Porvair 911

[rouxroux]

Just came across a cute swap...
ebay item # 190103985168
A 1970 911 Targa with a Corvair drivetrain...Yes, the purists will poo-poo, but it still has a flat 6. Makes me want to go adopt it.
I don't know the particulars of this swap, just thought some of you might appreciate it.

[Porsche_monkey]

I guess they really had to look around to find another engine to outdo Porsche's oil leaks.

[LeeH]

I saw that just a few minutes ago. I bet someone hits the buy it now before it's over. The car looks solid.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190103985168

[rouxroux]

Viton can be your friend! Best O-rings to fix those nasty piddling pushrod tubes!

[the]

Tough to beat a 911 with a 110 hp engine and a 2 speed automatic.

[jkarolyi]

Well, the 1968 and 69 911T only had 110hp too, and a lot less torque. And you could order those with a Sportomatic. I don't think this conversion is too far off base if you wanted or needed (bad leg, etc.) a fully automatic early 911. The corvair engine is a pretty neat aluminum design...remember, Chevrolet made production flat sixes five years before Porsche. I think it fits the spirit of the original 911. *I* wouldn't want it, but I wouldn't laugh at anyone who did.

[Porsche_monkey]

Sure makes the V-8 option look good.

[MattAlpha]

You've got to love the Fram oil filter mounted upside down in that engine... LOL

[Tim K]

When day dreaming about flat fans and other things, I've often wondered how much hp would be sucked up by that fan belt arrangement. It may not be any worse than the bevel gears used by the factory.



Tim K

[Rob Channell]

That's pretty funny. My Dad and I used to talk about doing the opposite conversion. I always wanted to put a nice 911 3.0 or 3.2 liter and a 915 5 speed into the rear of a Corvair and then give it the disc brake conversion and a nice racy suspension.

[911s55]

What would Nader say?

[Rob Channell]

There is a story about a guy that used to run a Corvair at the salt flats. He started with one of the 140hp Corvair motors that originally had four intake ports and 4 carbs (two primary and two seecondary). He ditched the stock carbs and ran an (airResearch) turbo through a large 4 barrel carb.

He ran a speed of 168mph at the flats and then sent Nader a telegram telling him he'd tested the Corvair to over 165mph and hadn't found an unsafe speed yet!

[rgrimm]

And don't forget...if someone managed to stuff a 110 hp in there, that also means Corvair's 4-barrel with 140 hp or the Turbo with 180 hp would also fit.

I had a 1967 140 hp 4-barrel; two primaries and two secondaries. Adjusted properly, it had a satisfying kick when the secondaries opened up. With some tweaks, the handling wasn't bad either. But I remember the car as being heavy...with the 140 hp it started at about 2700 or 2800 lbs.

Throw that engine into a lighter car with a better chassis... could be fun...

[911pcars]

Originally posted by Rob Channell
There is a story about a guy that used to run a Corvair at the salt flats. He started with one of the 140hp Corvair motors that originally had four intake ports and 4 carbs (two primary and two seecondary). He ditched the stock carbs and ran an (airResearch) turbo through a large 4 barrel carb.

He ran a speed of 168mph at the flats and then sent Nader a telegram telling him he'd tested the Corvair to over 165mph and hadn't found an unsafe speed yet!

I believe that would be Tom Keosababian (sp). We were in the same Corvair club years ago (the club advisor was Dick Guildstrand of Corvette fame and his Chevy dealer sponsor in Manhattan Beach). I was a newbie compared to his level of expertise on turbo motors. His engine was heavily boosted, but without intercooler. However, it was fitted with a simple water injection system to thwart detonation. The car was fast and was featured in the early Turbo performance books by HP Publishing. That was awhile ago.

My '62 Corvair started out as a basic 110 HP automatic with dual carbs that eventually became 4 with a 4-speed and an updated, rebuilt engine that I autocrossed with dismal results. Still had fun spinning out, but at higher than normal speeds.

The killer machines were the Yenko Stingers and the Crown products Chevy V-8 mid-engine kit for the 2nd generation Corvairs (65-67?).

Sherwood

[rouxroux]

Sherwood, You're right...it was Tom Keosababian. In '74 he took his little Propane-powered turbo Monza to a Bonneville record average of 173.1MPH in 2 consecutive runs. (the 168MPH was on gasoline)