Put a 2.7 6 into a 72 Bay Window Bus?, Porsche content. Don't judge me! Options

[VaccaRabite]

So, Lets say you had a 2.7L 6 with complete and intact CIS, good compression, taken out of a running car that wanted to go electric.

And lets say you had a Bay Window Westy.

And, for the sake of argument - what do you think it would take to put them together.

I've got the 915 and the engine and a bus that's about 70% through its restoration.

Current plan is to get the bus running on its existing 1.7 first.
Then add the engine to the bus transmission and drive it like that.
And eventually add the 915 into the mix which may or may not require a bunch of changes.

I know that this is a thing that has been done. Anyone done it?

For the first stage - I'd need an oil tank (maybe - may have one), and would need tins. A different flywheel and maybe a different clutch - may be able to take these off the bus. I'll need exhaust. Heat isn't a concern - I'm using a diesel heater for heat so I am not worried about heat exchangers.

I suppose another option might be to put it into a dune buggy... but no. The bus will like it a good bit more.


Zach

[willieg]

Put a Subie in the bus. https://www.buslab.com/

No affiliation but they do a lot of conversions.

[bdstone914]

I know a guy that but a 3.2 in a bus with Porsche brakes all around and a 915. Blue bus with big flanes down the side. Do it. They need power.

[GregAmy]

There's a couple of Type 2s with Porsche /6 in 'em up here in the Northeast, I see them at car shows. Put I don't ahve any contact info for you...

I'd say start hitting blogs and forums, see what you find.

But...you sure you want to do that to a Westy? I mean, it would certainly make it more usable...actually, now that I typed that, yeah, I'd do it.

[kerensky]

Horrible idea, you need to toss it all out. Dispose of the 2.7 at this address ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Just kidding, of course. I've seen a few of the older Type 2s (21 or 23 window type) with this swap, but not the later Westys. Others have already mentioned examples they are aware of. Makes for a cool project in my opinion.

[Cairo94507]

@VaccaRabite - That engine would go much better in a deserving 914. You really need a 3.2 for the bus. I happen to know of one looking for a motor to make the jump to 6 power.

[porschetub]

So, Lets say you had a 2.7L 6 with complete and intact CIS, good compression, taken out of a running car that wanted to go electric.

And lets say you had a Bay Window Westy.

And, for the sake of argument - what do you think it would take to put them together.

I've got the 915 and the engine and a bus that's about 70% through its restoration.

Current plan is to get the bus running on its existing 1.7 first.
Then add the engine to the bus transmission and drive it like that.
And eventually add the 915 into the mix which may or may not require a bunch of changes.

I know that this is a thing that has been done. Anyone done it?

For the first stage - I'd need an oil tank (maybe - may have one), and would need tins. A different flywheel and maybe a different clutch - may be able to take these off the bus. I'll need exhaust. Heat isn't a concern - I'm using a diesel heater for heat so I am not worried about heat exchangers.

I suppose another option might be to put it into a dune buggy... but no. The bus will like it a good bit more.


Zach

The engine for my "6" conversion came out of a 74 bus,used same original gearbox with a custom made adaptor flywheel running 200mm beetle HD clutch which was nicely made...still have the flywheel.
I had no history on the motor when I purchased it but it turned out to be in great condition,the van was too rusty to pass 6 month road worthy and the body was scrapped.
I did find out it went pretty well but the gearing wasn't great and due to this and the fact that these vans are rather heavy it was very thirsty ,this wasn't helped by messed up carbs.
Isn't the 915 box pretty long compared to the stock IRS box and the 2.7 is longer than the T4 (i think) ,wonder if you need to get the motor and box as far forward as possible without driveshaft angle issues ? .
Cool project if it pans out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) .

[Bullethead]

By all means, do it! Here's a single cab built by 901 Shop awhile back looking a bit scruffy, but it's really spiffy now. Note the fifth wheel hitch.





And surely everyone has seen the Race Taxi built in Switzerland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=powVngJ-Ljc

[kerensky]

@VaccaRabite - That engine would go much better in a deserving 914. You really need a 3.2 for the bus. I happen to know of one looking for a motor to make the jump to 6 power.

I dunno that I'd want to drive a bus with much more than 100 horses. Those things don't exactly handle or stop like our 'teeners.

Although I do recall seeing an old 21 window in Hot VWs magazine once where the owner had not only swapped in a Porsche 6 but had basically rebuilt the entire suspension and braking systems with 911 components (or comparable where the 911 stuff just didn't make sense.) *That* looked like a fun ride...

[porschetub]

@VaccaRabite - That engine would go much better in a deserving 914. You really need a 3.2 for the bus. I happen to know of one looking for a motor to make the jump to 6 power.

I dunno that I'd want to drive a bus with much more than 100 horses. Those things don't exactly handle or stop like our 'teeners.

Although I do recall seeing an old 21 window in Hot VWs magazine once where the owner had not only swapped in a Porsche 6 but had basically rebuilt the entire suspension and braking systems with 911 components (or comparable where the 911 stuff just didn't make sense.) *That* looked like a fun ride...

The bay window busses handle pretty well for what they are with decent shocks and lowered a little they aren't too bad ,I had widened steel wheels on my last one with wider tyres and that made a real differance.
Issue then would be brakes with such an increase in power over the T4 motor,seem to remember 944 brakes are used in this application.

[ClayPerrine]

Use a complete 944 turbo rear suspension. It will bolt on, and you get turbo brakes.

Fronts would have to be custom using 944 turbo rotors.

Clay

[GregAmy]

Use a complete 944 turbo rear suspension. It will bolt on, and you get turbo brakes.

Wait....wuuuuuuut?

<goes looking for Westy sale listings>

[JamesM]

Ah! So you are the one that bought that motor. Probably did me a favor, if it sat around much longer it might have wound up in my 914.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

So, Lets say you had a 2.7L 6 with complete and intact CIS, good compression, taken out of a running car that wanted to go electric.

And lets say you had a Bay Window Westy.

And, for the sake of argument - what do you think it would take to put them together.

I've got the 915 and the engine and a bus that's about 70% through its restoration.

Current plan is to get the bus running on its existing 1.7 first.
Then add the engine to the bus transmission and drive it like that.
And eventually add the 915 into the mix which may or may not require a bunch of changes.

I know that this is a thing that has been done. Anyone done it?

For the first stage - I'd need an oil tank (maybe - may have one), and would need tins. A different flywheel and maybe a different clutch - may be able to take these off the bus. I'll need exhaust. Heat isn't a concern - I'm using a diesel heater for heat so I am not worried about heat exchangers.

I suppose another option might be to put it into a dune buggy... but no. The bus will like it a good bit more.


Zach

[mepstein]

Over the years, I’ve seen threads in the samba and pelican on similar conversions. Marty at MSDS used to sell a kit to do the conversion. I would reach out to him with questions. He always seems helpful to the 914 crowd.

[Steve]

There was a nice bus with a 3.2 at a bug show for $20k. Didn’t have the money back then. He had a skull and crossbones on the speedometer that said do not take over 80 mph. He said the aerodynamics are dangerous above 80 and he almost crashed.

[r_towle]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=59j-a86YU9M

[r_towle]

I really wish Zach lived much closer to me.
We would build some weird stuff

[jhynesrockmtn]

I seem to recall John Walker had a bus he stuffed a 911 motor in but my fuzzy brain may have made that up. I think it is a cool idea!

[sixnotfour]

I seem to recall John Walker had a bus he stuffed a 911 motor in but my fuzzy brain may have made that up. I think it is a cool idea!

Denny Akers has a Turbo -6 in his.. forever..

[JmuRiz]

I have no advice, other than it will be super cool when finished.

You'll need an oil tank and cooler, but if you make your own lines it shouldn't be terrible.

If you want another option, check with NoRustScott about his Subi-van....it's silly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)