Opel Vectra/Signum

[DelHuge]

Hi everyone ! I have no idea if it has been talked in another forum post. To be honest, I did not search at all. This is only an idea I had while doing some reading on our cars history. Some of you might know the Opel Vectra C and Opel Signum. Those two cars are in the same family as our cars, built on the Epsilon platform. For more informations about them, just take a look on Wikipedia.

What is interesting with those Opel is all the engines offered by GM on European market. Between 10 and 12, depending on the model and year. Let me introduce you the Opel Vectra OPC : http://rsiauto.free.fr/images/OPEL/V...ctra-OPC-1.jpg

Pretty similar to the Saturn Aura is'nt it ? But the major point is, it has a 2.8L turbo engine, good for 248HP. That's right ! THE Saab engine ! Some versions of the Vectra were also offered with the same 2.0L Turbo I4 than the Cobalt SS. Just take a look on Wiki, you will also see the Cadillac 3.2L with a 6 speed manual. I am sure all those engines and transmissions can fits in our cars because all motor mounts and wiring EXIST and they are done on the same Epsilon platform. Wish I had money to spend ! I would have try it tomorrow ! What do you all think about that ? A 2.8L turbo G6 or Malibu ? Or event a 2.0L S/C or turbo Aura ?

[GMManof3]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

I like the sound of this! Especially turbo application !

[slowsedan]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

An LNF from a Cobalt would probably need some custom mounts, but would fit just fine. The 2.8 and 2.0 were available in the Saab 9-3 for quite a few years and would probably swap right over without much hassle. The problem would come in with wiring, but should be done easier than most swaps.

If we're dreaming about swapping in stuff from across the pond, I would want to retrofit the 320hp 2.8 and haldex awd found in the the Opel Insignia OPC. HiPer Struts suspension and LSD. Little bit longer platform on the Epsilon II, but hey, we're dreaming. Otherwise I would just get those wheels off the Vectra and most likely the seats that are no doubt much better than ours.

***edit***

Yup, I was right. Gorgeous looking recaros and I bet they would bolt right up.

[GMManof3]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

There are only two things that will hug my butt: my wife is one and those seats make two!

[CruisinG6]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

The LNF from the cobalt shares the same block as the LE5 offered in the base g6... Such as my g6.

The le5 will do 8 psi on stock internals. Over 250hp
The lnf has forged internals.

That being said swapping in a cobalt engine will be pretty straight forward and can push some serious power.
But in the end a bunch of power in a fwd car can be kind of pointless... Unless you only go in straight lines.... 😉

[DelHuge]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

I want those* seats !!!

[DelHuge]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

Sorry for the double post ! I want to add some interesting pictures I found !

Here are pictures of the 3.2L V6 engine : http://www.lancerregister.com/attach...1&d=1090443055
http://www.km77.com/marcas/opel/vect...gts/med/23.jpg (Looks sexy ! )

This is the 2.8L Turbo V6 : http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...-14_600x0w.jpg (And I though there was no space in my engine bay...)
This is the 1.9 CDTi (Turbo Diesel) I4 : http://ipocars.com/imgs/a/f/x/c/x/op...2008_4_lgw.jpg
And this is the 3.0 Dmax (Turbo Diesel) V6 : http://www.enginesod.com/images/www....95791z30dt.jpg
Damn, a 3.0 Dmax with a 6 speed manual and a tuned ECU G6/Malibu/Aura would be sick !

[jimmyfloyd]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

The Vectras are similar to the aura, but very different. However, the headlights are the same shape as the auras, but offered a Halogen projector, or a Xenon projector headlight, with auto-adjust height, turn lighting (light shines where to intend to turn) and bluish halo's. However, they are deeper than the aura headlights, and the mounting locations are not exact, so they are not plug and play as one would hope. If they were, you'd have seen them swapped long ago, as I have a set in my garage.

The front end components are also similar, but also have differences in how they mount. The fenders are different at the A-pillar, and the bumper mounts are slightly different. I was considering bringing over the bumper, hood, fenders, core support and and other components needed, but price was too much for not a sure thing.

As for the motors, I would assume the engine bay would be similar, especially since the Saab 9-3 suspension components can be made to work on the G6 with minimal effort, i wouldn't see why the motor components would be any different. I would love to see the 3.0L Diesel motor with the manual in a G6 or arua personally.

I also wanted to try and bring over the rear portion of an Estate (wagon) and attach it to a Saturn front end. I have a soft spot for wagons.

[DelHuge]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

The Vectras are similar to the aura, but very different. However, the headlights are the same shape as the auras, but offered a Halogen projector, or a Xenon projector headlight, with auto-adjust height, turn lighting (light shines where to intend to turn) and bluish halo's. However, they are deeper than the aura headlights, and the mounting locations are not exact, so they are not plug and play as one would hope. If they were, you'd have seen them swapped long ago, as I have a set in my garage.

The front end components are also similar, but also have differences in how they mount. The fenders are different at the A-pillar, and the bumper mounts are slightly different. I was considering bringing over the bumper, hood, fenders, core support and and other components needed, but price was too much for not a sure thing.

As for the motors, I would assume the engine bay would be similar, especially since the Saab 9-3 suspension components can be made to work on the G6 with minimal effort, i wouldn't see why the motor components would be any different. I would love to see the 3.0L Diesel motor with the manual in a G6 or arua personally.

I also wanted to try and bring over the rear portion of an Estate (wagon) and attach it to a Saturn front end. I have a soft spot for wagons.

I did not say they are identicals, I said that I think it is feasable. Yes, it must be expensive, because all parts has to be ordered in Europe. And yes, the estate version of the Vectra is pretty sexy, and GM did a big mistake by not bringing it under the Saturn's label. I also find it strange they put pushrods engines instead of the twin cams offered in Europe since 2003 on the Epsilon platform. Sometime I wish I would have live in there.

[cmessick]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

The 2.8 and 3.2 and 3.6 are all the same block.. With the dual overhead cams.....

[DelHuge]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

The 2.8 and 3.2 and 3.6 are all the same block.. With the dual overhead cams.....

Yep ! I wonder while they are from the high features family if the 2.8L turbo system would fit on a 3.6L ? I know the 3.6L internals are not forged, but maybe it is feasable. Anyone knows how much Psi the 2.8L is running ?

[slowsedan]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

Depends on the model. They range from about 230-300hp in Saabs over here. My guess is between 6-12psi. You can make anything work, but I'm not sure how it would bolt up, but even without forged internals, you should be able to handle 6-8psi pretty reliably on a stock 3.6.

[DelHuge]

Re: Opel Vectra/Signum

Depends on the model. They range from about 230-300hp in Saabs over here. My guess is between 6-12psi. You can make anything work, but I'm not sure how it would bolt up, but even without forged internals, you should be able to handle 6-8psi pretty reliably on a stock 3.6.

A normal unforged engine can handle up to 10psi limit in most car. I though the 2.8L had higher pressure than 12psi. But hey, a 2.8 turbo system on a 3.6 would be interesting !

Edit : The base version is around 9psi.

Source : http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/vect...g/info_87.html And there are some interesting performance parts that could fit our cars on this site. Exept they are very expensive...