Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: leeboy on 08 January 2010, 22:12:32
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Buying an engine outta an ex police car as mine is dead. Would it be worth getting the chipped brain also? (free)
If so will keys and locks iginition need changed aswell??
Thanks in advance. :y
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Contrary to popular belief, Police Omega's are not chipped, or have any ECU 'upgrades'
All Police Omegas had were stronger springs to cope with weight of gear, bigger alternator to run all the gadgets, and a different ratio diff to aid 0-60, but at the expense of top end speed.
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You don't need the keys, ignition etc., just the chips out of the key, the immob block on the ignition barrel and the main ECU. I agree with Tunnie, Ex-plods weren't chipped or higher powered, standard V6 motor.
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I thought they were chipped tbh.
May be silly but this is in N.Ireland. Would they be chipped here and not mainland maybe? Sorry if its a silly question but wanna make sure coz if its worth it i will put it in but if no difference i wont bother.
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I thought they were chipped tbh.
May be silly but this is in N.Ireland. Would they be chipped here and not mainland maybe? Sorry if its a silly question but wanna make sure coz if its worth it i will put it in but if no difference i wont bother.
Doubt it, standard V6 lump will be in there
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Same spec for NI as here AFAIK :y
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Courtney sorted out the suspension on a few Migs for the Ulster Constabulary, but that's about it as far as tricked up goes.
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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.
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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.
You on drugs with a reply like that?
The guy was asking a question - not wishing to be informed that you think he's sub-human!
No wonder people leave this forum!
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Ex-plod may have better performance, this is due to lower diff ratio.
Thus hard to compare side by side. However, using a standard performance chip in an ex-plod gives a small, but noticible, increase in power, similar to a standard 3.0. Therefore I assume that the standard plod map is similar to retail map
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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.
Jesus christ i only asked a simple question. :-?
I dont be on this much and will probly be even less if thats the answers im gonna get.
Thank you everyone else for your help. Wont bother with the ecu now.
Cheers
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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.
Except the autos that is .........
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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!....
Key fob transmitters are not part of the immobiliser system. It's only the tiny transponder chip in the key itself, which can easily be removed and replaced. No need to change the locks either.
I have to agree that there is little evidence of the police spec. being anything other then standard.
Kevin
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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.
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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.
This is incorrect - and IMHO, shows that you haven't looked very hard TBH. If you look in the for sale section you will see an ex-Met vehicle - its an auto. I've been involved with the Police on a professional basis for over 10 years and always take a chance to look at a Mig when I can. It's my view that its about evens between auto and manual. I know its a bit rough and ready - but even if not a 50/50 mix there are a significant % of autos out there.
HTH
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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.
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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 :o :o :o
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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 :o :o :o
Chill pill :P
We are all entitled to our own opinions, and should respect the opinions of others, even if we do not necessarily agree with them ;)
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That was more like a mugging than an opinion :y
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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
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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. :y
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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
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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.
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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.
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That was more like a mugging than an opinion :y
It probably could have been better worded, agreed.
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ARV?
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ARV?
Armed Response Vehicle I believe :-/
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ARV?
Armed Response Vehicle I believe :-/
yup
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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
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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....
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OK thanks for the help people.
I understand people are entitled to there own opinion. Thats not a prob. Maybe i jumped the gun abit with the response.
Sorry.
Its not that im a boy racer its just IF there was a chipped ECU and I was getting it for free that ran with the engine im getting, I may as well get it. But if not then I wont go to the bother of changing ECU's if I am not gonna benifit.
I was told again by a few people on this island that the PSNI Rapid Response vehicles were chipped. Ah well not to worry.
Will keep my ECU in.
By the way just taking time and looking through the site im impressed by the knowledge and info on it.
Keep up the good work! ;)
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At the risk of re-opening a can of worms I did hear somewhere that the PSNI did have a few Turbo V6s built for them.
Kevin
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At the risk of re-opening a can of worms I did hear somewhere that the PSNI did have a few Turbo V6s built for them.
Kevin
Courtenays, perhaps?
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At the risk of re-opening a can of worms I did hear somewhere that the PSNI did have a few Turbo V6s built for them.
Kevin
Courtenays, perhaps?
Surely they had more sense, and use a proper engineering company ;)
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It has been common practice for many years, for police vehicles in N.I. to have modifications which may not be found elsewhere. The most obvious example is probably the Land Rovers which used to be used for regular patrols.These were armour plated (for obvious reasons) and were so heavy that they had turbos fitted to try to compensate for all the extra weight.It is feasible that some Omegas had engine upgrades of some description for similar reasons.Soeone mentioned in another thread that Peter Robinson was seen arriving at stormont in an Omega.I would bet good money that the car had been armour plated.had bullet proof glass etc, so god knows what it would tip the scales at,over 2 tonnes I would imagine.It would also be a safe bet that it would be required to have plenty of grunt in order to make a quick getaway if an emergency situation arose, so it would come as no surprise to find it had been chipped/turbo,d or whatever.