ex_hustler
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 12:26 AM |
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Opel Ascona as a Donor Car?
Hello everybody,
i have a really LowCost oriented question for you.
A friend's friend wants to get rid of his father's old Opel Ascona. For free. It has a large 2500cc engine. It sounds like a bargain to
me and to my pocket since it will cost nothing.
The question now. Does it qualify as a donor car? Has anyone ever used an Ascona as a donor car to build a seven-clone? Does it's engine fit in
the normal "by the book" chassis?
Note that due to my small experience in welding I am planning to buy a chassis from one of the known manufacturers.
Is there a chance ? What do you think?
try this link for info about the car :
http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=11330&Opel
Thanks in advance,
George from Greece
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stevebubs
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 12:49 AM |
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Probably possible but the engine may be a little heavy being a 2.5litre inline 4??
Worth checking the gearbox dims and I'm presuming live axle?
Then there's the issue of uprights etc.... Sylva used to use Chevette for the Leader - not sure if they'll be similar to this or not.
HTH
Stephen
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stevebubs
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 01:19 AM |
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worth checking the engine height, too - easily overcome with a bulge, though.
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stevebubs
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 01:29 AM |
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Historical Linky
Only 400 made !!?? Probably worth far more by restoring surely??
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stevebubs
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 01:31 AM |
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Just read the original post properly. Perhaps I'm reading far too much into the original link? Now starting to doubt it's a 400....
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NigeEss
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 08:40 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
Now starting to doubt it's a 400....
Doubt it too, the 400 was a 2.4 so the car in question is probably a european
version of the one we got. Often the case to get bigger engines than us.
In theory no reason why it can't be a donor, RWD, live axle and double
wishbone front suspension.
Big downside as mentioned earlier is the weight of the engine. Assuming it's a
derivitive of the Mk1 Cav/Ascona it is even heavier than the old faithful boat anchor
so popular here.
(off to get a hard hat now) 
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omega 24 v6
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 10:27 AM |
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If it was like the UK axles it'd have a long torque tube type input pinion shaft. This may make it useless in a seven. Perhaps someone else will
confirm or deny this??
If it looks wrong it probably is wrong.
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Marcus
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 11:25 AM |
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The running gear is the same as the Manta - as said it has a torque tube axle. These have been removed successfully but give strength issues. If
it's the CIH (cam in head) engine, they're all iron and very heavy. On the plus side, none of this is insurmountable, and given a taller
chassis (Indy?) and taller fibreglass (GTS?), the engine and box will fit. On a LHD car, the fact that the starter is on the 'wrong' side
of the engine is a bonus! The steering column, pedal box (modified), uprights, even seats (narrowed) are all suitable.
I very nearly went this route, having a scrap Manta on my drive, but chose the easy option and found an Escort!
If time is not an issue, I'd say go for it!
PS if it's a FWD Ascona (mkll Cavalier) then all of the above is complete bollox!
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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t.j.
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| posted on 29/12/06 at 07:04 PM |
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stop!!!!
The 2.4 was a real rallye engine with dohc. Hard to find in the world...
So a 2.5 can't be for real!!
Probably he has an ascona-B (last one with rear wheel drive) with a commodore 2.5 straight six.
Or he has a commodore.
Or he has a ascona-c with a V-six from a Vectra-A or B?
So....... we need more details....
If he really has a 400 let it live, it is really a restauration object! People give 8000 euro's for a bad one!
The rear-axle has a long tube to the front which needs attention.
The front uprights are almost the same as the Taunus/cortina.
The steeringrack is in front of the axle.
Not an impossible idea.
If it is a 400 i want the 5-ZF gear box.
And the LSD....
And the engine....
[Edited on 29/12/06 by t.j.]
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Marcus
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| posted on 30/12/06 at 01:05 PM |
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There were a lot of 2.4 conversions about in Mantas - could be one of those - came out of the Frontera.
VERY unlikely it's a 400.
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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ex_hustler
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| posted on 31/12/06 at 01:59 AM |
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Hello,
thank you all for your answers.
It wasn't a 400 after all. It was a 4-door.
I Don't know more exact info except that the engine was a "2500cc" and it was costing him too high in tax and insurance to keep it
another year in the road just to wonder around with the " Agly Muscle monster from the Oldies" trying unsuccesfully to impress females
while other guys drive VW Golf's, Seat Leon or Audi's S3...
Finally the guy gave it away to another guy interested in it. But it doesn't matter, I guess i am lucky having you mentioning that the engine
weight would be inapropriate for a usual locost chassis...
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Hiro
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| posted on 28/2/07 at 08:26 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ex_hustler
Hello,
thank you all for your answers.
It wasn't a 400 after all. It was a 4-door.
I Don't know more exact info except that the engine was a "2500cc" and it was costing him too high in tax and insurance to keep it
another year in the road just to wonder around with the " Agly Muscle monster from the Oldies" trying unsuccesfully to impress females
while other guys drive VW Golf's, Seat Leon or Audi's S3...
Finally the guy gave it away to another guy interested in it. But it doesn't matter, I guess i am lucky having you mentioning that the engine
weight would be inapropriate for a usual locost chassis...
Hi,
Late answer but I just registered...
This 2500cc is probably the same as the one I use in my Opel vintage race car,
It's not a A400 DOHC but it's a stock 2400cc CIH engine overbored to 97mm,
This big 2500cc CIH can output up to 220hp & weights ca. 120kg,
I'm planning to build my Locost with a stroker version reaching 2700cc,
Should be enough torque I guess?
Cheers from Paris,
Hiro
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