Question about Sport

[mad-driver]

My mate is interested in finding a sport and has been reading up about them. He read in a total vauxhall book that they were originally going to build it based on the 1200cc carb engine and use 1600 pistons. Anyone know anything about this such as why they didn't and what that sort of engine would be like?

Also he wants to know anywhere that will strengthen the bottom end on the likes of an SR or something as he is going to buy one for his lad

Cheers chaps (and ladies)

Sam (aka THE mad-driver)

[mowgli]

I always thought it was a base model shell with a 1.3 on twin 40's and the decals were to get sales of the 'sport' model to ensure homologation for motorsport.
As for the use of the 1.2 crank & big pistons, it would have made a hell of a circuit racer, but no good for rallying

[Mike]

1.2 crank and big pistons wouldnt take rallying!

Got more chancce of a 1.2 burning the gearbox out with the above spec then getting anywhere in a rally!! lol :lol:

when you say, strengthen the bottom end, as in in the engine? im not aware of anyone who do this sort of thing? prolly an engine reconditioners? maybe.

mike

[mowgli]

Now fitting 1.2 pistons onto a rebored 1.3 to make a 1.4 hi-compresion engine, Back in the good old days (before factory 1400cc) that was a damned good conversion.
I built one up and fitted it into a std 1.2 merit. with stock 1.2 bits (but a 1.3 exhaust) it could pull from 15mph in top, and go as fast as I could drive it, and still give 35mpg
as for strengthened bottom end, I guess that means stronger big end bolts

[leemh1234]

i always thought it was a 13sr with twin 40's. 8)

[mad-driver]

well its not an ordinary SR though is it? And i just wondered if anyone had heard ote about this 1200 with 1600 pistons because my mate wants to know

[Spudly]

As far as i know its basically the same engine as the 1.3SR, same box aswell jus runnin twin 40`s a custom Irmscher inlet manifold and airbox, and a 4-branch manifold and as far as im aware thats all thats really different, someone once told me the cam was different but im not sure on that!!!!!

A guy in Hull is sellin a nearly fully restored one for ?1500, jus needs finishing off and the decals, if anyone is interested pm me and ill send the number or would i be allowed to post it in ere or summ at, its at a local Nova specialists

[Philsutton]

also there was an option for an uprated cam in the sports as well.

[Spudly]

Ahh thats where that one comes from then, id love to see a sport go theyre sposed to be faster than both GTE`s and GSi`s arent they???

[Jack]

afaik the Sport was based on a bog standard Nova L, as that's what the homologation rules were...?

[Mike]

i wouldnt say stpidly faster than a GSi/GTE, but theyre a little bit quikc like.

[Adam]

As far as i know its basically the same engine as the 1.3SR, same box aswell jus runnin twin 40`s a custom Irmscher inlet manifold and airbox, and a 4-branch manifold and as far as im aware thats all thats really different, someone once told me the cam was different but im not sure on that!!!!!

Some also had an Irmscher cam, i think that was an optional extra tho..

Edit--
Doh!, didn't see Phils post :oops:

I cant see a sport being as quick as a gte/gsi, i dont think the sports got near 100bhp.

[Philsutton]

I cant see a sport being as quick as a gte/gsi, i dont think the sports got near 100bhp.

ah its not all about power, its power to weight. I doubt the sport had gay extras like electric windows and extra bits of trim that all weigh it down.

[Nick]

look in the back of a TV

i think the sports stats are suprisingly close to a GTE/GSi , lacking on top end tho i think.

the decals wern't needed to make it a homologation car ? the new C2 GT has no decals, i think they were added just for a sporty trim/touch

[mowgli]

there can't be many about these days because Colin McRae used to crash them regularly before subaru hired him.

mind you its probably a bit like the racing ford gt40's. Of a run of 6, only 13 are known to exist. People have been faking them since they were launched.

I would fake one by getting a base model 1.2 (for the 2 line fuel system)
and stick a 1.3 on twin 40s and a 5 speed f10 box with a really low diff. ie from a mk1 astra 1.2 estate (old astra/nova challenge trick)

[mowgli]

just trawled thru the Kolbenschmidt piston catalogue & none of the 1.6 pistons will be a straight fit on 1.2 conrods. the gudgeon pins are too big in diameter.

[Adam]

I cant see a sport being as quick as a gte/gsi, i dont think the sports got near 100bhp.

ah its not all about power, its power to weight. I doubt the sport had gay extras like electric windows and extra bits of trim that all weigh it down.
Yeah true, dont know how much heavier a gsi is tho :?