Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: bloodwheel on 26 December 2023, 20:07:01
-
Hello.
looking for info and pictures of a omega A with v8 conversion.
Did find some info about model B ,but not what am looking for.
I did try googling it ,but no good.
Anyone here with info?
//Robban.
-
You could try messaging RobbsyMV6 as he did one
-
You could try messaging RobbsyMV6 as he did one
It's been a while, but from memory, LS1 with LS2 heads and supercharger, 6 speed manual, steering rack conversion and custom subframe... Basically an Omega body on Monaro VXR running gear.
Most of the wiring was relatively straightforward, and I suspect that the Omega A will be even easier.
-
One of the members is in the US and did a lot of upgrades to his Catana?
I think that was the name of the car which is the US version of the Omeaga but powered by V8 LS Power.
He did quite a lot of interesting upgrades inc 6 Pot calipers.
-
One of the members is in the US and did a lot of upgrades to his Catana?
I think that was the name of the car which is the US version of the Omeaga but powered by V8 LS Power.
He did quite a lot of interesting upgrades inc 6 Pot calipers.
Cadillac Catera
-
One of the members is in the US and did a lot of upgrades to his Catana?
I think that was the name of the car which is the US version of the Omeaga but powered by V8 LS Power.
He did quite a lot of interesting upgrades inc 6 Pot calipers.
Far as I remember, no Omega or Catera version ever had a V8 power plant from the factory. The Americans also only had the 3.0 and never 8 cylinders.
But guessing there are many more LS V8's in the states, to shoe horn in to the Omega bay.
-
The best V8 conversion I have seen so far was the RATs Omega, they shoe horned a 4.0 lexus v8 in and pumped it up tp 1000BHP.
Its on Youtube some where. :y
-
https://images.app.goo.gl/RjRqRbobtiHVzZ1b7
Rob's car.
-
Robs car is to new.
looking for info about omega 86-93
-
Robs car is to new.
looking for info about omega 86-93
I posted that link for the benefit of people discussing the Omega as we know it here, even though you asked about the Omega A.
I thought I had acknowledged that on my first reply.
Haynes do a manual for the earlier versions of the Holden Commodore and Calais, think the VN/VP/VR chassis is essentially a Senator A underneath, which itself is the basis for the Omega A platform and was designed from the get go to have a 5.0/5.7 lump in it so adding an LS to one should be a piece of cake.
Be prepared to pay good money for an engine though, as even in the US where they literally grow on trees, they start at $5k for a knackered lump and the manual gearbox is easily the same again.
Basically,,if you're not prepared to put £15k into building it, plus an example rust free enough to be worth doing, then don't bother.
-
Im still trying to work out what Lotus has to do with anything on the thread. ::)
-
Im still trying to work out what Lotus has to do with anything on the thread. ::)
The Carlton was sold everywhere else as the Omega A, ergo the Lotus Carlton was sold everywhere else as the Lotus Omega.
Converting a Lotus Carlton/Omega to a V8 seems to be a waste, but a clean 1.8/2.0 would make an excellent sleeper restomod even with a stock LS1 in it.
As the OP is in Euroland, a Chevy small block might be a bit more available and with an HEI electronic ignition, Holley Fuel Terminator and a nice cam, you could have a really nice useable daily driver. Still won't be a cheap exercise.
https://www.hawksmotorsports.com/how-to-swap-gm-ls-series-engines-into-almost-anything-book-manual/ is essential reading and there are also guides for the various engine choices and their respective wiring diagrams.
Making the engine run is relatively straightforward but integrating it into the car is more of a head scratcher.
-
I know that, but the OP question is about putting a V8 into an old Carlton shell. So no connection with the straight 6 Lotus version at all, just a mention in the title for some strange reason.
Unless Ive missed something and he is actually mad enough to put an american V8 into a genuine Lotus Carlton ? :o
-
I know that, but the OP question is about putting a V8 into an old Carlton shell. So no connection with the straight 6 Lotus version at all, just a mention in the title for some strange reason.
The Lotus Carlton is a RHD 1989-> Carlton fettled at Hethel.
The Lotus Omega is a LHD 1989-> Omega A fettled at Hethel.
The Carlton Is a RHD Omega A, and vice verca.
Unless Ive missed something and he is actually mad enough to put an american V8 into a genuine Lotus Carlton ? :o
I think that's nail on the head. Never got directly involved in one, but my understanding is it *should* be possible in a LHD Omega A, but quite difficult in a RHD Carlton. Whenever I've listened to people saying they are going to attempt it I believe the main issues are steering box, steering gear, subframe and brake servo/modulator.
-
My main issue would be that its an insane thing to even consider. Ruining a very expensive car by dropping an old lump of yank iron in to replace the Lotus developed engine already in there.
-
I know that, but the OP question is about putting a V8 into an old Carlton shell. So no connection with the straight 6 Lotus version at all, just a mention in the title for some strange reason.
Unless Ive missed something and he is actually mad enough to put an american V8 into a genuine Lotus Carlton ? :o
Not mad ,maybe a little crazy. :y
Actally bought me a lotus replica ,not the real deal.
But there is no engine or transmission in the car.
Im trying to find info if somebody had put a v8 in omega a ,but its hard to find info on the internet.
Would it fit?
-
In that case I admire what your trying to do. :y
Problem here is that this forum is mainly for UK Vauxhall Omega, which replaced the Carlton.
The Carlton to you is the Omega A. Little if any info on those cars here unfortunately.
-
My main issue would be that its an insane thing to even consider. Ruining a very expensive car by dropping an old lump of yank iron in to replace the Lotus developed engine already in there.
That's assuming the current engine is servicable or reparable. We don't know that.
If it's put a rod through the block,(which I have seen - still got that block in the lockup) then getting a 'new' or recon C36GET will be a lot more expensive than throwing in a V8.
Lotus have already done some of the work required - Google Corvette ZR-1. Same/similar gearbox and same ECU. You won't get a ZR1 engine for £5K though.
-
Not mad ,maybe a little crazy. :y
Actally bought me a lotus replica ,not the real deal.
But there is no engine or transmission in the car.
Im trying to find info if somebody had put a v8 in omega a ,but its hard to find info on the internet.
Would it fit?
If it's a replica, you will never get your money back whatever you do. Best bet would be to try and find a Carlton GSi3000i or a Senator 3000i with engine and gearbox in it. These are probably rarer now than "Genuine" Lotus Carltons/Omegas, but if you can find one in a scrappy or eBay then the parts should just swap over. There is a 12 valve and a 24 valve version of the GSI3000. 24V is higher powered, but the 12V is preferred my many owners for strength and reliability. Ok 'only' 220BHP ish(for the 24V), but should be a shed load cheaper than a V8 conversion.
-
I know that, but the OP question is about putting a V8 into an old Carlton shell. So no connection with the straight 6 Lotus version at all, just a mention in the title for some strange reason.
Unless Ive missed something and he is actually mad enough to put an american V8 into a genuine Lotus Carlton ? :o
Not mad ,maybe a little crazy. :y
Actally bought me a lotus replica ,not the real deal.
But there is no engine or transmission in the car.
Im trying to find info if somebody had put a v8 in omega a ,but its hard to find info on the internet.
Would it fit?
It will almost dro straight in, as per my previous post.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393970001266?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=3jm2BtF2RsO&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=Ht8iHAwYSta&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Plus the book I linked to earlier and the full copy of the book F-Bodies Inc produced in 2007 F-body Inc. - Facebook https://m.facebook.com/groups/372900023515328/ may be f use.
I know Rob had the thick end of £20k into his Omega B and he did all the fabrication work so expect it to cost $$$
-
In that case I admire what your trying to do. :y
Problem here is that this forum is mainly for UK Vauxhall Omega, which replaced the Carlton.
The Carlton to you is the Omega A. Little if any info on those cars here unfortunately.
Aha, thats why i cant find info about omega/carlton on this forum.
In sweden this cars are all called omega...
I appreciate the info.
Thanks.
The car is based on a om..carlton 3000, but the engine and trans is gone.
Its cheaper to find att chevy v8 in sweden then a original engine..
-
It will almost dro straight in, as per my previous post.
It won't. Many have started down that route and I'm not aware of any that have succeeded in a RHD Carlton.
The Carlton/OmegaA has a different subframe and steering system to the Commodore. They look similar, but there are very few parts that are inter-changable between them.
-
Aha, thats why i cant find info about omega/carlton on this forum.
In sweden this cars are all called omega...
I appreciate the info.
Thanks.
The main source for help on the older Omega A / Carlton, and especially the Lotus Carlton/Omega is a club called The Autobahnstormers. There is a considerable overlap between info here and there, and some of us are members of both. There is an internet forum, but access requires club membership - I think it's £30 a year.
If you need help on an Omega A /Carlton issue then that's were I recommend you go. However, I've been a member since about 1997 and I don't remember anyone successfully completeing a V8 transplant into a Carlton.
-
It will almost dro straight in, as per my previous post.
It won't. Many have started down that route and I'm not aware of any that have succeeded in a RHD Carlton.
The Carlton/OmegaA has a different subframe and steering system to the Commodore. They look similar, but there are very few parts that are inter-changable between them.
OP is in Sweden so not sure why that's an issue ???
Fitting a subframe and rack from a suitable vintage Commodore should fix that particular conundrum for rhd.
Essentially this is what Rob ended up doing because the pitman arm movement is marginally affected by the right hand header. But yes, the engine will happily fit into the available space.
-
Sounds like an interesting project to me, and just because it might not have been done before, doesn't mean it can't be done. :-X :y
This might not be a Carlton/Omega A forum, but there is a lot of knowledge and experience here which you might find useful, and you'll learn to filter out the naysayers! ;D
I for one would be interested to see how you get on if you decide to go ahead, and I'm sure many others here will be interested as well, so it would be great if you keep us updated! :)
With photos of course! ;) :y
-
There was a 1987 Vauxhall Carlton V8 built by Dave Cook Racing Services, near York. It was built for the Thundersaloon Racing but I don’t think there was much original Carlton left by the time it was ready for the track. Apparently the rear differential was Holden, the engine was Chevrolet, mated to a ZF gearbox.
-
Biggest issue is the antiquated steering
You would need to change it over to a Corsa C column and rack
The header will clash on the steering box side
There is a bloke working for 456flb who has a Lexus V8 in his Carlton( Omega A)
He has the Corsa steering set up
Car handles like a hot hatch