<VV> Corvair powered Porsche

[Tamias Metis]

Re: potential 911 candidates --from 1988 Road & Track special series on Porsche, article Buying a used 911....  Pre '75 cars that have been exposed to salt should be checked for corrosion and or cracking around the rear torsion bar mountings; either is repairable.....Least robust of the Porsche sixes were the 2.7 liter engines  of 1975- 1977,  magnesium cases engines leak oil and head studs pull away from the case, Said '74 and earlier and post 1978 cases superior---manual trans, two diff gearboxes,  the type 901 tranny used thru 1972 will snap its mainshaft like a carrot if subjected to too many sloppy downshifts,  the 1973 and later type 915 tranny are tougher but indelicate downshifting into 1st gear might break gear teeth.   Any gearbox noise in either is not normal and signal$ trouble.... Also cautions that Porsche used two types of clutches, those with solid centers and those with rubber couplings---Says always use solid center clutches as replacements  because the
 rubber coupling type have a higher failure rate and are only barely smoother shifting. Also according to R&T,  any 911 engine, even if meticulously cared for, is liable to need a complete rebuild by the 150,000 mile mark  and will cost (1988 dollars) a minimum of between $3500 and $8000 depending on what parts can be reused....  Any 911 is likely to use as much as two quarts of oil every 1000-1500 miles and a puff of smoke on start up is considered normal...--- As you can see this mighty heralded car has similar serious issues like the Corvair...The Cost Factor overwhelmingly gives the Vair powerplant  possibilities as an economical alternative.   Heck,  you could if you were so technically able to set up a fuel injected Corvair engine using one of the proven methods, i.e. '79 280 system from tech guide or maybe 2.8 fiero, or others, really build something special,  I would guess.   That is way over my head.   Finding a suitable candidate (911 chassis)  should not be too
 hard,  one would think that places like Southern California,  Houston Tx area,  Atlanta Ga area would yield one.  Lots of well educated  young professionals  with a lot more money than sense,  usually get these, blow them up, wife says got to go, or corporate trnsfr dictates move otherwise there are probably a bunch of non running 911's in the backyards, and garages in these areas.  Like Corvair people, these "yard cars" are future projects,  unlike the Corvair in which parts  are reasonable in cost and less complex---These 911's likely will never see the open road again unless atop a flat bed on its way to the parts dismantler.     I don't know but,  I would lean towards transplanting the entire Corvair powerplant --- engine and '66 & later 4speed   or engine & powerglide  if practical  unless used 911 tranny's can be obtained at a reasonable cost.  I have no technical experience with 911's,   so I really know nothing,  but I do recall from the '70's a buddy who drag
 raced VW's  said the 5speed used in the 912/356  was nowhere near as strong as an early '70's VW 4speed.    The early 911 5speed and the 912/356 units could be very similar but I don't know.   A tel # of Kennedy Engineered Products from several years ago was (805) 272-1147  have  swap hardware for a number of transaxle/engine set ups.     Having been involved with a few engine swaps of conventional front engine rear drive vehicles,  I must recommend getting a copy of the Revised Sixth Edition or later of the book, Practical Engine Swapping  by John Thawley.  Classic Motorbooks of Wis has it, I think.  ISBN 0-936834-11-0    - the best single book ever on the subject for backyard engineers swapping different make carbureted  conventional (front engine , rear wheel drive ) set ups.    Years ago,  I recall seeing an article in the Autoist publication/magazine of VWCA that featured  a rare  VW type III Ghia, the razor edge Ghia, that looks like a 7/8 size Corvair  with a
 transplanted 140hp Corvair powertrain.  About 18 years ago,  the guy was a mid westerner named Fred   who also Autocrossed it if my memory is accurate.     Best of luck in your Corvair projects,  I say thumbs up to transplanting the Vair flat six into an old example of Stuttgart's finest.  The VW campers of the seventies would also be ideal for  such  although the VW powertrain is reliable and all  VW parts are relatively inexpensive so it may not make sense to do so.   Get those motors running...  Its finally Spring.   Safe and pleasant drives, remember to watch out for the other guy and please all of you Mario Andretti's take it easy in school zones and neighborhoods.      Tamias  Metis


       
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