Omega Owners Forum - Info on v8 conversion please

F1 9LFG

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nr Braintree, Essex
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Drives: 2001 2.6 CDX Manual Saloon

Info on v8 conversion please
12. Nov 2010 at 19:58

Hi people, still gathering intel (and prices!!) on a V8 conversion.

Last week i spoke to BAE, british american engines, got prices on a turnkey modified LS3 engine, 6.2l 550bhp and T56 box, they don't know of anyone who has dropped a V8 into an omega so couldn't advise much on what engineering would be involved to get the engine supported or if it would really 'fit'.

I know anything is possible.....but want to know roughly what lies ahead!

So far i've decided on a monaro lsd, i have an engineering friend who will make shafts and prop to suit, fuel tank will go in the bootspace to eliminate fire risk, give room for larger diff, and exhaust pipes.

one hurdle i'm a bit stumpped on is the steering box, it looks to be in the way, roughly going off block/box measurements.

has anyone on here managed to put a v8 in, and if so could they comment on the above at all?

Thanks

Rob

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2woody

Omega Knight

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Northumberland

Drives: '02 MV6, '99 Elite, '99 MV6 estate, '92 Evo 500, Commodore SS

Re: Info on v8 conversion please
Reply #1 - 12. Nov 2010 at 20:10

I'm tentatively exploring the idea for someone.

it's been done before, one just sold through ph & ebay.

biggest problem will be getting the brakes just so I reckon. Yu'll probably not get a reasonable brake pack under anything but 18" wheels, so if you're not into chavvery, then it could be a problem.

Engine/transmission cold be do-able from as little as £1500 if you're very selective about the parts.

Monaro axle won't fit unless you build a hybrid rear subframe from Carlton/Monaro, Omega and Monza parts.

Other than that, the electrics you might find problematical - ABS/traction control & drive-by wire and cruise control might be a problem for you.

I have to admit that I have a bit of an advantage in that I do this sort of thing for a living and already have a Holden Commodore.

p.s. I've just priced up getting a consignment of V8s over from the USA

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« Last Edit: 12. Nov 2010 at 20:13 by 2woody »

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Liam Intermediate Member Offline Posts: 252 Da Ghetto, Kempston Rural, UK Gender: Drives: 98 3.0 elite, green paint, cream cow	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #2 - 12. Nov 2010 at 20:36 Would probably have to convert to rack and pinion steering, I would have thought. I'd be surprised if the fuel tank was really in the way.
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2woody Omega Knight Offline Posts: 1402 Northumberland Drives: '02 MV6, '99 Elite, '99 MV6 estate, '92 Evo 500, Commodore SS	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #3 - 12. Nov 2010 at 20:41 the one that sold still had a box
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F1 9LFG

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Posts: 114
nr Braintree, Essex
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Drives: 2001 2.6 CDX Manual Saloon

Re: Info on v8 conversion please
Reply #4 - 12. Nov 2010 at 20:41

hi mate, i've not paid a penny as yet as i want to get everything figured out and a parts list first, just looked at the monaro diff and thought i could be made to work.

£1500...what engine would that be using? its a snip of what i was looking at!

not planning on having TC/ABS, so thats one issue out the way.

wheels would be 18'' as you say, that doesn't worry me either.

cheers

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F1 9LFG Junior Member Offline Posts: 114 nr Braintree, Essex Gender: Drives: 2001 2.6 CDX Manual Saloon	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #5 - 12. Nov 2010 at 20:44 Liam wrote on 12. Nov 2010 at 20:36: Would probably have to convert to rack and pinion steering, I would have thought. I'd be surprised if the fuel tank was really in the way. had the car on a lift yesterday and the tank is in my way, as i want twin pipes all the way and a box/exit each side at the rear.
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2woody Omega Knight Offline Posts: 1402 Northumberland Drives: '02 MV6, '99 Elite, '99 MV6 estate, '92 Evo 500, Commodore SS	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #6 - 12. Nov 2010 at 20:50 Use the truck version of the LS, still the same engine, but a few less cubes and iron block. BUT available in the USA for a couple of hundred quid. LS1's start at around £1500 on the open market. the last LS6 I bought was £4000 with trans and ecu. you don't actually need a T56 either.
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2woody Omega Knight Offline Posts: 1402 Northumberland Drives: '02 MV6, '99 Elite, '99 MV6 estate, '92 Evo 500, Commodore SS	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #7 - 12. Nov 2010 at 20:50 oh yes and YHM !
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Liam Intermediate Member Offline Posts: 252 Da Ghetto, Kempston Rural, UK Gender: Drives: 98 3.0 elite, green paint, cream cow	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #8 - 12. Nov 2010 at 21:23 There was a thread a while back in which a member, omegadan67, I think, was describing an imminently finished V8 meggy made with various VXR8 and Monaro bits apparently. Supercharged too. Might be one to ask. Maybe I can find the thread...
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F1 9LFG

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nr Braintree, Essex
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Re: Info on v8 conversion please
Reply #9 - 12. Nov 2010 at 21:55

2woody wrote on 12. Nov 2010 at 20:50:

Use the truck version of the LS, still the same engine, but a few less cubes and iron block. BUT available in the USA for a couple of hundred quid.

LS1's start at around £1500 on the open market.

the last LS6 I bought was £4000 with trans and ecu.

you don't actually need a T56 either.

where in the uk are these engines available?
ls6 with trans and ecu for £4k, sounds like a great deal.
what box options do i have apart from t56?
cheers

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F1 9LFG Junior Member Offline Posts: 114 nr Braintree, Essex Gender: Drives: 2001 2.6 CDX Manual Saloon	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #10 - 12. Nov 2010 at 21:56 Liam wrote on 12. Nov 2010 at 21:23: There was a thread a while back in which a member, omegadan67, I think, was describing an imminently finished V8 meggy made with various VXR8 and Monaro bits apparently. Supercharged too. Might be one to ask. Maybe I can find the thread... cheers mate, will knock up a pm otherwise
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Liam Intermediate Member Offline Posts: 252 Da Ghetto, Kempston Rural, UK Gender: Drives: 98 3.0 elite, green paint, cream cow	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #11 - 12. Nov 2010 at 23:51 Here it is. No juicy pics or anything though . As you can see I was quite excited! Would love to check it out. http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1278531605/0
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chrisgixer Omega King Offline Black ones are faster. Posts: 14570 Wokingham Gender: Drives: "Omega Black" 3.2 Elite. Thanks to Joshwyatt.	Re: Info on v8 conversion please Reply #12 - 13. Nov 2010 at 04:52 Caw, how narrow that is, single cam heads, headers only stick out past the block by a couple of inches
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2woody

Omega Knight

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Posts: 1402
Northumberland

Drives: '02 MV6, '99 Elite, '99 MV6 estate, '92 Evo 500, Commodore SS

Re: Info on v8 conversion please
Reply #13 - 13. Nov 2010 at 11:37

F1 9LFG wrote on 12. Nov 2010 at 21:55:

2woody wrote on 12. Nov 2010 at 20:50:

Use the truck version of the LS, still the same engine, but a few less cubes and iron block. BUT available in the USA for a couple of hundred quid.

LS1's start at around £1500 on the open market.

the last LS6 I bought was £4000 with trans and ecu.

you don't actually need a T56 either.

where in the uk are these engines available?
ls6 with trans and ecu for £4k, sounds like a great deal.
what box options do i have apart from t56?
cheers

not available in uk !

the LS6 was bought b a work colleague of mine - a direct import, all new LS2 actually come to think of it, with T56 and the GM ecu for £4K.

for the weight of an Omega, a T5 would suffice as a gearbox - and much cheaper to buy, too.

all being well, I'll have a batch of engines available about easter-time

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F1 9LFG

Junior Member

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Posts: 114
nr Braintree, Essex
Gender: male

Drives: 2001 2.6 CDX Manual Saloon

Re: Info on v8 conversion please
Reply #14 - 13. Nov 2010 at 11:55

2woody wrote on 13. Nov 2010 at 11:37:

F1 9LFG wrote on 12. Nov 2010 at 21:55:

2woody wrote on 12. Nov 2010 at 20:50:

Use the truck version of the LS, still the same engine, but a few less cubes and iron block. BUT available in the USA for a couple of hundred quid.

LS1's start at around £1500 on the open market.

the last LS6 I bought was £4000 with trans and ecu.

you don't actually need a T56 either.

where in the uk are these engines available?
ls6 with trans and ecu for £4k, sounds like a great deal.
what box options do i have apart from t56?
cheers

not available in uk !

the LS6 was bought b a work colleague of mine - a direct import, all new LS2 actually come to think of it, with T56 and the GM ecu for £4K.

for the weight of an Omega, a T5 would suffice as a gearbox - and much cheaper to buy, too.

all being well, I'll have a batch of engines available about easter-time

sounds good mate, keep a large one aside for me, and a box to suit Wink

will call you later or tomorrow

cheers

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