¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: Holy crap I really like that Galek J15 thing
Trust me. The want is worse when you've had a chance to drool over the car in person. Galek has been to Carlisle a few times for the Import & Kit show, although not this year since they more or less dropped the kit car focus.
Learn something every day...I had a '67 Kadette wagon years ago with the 1.1 engine, I didn't realize they used different floor pans for different engines. Doesn't seem very economical for the design, you would have thought they would use one pan that would fit all of them.
I do remember how small that engine was - one time I pulled out the starter to repair it, and found that removal was easiest if I unbolted the engine mount on that side. I was able to pick up and hold the engine with one hand while pulling out the starter with the other hand.
It was the rustiest car I ever owned. The driver's door would literally fall off if I used it so I just crawled in and out through the passenger side. It did make it through a Minnesota winter, though - it always started, no matter how cold it was.
oldopelguy wrote: Oh, and for everyone else, the Opel Kadett here in the US had at least 4 completely different floor pans, and they are all different for the transmission that was in them to maximize interior space: 1.1L non-sport shift (shifter comes out below dash out the top of the transmission) 1.1L sport shift (shifter comes out the top of an extension housing at the back of the transmission) 1.9L manual transmission 1.9L automatic transmission And the verdict is still out on whether the 1.1L automatic used the same floor as the 1.9L. The 1.1L manual transmission is smaller than a 6-pack of soda cans, plus the bell housing, and the tunnel for it is less than 8" wide.
EvanB wrote:oldopelguy wrote: The rear suspension in a Kadett would not be terribly difficult to replace with a U-shaped De Dion rear axle. Once you get there, any FWD drive train could live where the back seat used to be. In a Kadett if I was going bike engine I would probably try and leave the Opel transmission in place for reverse. In an autocross environment you could drop the car transmission into second or third and run through the whole range of gears in the bike trans.If doing rear engine I would probably do a Subaru engine to keep a flat load floor if possible (it's a wagon). I had thought about adapting the motorcycle engine to the stock transmission, I'll have to do some more research about that.
We know someone who may have a spare Goldwing flat four engine laying around...
In reply to eastsidemav:
Hmm interesting.
MadScientistMatt wrote: If you want a very short engine, the first thing that comes to mind is a Mazda rotary.Not sure what you'd do about the transmission though. A Ford / SAAB V4 might also fit if you could find one of these oddballs.
Mazda rotary is a little longer than a VW four-cylinder, with the alternator and distributor it is a little higher than the VW's valve cover, and it is definitely a lot wider. And heavier. And it requires a very high trans tunnel because the crank centerline is so high.
Now, this is a crazy thought, but I found a few 1.1s on car-part...
Knurled wrote: Now, this is a crazy thought, but I found a few 1.1s on car-part...
This thread is no place for logic.
The main plan is to see if I can free this one up or possibly rebuild it.
In reply to oldopelguy:
This guy knows.
I do have a lot of 1.1L rebuild parts if you want to go that direction, and there are performance parts available if you look hard enough. With some mix and match you can get the motor up over 1.2L too.
There is a lot of benefit to repairing the stock engine. Mainly having a car I can drive instead of a pile of parts in my garage...
How's about a Vw engine and trans?
GTXVette wrote: How's about a Vw engine and trans?
I would like it to run at some point...
EvanB wrote:Knurled wrote: Now, this is a crazy thought, but I found a few 1.1s on car-part...This thread is no place for logic.
Consider Datsun / Nissan A series engine and transmission. A12, A14 or A15, they were used worldwide until 2007. Stock 68 to 80hp; motors weigh between 185-205 lbs dependent on set up. The 4 speed for the A12 is 38lns and very small, 5 speed from A15 is 54 lbs and not much bigger. The complete motor (oil, starter, clutch etc.) in my car is 183lbs.
Add a mild cam, valve springs, weber 32/36 DGEV, header, clean up the ports and you should be getting around 90-100 BHP.
The bottom ends are good for 9000rpms. I'm revving the 1500 in my vintage race coupe to 8600 and the bottom end is stock.
Look for an early 80s 210 or 310. I've had people give me the motors and trans. If your anywhere near Vegas I have a spare shortblock and likely enough bits to assemble a stock 4 speed.......there taking up space in garage cabinets and would happily give them away.
Tom1200 wrote: Look for an early 80s 210 or 310. I've had people give me the motors and trans. If your anywhere near Vegas I have a spare shortblock and likely enough bits to assemble a stock 4 speed.......there taking up space in garage cabinets and would happily give them away.
I can't remember the last time I saw one of those in Ohio. It is an interesting option.
I pulled the spark plugs last night and filled the cylinders with MMO. I will give it a few days and see if there is any progress.
I've always thought the Honda Sabre would make a good donor. The v65 is 1.1 liter and puts out around 120hp. Already shaft drive so if you could figure out a reverse you'd be golden. I've seen them for cheap from time to time around here. Probably not much recoup to be accomplished parting out the rest of the bike though. I don't know what demand for used parts from them is.
oldopelguy wrote: The 1.1L manual transmission is smaller than a 6-pack of soda cans, plus the bell housing, and the tunnel for it is less than 8" wide.
I witnessed the Kadett yesterday. There was a spare transmission sitting out. I am not exaggerating when I say I think you could put the transmission inside a Borg-Warner T5 case, put the T5's top cover on, and it would rattle around inside.
I can't believe that something that small is a four speed with reverse. The gears have got to be 2" apart and a quarter inch wide, max.
I am also impressed with not only how small the trans is, and how small the engine is, but also how Opel managed to package such a tiny drivetrain in a relatively large car in such a way that access to everything is cramped. The power brake booster is stuck out on a foot long bracket thing that shoves it over next to the engine with fingertip clearance because, well, why not? As if a car that small needs power brakes to begin with...
EcoBoost it! Or the GM version like used in the MG EMod.
I think the only GM engine that would fit without preenacting the Texas Sawzall Massacre would be a 3 cylinder Suzuki engine. (Not counting the existing Opel engine of course)
After some more thinking and looking I discovered that it is just the water pump that is seized. The belt was stuck to the pulley so tight it wouldn't slip. After I cut the belt the engine turns smoothly.
In reply to EvanB:
Bummer... I mean Awesome News!!! 
easy fix!
Binky ran and drove before it went under the knife, too.
Knurled wrote: Drivetrain donor Binky ran and drove before it went under the knife, too.
Based on the progress BOM has made it would take me 15+ years to finish a project like that.
I also found out today that the brakes work and the carb is fairly clean inside. I am going to order a carb rebuild kit and some ignition parts and see if it will run.
Good news is the water pump is only $25 from Opel GT Source.
Post up some pictures!
I've wanted a Kaydett Rallye since I rode in a friend's back in the early 70's.
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