79' Opel Kadett C Build - Built Show Smash to Road Rocket
- Thread Starter
- #78
Been working 7 days a week for the last while so really got behind. Finally got a minute this evening to get springs and stub axles fitted. Will pull the disks off and tidy them up with emery cloth tomorrow hopefully. Just need to clean the bottom bolts for the shocks and stick them in. Bearings seem to be in good shape and I have a set here to replace them but they feel good enough for now hopefully get a bit of life out of them before i need to use the spares.
Big Pimp
RMS Trader
it's lovely to take 1/2 hour to read this from start to finish and just appreciate all this work.
The car is beyond beautiful. Will almost be a shame to use it...... almost
The car is beyond beautiful. Will almost be a shame to use it...... almost
- Thread Starter
- #80
Thanks Boss! You’ll get a run in it when it’s done for sure, but only if I can take the m3 a spin lol
Big Pimp
RMS Trader
Deal!
TheDaniel
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First I've seen the thread! I was at that show but never heard about the crash.. Looks like you're lucky to still be here!
The replacement looks absolutely unreal Love the worth that has went into it & the colours are brilliant! Fair Play.
The replacement looks absolutely unreal Love the worth that has went into it & the colours are brilliant! Fair Play.
- Thread Starter
- #83
Thanks Lad! I appreciate it!First I've seen the thread! I was at that show but never heard about the crash.. Looks like you're lucky to still be here!
The replacement looks absolutely unreal Love the worth that has went into it & the colours are brilliant! Fair Play.
- Thread Starter
- #84
Dec Update:
Type9 Box has a new Quaife Close Ratio Kit in it. Usual go to for C20xe conversion is the Getrag box from an 1800cc Manta as it bolts right onto a RedTop with minimal hassle and is the right length for the hole in the tunnel if the engine is mounted nice and close to the firewall. But the major issue with this box is the gearing isn’t ideal, especially with a 3.6 diff. 1st gear is super short and really will only get ya rolling. Not idea for the traffic light quarter mile! So the decision to get a Type 9 Ford box was made, quaife close ratio kit will suit
It much better for acceleration and carving through the Glens on a Sunday. Because the RedTop is so popular with the Ford lads in Mk2s there’s already suitable bellhousing easily available. So I’ve a 7degree XE Bellhousing on this type 9 box but the tail housing and linkage is long enough that it will foul the handbrake instead of coming up through the tunnel in the original position. Enter stage left: Pete Mooreland of BrookFab. So he’s got the job of shortening the housing and linkage to bring it forward 55mm. I’ll photograph it when he gets it finished up
Re: Rear axle, a friend who used to run braid engineering skimmed the two half shafts back in order to leave them true and they then went to Owen get the axle acid dipped as the inside was a bit crusty. It’s now been built back up with new pinion bearings, half shaft bearings and the Gripper LSD fitted/setup with correct preload etc.
Hopefully lift the back axle tomorrow and get the suspension in the rear built up properly. Few bits to tidy up and paint again like the trailing arms and pan hard rod. It’ll be a busy day or two ahead.
Side note: steering rack polybushed and re fitted, callipers cleaned up and fitted along with Battery Tray relocated to the boot.
Type9 Box has a new Quaife Close Ratio Kit in it. Usual go to for C20xe conversion is the Getrag box from an 1800cc Manta as it bolts right onto a RedTop with minimal hassle and is the right length for the hole in the tunnel if the engine is mounted nice and close to the firewall. But the major issue with this box is the gearing isn’t ideal, especially with a 3.6 diff. 1st gear is super short and really will only get ya rolling. Not idea for the traffic light quarter mile! So the decision to get a Type 9 Ford box was made, quaife close ratio kit will suit
It much better for acceleration and carving through the Glens on a Sunday. Because the RedTop is so popular with the Ford lads in Mk2s there’s already suitable bellhousing easily available. So I’ve a 7degree XE Bellhousing on this type 9 box but the tail housing and linkage is long enough that it will foul the handbrake instead of coming up through the tunnel in the original position. Enter stage left: Pete Mooreland of BrookFab. So he’s got the job of shortening the housing and linkage to bring it forward 55mm. I’ll photograph it when he gets it finished up
Re: Rear axle, a friend who used to run braid engineering skimmed the two half shafts back in order to leave them true and they then went to Owen get the axle acid dipped as the inside was a bit crusty. It’s now been built back up with new pinion bearings, half shaft bearings and the Gripper LSD fitted/setup with correct preload etc.
Hopefully lift the back axle tomorrow and get the suspension in the rear built up properly. Few bits to tidy up and paint again like the trailing arms and pan hard rod. It’ll be a busy day or two ahead.
Side note: steering rack polybushed and re fitted, callipers cleaned up and fitted along with Battery Tray relocated to the boot.
- Thread Starter
- #85
Back axle back and assembled today hopefully get it in soon once the trailing arms are cleaned up and sprayed. Currently covered in 43 year old waxoyl. Plenty of Bushes to replace before assembly too. Including the ARB and rear sway bar/pan hard rod.
- Thread Starter
- #87
It’s just a bolt on kit lad. 4 Brackets and a set of Lucas mk4 Astra callipers and disks.
- Thread Starter
- #89
Ive a set of 13x8 ATS classics here from the first kadett I'll check if they clear it!
- Thread Starter
- #90
Sorry for delay lad! Up to my eyes flooring roof space in the house among other things! Was away for few days at a wedding too. Anyway, my 8inch ATS classics fit over the mk4 kit no problem. Just make sure it’s the Lucas ones and not the Bosch ones. I can get you details for the man who does the brackets if ya want. Very pleased here.
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- Thread Starter
- #91
God forgive me but I’ve sent both my Cameras off for servicing with Canon and I know my phone doesn’t do it justice but super super impressed with @PeteMoore at BrookFab with his work and quick turnaround on the Type9 box for the Kadett. Housing & Linkage shortened 55mm to suit the tunnel in the Kadett and bring it out in the original spot.
Looking forward to seeing how this close ratio box feels when it’s in and going!
Looking forward to seeing how this close ratio box feels when it’s in and going!
- Thread Starter
- #92
Called in with Jonny yesterday and started final assembly of the bottom end. Mostly having a row with core plugs and wire brushing the block to prep it for paint. Its already been Bored/honed with crank being ground & polished, and the new forged pistons having a wee touch machined off the ridge to keep compression ratio at 12:1 and the correct squish.
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- Thread Starter
- #93
Back axle & suspension fitted tonight. Panhard rod is fouling the lower shock bolt and is also a bit long. So wondering who could build me up a custom adjustable one? Suggestions welcome!
She’s on all 4wheels now, (excuse whack fitment and different tyre sizes. Long story) don’t plan on using these wheels for finished car but they do suit a Kadett in fairness. Need meaty tyres on front to even it up instead of the auld stretched boneshackers.
Yes it’s on mismatched tyres and sits too high at front due to lack of engine/gearbox
But seeing it with wheels on it has got me feeling all kinds of ways. Sure it a no further on that it was 10mins ago but just having it back at floor level makes it feel different.
A mountain of stuff still to do!
She’s on all 4wheels now, (excuse whack fitment and different tyre sizes. Long story) don’t plan on using these wheels for finished car but they do suit a Kadett in fairness. Need meaty tyres on front to even it up instead of the auld stretched boneshackers.
Yes it’s on mismatched tyres and sits too high at front due to lack of engine/gearbox
But seeing it with wheels on it has got me feeling all kinds of ways. Sure it a no further on that it was 10mins ago but just having it back at floor level makes it feel different.
A mountain of stuff still to do!
- Thread Starter
- #95
Another evening down with Jonny Law building up the bottom end for the engine.
Block bored out for 88mm Forged pistons and rods. Head ported and replacing hydraulic lifters with solid lifters and high lift cams. 45s already rebuilt.
Need to shave the rocker cover and get it blasted along with the sump but looking like engine should be ready for first week in feb if all goes well. Here’s hoping I have more done to the car that she’s ready to receive it!
Block bored out for 88mm Forged pistons and rods. Head ported and replacing hydraulic lifters with solid lifters and high lift cams. 45s already rebuilt.
Need to shave the rocker cover and get it blasted along with the sump but looking like engine should be ready for first week in feb if all goes well. Here’s hoping I have more done to the car that she’s ready to receive it!
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every time you say Jonny law I read it in a 1920s New York gangster voice
When he’s not building redtops he’s robbing bodegas and liquor stores in Manhattan - Thread Starter
- #99
Head Built up, New valves, Solid lifters, High lift race cams with long duration (probably way too agressive for a road car, might have to change for fast road cams at some stage but we shall see, it should make good power and they'll get me to the wedding and back all being well. There'll be serious chop at idle though, and just putting it out there, idle chop on a 4 banger does not sound as good as it does in a v8! lol) Anyway, valves lapped, shims have been shimmed down to suit the solid lifters and give us the appropriate clearance across both inlet and exhaust cams. Was back in with jonny last night to put the head on and time it up. All we're missing now is rocker cover, dipstick tube and breather and were finished final assembly.
Photos of final assmbly will follow shortly
=)
Photos of final assmbly will follow shortly
=)
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Keep it coming lad. Really enjoying reading throught this thread!!