V6 Calibra de-mothballing, engine swap pics now added

[John F]

On 3/29/2017 at 12:41 PM, vaughant said:

I recently swapped out a like for like 2.2 Vauxhall engine and although there was only a year difference between the two cars (one Astra one zafira) 50% of the engine loom plugs were totally different!!! I ended up swapping the whole loom out as it made more sense, that would have been a nightmare in the car.

It started first time as well to be fair,but next time I'd do the swap a bit more like you did, just the engine and leave the box/shafts/subframe in place.

 

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[John F]

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[vaughant]

Yep, it's annoying about the sensors. We thought it might be something to do with a different brand of ECU being used for the Omega, but it's a Bosch Motronic same as the one in the Calibra.

 

It's swings & roundabouts whether the gearbox is taken out as well as the engine. On the one hand, there's more room to work with & it's easier reattaching the engine & box out of the car. But on the other hand there's plenty of extra work in removing the callipers, wishbone ball joints, drive shafts, etc. and more chance of finding seized bolts that can eat into your time.

 

We've tried both options before, on balance my preference is to leave the gearbox in.

I totally agree on Vauxhall's where's on fords i wouldn't even attempt any major swap without removing it,usually because the shafts etc on fords can come out but the box oil etc stays in.

 

I ballsed up the clutch release bearing ( long story) so box off again and removing subframe first then dropping off the box was a lot easier than when I dropped the lot out in one the first time.

 

Experience and all that.

 

Calibra is still a revelation in my eyes and Vauxhall of that era were really well made, i cant believe they first came out in the late 80's, they don't look overly dated now, wonderful cars.

[John F]

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[tooSavvy]

^ I used to go out with a lass from St Austell

Powerfully Hipped, one might hope.. ?

 

TS

[John F]

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[KruJoe]

But did she give a PROPER JOB?

[John F]

On 3/29/2017 at 2:25 PM, KruJoe said:

But did she give a PROPER JOB?

 

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[Vince70]

Your Calibra really looks nice I wish I had a a quarter of your skill to get that lovely Vauxhall back on the road and I really can't remember the last time I saw a Calibra I bet it turns heads wherever it goes especially now with that six pot growl.

 

But Working through the night and attempting the impossible to get a car finished before a Monday deadline is there something your not telling us.

No wonder your working miracles.

[John F]

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[Vince70]

It's fuzz Townsend off car sos and every time that a car has to be restored to its former glory on the show and returned to the owner as a surprise he ends up working through the night.

[John F]

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[omegod]

I'm guessing your ran into Vauxhalls brainwave of swapping all the Omega plugs to an oval shape in 1998?

 

Great job on the swap, i took a manual Omega box out on my own at the weekend, never again. Good to hear that the metal rocker covers are worth a bit, I've just listed a pair for a bit more than I was going to as a result so cheers  

[John F]

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