253 Gemini

jaym · 23-05-2005, 08:39 PM

i know its not a ford but its still fun,
i wanna put a V8 in a gemini,
has anyone here done this??
what mods do i need to make
:eclipsee_

CAMS290 · 23-05-2005, 08:57 PM

A mate of mine had a 307 Chev and a 2-speed "glide" in a TD Gemini about 18 years ago.
Was a tight fit from memory, had to run the standard manifolds.
Why not put a 308 ? Same physical size

The Dok · 23-05-2005, 09:06 PM

: My advice would be don't do it!!!! But if you must, put a small block Chev/T350 in if possible, as myself & a mate did it @20 years ago, some members may remember a light metallic green TE around Dandenong Vic. I guess back then we had too much time on our hands & too much money. Anyway a few "tips", first, make sure you "beadweld" all the joins in the engine bay, (especially around the strut towers) with a mig. I also vaguely remember, using std diff assy (for a short time) by obtaining "LJ Torana" rear axles & fitting/pressing the Gemini bearings onto them. The main problem we had (until we welded "rails" under the floor) was bodyflex. I remember driving/flying down the Freeway & having the RHR door open, scared the bejesus outta me. Sadly the "GEM" s front & rear parted company after a wet weather "episode" with an F100, 3 into 2 lane highway, & 7 parking meters, finally coming to an unexpected stop against a light pole. I also expect many problems (especially in QLD) getting an engineers certificate, however l wish you the best of luck & hope to see some pics posted!!

jaym · 23-05-2005, 09:07 PM

308 would be better but 460 would be awesome
people have told me 308's don't fit but 253's bolt straight in

jaym · 23-05-2005, 09:10 PM

its only for local burn out comps

**Falcon Coupe** · 23-05-2005, 09:33 PM

I have seen a Gemini with a holden v6, an easier conversion, and very fast.

Falchoon · 23-05-2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaym

308 would be better but 460 would be awesome
people have told me 308's don't fit but 253's bolt straight in

460 would be way to heavy and big. Maybe if you were building a dedicated drag car and were not planning on doing any cornering.
308 and 253 are same size block. A later model fuel injected 304/308 would be trick, especially if you stroke it out to 383 cubes!
You would need to upgrade the brakes substantially, probably with Commodore brakes of the same sort as the car the motor came from. Hadfield might have a brake upgrade kit available.

BJ · 23-05-2005, 10:01 PM

I did one of theses thing years ago. It was Bronze coupe and it had a 308 with trimatic at first then went to a powerglide because it became a 331 cuber. As has already been said stich weld ALL of the engine bay. I ran a shortened 9" with all of the standared rubber mounts. The brakes were Camira which gave me the 15" wheels the rear was tubed and fitted with 12 x15 MTs. It was a fun thing to drive and it scared the shit out of some GT owners i can tell you. The best time from it was a flat 10. Geeesssss i miss that car.

**Falcon Coupe** · 23-05-2005, 10:41 PM

Don't tell me you fit in a Gemini John ?

BJ · 23-05-2005, 11:23 PM

Yeah it wasnt to bad for room realy. I tell you it was a blast to drive the dam thing. Geeee i miss that car

mcflux · 24-05-2005, 11:24 AM

How about a commodore V6 as previously mentioned? A mate of mine in Melbourne has two workmates with fast holdens:

1) A 6.2L A9X style torana
2) A (single) turbo V6 gemini

The gemmi handles much better, it just as fast, doesn't attract unwanted attention, and it doesn't cost $90 to get from Moorabbin to Footscray (unlike the A9X)

-Dave-

jaym · 25-05-2005, 02:00 PM

i just came up with a bit of an idea ( will look into it on the weekend)
i've got a spare 250 and a spare gemini siting there

250x-flow + Gemini = fun!!

What you guys think,

BJ · 25-05-2005, 02:04 PM

I think you find that the 250 is to long to fit i could be wrong. Go with the 308 Shit loads of fun plenty of go fast bits for them and they arent that hard to fit.

jaym · 25-05-2005, 07:35 PM

yeh but there is a shell and a 250 just sitting there, i don't have a 308 or the money for one just yet, i will check things out on the weekend, and post some pics up

BOOSTN-EF · 25-05-2005, 07:52 PM

250 will fit.

last year me and my mates built a gemi with a 202 and trimatic, locked diff for burnouts, went in a few comps

my mate used it as his daily driver for 6 months, rego as 4 cyl still.

cut the rad support panel out, used bonnet pins as the locking mechanism had to be removed. we made up solid engine mounts from angle iron and the trimatic came out in gemini's so the mounts were all ok.

radiator was infront of the old rad support panel, right up against the grill.

also cut the middle of the roof out so it was a massive sunroof, just could never close it!

we ended up taking it to the fire station to practice cutting up!

then got a E21 bmw with holden V6, my old 120Y with Nissan CA18det, econovan with holden V6, VK with RB30det, Capri with 400 chev.................... list goes on anythings possible

jaym · 25-05-2005, 09:08 PM

did you have to cut the fire wall with the 202??

BOOSTN-EF · 25-05-2005, 10:32 PM

no firewall cutting, not that i can remember anyway.

it was right up against it, think the heater was removed and a few other things.

just cut everything out in front of the motor... we used a different radiator and a thermo fan.

jaym · 27-05-2005, 10:50 AM

i was talking to a guy, and he said that moving the motor forward would make it handel like shit??
How did yours handle

BJ · 27-05-2005, 11:02 AM

Thats why i went the V8 route Jaym. If you are doing a burn out car you whant something with balance and control, and the V8 gives you that. It may sean like a big task now but if you do it properly one day you my even get it regoed and on the road.

BOOSTN-EF · 27-05-2005, 10:55 PM

well it was no race car! but thats not why we built it, and i dont think thats what you want it for?

if you want it to handle and have loads of power i would go for a ca18det or sr20det, just look at the timeslip section to see the times from my datsun!

it was acceptable enough to drive on the road daily for 6 mths

UNR8D · 27-05-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaym

308 would be better but 460 would be awesome
people have told me 308's don't fit but 253's bolt straight in

same physical size even weight, bigger bore/stroke was the only difference, 253's can be made rev harder but the 308 has it for torque and exhaust note when done right is just horn... remember the 250 xflow had more torque and power than a 253 :togo: go figure that.

there is a S/C V6 gemini running around brissy with the plates SYC06 RJ bruno owns it and its one hell of a tuff skid pig.

jaym · 03-06-2005, 12:55 AM

mmmm tight fit, but it will work, gotta cut a little bit out of the fire wall
and make custom sump and oil pick up,

BOOSTN-EF · 03-06-2005, 12:17 PM

good stuff! i love crazy conversions,

In adelaide there used to be a 120Y with a 245 hemi 6 in it that ran 11's and also a really old corolla with a rb30 turbo that used to go in burnout comps.

good luck with it, should be fun.

Supa R00 · 03-06-2005, 12:27 PM

My grandfathers gemini is in perfect condition, he bought it from the factory and to this date it has only done 68,000kays. We have it now and my father wants to do it up... he wants to do a v8 conversion but currently i think an SR20DET will be easier...
They have alot of potential, handling wont be largely affected like a heavy v8 and it should slot in alot nicer.... cant wait to get things going! goodluck with your conversion!

DivHunter · 03-06-2005, 12:42 PM

could you squeeze an RB26DETT in there... :dr_Evil: