Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[TheBoy]

As far I have been able to ascertain the Police did not use Autos at all. The manual version was the only version they bought outright but may have privately hired, as is their method, a few autos at some point for surveillance purposes.
The only differences to the 'public' and 'police' version specs have already been mentioned.
In closing I also stated that they were thrashed! Yep, well they are BUT they are also exceptionally well maintained and given a once over prior to the start of any shift by its allocated driver. No Police vehicle is allowed to leave on duty unless it is fully road legal.

There are a lot of Auto ex-plods. 

[Shackeng]

Security - If you are changing the locks you will need the main ECU, the keyfobs and tiny transducer chips from them  and the immobiliser module from the steering column. They all must match!
Sorry to be blunt but this type of question baffles me because it is so senseless. Whatever happened to the old 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' ideal?
Where do people get the idea from that ex police vehicles are somehow far superior in performance; Its ridiculous. They are trained to be far better drivers and are taught many skills in that arena though.
As for the Omegas they used, and maybe some are still in use, they were/are the bog standard V6 3.0 litre, 5 speed manual saloon and estates. The only differences are that the suspension was uprated to cope with the heavier loads of the masses of equipment thay had to carry 24/7, they tended to be manual 5 speed boxed, some tended to have a modified differential to aid with acceleration which gave them blistering 0-60 times but at the cost of a big drop in top speed (the type used depended on its role in the force) and they also had a larger alternator and a suplementary heating system. The faster acceleration model also suffered greatly reduced mpg too.
Being ex plod they also have a lot more holes, which with luck will have been sealed and grommetted, and some extranaeous redundant wiring from their gadgets. Take also into consideration that they are thrashed during their working life!
What is wrong with the power you have as standard if it is properly maintained and set up? Are you a boy racer wannabe or something?
Best advice is to leave it be, all the advice you have had from everyone is correct!
There is a commercially available chip, sold on Ebay which you can fit at your own risk that will enhance bhp to some degree. I will not list the seller so please do not ask. Boy racers buy them. Quite why this is needed in a high power lump to begin with defies logic and all common sense!
I suppose that you will disregard all sound advice and go for it anyway. I, pretty much like the others I think, hope your driving ability will be up to the standard required to ensure the safety of all others while you are demonstrating your 'skill'. Just make certain it stays as 'skill' and not the shortened version 'kill'.
Final point - don't forget to tell your insurance so they can sting you for a hell of a lot more, and void it should you opt not to inform them and are subsequently caught out.
GudLuk, you will probably need it.

What's with this guy? Thank goodness he is an exception on this forum

[TheBoy]

Security - If you are changing the locks you will need the main ECU, the keyfobs and tiny transducer chips from them  and the immobiliser module from the steering column. They all must match!
Sorry to be blunt but this type of question baffles me because it is so senseless. Whatever happened to the old 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' ideal?
Where do people get the idea from that ex police vehicles are somehow far superior in performance; Its ridiculous. They are trained to be far better drivers and are taught many skills in that arena though.
As for the Omegas they used, and maybe some are still in use, they were/are the bog standard V6 3.0 litre, 5 speed manual saloon and estates. The only differences are that the suspension was uprated to cope with the heavier loads of the masses of equipment thay had to carry 24/7, they tended to be manual 5 speed boxed, some tended to have a modified differential to aid with acceleration which gave them blistering 0-60 times but at the cost of a big drop in top speed (the type used depended on its role in the force) and they also had a larger alternator and a suplementary heating system. The faster acceleration model also suffered greatly reduced mpg too.
Being ex plod they also have a lot more holes, which with luck will have been sealed and grommetted, and some extranaeous redundant wiring from their gadgets. Take also into consideration that they are thrashed during their working life!
What is wrong with the power you have as standard if it is properly maintained and set up? Are you a boy racer wannabe or something?
Best advice is to leave it be, all the advice you have had from everyone is correct!
There is a commercially available chip, sold on Ebay which you can fit at your own risk that will enhance bhp to some degree. I will not list the seller so please do not ask. Boy racers buy them. Quite why this is needed in a high power lump to begin with defies logic and all common sense!
I suppose that you will disregard all sound advice and go for it anyway. I, pretty much like the others I think, hope your driving ability will be up to the standard required to ensure the safety of all others while you are demonstrating your 'skill'. Just make certain it stays as 'skill' and not the shortened version 'kill'.
Final point - don't forget to tell your insurance so they can sting you for a hell of a lot more, and void it should you opt not to inform them and are subsequently caught out.
GudLuk, you will probably need it.

What's with this guy? Thank goodness he is an exception on this forum

Chill pill

We are all entitled to our own opinions, and should respect the opinions of others, even if we do not necessarily agree with them

[Shackeng]

That was more like a mugging than an opinion

[Bionic]

Maybe so, but the guys on the road who used them have all told me that their preference was for manual ones as they were far more responsive. Having been in this merrygoround occupation for more years than I care to remember I cannot remember even one auto that came my way.  I have now spoken to a few of the old recovery gangs and they say the samething, plenty of manuals but not an auto.
Unless different arears use them I am uncertain but one thing is fact - the manual will always beat the auto on performance. As performance is one of the main considerations I can fully appreciate why autos were not the preferred option. Perhaps some were bought because of supply problems. I very much doubt if the proportion is, or was anything like 50/50 though. They would be in the tiny minority from my personal experience, and that of those I have quizzed who have had to recover the 'bent' or broken ones.
Area choice differentials are probably the best explanation.
Anyway, we may both be right. The reason I responded to the original question, and I did PM him about my reason, was because I had modified a car just the same; I got caught out and it cost me very dearly in both monetary and conscience plus I was told that my insurance was void and the insurance company would not re-insure me. It was a worthy reply based on personal experience. It remained his choice whether or not to take the advice.
GudLuk

[Neil_MV6]

Whatever happened to the old 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' ideal?

What is wrong with the power you have as standard if it is properly maintained and set up? Are you a boy racer wannabe or something?

If that's your definition, there are very many of us on here who are guilty of being or having being boy racers!!

We all enjoy cars and are car enthusiasts. Ever since I had my first mini I've been fettling and modifying bits here and there and have probably wasted hundreds of pounds on rubbish that claims to improve performance. I'm a little older and wiser now though and have a pretty standard 3.2MV6.

Now although I'm not gonna spend a lot of money having my engine modded, if someone offered to polish all my ports and manifolds for me (which I know a few talented people on this forum have done to their own cars) or to do some other sensible mods for a small power gain or better power delivery, I probably would do it. That doesn't make me a boy racer.

Why does it bother you so much Bionic? If Leeboy wants to modify his car that's up to him. He made no reference to doing anything illegal, irresponsible or dangerous, so he's perfectly welcome to ask for help and advice on this forum. 

[Kevin Wood]

A mate of mine is an ARV driver amongst other things and I'm sure he said all the Omegas he came across in the course of his work were auto. I guess some forces took manuals, some autos.

Kevin

[TheBoy]

Maybe so, but the guys on the road who used them have all told me that their preference was for manual ones as they were far more responsive. Having been in this merrygoround occupation for more years than I care to remember I cannot remember even one auto that came my way.  I have now spoken to a few of the old recovery gangs and they say the samething, plenty of manuals but not an auto.
Unless different arears use them I am uncertain but one thing is fact - the manual will always beat the auto on performance. As performance is one of the main considerations I can fully appreciate why autos were not the preferred option. Perhaps some were bought because of supply problems. I very much doubt if the proportion is, or was anything like 50/50 though. They would be in the tiny minority from my personal experience, and that of those I have quizzed who have had to recover the 'bent' or broken ones.
Area choice differentials are probably the best explanation.
Anyway, we may both be right. The reason I responded to the original question, and I did PM him about my reason, was because I had modified a car just the same; I got caught out and it cost me very dearly in both monetary and conscience plus I was told that my insurance was void and the insurance company would not re-insure me. It was a worthy reply based on personal experience. It remained his choice whether or not to take the advice.
GudLuk

For obvious reasons, tend to see a lot of TVP ones around this way.  I would say its probably about a 60/40 (man/auto) around these parts, with some surprising autos (such as an ARVs).  Remember some were bought with no intention of seeing 'proper' action as well.

[TheBoy]

A mate of mine is an ARV driver amongst other things and I'm sure he said all the Omegas he came across in the course of his work were auto. I guess some forces took manuals, some autos.

Kevin

Yeah, see a lot of auto ARVs my way as well.

[TheBoy]

That was more like a mugging than an opinion

It probably could have been better worded, agreed.

[tunnie]

ARV?

[RobG]

ARV?

Armed Response Vehicle I believe :-/

[TheBoy]

ARV?

Armed Response Vehicle I believe :-/

yup

[Kevin Wood]

I guess it depends on usage. ARVs tend to answer shouts from quite a distance as they are not that widespread, so maybe an auto is better suited to motorway blue light runs and generally getting through traffic fast.

Manual perhaps the weapon of choice for traffic policing, chasing idiots in Saxos around the local park, etc.

Kevin

[hotel21]

Not clever or experienced enough to comment on the ECU's but know a wee bit about Police and their vehicles.

Auto/manual varied from force to force.  Most of the Met/TVP larger (Omega sized) vehicles were auto's for some reason whilst the more provincial forces (like mine) were manuals.

As already stated by others, ECU's tended to be stock but there were some adapted ones out there from the factory.  I know of at least one Senator and one Omega that was at the Scottish Police College that were heavily modified from the factory and used as test beds.  If they broke, they were trailored back down south for repair and evaluation and return.

Also had a FWD Ford Escort (when they were brand new(ish) fitted with four wheel steering (again from the factory) and experimental switchable mechanical/electronic ABS for use on the skid pan/manouevereability course.  When that car had done its time, it was sthill sawed into large chunks on the premises before scrapping as it had no chassis number from new....

Omega was initially introduced in the UK as Police use  for a few months before sale to the general public in order for miles/abuse to be racked up and returned down south for repair and evaluation etc as previously.

As to cars being uprated, alternate front exhaust downpipes (look at the price each in the TC book - you will get a shock), heavier suspension, additional wiring to accomodate roof lights etc and radio kit, beefier alternator/battery to cope with the load and alternate diff ratio, sometimes (but not always) with LSD.

As to being well maintained, I can only suggest that they are/were 'regularly' maintained.  The in house w/shop techs were/are on pay rates much less than commercial shops and corners get cut in order to get turn around times done.  If a cover can be butchered to allow easier regular access rather than removel thus saving a half hour each time, well, add it up onto monthly bonus.....   

edit for spilling mustooks....