Opel OHV engine
| Company type | Engine series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Headquarters | Rüsselsheim , Germany |
| Products | Inline-four pushrod engines (1.0L to 1.2L) |
The Opel OHV series, also referred to as the Kadett engine or Viva engine, is a pushrod inline-four engine engineered by Opel in Germany and introduced in 1962. Marking Opel's first entirely new engine design after World War II, it remained operational until 1993.
Vauxhall Motors manufactured a domestic variant for the Vauxhall Viva, initially adapting the measurements from metric to imperial units. Shortly thereafter, Vauxhall independently advanced the OHV design by increasing displacement from 993cc to 1057cc through a larger 74mm bore while maintaining the original stroke length. Further bore expansions to 78mm and 81mm produced 1159cc and 1256cc versions, respectively, which powered vehicles such as the Bedford HA, Vauxhall Firenza, Vauxhall Chevette, Vauxhall Cavalier, and the Holden Torana.
Beginning in 1979, the OHV was progressively superseded by the newer GM Family 1 engine. Nonetheless, it persisted in entry-level variants of the Kadett/Astra and Corsa/Nova models throughout the 1980s.
1.0
The original 1.0 liter engine was launched with the Opel Kadett A (1962–1965), featuring a displacement defined by its bore and stroke dimensions. It came in two versions: 10N with standard compression delivering , and 10S with higher compression outputting .
This engine was replaced by the 1.1 liter unit in 1965 but made a return in 1973 as a fuel-efficient option for the Kadett C. After a brief discontinuation in 1981, it resumed production in 1982 for base models of the Opel Corsa A and Vauxhall Nova, producing . It was also utilized in export editions of the Kadett D.
Due to its inability to comply with Euro 1 emissions standards—lacking catalytic converters and still employing mechanical contact breaker ignition—the engine was phased out across Europe by 1992.
Applications:
- 1962–1965 Opel Kadett A
- 1973–1979 Opel Kadett C
- 1979–August 1981 Opel Kadett D
- September 1982 – 1992 Opel Corsa A / Vauxhall Nova
1.1
In 1965, displacement increased to for the new Kadett B, achieved by a bore of and stroke of . The 11N version featured standard compression delivering , which rose to after 1971. The 11S produced , while the 11SR, introduced in 1966, offered enhanced power at .
Applications:
- 1965-1973 Opel Kadett B
- 1967-1970 Opel Olympia A
- 1968-1970 Opel GT 1100
1.2
By 1971, displacement grew further to 1.2 liters with an increased bore of , maintaining the stroke length. The 12N variant generated between , whereas the 12S consistently produced .
Applications:
- 1971-1973 Opel Kadett B
- 1973-1979 Opel Kadett C
- 1979-1984 Opel Kadett D / Chevrolet Kadett (ZA) / Vauxhall Astra Mk 1
- 1984-1988 Opel Kadett E / Vauxhall Astra Mk 2
- March 1972 – 1975 Opel Ascona A
- 1975-1980 Opel Ascona B / Vauxhall Cavalier Mk 1
- 1972-1975 Opel Manta A
- 1975-1979 Opel Manta B
- 1982-1993 Opel Corsa A / Vauxhall Nova (including catalytic converter-equipped versions producing )