. He updated me on the restoration progress
of his authentic Conrero GT (see July/Aug. Blitz ’07) and about his
upcoming book.
The book is written in both the English & German language and will be limited to 2000 copies. If you have always wanted to
know more about the GT’s racing history, I would suggest going online and pre-ordering your copy today. Copies are sure to
sell out quickly.
Originally Maurice was just collecting documentation, literature, rare racing parts and material to authentically restore his
Conrero racer. However, once he had amassed this rare archive of material he was faced with two choices. The first was to
keep everything for himself and share it with a few other people, and the second was too compile everything into a book and
share it with everyone. He mentioned that the second choice was by far the more difficult option, but I believe it was well
worth the effort.
The ‘Opel GT in Motorsport’ book and Maurice’s restored original Conrero GT will both be unveiling in September this year
in conjunction with the GT Historic Drive, hosted by Opel.
Dennis G.
New
18th.
Scale
With opening
doors, hood and
rear tail gate.
It is always exciting to bring something entirely new to our readers. In Jan/Feb. I made reference to the new GT
and the new Manta models. This month I have a new Fire Department issue 59 Rekord model to introduce, which
compliments the standard Rekord wagon I photographed at the Opel Forum in Russelsheim.
Dennis G.