Aircooled VW South Africa

Hi all,

I hope ive posted this thread in the right place!

Heres the question, well questions....so I recently purchased my 1958 Split Panel Van (which I pick up on Saturday, yeeha!) and hopefully by the end of next week I will have it in the shop to begin the restoration process. Meanwhile I am trying to get all my ducks in order so that the build process goes as smoothly as possible.

I have decided that I want to install a Porsche engine and before you all go "but why you want to do that etc etc etc" I want to do it just because...because I dont EVER plan to sell this vehicle and because I think its flat out gonna be awesome to do so.

SO, as I said I want to put a Porsche engine in, Im specifically looking at the 911 3.0l Flat 6 anywhere between 1975-1983....but now I think ive done enough research to know that at a squeeze I can get this engine in but when it comes to the other parts im not sure. Im not sure if I should purchase all the parts separately or if I should purchase entire 911 and salvage all the parts? This im not sure may become a problem as I have heard that I may need the brakes from one model (disc brakes front and rear) and the suspension from another model (apparently the 944) and then sell off the remaining parts to try claw back some cash. I know this is going to be an expensive option but at the same time I really cant afford to go ahead and purchase a whole vehicle and then find out that theres a bunch of parts I cant use and have to go out and get other compatible parts.

So there it is, if anyone knows....what options do I have? Or what would be the best approach and specifically which Porsche parts/models are compatible with my '58 Panel Van I would be very grateful for any feed back. Also if anyone has any contacts for Porsche engines I would be grateful for this info too as I have been trawling the net but havent had much luck.

Thanks everyone!

Cant wait until Saturday and everyday after that!!!!

Right, I've read your entire post and have repeatedly concluded that you have not thought this through, at all.

Firstly, have you ever owned and/or driven a stock '50s bus?

Secondly, if cost is such a large factor, as your post reads, the last thing you want to start stuffing around with is custom anything.

Thirdly, every personal build thread I've ever read has included the statement that the owner will never sell that particular vehicle; there are a seemingly infinite number of scrapped and/or half-arsed worth-nothing custom cars the world over because things changed and the owner sold the abortion.

If your bus is undergoing restoration in a few days time and you're still throwing ideas around, you're halfway between a f#Ck up and disaster already.

Lastly, WHY do you want, amongst everything else, a PORSCHE THREE LITRE engine in the back of your bus? Seriously, think about it...

If you want to do highway speeds and show up Ricers at the lights, please go and buy something else.

If you really must proceed, please spare a thought and abort a late Bay' wreck instead.

Nic

Wow......and now Foofunk and Merlin are both in surgery to remove Foofunks head from Merlin's mouth.

Hi Merlin,

Thanks for the reply.

In reply to your post, yes I have driven a stock 50's Bus, and its not that cost are as such a factor but I dont want to spend unnecessary money were I dont have to. People customize cars all the time, if I feel I want to and can afford to thats my choice. Thirdly, I am a self made highly motivated individual with a plan and have never abandoned any project I have ever set out to do never the less this is a project which I have wanted to under take for the last 12 years but through planning and correct decision making believe I can now afford to and am in a position to do so. Not that I should have to justify my reasons for doing so.

Also that fact that my bus is going for restoration shortly is irrelevant, I am in the process of research and project planning with an idea/budget/timeline which until deemed not fit or advised otherwise I remain steadfast on obtaining all possible information to make my Bus a success.

Lastly, as stated in my original post I said that I would like to install a 3.0l engine, that is my choice, others have done far wilder and crazier things before and if it is possible I would like to follow through with this idea.

All in all I thank you for your post and going forward if you have any information which can help me with the the questions posed i would be very grateful.

Many Thanks

Sean

If it's Porsche level performance you want, you can get better perfrmance from ACVW engines at a fraction of the price of anything Porsche. Speak to IMPI about type 4 engines. It's quite possible to build a reliable 500hp type 4 engine. TonyZ and other here have a lot of experience with performance ACVW engines.

Personally I don't think a 50s bus has the chassis to handle a 3-litre 911 engine, even if you upgrade brakes and everything. If you must go that route, I'd suggest following the lead of an American builder who, a few years ago, welded a 21-window samba body onto a complete 996 chassis. The cost of his project back then was USD125,000.

Thanks Fig for the reply.

I have looked into the Type 4 engines as a number of people have told me about these, I suppose theres even more attraction to this with the wealth of knowledge and experience with them. If the Porsche way seems totally not viable then perhaps this may be a better option.

The structural integrity of a bus of this age and even more so the fact that its not designed to house such an engine is of concern then again im not planing on drag racing or hitting the track so unless day to day running is affected by this then the Type 4 or other less powerful engines becomes more of an option.

Do you think that if an engine like this was installed I should consult with engineers to perhaps strengthen the chassis?

Thanks again for your reply!

Plenty of Splits running around in the UK with Flat 6 engines.

I suggest that you post on one of those UK/Euro Forums and search TheSamba too....Might find some build threads.

I will see if I can find the Volksworld feature on a Samba that was running a 911 setup.

Also PM Dawie on this forum - he has a Porsche powered Bus and can maybe guide you.

Goodluck - Certainly an interesting project. Funny how purists get all hot and bothered when people have intentions to modify Splitbuses

There are some seriously fast split busses out there, and most have VW motors in. Some turbocharged..

Yes, you will need to strengthen the chassis, uprate the brakes and suspension. But it can be done.

Dawie has a Porsche motor in his Bay, and it looks fantastic. Almost as if VW did it to begin with.

Good luck with your bus. IMHO, the 3l is a bit OTT.

Tony can squeeze enough power out of a VW block... to give you an insane grin on your face every time you hit the gas. Wealth of knowledge right there. But i suppose to be able to say, "I have a 3L Porsche motor back there" is

@ Blitzkrieg ... SNAP!. You owe me a Coke!

Blitzkrieg wrote: Funny how purists get all hot and bothered when people have intentions to modify Splitbuses

Why do you find it funny? I find it funny that you find the obvious funny.....

FooFunk.... good luck with your prep and project.

I'm sure you have seen this site haven't you? http://www.race-taxi.ch/

A tad more extreme than you were thinking of but it shows you what had to be done to the chassis to accommodate their aspirations.

That bus is a fleetline BTW......very cool

Here is a summary of what they did.

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies, some good stuff there...

Thanks for the info on Dawie, I will contact him, I see he is in CT and that he has a Porsche setup, hopefully will be very helpful indeed! Also Blitzkrieg, if you find that post I will be very grateful, thanks very much.

Eben - I have, I must have watched that Bus go round the track a 100 times on YouTube....I love the emblem on the back.....Turbo....nice....P.s I generally spend any time I can on YouTube searching for videos....My personal favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWKm3Ho_bVw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj6PFzJSDaY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXbqY2SIZcc

Thumpers Quote - But i suppose to be able to say, "I have a 3L Porsche motor back there" EXACTLY!!YES PLEASE!!

Thanks guys, If you are interested you can follow the entire build on my website

http://thewaheybus.blogspot.com

Thanks again!

Good luck with the project.
I'll add my input and ignore a statement you made about not suggesting anything else....

You would be better off with a Bay window bus and adding a Porsche engine to that. More space in the back, plus better suspension to handle the power. Also, the Porsche G50 gbox might be able to fit into the bay with a LOT LESS surgery than into a split (entire rear suspension would need changing for a 1303 style).

FooFunk wrote: I have decided that I want to install a Porsche engine and before you all go "but why you want to do that etc etc etc" I want to do it just because...because I dont EVER plan to sell this vehicle and because I think its flat out gonna be awesome to do so.

Anyway..... I'll ignore you and throw out a new angle on this....
I would say you should consider two other options which will come to a small fraction of the cost when fully installed that the cost of buying the Porsche engine, excluding installation....
1) install a subaru engine (N/A or Turbo)
or 2) build a decent type 4 engine (2.6 liter?) and put on a Porsche cooling system. Then it will look like a Porsche engine and go like a Porsche engine but it will be a lot easier to make fit....

My preference? T4 with Porsche shroud.
Either option will need beefing up of the gearbox but you know that already.