Convert 253 to 308

[lil_mickey]

As the title suggest, I am swapping a 253 out to a 308 in an auto VH

(next step is to sell the car if problems persist)

I mainly need to know if the auto x-member, auto linkages and tail shaft are the same for the t400 as the trimatic.

also is there somthing anyone thinks i might have missed?

[Stretchomatic]

it should fit no worries, provided the 308 is an aussie pattern, not a turbo pattern...pretty sure all 253's came with aussie pattern gearboxes.

[lil_mickey]

ahh, so 308 did come out in front of trimatic?
well that will solve all probs

[lil_mickey]

how long will a trimatic last behind a 308 and how much work to upgrade later?

[ari666]

depends on how you treat it. mine is holding up fine my mate has a 50 dollar trimatic behind his 308 1 tonner. it gets treated like crap and is still running smooth as the day we put it in.

[lil_mickey]

cool, thats reassuring,
sounds like this is a smaller job than i thought.

[dirt drifter]

if u just do a straight 253 to 308 (trimatic bolt pattern) swap its a simple change over, unbolt the old bolt in the new.

to swap trimatic to T400, hmm this is testing the memory. u definately need a new tailshaft yoke, 99% sure u need to shorten the tailshaft and get a new x-member, i'm unsure but i doubt the stock shifter will work with a T400, just get a cheap B&M shifter off ebay or parts peddler. and if ya new 308 is trimatic bolt pattern u will need an adaptor plate kit to go a turbo pattern box.

if u are looking to upgrade to a 308 and stronger box, i would get a turbo pattern 308 and a turbo 350 box behind it. no need for adaptor kit, the stock tailshaft fits T350, all u need is a $100 crossmember and a $300 shifter (and a bigger convertor while ur at it would be nice) and ya set

[lil_mickey]

if u just do a straight 253 to 308 (trimatic bolt pattern) swap its a simple change over, unbolt the old bolt in the new.

to swap trimatic to T400, hmm this is testing the memory. u definately need a new tailshaft yoke, 99% sure u need to shorten the tailshaft and get a new x-member, i'm unsure but i doubt the stock shifter will work with a T400, just get a cheap B&M shifter off ebay or parts peddler. and if ya new 308 is trimatic bolt pattern u will need an adaptor plate kit to go a turbo pattern box.

if u are looking to upgrade to a 308 and stronger box, i would get a turbo pattern 308 and a turbo 350 box behind it. no need for adaptor kit, the stock tailshaft fits T350, all u need is a $100 crossmember and a $300 shifter (and a bigger convertor while ur at it would be nice) and ya set

Cheers, will prob be happening just after easter so i have a bit of time to sort it all out...
Good to know about the tail shaft with t350.

[leigh 7005]

keep the trimatic cheap to fix cheap for parts exept stalleys dont drain power why do you think they put them behind rb30?? coz there better

[W84N01]

I have a trimatic behine my VT fuel injected 5L in my VC, and she's copped a hammering, specifically down the quarter, and i've had stuff all problems with it. Storng as andd i love having just the 3 gears............it goes like a shower of poo!!!! lol

[ari666]

a shower of poo

...that sounds pleasant.

[lil_mickey]

it goes like a shower of poo!!!! lol

...that sounds pleasant.

Does doesn't it?
Thanks for the help,

I am now looking for a 308 with aussie pattern, all i need is block, heads and insides in working order...

Bout to post in WTB after a ring around,

Also will my torker run good with my 4brl quaddie on a 308?

[VSColl]

Good luck with the hunt

[lil_mickey]

Good luck with the hunt

Lol, thanks Mum...

[ari666]

lol, i will swap ya:
a cam (495 lift 222 duration 112 seperation) used but good, swapped it out for a crane 286
a 6000-ish km old timing chain set (quite new, swapped for adjustable chain/gearset)
a set of working vk black heads with LT1 springs (swapped for heads with bigger valves, ported etc)
a stock vk manifold (swapped for edelbrock performer)
a rusty but no holes COMPLETE 2.25" exhaust system for 308 VK including extractors (swapped for pacemaker 2.5")

for your torker manifold!!!!

also have boxes of various bits you can go through, with crap in it like pistons/rods, bolts, brackets air cond pumps, belts etc.

[lil_mickey]

lol, i will swap ya:
a cam (495 lift 222 duration 112 seperation) used but good, swapped it out for a crane 286
a 6000-ish km old timing chain set (quite new, swapped for adjustable chain/gearset)
a set of working vk black heads with LT1 springs (swapped for heads with bigger valves, ported etc)
a stock vk manifold (swapped for edelbrock performer)
a rusty but no holes COMPLETE 2.25" exhaust system for 308 VK including extractors (swapped for pacemaker 2.5")

for your torker manifold!!!!

also have boxes of various bits you can go through, with crap in it like pistons/rods, bolts, brackets air cond pumps, belts etc.

Lol, I take that as a yes to my question...

[ari666]

when i was building my engine the first time with the bits that im offering i was advised to stay away from single plain maniolfds, especially with a auto trans. the reason being that you lose velocity on your inlet having such a massive plenum then meeting restrictive inlet ports. unless you are planning to open your ports up extremely and get high flow out of them (which will cost you a bunch to get done) your better of going with a performer dual plane.

the reason i am looking for the single plain is my engine has gone past the need for dual plane and it needs to breathe. in fact i would be willing to include the edelbrock performer i am using atm into the swap. which suits a mildy cammed stock CR 308 perfectly. better than a torker. but you would need to hang around while i take it off

all the other stuff is just laying around my workshop taking up space, but i never got around to ebaying it.

edit* BAH! just realised your manifold will be the single bolt egr style... which wont work on black heads