3.8 V6 --(Nick)

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

What are the modifications needed to fit a 3.8 V6. eg transmission tunnel, firewall, steering? I'd love to have a gemini with one of these cos they would absolutely cane. Do you fit the diff from the commodore as well?

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

From what I understand its *very* difficult to fit one. What you should probably do is contact a V6 conversion place, like http://www.v6conversions.com.au/ They will do you a drive in drive out job. Better raid the piggy bank though!

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

I've heard a conflicting story. Rod Hadfield from Castlemaine Rod Shop assured me that with a kit including engine crossmember, modified sump and gearbox mounts, the engine and 5 speed box should bolt straight in. There's no trans tunnel mods aside from a new shifter hole and the driveshaft needs modification. It's possible he 'just didn't happen to mention' that bit, but I hope not - that's what I had in mind to do as well. There are other V6 conversion places that may be able to supply the parts aside from Castlemaine, as Ashley said above. Look into it.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

Im looking into that as well for my wife to use as a every day car and rod hadfield said exactly the same as what dave said but i recon one of us is just going to have to do it and just let us know how hard or easy it is to do because there selling the kit and there going to tell us what we want to hear

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

If anyone, anyone at all bites the bullet and fits it, I beg of you take at least one entire roll of film of the swap, or better yet, if anyone lives near CRS bug them to do it for us, tell them it is free promotion to a very receptive audience.

Although, I will re-iterate what Mark said regarding the V6 conversion "I have driven in a v6 gemini, a green TG sedan from Keppera (QLD), and it steered like a bucket of shit. The extra weight over the front wheels makes the tail real loose on fast turns, steering is real heavy when going slow, and it just never feels right. Half the fun of a gemini is being small and light and being able to hang em out around corners and stuff. Youll find the v6 will ruin all that."

I would have to agree, with the exception of your drag gemmy(for which corners are not exactly an issue) the fun of a gemini is its chuckablity, sure a shitload of torque from a v6 would make a nice freeway cruiser but it isn't exactly my cup of tea.

For those who are curious, my cup of tea is leaning towards a 4ZE1, although considering I have just finished running in my hot two litre I figure that can wait a year or two. It can probably wait until after the vented front disks and the disk brake LSD, which at the moment can wait for the slow dribble of money to amount to a bucketload or that lotto ticket to show the right numbers.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

If no mods are needed to the transmission tunnel or anything else it would be cool. I assume you need to fit a new and stronger diff because the standard one would shit itself as soon as you took off. Does anyone know the starting price for the conversion with and without the engine and gearbox included?

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

Alright! Good to see I wasn't the only one being told conflicting stories here.

I know much of the fun of a Gemini is it's 'chuckablity' and believe me - I've thought of that. I originally wanted to fit an all alloy 3.2 litre Rodeo V6 but it's hard to find and there are a couple of companies that do the bolt-in VN 3.8 kit, so that sort of made the decision for me. Plus the purchase is easy and parts availability of the VN engine is just huge.

Anyway, I get out on the track a bit (Mallala & Collingrove Hillclimb) and have explored the limits of my stocky 1600 with Weber. When (if...) I get the VN 3.8 in, I'm going to take it out again and sort out what sort of sway bars it will need. If swaybars, springs and shocks don't fix the problem, then I'll look into camber kits and stuff (can Gemini's have serious camber?). Something's got to work - if Brocky can fling a Torana around Bathurst all day with a hundred kilos of V8 up the front, then my Gemini should make it around Mallala with a slightly lighter V6. I don't care if I scrub tyres - I'm going to be wearing them out seriously at both ends of the car!

To answer Nick's question, don't worry about the diff - diffs only go if you abuse them. TD onwards diffs are pretty good - my mate did over 70 burnouts in his old stocky TD coupe and it never made a noise. Still, nothing lasts forever - it's not a 9 inch remember.

Castlemaine's conversion kit goes for around $1100 without wiring adaptor or speedo adaptor. That's just for crossmember, sump (with supply of a exchange sump from you) and gearbox crossmember.

V6 Conversions (see, www.V6conversions.com.au) do the same kit with wiring adaptor and speedo adaptor for about $1275 which sounds like better value.

Somebody commented to me that I'd regret using the VN series 1 engine as the series ii is heaps better. I know it is and but the dollars mount up exponentially. A VN can be had with 5 speed box and warranty for $1700ish from Just Commodores in Adelaide, a VP engine is over $1000 more, and an aftermarket computer is necessary.

This my first hottie and is going to be a shoestring affair this time around and although I'm going to do it right, it's going to be done cheap. I shouldn't break too many camshafts or whatever, as I'm not planning on revving the guts out of it just yet. Anyway, we're talking about a 100% power increase without forced induction so I'm going to be happy for AT LEAST 6 months!

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

What have you hillclimbed at collingrove and when? I havent noticed any stocky geminis up there lately? I've been racing up there the last 2 years in the red series 1 turbo RX-7.
my icq is 11599353 if you're interested.
I think you'll be really struggling to get the 3.8 gemini to turn in up at that tight top right hander.
I reckon a rodeo 2.6 gemini would make a good collingrove car, or even better, a 3.5 litre rover alloy V8

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

As I said I would about oooh, 3 months ago? I will try and find the old "Cars and Car Conversions" Mag with the Ford Fiesta (GB) fitted with a stupidly hot rover all alloy donk, running to the rear wheels of course, very impressive, oh and of course the guy was stark, raving mad.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

Paul,

I've raced my chamois 1978 TD Gemini Panelvan up there about 3 times I think. I competed in two rounds of the Sporting Car Club of SA's Winter Cup. I raced each time under the number 178. I already have troubles with that corner have have used handbrake action to good effect, but it's getting power down that's the problem. I'm quietly confident - blood hell, if that maniac in the genuine Phase III GTHO can wrestle that beast up there, then my Gemini with a 3.8 should be too much slouchier. It'll certainly be faster than it is now. Even better with LSD - YEAH!!! Again, engine choice comes down to ease of fitment and parts.