SE6a GTE with Vauxhall X30XE 24V V6 engine

[Burtle]

I guess it's about time I introduced a little project of mine to the piston heads forum fully.



I bought these two, rear is the 1979 GTE and at the front it an ex-police 3L manual estate.


Getting ready to remove the old Essex engine from the Scimitar



Heavy iron beast the Essex.



Same job on the Vauxhall.



Moment of truth, will all the measurements be correct?



Yep, fits nicely, it's also as low and far back as I can get it, the entire engine is behind the centreline of the front wheels.



The manual Omega gearbox was also transfered and fit's a treat, I had Propshaft Services of Heathrow make me a propshaft up for it, and a lovely job they done too.



Slight bulkhead adjustment, and removable panel to access the rear of the engine if required. (good for coil pack changes)



Bracketry made up to house the radiator and support the front of the car / bumper.



In place with the radiator fitted.



The radiator is the one taken directly from the Omega.



This is the wiring for the electric water pump and fan relays on the rad.



Sorted out and mounted along with the Bosch ECU.



My chosen fuel pump, Mk2 Golf GTI, it's a nice little unit complete with swirl pot and filter.



Cam belt change time before the whole lot gets buried behind wiring and air ducting.



Propshaft and fuel pump fitted.



The completed engine bay


Thats about it really, I'm now working on the interior.




210 Bhp
200 lbs.ft
1200 kg's
Rear wheel drive

Happy days

Edited by Burtle on Saturday 19th June 09:51

[johnnymaestro]

Hi Burtle,

Cracking project that.

I suggest you put this in the Readers Cars Area as no one really comes in here, that often.

This reminds me, I need to finish off my project thread on my Scim

[plasticpig]

A very interesting project. What made you choose an engine swap rather than building a high spec Essex? How much bulkhead modification was required?

[Google [bot]]

Yep, this should be in the Reader's Cars section. Love the Scimitars and love the mods. Crap signal means my iPhone won't load the pics but look forward to checking this out tomorrow.

[CNHSS1]

http://www.scimitarweb.co.uk/sgwrs/viewtopic.php?f...

all is revealed here in Burtles project thread

[jellison]

Great Swap

[Burtle]

plasticpig said:

A very interesting project. What made you choose an engine swap rather than building a high spec Essex? How much bulkhead modification was required?

Cost mainly, £270 for 210bhp engine swap. £2000 for uprated Essex to reliably reach the same power. Also the Vauxhall engine is lighter and more economical.

I've sat the engine further back so there were some bulkhead modifications needed.

[jellison]

Holy crap 270 quid - if only my TVR swap had been that, er Cost effective!

Essex are not the easiest to get big power from. Definately the right way to go, and it will handle better having a lighter alloy lump further back.

[Comadis]

calculation is wrong:

cost you 270quid " money"...but how much hours labour?

guess when somebody would want to buy the car now you wouldnt calculate with 270,-pound?

also, sorry to say that, i would have invested some hours in the chassis first, instead doing an engine-change.