Looking for info on a build

[tjp]

We just purchased SPL31126638, a yellow 69 1600 originally. It is not (yet) in the registry. I will update the registry once we know ultimately where this car ends up...either for sale or with someone local.

Sometime in it's past it had been given a 2.6 litre Chevy V6 and matching five speed drivetrain transplant. It goes like stink and is scary fast to drive. It handles frelling amazingly well.

The guy we bought it from said he bought it from someone in the Twin Cities. He knows nothing about the build.

There is a Santa Barbara Surf Shop stick on the rear bumper. I am wondering if maybe this car came out of California and someone recognizes the build.

Thanks for any and all input.

[notoptoy]

Very interesting, that V6 is surprisingly compact.

[2mAn]

Very interesting, that V6 is surprisingly compact.

I was thinking the same thing. Likely could've been pushed further back if it wasnt for that distributor

[tjp]

It is a very clean build.

[tjp]

Anyone? Buehler?

[Gregs672000]

Very interesting, that V6 is surprisingly compact.

I was thinking the same thing. Likely could've been pushed further back if it wasnt for that distributor

Ya, ditch the dizzy and go megajolt crankfired!

[FergO2k]

Leave the dizzy, if it is aftermarket supported.
Lose the hood latch, and Take the brake master cyl metal pocket and weld into the center, and latch otherwise.
I love this swap, the aftermarket possibilities are endless.
Cool build. All the cylinders behind the front axle line (more than most achieve, almost never on V8’s)

[tjp]

Bump this up....anyone recognise this one?

[FergO2k]

No. Need to see more of car, but from the mustard color, no, cannot identify.
The Santa Barbara Surf Shop sticker was his favorite fish taco place, possibly only visited once, sans roadster.
This drivetrain is a cool build, just needs a bit of fab work to bring it “below the deck”.
How much taller than hood is it now?
Just go cowl induction scoop and forever it is known as “the scooped roadster”?

That sounds harsh, but one of our local backroads rally friends does track days with an Opel Ascona with a GM V6 Camaro engine drivetrain just like this (3.4), And drives the hell out of it.
Hood it, relax, and enjoy it, or see if a FI setup drivetrain from later years will let hood close and will mate to existing trans, as roadster hood scoops tend to look a bit “bangled” at best.

[tjp]

Stock hood configuration closes just fine. Colour is closer to the stock yellow than mustard. Otherwise this is a stock 69 from all other angles.

[FergO2k]

Cool set-up, different, but that is always good.
Similar hp to a U20, more torque so that feels good. Mounted with all but one pair of cylinders aft of axle centerline, which is good. From net info, looks like allGM longitudinal v6’s stayed with iron heads, but what the heck, parts are plentiful, and the install is completed and doesn’t look butchered or a rats nest of wiring.
Trying to upgrade to headers might just get into a piping mess trying to avoid frame rails, then adding insulation for braking system. Just leave as is and add a nice sounding muffler.

[tjp]

add a nice sounding muffler.

Definitely needs a better muffle. The glass pack under it now sounds like crap!

[FergO2k]

Oh, and I forgot to add.
The guy who has a GM 3.4 V6 in the Opel took a different way to manifold routing. The Opel frame was right in the way of the stock exhaust manifold, so he took the RH & LH manifolds and swapped sides, so that collectors point forward rather than aft.
Then routed the pipe each side out the front in front of the cross-member, then hooking down and back.
From the front the car appears to have an oil pan protector roll-bar-ish look, because he ceramic coated the pipes white.

[tjp]

Similar hp to a U20, more torque so that feels good.

It's been a few years since I've driven a stock U20 w SUs or U20 w a B cam and Solexes but neither memory is of a car nearly as fast as this V6 Roaster. I'm told by a mate who has a stock U20 that my stroker, as currently configured, is faster than his stock U20 w SUs. (He said he couldn't keep up with me.) And my stroker does not feel nearly as fast as this V6 Roadster.

Anyway, the bottom line is that this V6 Roadster is bloody crazy fast. And it's for sale.

[spl310]

Tim, have you made an ad? If you are offering it for sale on the forum, you need to put a price on it.