mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Sept 24, 2013 21:36:16 GMT
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Hi flyingphil,
I remember your car from the late 80's, when I watched you from the "Grandstand" at the Pod. I wanted to participate in the Rover V8 Challenges of the day, but with a young, growing family, I never had quite enough money to be competitive with my V8 Manta. I knew a few "faces" from the Uxbridge / Iver / West Drayton area, the likes of Steve Law, Gino Bernadene(?) and Steve Good. Only last week I met up with Paul Dickens at The Head Gas Gits club meet, and the memories came flooding back. At the time, I was working for a mate at Duttons Farm in Iver, where Paul also worked in an adjacent unit, and other units occupied by Steve Good and lance McColdrick.
Fast forward to the 21st century and amazing I've still got my original Manta coupe', only this time it has been reduced to a bare shell awaiting a re-birth. Your thread has certainly inspired me, and I am now in a position to fulfil this dream, after an 11 year build of my other Manta V8. This time, I want to deviate from the Rover route and maybe utilise a BMW 4.0 litre V8 drive train or even a Jag V8? As a novice, but with a bit of experience, and a fairly well equipped garage/ workshop, I was wondering how I could incorporate a better chassis to update my current, original set up? Now that you have started building your chassis, I am watching this like a hawk!!!!
This is exactly the sort of thing I would like to build for myself. My neighbour has past experience in the classic/ hot rod scene and has put forward some great suggestions. He is also a bodywork guru and can weld a damn site better than me!!!
Thinking back again to the late 80s / early 90s, I knew another club member who had shoe-horned a Jag V12 into his A series Manta. He had created his own plenum and was experimenting with twin turbos. I will have to dig out all my old register details, but his name was Dave and from the Suffolk area ?
So, my 6th month old son who started life travelling around with me in his carry cot strapped inside a 1293cc race tuned Mini, progressed up to a 4.2 Daimler Soverign and watched me build my 1st V8 powered Manta, is now 26 years old and once again accompanying me to car events. He now WANTS one of the Mantas for himself, so is also watching progress. Phil, keep up the great work and posts, you Sir , have a lot to answer for!!! Respect!! We will be watching you closely.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Sept 21, 2013 21:34:57 GMT
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Hi again, MantaSport
Was it really in June the last time I posted on this forum? Time flies when in the final stages of putting a long time project together!!
After refitting the Corsa column, everything worked fine. There were a couple of niggly bits that needed sorting, then during a spur of the moment, I arranged insurance and took it down for the dreaded MOT. And the list of advisories? The offside brake light needs a better earth!!!
So after an 11 year build, The Red Wreck is back on the road and fully legal. And the insurance for a 4.2 litre nitrous injected V8, nitrous, living in West London, with all modifications declared........................................ £254!!! Now the fun begins.
I've also spent the evening looking at your web page. I've found it very inspirational and the amount of work you have done to customer's cars is so impressive. So much in fact, that I'm planning the re-birth of my other labour of love, Pulse8. The shell is now sitting on a wheeled dolly in the garage, before I embark on the rebuild. Having never really liked the front suspension set-up on the Mantas (not enough room to get the headers around the steering and bottom tie bars) I MAY use a separate tubed chassis under this one? This could give me so many more options, although cost will be the main deciding factor.
thanks again for all the info on your page. It's a pity we're at opposite ends of the country, although Pulse8 has travelled as low as Land's end and as high as Airdrie. The world is my oyster!!
Regards, Pete
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Sept 21, 2013 20:32:27 GMT
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We saw a couple of old deer and a Woody, (bloody classic Mark!!) Seriously, it was a great morning meeting the guys and finally getting out to play at in the Manta. Looking forward to attending a few more events (if the motor stays together?!!) It was getting a bit hot 'round Hampton Court and the new "heavy duty" clutch was starting to slip whilst stuck in traffic. Teething problems, they tell me. My A**E, I reply!!!
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Hi Mantasport,
I really do appreciate this reply.
The set up that I have created is nearly identical to the one pictured, as I followed some-one's guide on one of the forums (can't remember which one though) but it was very detailed. I bought the Corsa B EPS as a complete unit, so have the original ECU, 12v motor, and the blue, green and black plugs and wiring.
The blue plug is 50amp fused then onto the battery and the earthing wire is very substancial!! As I mentioned, the controller for the speed sensor is a Fleabay purchase, packaged with the necessary wiring diagram, wires and the all important white plug. I chose the one with a remote adjuster knob.
When first installed in the Manta, I turned the ignition on and hoped to turn the steering wheel effortlessly, like I had seen on some YouTube EPS conversion posts!! When nothing exciting happened and I still struggled to turn the steering, I thought maybe it was an electical fault. I checked all the wiring, fuses and connectors but still nothing seemed to work. There was a click from the ECU, but that was about it.
After removing the column and placing it on the bench, I have now discovered how the torque sensor switch works. I have adjusted it back and forth so that the motor spins in opposite directions and have now set it in the "neutral" position, so nothing is operating. Do you know how "tempremental" these switches are? It did seem a bit sensative!!
I am going to fit it all back on the car and see if it now works. As you mentioned, the column can't feel any resistance when it's on the bench so the results should be interesting?!
Failing that, could you give me a price on a replacement for me?
thanks again for your suggestions, Pete
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Hi Guys, I haven’t posted on here for a while, but I’ve finally got my into gear to finish the Manta. After replacing most of the braking system and retro fitting a Corsa B Electric Power Steering column, I powered up the electrics to discover the EPS does absolutely nothing!! I’ve followed a couple of build threads on different forums to do this conversion and have fitted the necessary “controller” which I bought off Fleabay. A 50A fuse is fitted and I have a + feed from the ignition side. When turning on the ignition, you can hear a relay click in the ECU but nothing happens on the steering column. I’ve gone to the extent of buying another ECU and testing the whole lot on the car and again on the work bench, but still no joy. I've got power feeds to both sides of the ECU but nothing seems to be reaching the actual electic motor. I've tried turning the controller knob back and forth to see if anything happens, but to no avail. Has anyone had any experience of these units? It all looks pretty straightforward but I just can’t fathom out why it won’t work. Any help or suggestions would be really appreciated.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Looks like twin one & a half inch SUs for A series engines.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Apr 18, 2012 19:36:05 GMT
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Hi, is the brake bias valve still kicking about? Just bought a brake master cylinder for conversion onto my Manta, but need the bias valve to go with it. If available, can you post it to me? Ta.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Mar 15, 2012 21:19:55 GMT
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Yeah, at the back of my mind I keep thinking it must be the tracking.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Mar 15, 2012 19:35:17 GMT
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Hi all, I’m desperately trying to get my Manta back on the road and an MOT for Wheels Day but I am having problems with extremely heavy steering, so need a bit of advice. The car is fitted with a quick rack steering, lowered and uprated 400lb front springs and Revolution 15” wheels.
When I had the old Senator 3.1 litre turbo motor installed, the steering was a bit heavy when stationary, but was light and responsive when on the move. The Rover V8 which is now fitted is probably a wee bit lighter than the Vauxhall motor, and also mounted approx 7 inches back. The only changes I’ve made to the front suspension is moving the steering rack forward 20mm and fitting new track rod ends. They are virtually in the same position as the old track rod ends, so I don’t think this the problem, although could moving the steering rack forward such a small amount cause me all this grief? I have retained both the top and bottom steering knuckles and they are both free moving.
Now the whole front end just doesn’t feel right. Just driving around the block feels very weird and unsafe, so I’m not even gonna attempt to drive the 2 miles to the test centre. Could this problem just be down to tracking? I’ve never been good at maths or geometry, but need to get a base line set up before further tweaking by an expert. Any ideas, please?
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Jan 10, 2012 16:24:21 GMT
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Hi Bib, so you're still on the scene aswell then? thanks for the praise, I've just booked Good Friday off (6th April) as I aim to debut at Wheels Day. I've just got to replace a leaking water pump, swap the centre silencer (only 3" of ground clearance) bleed the brakes and take down for an MOT. When The Red Wreck is back on the road, I will be cracking on with a very sorry looking Pulse8............photos will be posted on here soon.
By the way, how's Marleen? LOL
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Love what you have done to the car. I have a manta with a modified 5.7 v8 Chevy engine. MPG about 8 so not good on fuel but what a laugh? Brought the engine from British American Engines to my specification. The best accelerating engine I have had and out ran my M3. Over the years, I've only known of a few Chevy V8 powered Mantas, the most popular was Nutty Nick's MegaManta (recently on Fleabay for £30k plus A guy I knew in Reading was building a small block Chevy Manta Coupe', but I think it was abandoned mid-build, which was a real shame. As a matter of interest, what axle are you using? I take it that it's gotta be a 8" or 9" Ford?
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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What a simply gorgeous car. I've always longed for a '67 / '69 Camaro, but if one of these should come my way, I don't think I could resist.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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thanks for all the great feedback, I really do appreciate it. I've done the RV8 conversion into Manta twice now, and my other long term project will be looking for a new engine/gearbox/axle. I've pondered on the small block Chevy route, but I feel it's a little bit too heavy for the Manta and will upset the handling. I'm maybe looking at the Lexus 2.5 twin turbo lump? I will post some photos up of the project tomorrow, if I get the time. I was hoping that you wouldn't take what I said about the Rover as a criticism. At the time that I did mine, the cost to rebuild it was fierce, and that with effort it took to get it to fit (mostly exhaust header routing) I felt the results to be a disappointment. Like you, the reason I chose it was the weight. but the Chevy is not a 'heavy' engine for it's size and potential. Also there are aftermarket alloy blocks, heads and stroker kits available if you can stretch to it. Plus you get the ease of a big simple Holley carb sitting on top, no ecu's and chips and 4 miles of wiring loom. I have a picture of my Rover Manta somewhere, but the shorts I am wearing in the picture make it unsuitable for publication. It was a 78 silver SR with blue interior. I believe it ended up in Germany. Check these out... www.worldcastings.com/products/engines/motown-sbc-engines.htmlHi Mantiac, Certainly no critism taken regarding the Rover motor. Like you, I found constructing the exhaust manifolds a complete pain in the , especially the offside (starter motor and steering to route around). I ended up fabricating this side in 3 parts to ease fitment. This is one of the reasons I'm looking for new engine alternatives. ECUs and fuel injection still scare me, that is why I fitted a Weber 500 cfm and MSD ignition onto The Red Wreck. But as technology and ease of use improves, I might give it a go? I am still looking at Chevy small blocks with manual transmissions (the later LS models) but then again, fuel costs will be the deciding factor, I'm sure.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Very very nice! As others have said, it looks great with the original trim intact and the stance is perfect. Back in the 80's I put a Rover in a Manta but was very disappointed with it. If I was to go the V8 route again it would be a small block Chevy. thanks for all the great feedback, I really do appreciate it. I've done the RV8 conversion into Manta twice now, and my other long term project will be looking for a new engine/gearbox/axle. I've pondered on the small block Chevy route, but I feel it's a little bit too heavy for the Manta and will upset the handling. I'm maybe looking at the Lexus 2.5 twin turbo lump? I will post some photos up of the project tomorrow, if I get the time.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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is the morris minor also yours? Moggy Minor isn't mine, it belongs to a neighbour who never uses it. What a waste, it's just a garden ornament.
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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very nice have you got any pics from when it had the 3 litre in it ? I must have some photos of the old 3.1 litre install somewhere, will dig 'em out and post them on here. Watch this space.................. Found 'em!! Not the best picture quality however
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Last Edit: Jan 2, 2012 21:07:25 GMT by DarrenW
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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that is a gorgeous looking manta! has it been fitted with an E30 dash btw? Dash was from a Beemer E30, however I've fitted Autometer gauges including an electronic speedo and have tried to make it look stock(ish)? The jury's still out on the polished lower switch panel as I don't know if I should spray it or cover it in black?
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Dec 31, 2011 19:30:12 GMT
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Last Edit: Jan 2, 2012 21:07:02 GMT by DarrenW
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mantamutilator79
Part of things
I love the smell of kerosene in the morning….
Posts: 160
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Dec 31, 2011 19:05:08 GMT
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Last Edit: Jan 2, 2012 21:06:32 GMT by DarrenW
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