356 engine conversion
 

Can a 356 or 912 air cooled engine be put into a VW Karmin Ghia?

yea fairly easy in your car , in a beetle its fairly hard work?,but why ?have you checked the prices on these motors lately...very big money,even for a basic runner that most likely need big money to get it running nice/better.
They don't make really big power besides,90hp if you get a good one.
Love the Ghia's and would always think the T4 2.0 litre from a bus or 914 works the best power wise...but a good motor will set you back a bit and you need to look @ an upright fan conversion,hang what am i saying...get a nicely speced 1776 or 1914 type 1 motor built well and you will be happy as a pig in the s#it,these motors make 80-100hp easy,good luck.

Yep, I've got a buddy in TX that has had a 356B engine in his Ghia for over 40 years.

Thanks for the reply. Yes it could be hard to find the right engine. I had a 1969 Ghia. It turned into a rust bucket but I loved the styling. Mine was a 3 speed automatic so a conversion with a Porsche engine probably need the drivetrain also.
Rick

I was considering going the other way. VW engines are easily hopped up and more disposable than our original 356 engines. Our 356 still is using 6 volts. I am sure it has been done.

Type one to 356
 

Working on going the other way too! Putting a 40hp type one into a 356b. I am looking for a 180mm flywheel with the four dowel pin and o-ring VW style center. Using the Porsche pressure plate. If anyone has one let me know. Bonus points if it's in Washington State. Thanks, Andy.

Mr. Pellows book, "Secrets of the Inner Circle" (a very good 356 Book) has a detailed description of how to put a VW motor in a 356 and 356 in a VW.

try to get a copy of that book for information.

PS holy f#&k. I looked on ebay, these books have shot up in price since Mr. Pellow passed. I better keep my greasy hands off my copy. Yikes!!!

Link....SECRETS INNER CIRCLE Harry Pellow | eBay

As I recall, from "back in the day" no room for the big Solexes under the engine lid of either the Ghia or beetle. Was a popular conversion in the sixties though.