Hello everybody.

I'm from Spain and I'm new here.

Recently I've bought an Opel Omega 3000 12v (177bhp) becouse I want to to make a locost.
I writte this because I would like to know If I will have problems with this engine.(becouse I think it's a little heavy and tall).
Also I would like to know if I will have to modify the chasis, for example If I will have to buy more hevy tubes ( 25mm, 25mm, and 2mm instead of 1,5mm of wide).

Recently I also have the possibility to buy a Ford sierra 2.0 carburator for a bargain price, and I don't know If I would try to buy this and to sell the Opel, or I can make a good Locost with the enginering of the Opel.

Lots of thank's

Santi

PD: Sorry about my bad level of english, I'm learning it

you can make the opel engine fit, try searching the chassis section for info on those builders that have uesd ford v6 or rover v8. chassis modifications or a +4" wider chassis will be required i think.

The sierra engine would be the easier option, but either could be made to fit butthe opel v6 would be a lot more work.

Ned.

Anybody I have known who owned Omega has had major and expensive problems.

The major problem is that this engine is 6 L and not V6, and then I don't know if finally my bonet will be to much large.

Does anybody has a locost with this engine? Becouse I only find people who has made his locost with a V6 or V8 engine, (and then 4 inch wider) but anybody has made with a 6L version.

Finally, I would like if anyone can give me an advice what could be the right option: buy the sierra and try to sell de Omega, or, I can try to make a locost with the 6L engine.

Thank's guys

quote:

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Originally posted by britishtrident
Anybody I have known who owned Omega has had major and expensive problems.

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...............................correct, and it had an engine that was superb and went on forever, but weighed as much as the titanic and I think a seven chassis would bend under the load!!!!!!

The Omega 3 ltr V6's we have now, as Britishtrident says, are very problematic, my experiences concur with his! Dunno how the police managed to catch anybody in the high speed persuit 3ltr omegas!!!!! Spare head gaskets in the boot occifer!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry.6L means 6 S (straight).

I've been serching for information and I have found one buider that was trying to make a locost with an 2.5 6s engine from a BMW.

If anyone know people with this tipe of engine, please, let me know. All this things can help me a lot.

Thank's to everybody

Santi

Hi,

sorry, didn't really answer very well!

I would not use the Omega straight 6 engine in a locost. Much as I love the engines (they are very tough and reliable and make decent power) they are too heavy.

Go for a 4 cylinder, if you can get a 2ltr omega, or better still a 2 litre 16v astra (or Kadett in spain?) then go for that. It will still be just as quick (quicker with the 2 litre 16v kadett gte engine, 156hp as std and lighter by far!)

Ok

One of the problem with this engine, is that possibly I'll have to change the shapes of the tubes of the chasis, and then It will increase more the weight.

Certanly, this is my first locost, and then I don't know what kind of engine is better, in other words, which is the correct choose.
Buying the Omega, I only thought that the major problem was the dimensions of the engine, but if you tell me that it's better to buy a sierra, becouse is more easy to make a locost, or... becouse people with 6 S engine have so much problems with their locost, I'll think about that and possibly I will try to sell the omega for buying a sierra.

Now, I'm in time to sell It, becouse one friend of mine are searching for one, but... I don't know what to do.

Thank's!

Santi

Aah - wouldnt be the heaviest engine put in a seven. Use the beefier tube - but more importantly improve the triangulation in the engine bay. Might have to make it longer too, and have a big bulge in the bonnet. Good luck!!

Liam

But all depends on how much you want to be a pioneer! If this is your first build and you're not massively experienced you may find it much easier to tread the same path as a lot of other people - i.e. get a sierra.

Having said that I barely knew how cars went together before i started my build, and mine couldn't be much further away from the norm if i tried! But this of course explains why it's been over three years now!!

Liam

[Edited on 7/9/05 by Liam]

Well!!
I think I won't sell the omega, I will try to make the locost.
I like a lot the cars, since I was a child, I have mechanic knowledgments and also I've friends that know a lot, but I have barely know how to build a locost.

The idea to build one comes in my mind when this summer I went to London and Cambridge, and in a bookshop there was the book of Ron Champion, since this moment I don't sleep at night only thinking how to make one, jejeje.

With your help I think that I can continue my project with this engine, thank's a lot guys, you are very helpful.

One question Liam, wich are the shapes of the first stage of the chassis, let me explain better. I would like to know the inches and the thick of the tube (not lengths) of the basic chassis (the bottom part), becouse possibly the 1inx1in 16swg of the book will not be the best choose.
It's better to make the space frame in aluminium instead of steel?
I have the possibility to buy aluminium to reasonably price, and this could make more light the locost.
What do you think?

Thank's a lot guys and I apologise of my bad level of english. I try to do my best.

No problem with the english! Do a search for 'aluminium chassis'. BIG topic but the short answer is no - it will fatigue and break. Stick with steal cos steel is real!

Luego make the Viento which is an oversize locost chassis. They have fit everything from big american V8s to huge Jaguar straight 6s in their chassis - all of which will be heavier than your opel engine. I believe they still use 1"x1" 16swg but could be wrong. Maybe go for the 2mm wall (14swg?). The key is to increase the stiffness of the engine bay and front of the chassis with extra bracing.

Your other big issue is your rear axle - the book calls for a live axle, but the omega uses independant rear suspension (IRS) like the sierra. You'll either have to get hold of a live axle from another car or modify the chassis to fit the IRS with a double wishbone or de dion setup. You may be on your own making an IRS back end for opel parts - if you're happy with that then go for it! Otherwise get a live axle and follow the Book, or get a sierra rear end and follow other IRS builders.

Good luck,

Liam

Ok's

I didn't know the problem of the rear suspensions, I'd been reading something but in fact, i didn't understand the problem. Now I understand It, but.... I have to make a lot of things before to arrive to make the rear suspension

Well, i've bought 3 tubes of 6 meters of 25mm 25mm(1inx1in) and 1,5 mm thick but.... possibly it's not thicker enought.
I'm worried about the thick, becouse it looks prety easy to broken whith that engine.
What about tube of 50mm x50mm 3mm??
It's that more than I need?

Liam, You have all the reason in the advice to put some extra bracing. Thanks

Finally, i thought that the aluminium chasis was also resistant to my engine, but possibly the steel is the best.

thank's

Santi

[Edited on 7/9/05 by convict]

quote:

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Originally posted by Liam

Luego make the Viento which is an oversize locost chassis. They have fit everything from big american V8s to huge Jaguar straight 6s in their chassis - all of which will be heavier than your opel engine.

Good luck,

Liam

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don't think this has been mentioend yet on this thread, but didn't jim mcsorley do a +642 chassis that was longer, wider and taller?
this should suit the bigger engine as it is a version of this mcsorley plan that i believe some bmw 6cylinder builds have been based on.
bear in mind (another but) that bodywork will have to be custom made or standard panels cut and modified.

Ned.

Wy not just sell the omega and go the normal route for an sierra?

i also read that you are gonna make your chasis your self?

If i was you i would work out every detail
of your project and then start building it!

You will need much more parts for your locost and many of them are the Sierra ones!

because of the fact its your first car, i would go the Ford Route wich engine does it has?1600cc carbed? 2.0i?

if you go the normal way, you would have allot of donor parts for your car and you are able to buy normal parts from england for your car.

If you go the exotic route you will spend allot more money on buying ford sierra pieces!

Opel maybe your first choice because of an bigger engine but the sierra route is the most easyly and the most common already done! also i think that the handling is far better with an more balanced weight distribution in your car.
(el moro igual de pessado q el culo )

if i was you buy the sierra, sell the omega..

make the car.. sell it buy an 24v omega and make another one!.

recuerdos!

TKS is right. Get the Sierra and keep it simple, you will have more than enough to do so please don't make things more difficult by using the Omega.
Every problem you might have with a Sierra has been solved already by the people that write on these pages so they will help you all the way.
Once you have built one car you will then be in a good position to experiment on your second car!!!!
Good luck whatever you choose..

Santi please be smart and take the most taken route.

As you self say and will see there is sow much work todo and to learn on every car that its better to build it first based on the sierra one.

Also it is important to write down all the parts what you want to build / rebuild / recondition etc.

by that way you don't mount the diff to later swap it again.

Tks

I read all these posts about keeping it simple and using a sierra, BUT I'd use the Omege/Carlton.
Be different and follow your dream. (I can't really comment 'cos I went for Escort stuff, but used loads of bits from my old Manta).
Engineering is quite simple - it's all common sense really. Measure engine - build chassis round it - IRS design has pretty much been covered, but modifying the mounts for Omega unit ain't rocket science. You'll have something unique if you do and that, to me, is the point.

Marcus

but whe are here in spain!

and over here not everybody has an complete garage, not even room to build an car.

many parts will need to come from the UK.
(steering rack for example)

also he didn't said that it needed to be this opel engine. but he asked us for an advice regarding this to cars.

If he likes that engine (be cause of the Hp or 3000cc/bullet free) then he just need to it! but i think in that situ he would even ask..