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[Calif-Native]

Hi All,
Just thought I would update my progress on the part ordering and the mods I intend to do to keep my Wagon in top shape.

Most of the parts ordered are from US sources and are based on the 97 Catera 3.0 engine.  The parts and tools I have on order form California include:

List of parts ordered as a Catera = US Model or just GM parts:

 1. 1/4 - 20 SEMS body bolts and U-style clip nuts - set of 5 each - GM fender, body

 2. ACDelco 12595087 Coil Bracket

 3. Two sets - Spark Plug Wire Set ACDELCO PRO 9746HH fits 97-98 Cadillac Catera 3.0L-V6

 4. Brand New Ignition Coil Pack 6 in 1 For 97-98 Cadillac Catera 3.0L V6 UF379 D598

The above wires sets and parts are ordered this way to relocate the coil off of the engine and place it above the engine just under the cowl lip.  The coil bracket will be used to mount the new coil.  The wire sets were not order for left & right banks but two for the right (pass side in USA) bank to enable enough lead for the top/center coil relocation.

 5.  Engine Coolant Recovery Tank 90500223 fits 97-01 Cadillac Catera

 6.  1997 Cadillac Catera Original OEM Shop Service Manuals 3 Volume Set

 7.  6-PCS NGK 3199 Laser Plantium High Power Spark Plug 4-Prongs BKR6EQUP

These plugs are the best for GM DIS with multi ground electrode plugs although listed for BMW.

 8.  KnuKonceptz Kolossus Flex Kable 0 Gauge Power Wire Red OFC (Sold in 5 foot increments) Will run the battery to starter at 1/0 gauge OFC wire and will also update all battery to fuse & grounds with a "big 3" setup.  All will be 1/0 gauge OFC KnuKonceptz Flex Cable 0 Gauge OFC.

 9.  Earthquake Sound UBT0488 Platinum Plated Universal Positive and Negative 0/4/8/8 Gauge Battery Terminals.

10.   Alpha Fry AM53982 Cookson Elect Lead-Free Silver Solder and Flux Kit.

11.  Heat Shrinkable Wire Wrap Assortment.

12.  ABN Fuel Line Disconnect Scissor Tool.

13.  K&N PF-2400 Fuel Filter.

14.  2 of HELLA H83115001 H1 12V/55W Halogen Bulbs.

15.  K&N 33-2734 High Performance Replacement Air Filter.

16.   FRAM CF5816A Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter.

17.  2 of Mobil 1 M1-101 Extended Performance Oil Filter.

18.  10-pc. Female Star Socket Set.


Part ordered for the Vauxhall Omega (British model of the Opel Omega) from the UK:
 
1.  VAUXHALL OMEGA, AUXILARY FUSE BOX PLUS FUSES.

Since I was not able to ship my tools when I retired and moved to the Philippines, most are with my son & brother so I must start over.  Next order/shipment from California will focus on the timing set & WP replacement task along with the timing tool kit for proper alignment.   I will post more updates in about 6 weeks and with pics, when my account here allows. 

Note: Although a transplant is not in the picture at this time, I remain open to collect the info and parts needed based on a an 05 or 06 GTO LS2 update.  After doing many transplants in California, I am aware of many exchanges that seem impossible or hard to source.  My last two were a 1970 455 Olds Blue-printed engine into a 1978 Trans Am (Met California emissions test well below standard) by using a 1970 Olds Toronado low profile intake to bring the shaker hood into exact height for the scoop. This was a 485 HP (at flywheel monster).  My last transplant was an OEM vette LT4 (1996) into a 1993 Trans Am with a built 4L60 (not the 4L60E).  This was the most challenging since I was able to get the SLP extrude honed exhaust Manifolds and reprogram the ECM chip for the engine.  This was 405 HP sleeper.

[Calif-Native]

All parts ordered finally arrived and all made it fine from California.

Here are a few pics of what is intended to be installed over the next few weeks.









Or see Slide Show in Photo bucket @ http://s392.photobucket.com/user/Calif-Native-Data/slideshow/Opel%20Omega%20Parts

[Calif-Native]

Update on Coil Pack relocation project - All done and it works perfect!

By using the ACDelco 12595087 Coil Bracket, the OEM coil pack was removed from the back of the engine and relocated to a position just behind the radiator fan housing on the driver's side (LHD) of the engine bay.  The factor coil to ECU wire was rerouted thru the plastic harness housing (where it now exits from the front via new notched hole) and is used without length modification and connects properly.  The new GM wires ordered were randomly reassigned their positions in the coil based on the new length to plug location and all connect properly.  Note: this is possible by ordering 2 sets of 1, 3, 5 wires and not using the 2, 4, 6 shorter wires. 

In a trip from last week from Tagaytay (temperature was 25C, elevation about 690 meters) to Alabang (temperature about 39C, elevation about 12 meters), the coil remained very cool/I was able to touch the housing without burning fingers upon returning to Tagaytay.  With just over 27K KM on my clock, this permanent modification will result in any distant future coil pack changes to be a 4-7 minute task.

See modification @ http://s392.photobucket.com/user/Calif-Native-Data/library/Opel%20Omega%20Parts/Opel%20Omega%20B%20Coil%20Pack%20Relocation

[Calif-Native]

The ACDelco 12595087 Coil Bracket comes with 4 threaded holes that match the thread size of the coil pack bolts.  However, the alignment is not the same and will require a min. of two hole drilled and taped.  I selected to only mount 2 of the 4 bolts since one could interfere with an existing wiring harness and the my particular selected skewing of the coil pack to the housing leaves the 4th coil pack attachment point without a contact to the bracket. 

The initial plans were to relocate the coil pack at the rear of the engine compartment but it was not doable and would not fix any heat issues.  Nonetheless, longer wires would still be a key to best relocation options and the plan to only order the 1, 3, 6 wires remained set.

With all parts and car on hand and after careful placement, calculation and reviewing heat/air flows, the skewed mounting of the coil pack to the new bracket; with that now new assembly being mounted close to radiator worked the best. 

Others may adjust the mounting based on different country/options/year model.  However, the pics below should convey the concept well.

Note:  The ACDelco 12595087 Coil Bracket is a thick piece of quality steel that serves quite well as an added "Heat Sink" to the coil pack bottom.  It is factory powder coated and should last many years.  Living in the tropics with daily temps always above 27C in most locations, will cause constant engine bay elevated temps. 

See preparation of ACDelco 12595087 Coil Bracket @ http://s392.photobucket.com/user/Calif-Native-Data/library/Opel%20Omega%20Parts/Opel%20Omega%20B%20Coil%20Pack%20Relocation/Coil%20Pack%20mod%20prep

[jimbo125]

Clever use of existing equipment, very impressed

[Calif-Native]

Clever use of existing equipment, very impressed

Thanks, there are a few more mods under consideration that I will share details/photos once completed. 

The next major task is the Oil cooler/exchanger bypass. 

The concept is to not remove the factory lines (at first) and to plug them at the oil filter location while connecting new AN10 fittings/SS braided hoses to an external cooler, directly behind the radiator. 

Years ago when I removed the 403 CI (6.6L) engine and stuffed a 455 ci (7.4L) Oldsmobile motor into my 1978 Trans Am, I placed a two B&M 30,000 lb rated stacked plate trans coolers in service; one for the TH400 trans and the other with a filter relocation kit to achieve what was needed for the engine. 

Ordering parts this month so about 9+ weeks down the road (after ordering, ocean shipment and final reconfiguration) there could be another of my Opel Omega projects completed.