Omega Owners Forum

Newbie Area => Newbie Welcome Area => Topic started by: Alex.McBride on 01 January 2016, 07:54:55

Title: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: Alex.McBride on 01 January 2016, 07:54:55


Hi guys, I had a crazy idea to convert my 3.2 Omega from an auto to a manual. I've been looking at gearbox's out of the Saab's and Vectra's. I know the F40, M32 can handle the torque of the engine  I am also aware the gearbox from the Lotus Carlton (ZF S6-40 ) can easily deal with the torque but the ZF S6-40 are far more expensive and rare over the other gearbox's  however, I am unsure if it is possible to fit these gearbox's in an omega. Hope someone can help. Also, has anyone done this?


Many thanks Alex
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: Nick W on 01 January 2016, 08:26:55
Saabs and Vectras are FWD, which makes their gearboxes useless for a RWD car like an Omega. You do know that that V6 Omegas were available with a manual gearbox that is stronger than the engine? And that makes it a bolt together job using factory parts.
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: Alex.McBride on 01 January 2016, 09:43:35
Hi I'm aware that Omega's did have manual gearbox's. The 3.2 with a manual was only an option for the Police, I'm not sure if it's safe to put a 2.5/2.6 or 3.0 litre engine Omega gearbox in a 3.2. I have heard the Cavalier 2.5 V6 gearbox would work but I'm again unsure. Any idea what gearbox to put in? or, will the V6 gearbox work in my car


Thanks Alex
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: Nick W on 01 January 2016, 11:07:17
Hi I'm aware that Omega's did have manual gearbox's. The 3.2 with a manual was only an option for the Police, I'm not sure if it's safe to put a 2.5/2.6 or 3.0 litre engine Omega gearbox in a 3.2. I have heard the Cavalier 2.5 V6 gearbox would work but I'm again unsure. Any idea what gearbox to put in? or, will the V6 gearbox work in my car


Thanks Alex

Reread my post as it answers your questions.
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: Andy H on 01 January 2016, 12:27:06
Hi I'm aware that Omega's did have manual gearbox's. The 3.2 with a manual was only an option for the Police, I'm not sure if it's safe to put a 2.5/2.6 or 3.0 litre engine Omega gearbox in a 3.2. I have heard the Cavalier 2.5 V6 gearbox would work but I'm again unsure. Any idea what gearbox to put in? or, will the V6 gearbox work in my car


Thanks Alex
The Cavalier Mk2 was FWD - I don't think they did a V6 in the Mk1.

The gearbox and clutch/flywheel from a 3.0 Omega would be your best bet (R28?). The gearbox from a 2.5 or 2.6 probably wouldn't be up to the task (R25?)
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 01 January 2016, 12:58:40
What Andy said. Stop looking at other, FWD cars and just fit a 3.0 or 3.2 manual box.

Its probably easier to buy an entire manual car, and cheaper...
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: Alex.McBride on 04 January 2016, 09:02:41
It appears, the 2.2/2.5TD Omega's have R28 gearbox's, this makes it a lot easier as the 3.0 manual's are rare and the 3.2 are even more rare again.
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: Nick W on 04 January 2016, 09:28:40
Diesel gear ratios are unlikely to be much good for a V6. Using compromised parts just because they are slightly easier to find is not a worthwhile solution.

Manual V6 gearboxes and flywheels aren't difficult to find.
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: Andy H on 04 January 2016, 13:30:45
It appears, the 2.2/2.5TD Omega's have R28 gearbox's, this makes it a lot easier as the 3.0 manual's are rare and the 3.2 are even more rare again.
The R28 in the 2.5 DTI has a bell housing to match the bolt pattern on the BMW engine. It won't fit the Vauxhall V6 and it is cast as one with the gearbox so cannot be swapped.
Title: Re: Converting an auto to a manual
Post by: 05omegav6 on 05 January 2016, 00:41:31
It appears, the 2.2/2.5TD Omega's have R28 gearbox's, this makes it a lot easier as the 3.0 manual's are rare and the 3.2 are even more rare again.
The R28 in the 2.5 DTI has a bell housing to match the bolt pattern on the BMW engine. It won't fit the Vauxhall V6 and it is cast as one with the gearbox so cannot be swapped.
Integral bell housing applies to all the Omega manuals...