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Restoring a TA torana

Started by _BruiserBrad_ , Feb 04 2009 08:13 PM

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36 replies to this topic

#26 muzzta

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Posted 02 April 2009 - 09:23 PM

Front disc brakes were a common option on HB from 'Day 1' & standard on the Brabham versions.

The drums were that bad that many were converted to discs in the 70s, as the parts were plentiful at wreckers.

Dr Terry

Dr Terry,
I can confirm the drum brakes are awful, still, after 35 years, they will stop you eventually , but you do have to clench your butt cheeks and
get the steering shudder under control for it to work. Tailgating is a nogo with 4 wheel drums.
I'd change em but then it's not stock then and you lose the character of diving them as they were made.

On that thought, do many people really know what the original Toranas drove like, or just what they have after a thousand mods?
There is a can of worms.

Cheers
Muz

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#27 _BruiserBrad_

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Posted 02 April 2009 - 10:26 PM

a few years ago i talked to a guy from Milton performance and he said that Castlemaine Rod Shop sold a conversion kit to put a gemini engine in a 4 cyl torana

i checked the website out and i couldnt see anything about a gemmy engine but i found a nissan (datsun) 1600 - 180B conversion with a VW transaxle gearbox for $555 w.o freight just curious if anyone knew how much work would be needed to get that in there? or should i just stick with the gemmi engine and work it a bit? what would end up being the cheapest and which would be best performance wise?
cheers
brad

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#28 Dr Terry

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 07:32 AM

Are you talking about the Isuzu Piazza Turbo that people put in their Gemini's these days or the standard Isuzu 1600 motor that the Gemmi's have? I have an RB & a TD Gemmi and I seriously doubt they have much more power than a 4 banger Torana. A bit, but doesn't seem worth the effort to me unless you are going to go for a 2 litre or the turbo.

Despite what the power figures say, there is a HUGE difference in power between a Gemini 1600 OHC motor & an HB/LC/LJ/TA 1200/1300 OHV 4-cyl. Unless you driven a stock early Torana 4 you wouldn't appreciate the joke. By comparison a stock early Gemini is a quick thing. The Torana 4-cyls were a good thing in 1967 but by 1974/5 they were out-classed by the Japs.

Dr Terry

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#29 _Terrible One_

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 12:41 AM

Looks like the perfect home for a CA18, SR20 or even a little 4AGE.

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#30 clarky9999

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 08:21 AM

Had a Hb as a P plater it was atock and wouldn't pull uncle off aunty, Got bored of it and out in a mild 4kc corolla and gearbox. Went ok after that. it understeered bad though didn't change the front springs to allow for lighter engine. It stopped good with standard discs. The mate had a LC 4cyl and he made an adaptor plate an ran a Datsun 120y 2 barrell carb on it that was good as well. Have got a HB again in the shed and just got given a 1.6 Gemini complete car pity its auto though so may start another project.

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#31 _Big T_

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Posted 05 April 2009 - 01:58 AM

If it were mine and I had the time and patience I would be going a later model jap engine for sure. SR20 would liven it up a bit or you could go nuts with a 13B rotary. Chuck a turbo on it and you are looking at real little weapon. What ever you do it would involve a bit of work. If it is your daily and funds are not readily available, stick with the engine thats in it and just cruise. Personally, I wouldnt go trying to make the original engine go any faster as it will never be as quick as some of the other options advised above.

Just remember though, once you have increased the output of the engine via a swap, you will need to consider the rest of the driveline (gearbox, diff and brakes). It could get quite expensive and you probably wont get your money back if you sold it.

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#32 _APL_

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Posted 21 April 2009 - 08:25 PM

BruiserBrad

In my opinion, it would be a shame to butcher such a clean and tidy car.

It is what it is and you knew that when you bought it.
What you actually have is a rare piece of Holden history....how many others do you know of??

End of the day it is your call..

APL

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#33 _BruiserBrad_

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Posted 27 April 2009 - 10:53 PM

ok first off cheers for everyones thoughts on the topic,
i was leaning towards a gemmi engine because its a bit easyer on the pocket but it could still be a bit of a weapon with a bit of work.

and it just so happens that i know of someone that got a gemmy with intentions of a vn conversion and is willing to sell it for <$100 (trans. inc) its only done 31000 km since a rebuild. it was a running car so i could prob buy anything else of him cheaply. wht people think? was it meant to be?

does anyone know kf the swap? anyone done it before? can it even be done? people have mentioned it in this thread but does anyone have any proof of it being done?

thanks in advance for any help at all

cheers brad

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#34 clarky9999

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Posted 28 April 2009 - 08:43 PM

This was on Ebay a while ago. Had a gemini engine in there. Dont know why the firewalls been cut though

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Edited by clarky9999, 28 April 2009 - 08:44 PM.

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#35 _Squarepants_

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Posted 29 April 2009 - 04:28 PM

I'm with Big T. Stick with the stocker or do something wild. (rotary would be nice!)
Why go to all the effort of doing an engine conversion if it's only going to be a little better than it is now. If you're going to all that trouble, why not make it a weapon?
I had a TA 2 door many, many years ago with the 1300 vauxhall, and it was a tuff little motor. Not fast, but man, I gave that thing the berries everywhere I went in it (I had to, otherwise I'd still be on my way there!!!) and it just kept on going. I replaced everything on that car except the engine. Bullet proof (or idiot proof, maybe).
It hung on around corners like a little demon, too, with 12" wheels and 175/70 tyres! Man, what a great little car! I'd buy it back if I ever saw it again.
My point is, if you like it, do what you feel does it justification. To me, a Gemini engine doesn't do that. Either keep it standard or make it blow the doors off anyone that laughs at you for owning a TA.