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I'm Karl from Austria and just bought a 1973 Olds Omega!
Originally I planned my project with a Chevy Nova 1973 as my very first US Car for my 50th birthday! This is why the design from Bruce Kaiser is with a Nova.
Anyhow, when I run across this Omega, which is from a yard who's owner is going to retire and therefore was a great offer, I took the Olds!
Will be a complete rebuild with a Chevy LTG 2.0 Turbo engine swap. I'm planning this project than almost over 1 year and now got it started Omega will be shipped End of the month.
Looking forward to some input and discussions!
Kind regards
Karl
Here's an idea: instead of the Chevy 2.0 turbo, try and pick up a Quad 4 2.3L, rebuild it proper (they had a flaw with head gasket failures, but a good rebuild should rectify that problem), and throw a turbo on that 2.3 like GM originally planned. Or you could go to the next gen 2.4L DOHC engine.
I suggest those 2 because the Quad 4 was an Olds engine. The "Keep your Olds, Olds!" crowd would love to see that build. Maybe some of the more technical guys on here could comment on the feasibility of a FWD engine transplant into a RWD car.
Welcome. GM actually built a Nova with the 2.0 turbo when they released the crate version of that motor. While I'd prefer the Q4, the reality is that the LTG motor kicks it's *** - 272 HP and 295 lb-ft. Plus, with Quad4Rods out of business, the RWD bellhousings for the Q4 are nonexistent.
Welcome. GM actually built a Nova with the 2.0 turbo when they released the crate version of that motor. While I'd prefer the Q4, the reality is that the LTG motor kicks it's *** - 272 HP and 295 lb-ft. Plus, with Quad4Rods out of business, the RWD bellhousings for the Q4 are nonexistent.
Funny how the Q4 came up on Jalopnik this week, too. My folks had a Calais with it when they first came out, and my Dad hated how noisy it was. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to drive it before he traded it in on a new Lesabre. The head gasket issues always kept me away from buying a used car with one 20 years ago, and it's more of a curiosity to me more than anything now.
I had a Q4 in a 1990 Grand Am that I got for free. Daily drove that car until the POS three speed transaxle lost second gear. The motor was great (even in stock 150 HP form) but the gear ratios in the trans absolutely did not match the performance of the motor. The five speed manual would have been a much better choice. The coil on plug ignition system on the Q4 was a little problematic. Got tired of having to constantly mess with it. Ultimately I junked the car for $300 (on a car I got free and drove for two years!)
Welcome. GM actually built a Nova with the 2.0 turbo when they released the crate version of that motor. While I'd prefer the Q4, the reality is that the LTG motor kicks it's *** - 272 HP and 295 lb-ft. Plus, with Quad4Rods out of business, the RWD bellhousings for the Q4 are nonexistent.
the LTG 2.0 Turbo as RWD is available in Cadi ATS/CTS and Chevy Camaro - there are hundreds of engines and transmissions available on very fair prices.
also a view companies offer very interesting power up kits like ZZPerformance or Vermont Tuning which makes it quit easy to achieve 350 to 400hp with the LTG 2.0 Turbo.
I friend of my owns an Opel Insigina Turbo FWD with a engine tuning from a local German shop with 380hp - and this is an awesome performance, engine and car!
Omega will be shipped End of the month.
