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[moonbar]

Hello to all out there,

Has anyone dropped a rover V8 into an Omega successfully (& legally?)

Ive got the Omega & ive got the Rover V8, Now i need the processes to bring them together, if anyone has done this a heads up on the tough parts would be much appreciated.

Im assuming getting the engine in & running is the easy part but sorting out electrics & dash instruments will be a real bugger.

Then of course the MOT reqirements (minefield time)

Cheers people, any info would be fantastic.

Thanks. Bill.

[Kevin Wood]

Some photos of such a conversion were posted recently so it has been done.

It wouldn't be as powerful or refined as the GM V6, though, so not sure if it's worth the bother. If you're after significantly more power a chevy V8 would be a better bet.

Regarding MOT, it should be straightforward. If you're not going to fit cats I believe if you can prove the age of the engine predates the requirement for them you can get off the emissions test. You can write to the Rover heritage centre with the engine number for written proof from their records.

Kevin

[moonbar]

Fantastic, thanks Kevin.

Ill give the forums a deeper looking through.

[Kevin Wood]

Here you go:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1212964964/0

Kevin

[Marks DTM Calib]

You would need one of the later 4.6's or any other that has been heavily breathed on to make it worth while as the Rover V8 is a lazy lump.

My approach would be to use a Rover lump plus an LT77 SD1 manual box (be prepared for it not to last to long as they are pretty crap) or the better and later (but hard to find) R380 boxes and then mate it to the Omega prop.

Should fit reasonably easily.

[Martin_1962]

Do not bother unless tuned as the V6 is pretty good as it is

[moonbar]

Thanks for the link Kevin,

From what i gather most people think its probably a bad idea

I didnt realise the huge power difference between the V6 & the V8 - i thought they would be similar, & perhaps the lighter alloy block on the V8 would bring some good advantages.

Anyway, thankyou for casting your eye accross my post & your good advice.

Cheers.  Bill.

[Kevin Wood]

Time to trawl Ebay for a Chevy lump. Now, that would be worthwhile.

Kevin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Trouble is that the standard Rover V8 in say 3.5 form is only 120-185bhp (the highest being the last SD1 Vitesse engines) and the 3.9 is not any greater than this either.

Its also about the same weight as the 3.0 V6

[HerefordElite]

standard V8 on carbs out of SD1/Rangerovers and the like are only 150 odd bhp wheras GM 3.2V6 is 217bhp, even an old 2.5v6 is 170 bhp or 190ish with the right cams (vectra gsi) so unless you've got an ex race tvr version of the v8 don't bother

[Marks DTM Calib]

standard V8 on carbs out of SD1/Rangerovers and the like are only 150 odd bhp wheras GM 3.2V6 is 217bhp, even an old 2.5v6 is 170 bhp or 190ish with the right cams (vectra gsi) so unless you've got an ex race tvr version of the v8 don't bother

And beware, TVR over stated the performance figures on thier engines!

[Kevin Wood]

standard V8 on carbs out of SD1/Rangerovers and the like are only 150 odd bhp wheras GM 3.2V6 is 217bhp, even an old 2.5v6 is 170 bhp or 190ish with the right cams (vectra gsi) so unless you've got an ex race tvr version of the v8 don't bother

And beware, TVR over stated the performance figures on thier engines!

.. and mapped them so badly that production models probably didn't make anything like the true performance figures.

Kevin

[moonbar]

Hmmm not sure about the Chevy V8 - so heavy, would prob have to stiffen suspension up front

How would i go about "massaging" the V6? Im quite new to the Omega, used to Holden Commodores  

Bill.