ascona voyage wrote:

I really bought the HS as shown in the first picture and didn't touch since then. The CF is now almost finished so time for the next project. Does anybody know if it's possible to pay via paypal for spares? I would need a timing belt and maybe a set of gaskets. Is there a servicing manual for the engine? Paying by cheque is very uncommon nowadays and with the internet paying through paypal is fast and save.



Give Steve a ring about the Paypal thing (number in the front of DSN). Timing belt and individual gaskets or sets are no problem for either single or twin cam. The service manual for the engine is the same as the single cam, there's a small supplement for the twin cam which I'm sure we could sort you out a copy of, and of course you can always ask any questions in the technical forums.


ascona voyage wrote:
However if you would attent an official rally you will need to have an engine conform to the rules. That means the engine block has to be off the series, in a special group the head is free. This is why you could drive the Astra 16V engine in a Manta but not in an Ascona (the OHC never existed in the Ascona)! They are changing it again and possibly even the head will have to be off the series. Even carburation needs to be homologated and there is a discussion if some guys will have to change from Weber to the standard injection system. Very strange things happen. Possibly to avoid people winning with the best of most expensive material. This is why some guys about 4 or 5 years ago were looking for a competitive car suitable for rally. They did their own regulations and created a cup. The 318is cup. Anybody's driving the same car (technically) so the best driver (or let's say the one with least brain power) wins. The cars must have a set of Schrick cams (good for approx. 150PS), 5,44 slip diff, the same chip, and most important the same tyres: Vredestein Quatrac 195/65 15 all weather - fun for drivers and spectators. This is obviously one of the cheapest solutions for a very competitive car. You always find some of them among the top 10 on gravel rallyes. 4WD Imprezas and Mitsubishis in between!
Nevertheless I wanted to get the HS as original as possible and so the engine must not miss. I could imagine that you even could go with a SOHC head and race in former group 1. Guess this was homologated in England, was it?
Regards.
Erik

It sounds as if you have a better situation over there than here. Over here, if you want to just go rallying and aren't bothered about competing against modern cars you can use whatever engine you like, and many people use XE / Ecotec engines in Chevettes (and Escorts!).

For historic rallying in the UK though, there are three classes, for cars built before 1968, before 1975, and before 1982. Unfortunately although the first two classes allow any modifications that were originally used, for class 3 - the class the Chevette is in - you have to comply with the original homologation of the time, and the Chevette was only homologated into Group 4 as a twin cam with the Vauxhall head - no group 1 homologation, sadly, the single cam Chevette was strictly a Clubmans thing.

Edited 1 time by Harry Flatters Dec 6 07 5:17 PM.