It's Done!! First Drive & Project Recap - Opel Manta A Suspension Upgrade [EP. 8]
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
- The Manta suspension project is finally done! Or at least done enough to make a conclusion video. In this final(?) episode of the series, I summarize the entire project from beginning to end, and drive around to give my impressions on how it feels now with all the new components.
The combination of new Koni yellow sport shocks, lowering springs, and new bushings everywhere add up to a very nice ride. The car handles like a sporty car should, eagerly carving up corners, while still feeling comfortable on bumpy roads in town. I'm very happy! The only thing I want to change is the stance, as the front is lower than I expected, and the rear looks high. Maybe I'll update that situation in a future video.
Thanks for following along with this project, there's always more to come! Please subscribe if you like this kind of thing. For random updates and behind-the-scenes stuff, check out my IG: / andrewdoescarstuff
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Project Recap
8:56 - Driving Impressions
15:35 - Conclusions
PARTS USED:
This is a partial list of parts used in this project.
• KONI Shocks: 82-1739SPORT / 82-1740SPORT special ordered through neuspeed.com
• Springs: K.A.W. 1060-4160 - www.kaw-fahrwerke.eu/K-A-W--T...
• Tires: Vredestein Sprint Classic 205/60VR13 - www.cokertire.com/tires/205-6...
• Bushings: almost all new bushings came from Opel GT Source - www.opelgtsource.com
and Opels Unlimited - opelsunlimited.com (note that you will need to contact them by phone)
• Generic bushings modified for use - Front crossmember support brackets: Energy Suspension 3.2124G - www.summitracing.com/parts/EN...
For rear sway bar: Energy Suspension 9.5103G - www.summitracing.com/parts/en...
• Paint: VHT SP671 Satin Black Roll Bar & Chassis Paint, Rustoleum 215215 Rust Reformer, 3M 03584 Rubberized Undercoating - Авто та транспорт
![Opel Manta A Suspension Upgrade [EP. 1] Front End Disassembly & Undercoating](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gOvwGIRHAKk/mqdefault.jpg)
![Opel Manta A Suspension Upgrade [EP. 1] Front End Disassembly & Undercoating](/img/tr.png)
I had a '73 Manta. Bought it new as a "leftover" at the dealer when the '74's came out. Loved that car!
Great content. Appreciate the time that went into these. I know how long it takes to work while recording then go back and edit it. Keep it up!
Thank you, I appreciate that! Yup it's definitely very time consuming. Labor of love is a cliche but it's true.
Very cool! I had a 1971 green Opel Manta in 1982 and my girlfriend at the time totaled it. It sat in my Dad's garage for a few years and one day I asked about it and he gave it to my uncle. I think of that car sometimes and wished I can find another.
They are still out there if you look hard enough!
Great Work👌
Opel Manta A is my all time Favorite Car.
Greets from Germany/Ahrtal 🍇 (near Nürburgring) 🤙
Thanks! It would be fun to drive a Manta on the 'ring.
Criminally underwatched - great video, production, editing, audio, etc. These little cars are full of spirit, great work! subscribed and following along!
Much appreciated!
That feeling when you get to cruise after wrench updating your car is..epic 👌
Indeed! The first time I took a corner at speed and the car said "no problem!" instead of rolling over was very gratifying :D
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff 😁🤟
Great looking Manta you have. Going to watch the entire series on your car. Have fun with it !
Thanks! It's definiltey fun. I have more tentative plans for it... time will tell!
I like the way the car sits with the front end lower than the back. It makes the car look more aggressive. But I imagine there are bushings or blocks that can be replaced to raise and lower it. Maybe ask at a local suspension shop and see what they would do? Nice job and very nice video.
Thank you! I did end up putting in some small aluminum spring spacers in the front, which raised it about 3/4" - 1". It still has that agressive stance but doesn't look as "collapsed." Still thinking of changing the rear spring pads back to rubber to let the rear end settle a little more. Anyway, the next time I do a video on the Opel I'll probably mention this.
REALLY NICE WORK!!! Gorgeous car, great camera work, and editing!
Thank you!
I love these videos Andrew! It has been so useful when I am working on my Ascona project. 😊👍🇳🇴
Thank you, I'm glad to hear these videos are helping people!
Very nice car and a great work for a private man !
Thanks! It took a long time, but it is possible to do yourself.
This is what makes UA-cam so Revolutionary... Andrew donates $15k of his time and talents out of the kindness of his heart just to help a handful of orphan owners. Where is the donate button?
Thanks Don! Soon enough I will be able to add such a button 😁 Getting pretty close to meeting the requirements to monetize. But hey, I wouldn't do this if I didn't find it fun. Definitely a lot of work as you are well aware.
If your frame of reference is a Miata and you're happy with it, I'd say it came out really well. I'm definitely going to be referencing these videos when my GT gets the suspension overhaul it almost certainly needs.
I agree! Pretty impressed with it for a 70's car. I think the key is to keep expectations realistic. Good luck with your GT! Your front end is a different animal.
I'm a Capri guy, but I have driven loads of Manta and Ascona B.
As Capri they handles pretty bad if suspenion is shot, if they are good they are great to drive. Btw my Capri also fatures yellow Koni shocks. Pain to adjust but works really good.
It is really fun. I still need to figure out how to adjust the Konis. I just put them in as-is, hoping they were all set the same 😅
About to tackle this on an old 911, I’m sure you’ve inspired a lot to take this sort of project on. Amazing attention to detail and well presented.
Thanks for that! I'm working on a couple of 911 videos actually. Not this extensive!
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff I’ve subbed after discovering your opel ones and plan to go back through a few of the other ones. Look forward to seeing the 911 ones. 🍻
Thank you for this last part, I have been waiting really eagerly. And congratulations for good both mechanical and camera work. In my opinion the stance is quite all right now. I would not change it. Greetings from Sweden.
Thank you! I think I'd be ok with the low front if the back was also a little lower. It just has too much of an angle now in my opinion. Maybe I'll do an update if I figure out a solution.
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff I have looked again a few times now, and I think I see what you mean. Maybe the front is slightly too low. But not by much. Raising it would also (I suppose) affect the behaviour on the road that is so satisfactory now. Interesting problem the solving of which will be interesting to follow. After that maybe a moderate power upgrade? From what I remember (my class mate’s mother back in high school in Finland used to have one) the Manta could well have used a little more power. Good Luck from Sweden. 👍
@@calbackk a power upgrade is definitely on my mind. That will likely be coming in the future. The car runs well now, but I can probably get another 20hp out of it with bolt on upgrades. As for the front end, I will probably need to get the alignment checked again after I raise it, so it will be interesting to see how much that affects the handling. Hopefully not much.
Beautiful car and great color choice. Back in 76 I painted my 69 Pontiac Tempest the same color. It was a GM color that was called Canary Yellow and Corvette Yellow.
I have always thought the Manta was a great looking car and I also love how simple they are, also the styling is still great I believe.
I think your right about the way she sits nose too far down, using some kind of spacer at the top of your spring will bring the ride height up 3/4 to 1 inch would be perfect and keep a better ride for street use than lowering the rear. There may be a thicker rubber top spring insulator that would be easier to install.
Or maybe put three more people inside and a weekend's worth of luggage in the trunk, that should do the trick.
Thanks! I wonder if the Opel colors were the same as other GM colors. I thought not, but I suppose it's possible. This color is known as either Signal Yellow or Chrome Yellow.
I did get some aluminum spring spacers for the front, but haven't installed yet. I was also thinking of changing the rear spring isolators to rubber and ditch the polyurethane ones. Might help it settle a little. I'll probably post a video if I do those updates and see how she sits!
please please please record a video about your camera set up when taking shots of suspension while driving ! Cheers. Amazing content.
Thank you! That could potentially be an interesting video. Doing the multi-camera thing definitely takes some setup. Those under-car shots of the suspension were done with an old GoPro Hero5 Session on a strong rubber-coated magnetic mount. It's great because it's very small but still shoots 4k and can be triggered by the GoPro app on your phone. Also essential is some kind of light. I just used a magnetic LED work light from harbor frieght.
The exterior driving shots were done on a different day when I could get a friend to help, and we drove the same roads again with a camera stuck to his car (this time I used a DJI Osmo Pocket 2, but a gopro works too and is less shaky). It all takes time but it's fun, that's why I do it!
LOVE the Opels of the 70's , were great cars !
Great vid of all the suspension parts and where they all go and seeing them working while driving.
Great work there bud, enjoyed watching your vid VERY MUCH !
Thank you!
A great car! Mine was light blue.
I bought a used 1974 Manta in 1980 and I remember it as one of the coolest cars I have ever owned! I put on a Weber carb, some KYB shocks and a set of TA radials. It really handled well, and I was getting 30 MPG with the Weber. Lots of fun to drive! It had 61K miles on it when I bought it, 171K when it got totaled out some three years later. It was simple, dependable, and easy to work on. I enjoyed your video, it reminds me of how mine used to handle on two lane roads. Very cool!
Thank you! It is a great little car. And I know you aren't exaggerating about the 30 mpg, because I get similar numbers from mine with a Weber 32/36 as well.
Very, very cool, Andrew. A job well done... both the restoration and the video. Bravo!
Thanks David!
Awesome video Andrew! The suspension looks mint and the details you went into are just a joy to watch. I am happy you like the driverabillity, just makes me more certain that I made the right choice to order Konis. Thanks for great content and I am looking forward seeing more videos! And thanks for ine inspiration, helps me go to work shop knowing what joy awaits at the end of the project. :) Have a good one man!
Thanks Metod! Glad I could provide a little inspiration :) I'm looking forward to seeing you finish your car as well!
Nice job! I commend you for your attention to detail, very neat. You're doing a great job of bringing top quality Opel stuff to UA-cam. Not too much of that available, so thank you.
Not that big of a deal but a tip for the future, if you get the feeling that the torque tube donut could use some stiffening. You can cut strips from an old v-belt, and feed them in the cavity that's left in between the middle of the donut, and the steel cage. This is a cheap improvement, and a lot better than those "stiffened" aftermarket donuts that are available to buy. The rubber in those is stiff alright, but also too brittle. I had one of those disintegrate within a few hundred kilometers.
Also, I agree that the stance isn't great but that's what you usually get witht aftermarket lowering springs on these cars. Are those K.A.W. springs you got there? I put ones in my '72 Rekord, and I had to raise the front end. They were also too soft for my liking. They way I fine tune the height on these, is I get some plastic rings machined that fit in the upper spring perches on either end. There's a limit in thickness you can go for before the spring comes out of the perch, but 5-10mm is usually enough. I'd say, put an 8-10mm rings between the upper spring rubber, and the perch on the front.
On my '73 Ascona, I just cut the front springs of a Mercedes Benz W124, and fitted them in the front. The stiffnes is spot on with those. In the rear I got the stock springs, shortened about one turn. I got stock shocks on mine, because I found the Koni Sports to be a bit too harsh on my Manta B.
Thanks, I appreciate that! I noticed there wasn't much content for classic Opels, so I thought it would be worthwhile even for a small audience. I'll be curious to see what happens when I do some videos on my Miata, for which there is already way too much content on youtube.
Also thanks for your ideas & experience with your suspension. They are indeed K.A.W. springs. I'm going to try some aluminum spacers in the front, and then maybe change the rear spring isolators back to rubber, as I think the polyurethane may have added some height. Do you think an adjustable panhard bar is necessary? Might also have to look into that.
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff I you're not scraping the wheel arch in the rear, then you can probably get away without an adjustable panhard bar. I'd recommend one though, especially if you're going to lower the rear end some more. I've done my own panhards, out of the original bar ends, welded to a piece of hydraulic tubing.
You can do it with only one thread. Then you just have to remove the other end from the car when adjusting. A turnbuckle style bar is the proper way to go though.
Another thing with the suspension is, that it takes some time to settle. Especially those aftermarket lowering springs. I don't know how long you've had them on now, but sometimes it can take a surprisingly long time for them to find their shape. So you might want to take that into account, when calculating the desired height.
I just watched the whole series with great interest! I've owned 3 Manta's, none of which were in the condition yours is in, and your work is really impressive. The end result is beautiful, your attention to detail like plating the original fastners and fittings really paid off.
I very much look forward to future episodes. Subscribed and thank you!
Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! The Manta will make more appearances in the future I'm sure. Right now I'm in the midst of some Miata work, but that should be fun too.
Awesome series and great job on the suspension rebuild! I hope my 76 Corvette turns out as good. Looking forward to future videos!
Thank you!
Excellent video series Andrew...... As a Manta A owner and OMOC member UK, I have watched your video series with great interest. Am currently, part way through full suspension build and your videos have really helped me. Your big smile and the way the car handles on the road, confirms all your work has been worth while. I suggest replacing the rear road springs with lower height springs, to level the bodyshell, then check shocks don't bottom out.
Thank you! Glad these videos were helpful. For now I'm going to try to avoid buying another set of springs - one theory I have to lower the rear is to change the poly spring isolators back to rubber. That should make a difference. I also have some spacers in hand for the front to bring that up about an inch. It'll definitely be an experiment and I'm not eager to take things apart again after all this work :D
Excellent 👍👍
Nice work and a worthwhile resurrection. The Manta does handle well even if ride was bit harsh on certain surfaces. I ought to know, have been driving a Manta A for 35 years. Always use it as benchmark for steering response and feedback when driving newer cars!! Right now mine has front end being rebuilt due to poor roads destroying the bushings. Mine has had Koni Sport shocks since 1995, they work well with the "SR" spec front springs and standard rears. The stabilizer bar to lower control arm bush is critical component in maintaining sharp steering response and preventing car from scraping door handles on pavement !!
Thank you! Nice to hear your experience as a long-time owner.
Beautiful Manta. Makes me regret selling my Ascona.
Huge congratulations Andrew and stoked you are getting payback for all that hard work!
Also bummed that the front has all that drop. In the 80's I sawed off a top coil winding from my stock 1974 springs with no poly hat, and it wasn't as much drop, for me it was just right. If you still have your stock coils, you might try two windings with the hat (be sure to cut at same position) or recommend you check with Swedish "Lesjofors" as they make replacement springs. They also said a matching cross reference is Ford Pinto coils. There's a stiffer type for an A/C Pinto. I've not yet tried these, just found out researching. Cheap enough to try.
Thank you! Also thanks for the ideas. Good lead on the Pinto springs. I have heard that Mustang II springs work as well. For now, I'm going to see what I can do without buying another set of springs. I got some aluminum spacers that might do the trick to raise the front about 1 inch. We'll see! I did keep the original springs too just in case.
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff Right, that may do. Luckily the new springs can be had around $60. And IIRC the Mustang II was a pinto chassis, keep in mind curb weight. If you cut any, do NOT use a torch! Hacksaw doesn't take long, and good exercise. Another great video, Thanks!
Fantastic!
Thanks!
Wonderful video, Andrew! Absolutely loved it. I found you from your "Recording Car Audio" series, your overall production quality is outstanding. Keep it up! You've earned my sub.
PS; lower the rear.. just my two cents 😉
Thanks very much! It's nice to hear that I can do different types of videos & projects and still have people stick around. And I agree, lowering the rear will probably be the first thing I try, see how that looks, then decide whether I still want to raise the front or not.
@Andrew Does Car Stuff You're welcome! You have also inspired me to do a little more of an "underbody resto" when I change out the suspension of my NA8 MX-5 soon.
If it wouldn't be too much of a bother, do you mind giving me a short list of what products you used to refurbish the wheel wells, with that deep black?
Thanks! Have a great day.
@@nethercoteslayer782 Nice! I also plan on doing some updates to my NA6 Miata soonish, which will probably be another video series (though that topic is very well covered on youtube already). Paint products I used the most on this project were: Rustoleum 215215 Rust Reformer (as a first layer / treatment for bare or rusty metal), VHT SP671 Satin Black Roll Bar & Chassis Paint (nicer finishing layer), and 3M 03584 Rubberized Undercoating for inside the wheel wells.
Great job Andrew. Your work on the car's suspension is second to none. I agree the front lowering springs are slightly too low. Personally I would just replace with standard height front springs, but your preference may be different. Anyway, love your work. You've inpsired me for my own '71 Manta A over here in England. (You're so lucky to live in California!) Very best wishes.
Thanks Colin! I'm sure it's second to some, but I'm pretty happy with it. Glad you've felt inspired! On the height, I'm going to try some small spacers in the front, which should raise it about an inch while still retaining the stiffer springs. In the rear, I'm thinking of trying rubber spring isolators instead of the poly ones, that might bring it down a little. Also might need to source an adjustable panhard rod or have mine modified. Could be worth doing a small update video when I figure it out.
Awesome Congratulation! Perhaps wider tires/expand the stock rims might will give you more grip and better handling.
It does look like wider wheels/tires would fit pretty easily. Although I'm running 205's which is pretty good considering the stock 13" wheels. ATS Classics look great on these cars, I would consider a set of those if I wanted to go up in size. For now, I'm content to keep the original wheels, and I'm not pushing this car hard enough to break traction, so I'm pretty happy with it. Maybe later if it gets more powerful I will need to consider this :D
I agree
Congrats dude. Looks good. Great job on the videos. We need to get lunch sometime.
Thanks Damon! For sure, and we need to mess around with that FPV drone if you still have it :D
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff For sure. Still got the drone and a new film camera. Lol.
I knew this guy before he was famous, just sayin... I should send you my 68 Cougar Convertible 5spd in October and let you have your way with an entire suspension upgrade.
It all started with a rusty roof.
Top Car. Ich mag es sehr
👌hello andrew..
Lower the rear. I owned a '73 Manta that I bought new from a Buick dealer for a substantial discount when the '74's came out. Buick dealers were just as bad selling Mantas as Mercury dealers were selling Capris. I always thought the Manta sat a couple of inches too high. Drop the back level with the front. It should be an easier proposition than dealing with the front's independent suspension and the probability that you'll screw up the geometry. A Manta needs to be lowered all around.
What a fantastic journey, from start to finish - inspirational, for sure! Regarding the stance: I love the look with it's slight rake, as is! A chin spoiler might add a little aggression, if that's your thing?
Thanks very much! I thought about that, a chin spoiler would probably fit the new aggressive look. I probably won't go that route though. Still contemplating slightly raising the front, but that has taken a back seat while I get distracted by other projects :D
Nice job! No front stabilisator at Usa version? Need some old school alloys😎
Front sway bar is definitely there! It was a difficult thing to deal with on this car. On the wheels, I like the original ones, but have to admit that some ATS Classics would look pretty sweet. But I already spent the $$ on new tires :)
Hello. I congratulate you for the work done.
I want to take advantage of asking for the contact or website to be able to buy all the spare parts. I have an Opel Rekord C Coupe from 1971 and you would help me a lot moving forward.
Greetings from Chile, The last place in the world. hahahahaha
Hi! Here in the USA, we didn't get the Rekord, so I don't think there are any parts here. Only if some of the mechanical parts are the same, you can try Opel GT Source: www.opelgtsource.com
Most everything else, you will probably have to get from Europe. For example:
atz-online.com/pk/opel-rekord-c-commodore-a/
www.edelschmiede.com/shop/Commodore-A-/-Rekord-C_1
www.o-t-r.de/produkt-kategorie/rekord-c-commodore-a/
www.matzautoteile.de/marken/opel-6/opel-rekord-c-commodore-a-152/
Hope that helps!
Buenas tardes tengo un Opel manta 1973
I really like your videos, they are also very educational for fellow Manta owners like me. Is the yellow color the original Opel color? Do you know which is the color code?
Thank you! This car was originally silver, but this yellow is a factory color. I believe it's "Chrome Yellow" as seen on this page: paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?gncl=Yellow&model=Opel
Great work Andrew, any consideration to sell your Manta? A Manta in this color was my first car (used) in 1974 and I am interested! Thanks, Mike
Thank you! I don't think I'd sell unless it was for an absurd amount. I have way too much fun with this car, and it would be hard to replace it with something equally as unique and enjoyable.
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff thanks Andrew, let me know what absurd looks like to you, I recognize the effort you put into the restoration. Mike
Hi Andrew, any change of heart about selling the Manta? I am still interested. Mike
Howdy, looks like North county costal to me,., but anyhow.. can you tell me how much money you spent on this Suspension rebuild ?? it looks fine by the way,. you could cut down the rear spring 1 inch and see how that feels... but I have been interested in these cars or a GT for a long time and I am getting the itch for something new - however I just want to know what I am looking at for a total refresh like you did here,.
I don't have a figure off the top of my head, as I ordered parts over the course of several months. You can price out most of the bushings by browsing Opel GT Source's website. Maybe 300 bucks in bushings and misc stuff as a rough guess. The Koni shocks were the most expensive items - I got a deal through my work, but retail the set of 4 can run about 500. Then the springs shipped from Germany were about 300. Oh yeah and restoring the hardware was about 400. So easily $1,500 and probably more as I may be forgetting things. And of course that's doing all the labor myself. which took a long time.
Where did you get the lowering springs from?
They are from K.A.W. in Germany - www.kaw-fahrwerke.eu/K-A-W--Tieferlegungsfedern-fuer-Opel-Manta-A-1060-4160.html
We're do you get your parts from I just picked up a 74 that's been sitting since 87
Mainly Opel GT Source - opelgtsource.com - and Opels Unlimited (have to call them). Those are the two main sources in the US. Othwerwise there is a good amount of stuff in Europe, but some of them won't ship to the US.
Some examples:
www.edelschmiede.com/shop/Ascona-/-Manta-A_1
atz-online.com/pk/opel-manta-ascona-ab/
www.krause-rennsporttechnik.de/shop/Motorenbereich/CIH?languageid=2
www.o-t-r.de/produkt-kategorie/ascona-manta-a/
splenditparts.de/shop/en/
dr-manta-shop.de (doesn't ship to US)
www.matzautoteile.de/marken/opel-6/opel-ascona-a-manta-a-162/
opel-shop.com/produkt-kategorie/manta-a/
hi andrew where did you get the dust shield ?
They were original to the car! I sent them to get stripped & zinc plated along with most of the hardware.
Did you film this in Santa Barbara?
Maybe
Well maybe I’ll see you cruising around. I got a manta I’m restoring right now too.
@@AaronDine no way! Didn't know there was another one in SB. Feel free to connect on IG (same name). I know of a couple others in the surrounding area but have yet to see another one locally.
Yeah I’ll send you a request my dude
FIRST CAR 1971 OPEL MANTA BACK IN 1975!