Model Y Gemini Wheels on Model 3 Performance/Can it be done?

[ADAMBOMB]

With the amount of Gemini Y wheels out there for sale cheap and no Model 3 Gemini wheels avail anywhere figured Id give this a shot.

Fyi, the Y Gemini and the 3 Gemini are different to my surprise.
The 3s are 19x8.5 and the Ys are 19x9.5 w a et45 offset.
Running a 255/40/19 snow tire.

I bolted up and the rears worked just fine w no issues.
The fronts on the other hand don't fit. The inside of the rim rubs the upper steering knuckle.

In order to fix this you must install wheel spacers.
I initially opted for 15mm hub centric spaces front and rear.
Once again Failure... Because the brake rotor on the performance is thinner than the std awd, the oem wheel studs were too long and the wheel would not secure to the hub centric wheel spacer. Seems like it worked
however after moving the car 10 feet you could hear the wheel was loose.
Yes, it did not secure to the spacer.

Long story short the Performance Model 3 requires a minimum 20mm hub centric spacer so the factory wheel
studs are not hitting the inside of the rim (the cavity where it sits is not deep enough)

Just wanted let the forum members know this can be done.
Tons of used Gemini wheels out there cheap. I picked up a set w no sensors for $500.00
then installed 433mhz sensors and some snow tires all for under $1500.00

Pics show some install using 15mm spacers.
I did not take any with the 20mm install process because of frusteration
however you can see the end result pics. Look and function awesome.

 

[MdlY55]

Very nice!

That setup might be a good way to optimise winter range if used as winter wheels on a M3P. Do you have an idea of the wh/mi with this setup?

Thank you,

 

[ADAMBOMB]

Very nice!

That setup might be a good way to optimise winter range if used as winter wheels on a M3P. Do you have an idea of the wh/mi with this setup?

Thank you,

No clue. Just finished install today. No idea how you could even figure that out since they are snow tires and its 4 degrees here in Chicago.
Lets just say it sucks

 

[MdlY55]

Ahah !
Congratulations btw on your work!

 

[moarpwr]

With the amount of Gemini Y wheels out there for sale cheap and no Model 3 Gemini wheels avail anywhere figured Id give this a shot.

Fyi, the Y Gemini and the 3 Gemini are different to my surprise.
The 3s are 19x8.5 and the Ys are 19x9.5 w a et45 offset.
Running a 255/40/19 snow tire.

I bolted up and the rears worked just fine w no issues.
The fronts on the other hand don't fit. The inside of the rim rubs the upper steering knuckle.

In order to fix this you must install wheel spacers.
I initially opted for 15mm hub centric spaces front and rear.
Once again Failure... Because the brake rotor on the performance is thinner than the std awd, the oem wheel studs were too long and the wheel would not secure to the hub centric wheel spacer. Seems like it worked
however after moving the car 10 feet you could hear the wheel was loose.
Yes, it did not secure to the spacer.

Long story short the Performance Model 3 requires a minimum 20mm hub centric spacer so the factory wheel
studs are not hitting the inside of the rim (the cavity where it sits is not deep enough)

Just wanted let the forum members know this can be done.
Tons of used Gemini wheels out there cheap. I picked up a set w no sensors for $500.00
then installed 433mhz sensors and some snow tires all for under $1500.00

Pics show some install using 15mm spacers.
I did not take any with the 20mm install process because of frusteration
however you can see the end result pics. Look and function awesome.
View attachment 631676 View attachment 631677 View attachment 631678 View attachment 631679 View attachment 631680 View attachment 631681 View attachment 631682

thanks for the info. Any recommendations on where to purchase the spacers? Are you using the original lugs?

 

[MODEL+]

I believe 14mm spacers from H&R would've solved your problem here. It uses the original studs and comes with shank lug nuts that grabs further into the threads.

 

[yolanda7075]

check mine!!!
Tesla model 3 Long Range
Bonoss Forged Active Cooling Wheel Spacers
front 15mm (3/5 inch), rear 20mm (4/5 inch), PCD 5×114.3, CB 64.1.
with new AP racing brake

 

[ADAMBOMB]

I believe 14mm spacers from H&R would've solved your problem here. It uses the original studs and comes with shank lug nuts that grabs further into the threads.

I talked to h&r about this. Even with a 8mm spacer there was not enough lug to be safe.
They recommended using a 15 mm with these lugs however the taped part of the lug is only 6 mm according to their measurments.
So at the end of the day I would be gaining nothing and would be potentially less lug as I was going from a 8 to a 15.

I ended up just getting the H&R 20mm from and rear so I did not have to mess with it or shave any factory studs.

I also tried another companys spacers and the inside bore was not stepped for the performance rotor even though
they said they work on the performance. The inside needs to be stepped not tapered or the spacer cannot seat on the rotor.

 

[MODEL+]

I talked to h&r about this. Even with a 8mm spacer there was not enough lug to be safe.
They recommended using a 15 mm with these lugs however the taped part of the lug is only 6 mm according to their measurments.
So at the end of the day I would be gaining nothing and would be potentially less lug as I was going from a 8 to a 15.

I ended up just getting the H&R 20mm from and rear so I did not have to mess with it or shave any factory studs.

I also tried another companys spacers and the inside bore was not stepped for the performance rotor even though
they said they work on the performance. The inside needs to be stepped not tapered or the spacer cannot seat on the rotor.View attachment 633871View attachment 633873View attachment 633874

That's interesting they will advertise the 14mm being used with shanked nuts if they weren't compatible...

Did 20mm up front ended up being too much poke for you?

 

[ADAMBOMB]

That's interesting they will advertise the 14mm being used with shanked nuts if they weren't compatible...

Did 20mm up front ended up being too much poke for you?

Lots of companys like to claim things work but may not be the safest solution.
20s are not terrible. Only using these for my winter tires so im not too concerned with a little poke.

 

[ADAMBOMB]

 

[MODEL+]

View attachment 633909 View attachment 633911

Nice! that actually sits perfectly flushed. If you were lowered the natural camber will bring it in a little and would be sitting perfectly imo.

 

[MODEL+]

Does this make your effective spec 19x9.5 +20?

I saw a local selling his set of Geminis and he told me he was running 235 tires and spacers
F 20mm / R 25mm), lowered and looked pretty good.

 

[ADAMBOMB]

That would work.
20mm in front is bare min for a spacer and 25mm in the rear looks good but not needed.
Im not sure about a 235 tire though.. Im running a 255 and rim is still too exposed for my liking. The 235 would have some serious rim exposure and tire would be too stretched for my liking.

Ideally a 255/35/19 would be perfect.

 

[Syphher]

So is there a new/different set of Gemini wheels now that don't require a spacer? Tesla lists this: Model 3 19”? Gemini Wheel and Winter Tire Package which is only for the Model 3 Performance as a 19" x 8.5 wheel. Anyone have any information on this or photos of what it looks like without the cover?

 

[MDurante]

Any chance you could fit 18mm in front?

Just got a hold of a set of cheap 19x9.5" Y Geminis. Thinking of 255/40-19 winter tires and going for 18mm front and rear. Sound like 20mm is the only way to go according to OP. Anyone with more inputs?

 

[gfviado]

Any chance you could fit 18mm in front?

Just got a hold of a set of cheap 19x9.5" Y Geminis. Thinking of 255/40-19 winter tires and going for 18mm front and rear. Sound like 20mm is the only way to go according to OP. Anyone with more inputs?

hey did those work?

 

[Kvitravn]

This looks like an interesting option - keep going OP

Sounds like they will clear the performance caliper up front?

 

[pdx_m3s]

On a non-performance, would a 5mm spacer up front be enough to keep the wheel out of the knuckle?

 

[Jeff@ShiftEV]

I just threw these on my 2018 LR RWD. 20mm spacers in the front and 25mm spacers in the rear. Lowered on MPP coilovers. IMO perfect aggressive fitment. You can definitely go 15/20 for spacers but anything less than 10 and you will be getting pretty close to the front knuckle with the inner lip of the wheel.