911 engine and Trans-axel in VW Bus

Javdoc · 07-26-2009, 02:39 PM

Good Day

I'm looking for some advice. I have a completely restored 1958 Split Window VW Bus that i would like to stuff a Porsche Engine and Trans axel Into. It has been recommended to me that I use a 3.2 liter engine with a 915 trans axel. I love my Bus but it is just to slow to enjoy driving. I realize that I can build up a VW Engine but really like the idea of a Porsche drive train. I know some think this is crazy, but i would actually like to be able to cruise to California in my bus and not get rear ended by a Tractor going down the highway. We have been building cars for years from 500-1000 horse power but, always Chevy or Pontiac GTO.

I would appreciate any info you Porschephiles can furnish:

Thank You

jwasbury · 07-26-2009, 02:46 PM

go for it.

Check this one out...built by some nutty swiss dudes. I think they used a 993 twin turbo engine

http://www.race-taxi.ch/indexx.htm

beepbeep · 07-26-2009, 02:50 PM

Try to find trans-axle from >85' Carrera (G50) as it's much better than 915 one.

Javdoc · 07-26-2009, 02:51 PM

Yes, these guys are wild.....I am looking for a strong daily driver.

Javdoc · 07-26-2009, 02:53 PM

What engine do you think should be paired with a G50 Axel. I have a serious space issue and should i be worried about cooling?

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

try www.thesamba.com

User Name · 07-26-2009, 03:11 PM

also www.volkszone.co.uk there's a couple of guys that put porsche engines in split screen vans
this guy has just sold his

porsche engine that he had fitted in a split screen van, he might be able to help, owning a bus that has a porsche engine and trans fitted

gumba · 07-26-2009, 03:26 PM

Here you go. My '68 Crewcab with 3.2 & 915. The 3.2 is a stock bottom end with 46 PMO's Electromotive crank fire, SSI's and custom muffler. About 245 h.p. The trans is an '84 with 7:31 r&p and early 5th. gear. Suspension mods & 4 wheel disk brakes to go with the power.

barney911rs · barney911rs's Garage

Here are some shots of a Porsche bus I knew about in FL years ago. Have no idea the current status or owner.

gumba · 07-26-2009, 04:33 PM

That one was built by Fabcar. Very trick with a 3.6 and a bunch of other cool stuff. It looked like a tube chassis with a bus body.

Javdoc · 07-26-2009, 04:57 PM

Your 68 Bus looks great. The engine really tucks in there nice.
If you don't mind a few questions...

-How much engine compartment modification did you do to fit the engine and trans axel. I have not been able to find any engine dimensions on the net to see what will fit and what will not. I realize there will be some fab work to be done.
-Were you able to leave the gas tank in it's original position?
-I assume you must have upgraded to the Porsche shifter and linkages.
- Did you use the VW Pedals or did you up grade them to Porsche as well?
-My 58 bus has the drive train from a 1971 Westphalia will the front lowered and narrowed beam be adequate with the disc brakes for the new engine and transmission.
Thanks for the info. I am a long way from a Porsche dealer and there are no Porsche guys in my area so this help is invaluable to me.
Do you have more pics of the fabrication on your bus?

Thank you all for the help
AL

john walker's workshop · 07-26-2009, 05:02 PM

go to www.vintagebus.com and click on double cabs and scroll down to my old blue '63. 3.2 w/webers, 915, complete '73 rear suspension including torsion bar tube, 4 wheel discs, 7&8 fuchs, rack and pinion. took about a month in my spare time.

Porsche944parts · 07-26-2009, 05:33 PM

Hi Javdoc, This is off topic but I have a 88 911 that I will be selling the 3.2l engine and G50 tranny from.
PM me if you decide to go on with this project.

Javdoc · 07-26-2009, 05:48 PM

Hi
What condition is the engine and Trans axel in. I would like to find an engine that does not have to be re-built with fairly low miles. What are you asking?

Thanks
AL

vincer77 · 07-26-2009, 05:52 PM

I remember an old Road and Track I read - shoot, probably 20 years ago - about a VW bus that the factory modified with a 911 Porsche engine and drivetrain. It was a support vehicle that they used to take down to North Africa for desert testing of their cars. The 911 test drivers got tired of having to wait all the time for the support vehicles, so they built a bus autobahn buster.

Here is a potentially heretical suggestion. How about a 996 engine and trans? You'll have to deal with fitting a water cooling system, but it is almost the latest Porsche technology,and i understand that the engines are fairly inexpensive. You should have alot of room to play with seeing as it is a bus.

Memories...

Vince

URY914 · URY914's Garage

You better also think about how you're going to stop that thing. Also Type II steering is known to suck.

Porsche944parts · 07-26-2009, 06:08 PM

PM sent.

gumba · 07-26-2009, 06:23 PM

Javdoc, You can email me directly at: harold@dino.com for more info. I also have photos I can send.

John, I didn't see the link to your bus.

I put together a disk brake conversion page a few years ago using Wilwood calipers and retaining the 112x5 bolt pattern. http://there.dino.com/harold/bus.php
Since then I've seen a few different choices such as swapping 944 rear components. Do a search for "old speed vw", they make a conversion kit. There are a number of front brake conversions using 944 hubs and brakes. I'm in the midst of converting to 7 & 9 x 15 Fuchs, which requires flaring the fenders, still a few months out. I modified a 912 front hub to work with the v.w. disk brake spindles and a variety of rotors & calipers.

The 3.2/915 is the most economical in my opinion. I started with a 2.4E and didn't think it had enough torque or power. The next option would be a 3.6. I think think this is the best choice. A stock motor re-chipped and sport exhaust would get you into the 300-325 h.p. range. I figured $5K + over the 3.2 conversion.

As far as steering, there is a company in England that makes a rack & pinion conversion for the bus. They are also coming out with a variable power assisted steering kit. http://creative-engineering.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=10&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

Javdoc · 07-26-2009, 06:26 PM

I assume that if I buy a G50 Trans-axel i would buy all drive parts including axels (?) new rotors and calipers for the disc brakes? Is this right?. I don't want to sound so green but this is new to me.

Regarding steering it sounds like rack and pinion is the way to go.

The 996 engine sound good but I do not know enough about this stuff. I assume they must have some sort of a cooling system in the front underneath the vehicle or are they mounted at the back with fans.?????

All good points thank you for the interest.

Laneco · 07-26-2009, 07:04 PM

JW - squirrelled around and found your double cab on that site...

AWESOME!!!!

angela