Mating a 1971 911T 901 Transaxle to a VW 2.0L Bus engine

[Carrera RSR]

Hi, newbie here looking for help.

We have a Porsche 1971 911T 901 trans that we are wanting to couple with a 1979 VW Type4 2.0L 120hp engine and need info.

The Type4 engine has a Flywheel, Clutch Disk and Pressure plate which is 228mm compared to the 225mm 911 setup. We are told that for the year 1970-71 901 Porsche trans has the same input shaft splines as the VW Type4 2.0L engine. Some say that the VW Type4 228mm Flywheel won't fit. We have yet to confirm this.

We believe the Pilot Bearing may have to be moved but the Type4 Flywheel 5 bolt pattern is open in the center.

Other possible issues include:
Would the 228mm Flywheel work with the 901 input shaft. Would we use the VW starter or would it reach properly? Or do we require a Porsche 911T starter?

If we need to change Flywheel and Clutch assembly would we need to use a 914 2.0L 215mm or maybe 914 2.0L 210mm setup? Again, what starter would be used?

Apparently there is an offset on the Flywheel that must be addressed.

We understand that the 901 trans may be geared low for the Porsche 2.2L 911T engine. How will it affect using the 1979 VW Type4 2.0L 120hp engine?
Our goal is to have the vehicle on the road powered by the VW Type4 while we spend the next 2-3 years rebuilding the 2.2L engine.
The vehicle is a 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster mounted onto a 1975 911 chassis with square 4" tubing frame. Dry weight fully assembled is 1500-1600lbs. So very light.

Other considerations are:
Thickness of Pressure Plate face
Ring Gear placement/ location
Stud length on Type4 engine to 901 mounts
Whether Type4 228mm Clutch Assembly work with the 1970-71 Porsche 901 Release Bearing setup

There may be other issues we are overlooking and hopefully someone out in the Forum Community can help us with this conversion.
Thank you in advance for any advice, input and recommendations provided.

We are looking to go the most economical route, saving funds to be applied towards the 911T 2.2L rebuild.

C

[john walker's workshop]

Wrong trans for this app. 70/71 is a pull clutch setup. You need a push style. Thru '69.

[wp935]

Go to Kennedy Engineering in Phoenix they should be able to help with the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel setup.

[Adam Reed]

This is just a little different from what I did with my '66 912 and big T4 motor.
You will need:
--914 flywheel and clutch assembly. This bolts right up and has the proper depth and offset to mate the T4 motor to
the 901 gearbox. '71 901 box was still pull-type throwout, so you're good there.
--a custom motor mount that mates up to the T4 mounting points and 911 chassis motor mount points.
Can't help you too much here, my 912 has different motor location, of course.
--a custom exhaust, I've always used Thunderbird headers with muffler of my choice welded on by a local muffler
shop.

Starter is the same for early 911/912/VW.

I suggest you stick with the stock gearbox ratios to start with, but you will be surprised at how much torque a 2 liter T4 has. You might end up as I have, with swapping 914 4th and 5th (taller) gears into your 901 gearbox. Much lower RPMs at freeway speeds and a lot quieter, as a result.

I suggest you go here to start: https://www.912bbs.org/forum/
The "Renegades" area has lots and lots of info from others' conversion projects.
It's a great conversion and fun to do.

I've run this setup for many years, commuting 100 miles a day. My 2.2 liter T4 912 is a blast to drive!
200-ish pounds less weight with the T4 vs 911 motor, after all.
And that also adds up to a lot less mass hanging out back there (much more neutral handling!)

Have fun

[john walker's workshop]

How are you going to use a 70/71 pull type trans on a 914 push clutch kit???

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

How are you going to use a 70/71 pull type trans on a 914 push clutch kit???

Isn’t there an old Grady Clay thread around here somewhere about how to convert it? I think it just requires a bit of drilling and the right parts, but I’ve never done one.