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16-02-2007, 20:08
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#1 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cheshire Drives: LET Vectra, V8 Manta
Posts: 920
| My Manta 400 replica project
I never did a thread about my Nova when i was working on it so i'll do one for my Manta instead.
I bought the car last August for just over £2k. I've had it parked up at my work for some time now and have only just got started on stripping it down to fix the rust and fit new engine.
The car came with a 3.0 12v engine fitted, which died after a cold snap a few months back (dont think it had antifreeze in). The original plan was to replace it with a 3.0 24v lump from a Carlton GSI. I bought the donor car and stripped it. I have now decided to sell that engine and save for a C20LET or Z20LET as i belive they are faster and handle better than a 3.0 24v Manta. It has to do with the straigh 6 sitting too far forward infront of the wheels (to heavy at the front).
The car has had a full 400 kit fitted finished off in GM Glacier White.
So far i'm just taking the engine & transmission out to find any rust and underseal everywhere. Rust ive found so far is the chassis leg. Sills were replaced by a previous owner and the floor has been welded already.
A few pics:     
Last edited by VX PAUL; 01-03-2007 at 23:07.
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16-02-2007, 20:10
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#2 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: ThickFord, Shrops... Drives: around looking Cool!
Posts: 8,812
| Yer a RWD Let engine, should shift!
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16-02-2007, 20:13
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#3 | | MIGClub Member
Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stafford Drives: Cav V6 & Nova GT'XE
Posts: 5,191
| yum yum, very nice car - love it  | |
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16-02-2007, 20:20
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#4 | | Regional Co-ordinator
Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Fareham,Hants Drives: A shineeeey Nova
Posts: 40,525
| nice,
looks like a lot of fun...
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16-02-2007, 20:32
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#5 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Oct 2002 Drives: Astra MkI
Posts: 474
| Yeah!
always loved the old rwd Opels..
and the 400 models are like a wet dream..
sorry bout the rust.. but hey.. minor problem
__________________ Kadett GT/E Sometimes you are the bug
sometimes you are the windsheild | |
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16-02-2007, 22:33
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#6 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: northampton Drives: nova xe/astravan
Posts: 3,040
| not too much to do there for a manta lol
very respectable project
deffo having one of these for the next project!! the missus loves em so so hassle there, just finding a rot free manta! | |
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16-02-2007, 23:42
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#7 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atherstone Drives: 2 many 2 list
Posts: 628
| Quote:
Originally Posted by novashed  not too much to do there for a manta lol
very respectable project
deffo having one of these for the next project!! the missus loves em so so hassle there, just finding a rot free manta! | Dont get me wrong i love escorts but i want a manta next to! looks like its a good exsample you have there. hope you dont find any more rust. | |
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17-02-2007, 00:21
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#8 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: south london Drives: c20let mk4 astra
Posts: 706
| gorgeus, looks like you've got a bit of work to do tho mate.
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17-02-2007, 00:30
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#9 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: north wales deeside
Posts: 41
| nice car i want one! | |
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17-02-2007, 01:21
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#10 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cheshire Drives: LET Vectra, V8 Manta
Posts: 920
| thanks all. i've looked over most of the car and it all seems pretty solid except for that in the pic and a bit of bubbling round the sunroof.
other things i'd like for the car are (depends on money):
rear disc conversion
nice big chrome intercooler sticking out of the front 
lowered suspension
performance exhaust
15" compomotives or revolutions (9inch wide on rear)
LSD dif | |
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11-03-2007, 00:02
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#11 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cheshire Drives: LET Vectra, V8 Manta
Posts: 920
| got the engine, gearbox, prop, diff out now. also got the wings off and found a bit more rust, next is cleaning everything and cutting the rust out. i can make repair patches at work and then get to work on the welding wit my new (well 2nd hand) mig set.
few more pics:    | |
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11-03-2007, 00:12
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#12 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Durham
Posts: 864
| Nice i love manta 400's so so cool. same era as my M3 evo, big arches what ever happend to em. i will be keeping a close eye on this thread keep up the good work... | |
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11-03-2007, 07:52
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#13 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Banstead, Surrey Drives: Coupe Turbo
Posts: 1,239
| Very cool car there mate! What plans do you have for the interior I'd personally strip it with a subtle cage and have it gleaming glacier white! | |
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11-03-2007, 08:00
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#14 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cheshire Drives: LET Vectra, V8 Manta
Posts: 920
| i'm planning to leave the interior as it is. i want the seats out of a 400 or a i200, the ones with the opel badges on them like these: 
if anyone knows where i can get some, please let me know. | |
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11-03-2007, 08:10
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#15 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Stockport Drives: Cav Turbo/Astra GSi
Posts: 2,904
| Looking good! | |
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11-03-2007, 10:29
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#16 | | Gagged
Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bpool Drives: foreverwhite.co.uk
Posts: 2,205
| im liking the removable front end.
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11-03-2007, 14:57
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#17 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kent Drives: Nova 20SEH
Posts: 610
| Love the project mate, probably the best looking manta they did IMO.
Bit of rust to do but does look pretty sorted, will keep my eye on this project.
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Nova SRi 130 project nearly finished | |
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11-03-2007, 14:59
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#18 | | MIGClub Member
Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Suffolk Drives: Vectra GSi & A4 1.8t
Posts: 12,718
| Plush!! | |
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11-03-2007, 15:35
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#19 | | MIGClub Member
Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tunbridge wells, Drives: veccy V6/ Astra GSI
Posts: 1,845
| I loved my manta seeing yours makes me want another
be good to see it when its finished | |
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24-05-2007, 20:27
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#20 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kent Drives: Nova 20SEH
Posts: 610
| Any updates on this?
Looks like a really goood project. | |
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25-05-2007, 05:16
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#21 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cheshire Drives: LET Vectra, V8 Manta
Posts: 920
| ive been striping down the front axle, sand blasting all the bits, repainting in gloss black and reassembling them with poly bushes. i'm using a mixture of superflex & powerflex bushes.
on the car ive started to cut the rust out and weld the nearside inner arch. I'll have to get some pics taken. weather not so great at the moment so ive not been doing too much outside on the shell.
more pics to come.... | |
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25-05-2007, 11:15
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#22 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wakefield West Yorks Drives: Nova SR 1984
Posts: 148
| Quote:
Originally Posted by novashed not too much to do there for a manta lol
very respectable project
deffo having one of these for the next project!! the missus loves em so so hassle there, just finding a rot free manta! | http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1984-OPEL-MANT...QQcmdZViewItem
this might interest you matey  | |
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25-05-2007, 14:55
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#23 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Solihull, W.Midlands Drives: 118d,G1.8SE2,C1.2SXi
Posts: 1,618
| Isn't £2000 a lot of money for a rusty old tub, or am I missing something? Will be mint when it's done though.
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Selling - PC and lots of meg's cleaning stuff, random z18(xe / xer) and z16(xe / xep) parts. | |
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27-05-2007, 00:58
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#24 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 82
| Considering the 400 kit is fitted already, with the c30se engine thats quite reasonable. All mantas go at the A pillar at some point. Here my old 400.   
Paul im selling a few bits and bobs from the stripped manta on ebay. http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZmanta400ukQQhtZ-1
Also selling a gte for £400. | |
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21-06-2007, 21:52
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#25 | | MIGWeb User
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cheshire Drives: LET Vectra, V8 Manta
Posts: 920
| Mike, Very sorry to see how your Manta ended up. I can understand how much work and effort was put into it.
Small update:
The front axle is pretty much done. Its been completly refurbished. Sand blasted, repainted, rebuilt with poly bushes, new ball joints and new bolts. Using AVO -30mm springs. Just needs some wilwoods and a new (reconditioned) steering rack, for which i have a Quaife quick rack and pinion ready to go in it.
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