# Opel OHV engine

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Reciprocating internal combustion engine

Opel OHV engine 1963 10N engine Overview Manufacturer General Motors Also called Kadett engine, Viva engine Production 1962-1993 Layout Configuration Naturally aspirated Inline-four engine Displacement 993 cc (60.6 cu in) 1,078 cc (65.8 cu in) 1,196 cc (73.0 cu in) Cylinder bore 72 mm (2.8 in) 75 mm (3.0 in) 79 mm (3.1 in) Piston stroke 61 mm (2.4 in) Valvetrain OHV Combustion Fuel type Gasoline Oil system Wet sump Cooling system Water-cooled Output Power output 29–44 kW (40–60 PS) Chronology Successor Family 1

The **[Opel](/source/Opel) OHV** family (also known as the **Kadett engine** and **Viva engine** after its most famous applications) is a [pushrod](/source/Pushrod_engine) [inline-four engine](/source/Inline-four_engine). It was the first all-new engine developed by Opel of [Germany](/source/Germany) after [World War II](/source/World_War_II) and was released in 1962. Versions were in use through 1993.

[Vauxhall](/source/Vauxhall_Motors) would also make use of a locally built version of the OHV engine for the [Vauxhall Viva](/source/Vauxhall_Viva),[1] the original intention being to simply convert every component from metric dimensions to imperial measurements. However development of the OHV would soon be separate from to that of Opel, one of the first changes being to increase the size from 993cc to 1057cc via a slightly bigger 74mm bore yet built with the same stroke as the Opel OHV with later bore increases to 78mm and 81mm producing the 1159cc and 1256cc engines [2] that would also power the [Bedford HA](/source/Bedford_HA), [Vauxhall Firenza](/source/Vauxhall_Firenza), [Vauxhall Chevette](/source/Vauxhall_Chevette) and [Vauxhall Cavalier](/source/Vauxhall_Cavalier) as well as the [Holden Torana](/source/Holden_Torana).

The engine was gradually replaced from 1979 onwards by the [GM Family I](/source/GM_Family_1_engine), but continued to be used on base specification versions of the Kadett/Astra and Corsa/Nova for much of the 1980s.

## 1.0

The first version of the engine was the **1.0** and placed in the [Kadett A](/source/Opel_Kadett) which was produced from 1962 to 1965. Displacement was 993 cc (61 cu in) with a 72 mm × 61 mm (2.83 in × 2.40 in) bore and stroke. The Kadett A had two different versions of the engine, namely *10N* (normal compression) with 29 kW (40 PS) and *10S* (super compression) with 35 kW (48 PS).

This engine was retired in 1965 in favor of the **1.1** but was revived in 1973 as an economy option for the Kadett C. It was briefly discontinued in 1981 but revived a second time a year later for the entry-level models of the Opel Corsa A/Vauxhall Nova where it produced 33 kW (45 PS). It was also used in export market models of the Opel Kadett D.

The engine was finally retired in the European market for the 1992 model year in the Corsa A/Nova owing to its inability to satisfy the upcoming [Euro 1](/source/European_emission_standards) emission standard which required the fitment of [catalytic converters](/source/Catalytic_converter) - the engine was one of very few still employing mechanical [contact breaker](/source/Contact_breaker) ignition at the time of its discontinuation.

Applications:

- 1962-1965 [Opel Kadett A](/source/Opel_Kadett_A)

- 1973-1979 [Opel Kadett C](/source/Opel_Kadett_C)

- 1979-August 1981 [Opel Kadett](/source/Opel_Kadett) D

- September 1982 – 1992 [Opel Corsa](/source/Opel_Corsa) A / Vauxhall Nova

## 1.1

Right-hand side view of a 1967 *11S* engine (US-spec)

In 1965, the engine was enlarged for use in the all new Kadett B. Displacement was 1,078 cc (66 cu in) with a bore enlarged to 75 mm (3.0 in) stroke remained at 61 mm (2.4 in). The *11N* (normal compression) produced 33 kW (45 PS) and 37 kW (50 PS) after 1971. The *11S* produced 40 kW (55 PS); in 1966 a special power version was introduced, the *11SR* with 44 kW (60 PS).

Applications:

- 1965-1973 [Opel Kadett](/source/Opel_Kadett) B

- 1967-1970 [Opel Olympia](/source/Opel_Olympia) A

- 1968-1970 [Opel GT](/source/Opel_GT) 1100

## 1.2

In 1971, a second enlargement made the **1.2** with a displacement of 1,196 cc (73.0 cu in). Bore was enlarged to 79 mm (3.1 in) and stroke was still at 61 mm (2.4 in). Performance of the *12N* varied from 37–40 kW (50–55 PS); the *12S* consistently had 44 kW (60 PS).

Applications:

- 1971-1973 [Opel Kadett](/source/Opel_Kadett) B

- 1973-1979 [Opel Kadett](/source/Opel_Kadett) C

- 1979-1984 [Opel Kadett](/source/Opel_Kadett) D / [Chevrolet Kadett](/source/Chevrolet_Kadett) (ZA) / [Vauxhall Astra](/source/Vauxhall_Astra) Mk 1

- 1984-1988 [Opel Kadett](/source/Opel_Kadett) E / [Vauxhall Astra](/source/Vauxhall_Astra) Mk 2

- March 1972 – 1975 [Opel Ascona](/source/Opel_Ascona) A

- 1975-1980 [Opel Ascona](/source/Opel_Ascona) B / Vauxhall Cavalier Mk 1

- 1972-1975 [Opel Manta](/source/Opel_Manta) A

- 1975-1979 [Opel Manta](/source/Opel_Manta) B

- 1982-1993 [Opel Corsa](/source/Opel_Corsa) A / Vauxhall Nova (also with catalyst and 33 kW (45 PS))

Opel engine codes explained 1. = Emissions controls 2./3. = Displacement (in tenths of liters) 4. = Compression ratio 5. = Fuel feed (only on gasoline engines) 5./6. = Special conditions empty = no emissions controls/ECE R83A 12 = 1.2 Liter G = < 8.5:1 V = Carburetor A = Egyptian market/revised version P = High Output (until 2000) E = Euronorm catalytic converter 14 = 1.4 Liter L = > 8.5–9.0:1 Z = Single-point injection B = Bedford/IBC P = TwinPort (since 2000) C = Euro 1, Three-way catalytic converter 16 = 1.6 liter N = > 9.0–9.5:1 E = Multi-point injection D = Daewoo (D-TEC) Q = Colombia X = Euro 2 17 = 1.7 liter S = > 9.5–10.5:1 H = Direct injection E = Ecoflex? R = enhanced power Y = Euro 3 18 = 1.8 liter X = > 10.5–11.5:1 F = FlexFuel (E85) F = government fleet (de-tuned) S = Increased power/turbocharging Z = Euro 4 20 = 2.0 liter Y = > 11,5:1 L = LPG G = Natural gas T = Turbocharger/special version A = Euro 5 (since 2007), Austria 25 = 2.5 liter D = Diesel N = Natural gas (often used with 6th character G) H = high output/forced induction U = Uruguay B = Euro 6 28 = 2.8 liter I = Irmscher V = Volume model D = Euro 6c 30 = 3.0 liter J = adjusted output W = Venezuela F = Euro 6d 32 = 3.2 liter K = Comprex 1 = Family 1 engine H = Australian ADR 37 ("Holden") L = reduced power/low pressure turbo 2 = Family II engine S = Swedish/Swiss A 10/11 emissions M = Middle East/Common Rail Diesel empty = no special condition

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Vauxhall HA - Viva part 1"](http://vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com/vauxhall-ha---viva-part-1). *vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Clark, Paul (21 March 2020). ["The Blydenstein Project | The GM "Little Block" and the Magic 1273 | Opel Kadet"](https://pdmclark.co.za/the-blydenstein-project/). *PDM CLARK*.

- "Das große Kadett-Buch", Edition Heel, Königswinter, Germany

- Oswald, "Deutsche Pkw 1945-1990, Band 3: Ford, Opel, VW" Motorbuch-Verlag, Germany

- Oswald, Werner. *Deutsche Autos 1945-1975*. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-87943-391-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-87943-391-7).

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Opel OHV engine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_OHV_engine) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_OHV_engine?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.