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[realboss7669]

Now before I begin please forgive me for asking a question that is not strictly limited to just my Omega!!

I've owned an old Opel Rekord Coupe for 1year hoping to restore her and at the same time convert her to a 3.0 V6. With this in mind I recently purchased an Omega MV6 estate ex-police car. Its an R-reg with 180k on the clock BUT had a replacement engine fitted by the rozzers at 100k. It needs an MOT but as I only paid £175 for her she's worth it!! The plan is to get her MOT'd and back on the road, and then use her as a donor car for my Opel. Now before anyone pounces on me, I will only do this if absolutely necessary. Bodywork is showing signs of some rust but nothing at all major.

I would appreciate any advice on the following:
 
Opel Rekord conversion. First of all is the earlier Omega 3.0 a good option or would I be better getting the later (post 1998) 3.0 engine?
 
I want to keep the Vauxhall/Opel theme going with whatever engine goes into the Rekord, but then I heard of an MV8 concept car with a Chevy 5.7 LS1 V8 engine. It never got produced but it got me thinking about dropping in a V8 engine into the Rekord. As it is a GM derived bloack its kind of still almost Vauxhall/Opel. However perhaps that is much more work than just sticking with the V6.
 
Any advice very much appreciated, although I know I am not asking a strictly Omega based question!

Cheers!
 8-)

[haydnm0]

the mv8 with the chevy engine did go into production but never made it to the uk but wouldn't dropping any form of v8 in there make it very front heavy i would stick to the v6.  
http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=711

[Martin_1962]

I would go as far to say

Engine, box, rear axle and rear suspension

[Andy B]

......
I want to keep the Vauxhall/Opel theme going with whatever engine goes into the Rekord .....
 
Any advice very much appreciated, although I know I am not asking a strictly Omega based question!

Cheers!
 8-)

Why the engine change? What's the Record have under the bonnet now? 12v straight 6?
Put a straight six 24 valve Senator/Carlton engine in. The V6 would be the last engine I'd put in, too much uneccessary emissions sh1te on it.

[Ken T]

The Rekord had a long life, the early ones started from 1953 with a 1500CC 40HP engine. The last ones I think were similar to the Carlton, with a 2000CC engine. Shame you can't get a slightly improved engine to fit, I believe a chap called Colin Chapman did some interesting things to a Carlton

[Admin]

Well the V6 will go in no problem.  Much as I like the Senator (C30SE) engine, the Omega engine (X30XE) is better, more powerful, more tuneable and lighter.

I would transplant the transmission too.
The suspension and brakes will be a seperate issue.

However, I also know of someone who has a rather interesting LS2 (5.7 V8) in his old Vauxhall Victor!  
He uses his for heading up the strip at Santa Pod mainly (does it in 12 secs last I heard).

The LS1/LS2 engines can be found quite easily and are VERY tuneable lumps with a big following. I know Marks DTM Calib has a good knowledge of these. He will be able to offer far better advice than me.

The main questions have to be these:

What do you want the car for? Weekend toy, fun daily driver, drag strip monster?

What is your budget? Doing a conversion is always more expensive than people imagine.

[realboss7669]

Some really useful stuff all round thank you all.

Ok, current engine is a 1.9 which has seen better days. I would consider dropping in a Carlton 24v but would rather have the more modern lump in there.

I get the impression that witht he V8 we are looking at pure psychotic muscle power...in a straight line! Whereas I am looking for a lot of power, but more as a weekend vehicle rather than for the drag strip. Budget wise I am planning on about £7000, using the V6 engine. That equates to around £2000 for welding and bodywork (possibly galvanise the body), £1000 for pro respray, £3000 for the conversion, and £1000 for interior etc. I may get lucky and spend £5000 (doubtful), or it may go up to £8-9K. We'll see. Yes and I have promised my wife that the house extension comes first!

I use a chap down in Somerset called Monzaman. He has a website (www.monzaman.com) and I have spent some time checking his work out in person. He does a lot of Monza (somewhat coincidental!) engine conversions from 12v - 24v and his welding skills are phenominal. He is also into 'Bitter' cars which were a small company that went bankrupt after producing cars with Vauxhall components in very interesting bodies. And the last time I checked he had a Lotus Carlton!

I've known him about 7yrs and he is a very nice chap. He's a real perfectionist - very very finickity about getting things right, which I like. He wont ever botch such as welding plates onto holes in cars. He welds in a new piece and actually recreates the original drain holes and any factory shapes into flooring etc. Highly recommended bloke. His advice has been V6 too!

[Marks DTM Calib]

I know this little left hand drive unit quite well......and can offer advice for parts etc as one was restored by the garage in which my father works recently (not very well though in my opinion!) if required.

The V6 will be easier to fit, the straight six I suspect will be to long plus....its way to heavy....the V6 will be a similar weight to the 1.9 cam in head engine........you need to check the available width though......if tight, a C20LET with a Manta 5 speed box might be a better option.

And to all others who have replied....it was the 32 valve northstar V8 that was destined for the V8.com Omega....not the LS1....