Ex-police car - any good?

harveybobbles

You mean a "sport" button that all auto's have...?

Happychappy

tewfik wrote: »

A friend of mine used to have an ex-Police Vauxhall Omega, a traffic car. It was quite a machine, went like clockwork and even had a trick gearbox for use in high speed pursuits.

The gearbox is bog standard, so are the engines. The only parts uprated are the brakes and suspension, also the interior has overcloths to protect from wear. Apart from that nothing else, just an urban myth of super toys fitted to police cars.

Most police vehicles delivered are now turn key and come ready to go with all the radio, ANPR, Cleartone equipment fitted or wired to slot straight in. The only thing forces now fix on the vehicle is the Force Crest.

Chippy_Minton_2

Happychappy wrote: »

The only parts uprated are the brakes and suspension.

Sorry, but even they are bog standard.

Happychappy

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

Sorry, but even they are bog standard.

Chippy, Not on the traffic vehicles, they put in stronger springs for the load the vehciles carry, most traffic car operate at almost maximum load, the brake pads are uprated for the continual heavy loads and higher speeds. Back in the 80's early 90's the Rovers had a type of rally designed brake pad, purely to counter the wear factor.

Vauxhall have a special operations section at Millbrook who design the Vauxhall police vehicles which are bog standard taken from the production line but uprated in certain electics for the fitting of radio, etc brakes and suspension.

Chippy_Minton_2

Happychappy wrote: »

Back in the 80's early 90's the Rovers had a type of rally designed brake pad, purely to counter the wear factor.

That would be why the Rovers suffered from brake fade and following a prusuit the pads would be completely burnt out, would it?

With the R32, Scooby and ST Focus stock parts are good enough.

turboCorsa

My mate had a Sierra which was tuned up but best of all it had 2 fuel tanks! I guess to chase the crims until they stopped running out of fuel!

Happychappy

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

That would be why the Rovers suffered from brake fade and following a prusuit the pads would be completely burnt out, would it?

With the R32, Scooby and ST Focus stock parts are good enough.

The Rover SD1 was the first stock police vehicle which suffered horrendous brake fade, the vehicle was tested at MIRA in the early 80's and had the braking system uprated, it really didn't do a lot, a slight improvement until they found the major cause to be the brake fluid boiling up and causing a type of vapour lock.

Fortunately by then, the Senator and Granada had taken over. The current Evo, Subaru and goochy cars are all stock parts as they can take the drive it like you stole it style of driving :rolleyes:

howardl22

I think they are slightly modified. I walked past a local Focus (non motorway car) and it had drilled brake discs. Ford certainly don't fit those to even the RS Focus to my knowledge!

custardy

I know the Mk1 vectras jut had police spec brake pads(which you can buy from the dealers) on standard brakes

darich

to the last 2 posters......you do realise this thread is 3 years old....don't you??