1970 Vauxhall Viva HB SL

[alexwillmore]

Hi all,

First time posting here! This is my 1970 Vauxhall Viva HB SL. It's currently a standard 1159 but is at my cousin's workshop ready to have a C20XE fitted.






I was hoping to pick all your brains along the way with certain aspects of the build. Currently I've got the C20XE, a Manta 1.8 Box and a replica 1.8 Manta sump from Retro Power.





I bought the Redtop and Manta box off of eBay a while back but on recent inspection it appears that the Box is missing the release bearing arm.
Not sure now how easy it's going to be to come across one so I Might be in the market for a new 1.8 Manta box (sigh).

So things I wanted to ask (I hope i'm posting this in the right place, I'm a first timer here so correct me if I'm wrong and I'll move the thread)

1. Does anyone know of anywhere I could possibly find a release bearing arm for a Manta 1.8 box?

2. What rear axle to go with? Ideally i'd like one from a bigger Viva, Firenza etc but In the instance of not being able to find one what else will work? I've heard Volvo 240's aren't too far off and also talk of an E30 axle being a possibility?

3. Exhaust manifold options?

4. Standard Viva fuel tank/ pump suitability with Redtop (EFI)

5. What brakes to go with? Currently it's drums all round so they'll need to go! Was thinking about running without a servo too.

6. Suspension options? I want to keep the Viva looking pretty standard/ dress it up like a GT so don't want to drop it right down.

7. Engine position/ Mountings.

Any help with this would be great as I'm not all that techy and this is my first big project.

If I've posted in the wrong place please do let me know (didn't know if it should go under technical help or in here as a project thread?)

Thanks all!

[alexwillmore]

And a higher res image...

[turbohpf]

if you can't find a manta release arm then the other rear wheel drive boxes could work for you i.e carlton or omega only problem with the omega box is no speedo drive

[v8ian]

Axle from a 1800 or 2300 viva/magnum..... if you can find one!!!!

[omega]

Oct 26, 2014 13:31:38 GMT v8ian said:

Axle from a 1800 or 2300 viva/magnum..... if you can find one!!!!

are these worth a lot of cash then?

[v8ian]

Not exceptionally valuable unless you have a 502, which is the designation for the droop snoot, very easy to identify as they have a sump built into the axle. the standard axles were also found under Panther Limas & Jensen Healys. To fit the axle you will need the longer top arms that should be fitted to the 2300.
Just seen this, but I will guess its going to fetch good money, www.ebay.co.uk/itm/coburn-improvements-lsd-axle-droop-snoot-firenza-viva-hb-hc-magnum-DTV-not-502-/131331339395?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e93f53483

[Deleted]

nice car only viva i havnt owned looks solid

[darrenh]

stock mk2 astra manifold could have secondaries/collector slit and clocked rearwards, and its stainless steel which is a bonus.

the only people i know who sold rear drive 20XE manifolds for the manta/escort/chevett, off the peg, were SBD, but as you will see from the link they are now funnelling people directly to the source, BTB

www.sbdev.co.uk/Exhaust_Manifolds/Exhaust_Manifolds.htm

part number was EX-M-RD1

[grifterkid]

Now that looks the business...!!! I sense goodness will be coming with this one...!

[peddyp]

Will be watching this closely! Just bought myself a '75 Viva as a daily and it desperately needs an engine conversion...
Was going to go RedTop with the Omega box on twin 45's

[v8jim]

Nice project
I've got a red top in my HB but I'm using a carlton gearbox

I brought an Ashley 4 branch for a redtop escort and chopped it up to make it fit around the crossmember


Suspension wise I've got GAZ coilovers on the front and corsa lowering springs at the rear which makes it sit like this

It's also got a 2.3 rear axle which fits straight on(I wouldn't think the GT rear suspension arms were different to smaller engine ones but not 100%)

[alexwillmore]

Nice Vivas guys and thanks for the tips! Just waiting on my pick up pipe to come back from retro power modified to suit my manta sump and work will start on getting the engine in! I'm away for a couple of weeks but when I'm back will get some updates on the go!
I've got hold of a release bearing arm from a magnum so might see if that'll work with the Manta box.

[alexwillmore]

Hi all! Just a quick update:

I've now got myself a suitable flywheel, some engine mounts from Retrofication and this beauty:

Coburn improvements axle.... it was not cheap
It's missing the top arms and I believe they're shorter than the smaller Viva ones so a bit of work might be needed there?

I'm still on the hunt for a Manta 1.8 clutch fork so if anyone has one knocking about (it's always worth an ask right?) I'd be very interested.
So just waiting on that, manifold and clutch and then things can start happening! OH yes!

[alexwillmore]

Also if anyone's got some spare top arms for a 2300...?

[lord13]

i was just going to suggest a scimitar axle, my mate john sorts them to fit viva's, good strong axle, but i see you're sorted now, incidently john willl have the top arms you require, he also makes rose-jointed arms, adjustable tie-rods, bias pedal boxes, and pretty mucch everything else for the viva, John Sharp Engineering, look him up, he's based in leics/melton area, he's a wealth of knowledge too, and has a white lotus viva thats always at the billing show

[alexwillmore]

Wow! Great stuff! That's really handy! Thanks for that. I'll get in touch and sort those top arms.

Another quick one for anyone:

I have a 1.8 ohc manta gearbox with no clutch fork which I'm mating up to a C20XE and was wandering if the clutch fork from a 2.0 CIH manta box would fit?
I know the internals of the 2 boxes are the same but have a different bellhousing and bolt pattern.
With this in mind would the fork still fit?

Any advice would be much much appreciated!

[65viva]

curse word! Wish i had seen this earlier! I have a 2300cc magnum axle that i cant get rid of for love nor money!

John Sharp is a top bloke, very helpfull! Worth a shout, there is also a guy on the viva forum who i swapped my arms i had for some other parts, he has loads and he isnt expensive.

Looking forward to seeing both of these cars on the road!

[alexwillmore]

Ahh that's a real shame. I paid a small fortune for my axle!
Thanks for the tip offs though! I dare say I'll be in touch with John about the top arms soon!

Thanks again

[alexwillmore]

Bought the Manta CIH box! Hopefully the fork will fit my 1.8 box!!! I'll post an update when I know.

[belmontdazz]

Loving this! What flywheel are you using out of interest?