Aircooled VW South Africa

Greetings all.
I have had an idea and would like to know if anybody has thought or looked @ doing the same.
Fitting a VR6 engine into a beetle.
I have checked the web and found a Karman Ghia and a couple of Bay window buses abroad that have done this conversion and it looks very interesting.
This may not seem logical, but running a nice smooth VR6 engine in a beetle might not be that bad.
I'm not worried about the length of the motor as its not much longer than the 4 cyl golf engine and my beetle already runs a large stand off kit.
So, the questions would be, adapter plate and clutch set up and obviously management system.

Has anybody looked at doing this kind of conversion as yet, and if so what was the out come.
Any ideas or advice would also be very appreciated.
Happy motoring guys and girls.

Hi Nosedown,

Please post some links to the bay window busses with the VR6s. I'm investigating doing a VR6 conversion into a Microbus, but have only found one place that does adaptor plates.

Beetlefanatic
Will post the link first thing in the morning, will go find it for you.
who do you know that does adapter plates?
I know that Gilo Eng does adapter plates, but not looking for a cast adapter plates, the crack to easily.

That engine is HEAVY. All that weight hanging out of the back is going to make the bug very unstable and tail happy.
There are guys in CPT with heavy engine hanging out the back and it seems to be fashionable (or is it cheaper?).

For the cost, I'd build a decent beetle engine and stick with that. My opinion - flame away

I used a cast iron one from Gilo before and ended with broken bolts in the adaptor. I have since changed to the cast aluminium one and it seems to be ok. I'll check for cracks when I remove the gearbox sometime in the near future.

I saw a beetle in Alberton years ago that had a VR6 motor in, sounded sooooo sweet, couldn't stop the oke 'cos he flew past me(going in the opposite direction)

for a project it could be very interesting, but as Tony said, handling is gonna need a lot of attention. for what u want, the old 2.8 VR engine is better cos its easier to run on stand-alone management, but the newer 3.2's are lighter... as for management, PerfectPower XMS thatisallkthanxbye....

Would go like stink! But would be reeeaally crazy on handling.

But anywho.. Seeing as you in Durbs.

Give Richard a Shout @ Dubsport Performance in Tongaat

Contact Info
Email:dubsportperformance@telkomsa.net
Phone: 032 945 4641
or 072 43 11 791

He specialises in Everything dub related.

Pretty sure they could assist.

Mid mont transverse with the front wheel drive gearbox, you will lose the back seat but WTF it will be a racing car!

Hi I know my vr6 swaps pretty well I may be in Canada but I can help you with most info.