<VV> Corvair powered Porsche

Thu Apr 19 11:07:54 EDT 2007

Great Info! Thanks
Chuck S
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tamias Metis" <korvayrouille66 at yahoo.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 11:13 PM
Subject: <VV> Corvair powered Porsche


> 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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> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
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