Omega V8

[philt_V8]

Hi,
Has anyone considered an Omega V8 conversion?
I think the bodyshell is similar to the HSV and there are lots of cheap Omegas around.LS1/T56 are available in the US,if a little expensive. Should be able to pull together a tidy motor for £10k.
An Omega MV8 - the car Vauxhall would not build?

[slippery]

If you can do that with an Omega that's new/decent enough to make the idea even remotely plausible, I would be amazed. You might as well use the £10k as a deposit, borrow another £10k over 5 years at about £100 per month (which you would almost certainly spend putting right constant niggles on a project like you are talking about) and buy yourself the genuine article. Less hassle, more streed cred and a proper resale prospect when the day comes to part with it. As I said though, with the cost of parts being what they are, I think the idea is a non starter.

[Munki]

Why not wait for the new Omega / Insignia? The range topper will have a V8 fitted as standard so i hear. Hmmmm. I actually like the shape of the Insignia, so much so that i hope the new VE Commodore over here will look very much like it.

Don't bother with a conversion - like the man said it'll be way too costly and far too much hassle. The body shell is similar but much narrower than the HSV so it might not fit, then theres all the electricals to worry about. Too hard mate

>> Edited by Munki on Wednesday 30th June 11:09

[Lotus Carlton]

Opel have already done it as a concept car. They produced a range topping model called Omega V8.com but claimed that it could not be fitted to a RHD model.

Don't forget that Omegas are raced in Germany on the V8 Star championship but they are slightly different cars.

I don't think that there is any doubt IMHO that a V8 would fit but it would be a load of hassle for negligible benefit.

[Boosted Ls1]

I heard the met had a couple of ls1 powered omegas a few years back. Don't know if it was true or not.

[jd426]

What a great idea!This is one I haven't heard of anybody doing.Spend 500 quid on an engine lift,floor jack,some axle stands,car ramps,drill press,gas bottles,welder etc.(I assume you have your own hand tools!)Buy your Omega for a grand,(or far less,you won't be needing a runner will you???)buy and build a stiff 350 Chevy for another grand and stick it in.It will help if your mates with the local engineers as you'll be needing an adaptor plate of some type...piece'o'cake...the whole lot should stand you in at no more than 3 and a 1/2k if you've got the job weighed up and don't mind a bit of work,leaving you 6 and a half to spend in the pub or whatever....Be a whole lot cheaper than an HSV Clubsport,bit on the narrow side though...

[Munki]

A good idea if you can pull it off, but i think it'd be a little bit more complex than that. Theres the engine management system to consider too ie the PCM that will need changing, plus the gearbox BCM if its an auto, and lord knows what other mods to the electrical system you would have to do, unless you go for a carby v8 but then you may as well spend the cash on a blower for the v6. Those ecotec v6's can be made to be pretty hot. Ata recent dyno day over here the car that stole the show was an ecotec V6 (3.8litre) powered VT commodore with a turbo system that racked up over 430 hp at the wheels. The nearest LS1 came in at 398 and that was with a head & cam package with LS1 edit, exhaust, cold air etc etc. Also (cough cough) the ....dare i say it... Ford Falcon XR6 turbo over here, coupled with the APS tuning packages are producing some pretty wild numbers for not many bucks.

If it was me i'd certainly be looking into modding your existing V6. The stockie V8 won't be much more powerful than the V6 and for the cash you would spend on the conversion the bang for bucks factor is lacking slightly....but then again theres that V8 rumble to consider. That gets me all the time hahah

[Boosted Ls1]

Ls1's will make 380 plus dyno hp with just a cam change and later inlet manifold. You don't need to get an ls6 which on a similar dyno may only make 390 hp. Then you can start adding boost Take your point about having to use ls1 Edit though. It all adds up.

>> Edited by Boosted Ls1 on Thursday 1st July 10:36

[jd426]

For everybodys info.Omegas come stock with either a 210 hp 3 litre V-6,2.5 V-6 or a super anaemic 2 litre 4 cyl.,not the 231 cu.in.Buick as fitted to the Commodore.

[Munki]

Yeah i'm aware of the Omegas engine sizes (i used to own an Elite), but if its possible to crack the 3.0 V6 computer then anything is possible. The buik 3.8 V6 can be tuned with the Kalmaker software as far as i know but i'm not sure what PCM the 3 litre uses. The stock Buik V6 used in the Commodore produces 150KW(ish) at the flywheel.

[uk hsv]

"Munki" sorry for going off topic a bit but what suspension are you running on the SS?

I have looked at Koni, Bilstien and Whiteline and I favour Koni as they are top adjustable front and rear.

As for springs Eibach, Quadrant or Pedders?

Also did you have any problems with rear tyre ware (add a toe link adj?)

regards

uk hsv

[Munki]

i have Lovells super low springs coupled with Monroe GT gas shocks to suit. Also had a camber kit fitted at the back end so toe and camber are fully adjustable. The car is dumped to the floor but i don't have any problems with inner tyre wear, however i did before the camber kit was fitted as VTs are known for it. I think Holden fixed the tyre wear issue after VX II??

Konis are pretty good so i hear. Might be an idea to get in touch with these guys.

www.bweb.com.au/wasuspensions/

They did my set up for me and really know their stuff. They set the car up brilliantly and are very helpful

[V-Car]

Sorry about the size of the pic...youve probably seen it anyway.
The ls1 in the Omega.


>> Edited by V-Car on Sunday 4th July 03:13

[Boosted Ls1]

Just when will they get rid of the engine cover? I prefer the vette covers or no cover at all

[Munki]

When did they stick an ls1 in the Omega Ross? I suppose its some sort of concept car?

[V-Car]

Johno, Opel first did a wagon that was at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show, then a sedan at the 2000 Geneva Show, but canned the idea in 2001.
[url]www.opel.com.mk/vesti/arhiva/vesti3.htm[/url]
[url]www.ruckstuhlgaragen.ch/opelmediainfo/990819.htm[/url]
[url]www.cardesignnews.com/events/geneva2000/gallery/pages/opel-omegav8-349.html[/url]
[url]http://motoring.ivillage.co.uk/research/ModelNews/resModel3.asp?NewsID=1938[/url]

[Munki]

Bummer they canned it, an Omega with an Ls1 would have been pretty quick, especially after an Edit. It probably wouldn't have sold well though.

Thanks for the info mate

[sid447]

[quote]Ls1's will make 380 plus dyno hp with just a cam change and later inlet manifold. You don't need to get an ls6 which on a similar dyno may only make 390 hp. Then you can start adding boost Take your point about having to use ls1 Edit though. It all adds up.

>> Edited by Boosted Ls1 on Thursday 1st July 10:36[/quote]

LS1's will make 380hp with the standard cam and just bolt-on parts without touching any internal engine parts.
By just fitting a 212/212 112LSA cam they are good for 405hp and 420lb-ft.
See here:-
www.samsperformance.com/Research.cfm

Re Omega V8.
Where do you think the Commodore came from?

The GM-E Omega, though built by DANA in Australia.

The floorpan and 90% of the suspension is identical.
Though the Omega uses a better rear brake set-up and a stronger & better locating track control arm on the front strut.

--- Sid447 ---

[hades998]

Hi all, glad to see i am not the only HSV/holden nut int he UK.

This may have been mentioned before but the Germans run a series call V8 star. amongst the jags, VW W8's and audi's there are Omegas running tuned (obviously) LS1 engines i believe.

Wish i could get my hands on the new gen4 GTS!

[V-Car]

Seeing this thread again reminded me that if Opel had built an Omega V8, it wouldnt have been the first Opel to get a Chevy engine.
The Opel Diplomat was built in the 60's and 70's with a 230hp 327 from the Vette.