Porsche 911 engine in a Volkswagen Vanagon? Anybody?

[Iciclehead]

I have been looking for another fun project to pursue in addition to my 6 speed and the idea of getting a mid-1980's Volkswagen Westfalia (vanagon) Type 2 and putting my spare 911 engine in it.

From what I have read it does fit reasonably well, the standard transmission can be made to work and with a small amount of fabrication you can use the standard 911 exhaust system.

So....anyone on this list do that? I have checked out the duckduckgo search items and seen a fair bit, but always interested in any really good build threads that people have found.

I also have found the gowesty.com site where they sell a 5 speed upgrade transmission (sounds good), so that would be part of the package as would be suspension tuneup, tires, perhaps bigger antiroll bars and such.

I guess I'd love to have a 175 hp 3 litre 911 engine to get to the campsite fast!

Dennis

[jyl]

I read everything I could find about this, once. The issue, apparently, is that the 911 fan is too high so the cover for the engine compartment has to be raised by several inches. That actually doesn't sound like a huge issue to me . . .

That said, why not install a Ford 4 cyl using the Bostig kit, and supercharge it, also using Bostig. More power and cheaper.

I have a Bostig conversion in my Vanagon Westy. Not supercharged though. And I never use the van so the wife is nagging me to get rid of it . . . But mine is a 2WD and the coolest would be a Synchro.

[island911]

The engines in the syncros sits lower. Well, more specifically, the body sits higher. Anyway, I'll measure mine when I get a chance. (see if there is enough clearance)

If I were to look at an engine swap, I think that I would look at something more modern. Specifically something with knock detection. This give much more power, and more importantly, better fuel economy.

[911boost]

I am contemplating a 911 engine swap in my '78 Bay Window Westy. Don't really know a lot about the Vanagon's though....

Bill

[SCadaddle]

My friend the 356/early 911/912 restoration guru once put a buick V6 in a vanagon. Other than nearly lifting the front wheels off the ground in first gear, it was pretty much unusable due to the stock gearing of the vanagon i.e. made a lot of noise but didn't get anywhere.

[WPOZZZ]

Sell the 3.0 and get a 300hp STi motor for the Vanagon.