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

[Bartlett 914]

I have a 91 Westy with a Suby 2.5. The power is great but not too much. Gearing is great in the city but I need a higher gear, 4K at 70mph. This is a water cooled bus. A suby is not a great fit for the older bus. I think this would make a great conversion. With the lower HP motor, these vans had trouble getting out of their own way. Maybe the 6 is overkill but I am sure you will love it. I hope you keep posting your conversion process here!

[porschetub]

I have a 91 Westy with a Suby 2.5. The power is great but not too much. Gearing is great in the city but I need a higher gear, 4K at 70mph. This is a water cooled bus. A suby is not a great fit for the older bus. I think this would make a great conversion. With the lower HP motor, these vans had trouble getting out of their own way. Maybe the 6 is overkill but I am sure you will love it. I hope you keep posting your conversion process here!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) one thing I think about is gearing of what ever porsche trans used due to the weight difference ,wonder if porsche addressed that in any way ?.

[VaccaRabite]

I have a 91 Westy with a Suby 2.5. The power is great but not too much. Gearing is great in the city but I need a higher gear, 4K at 70mph. This is a water cooled bus. A suby is not a great fit for the older bus. I think this would make a great conversion. With the lower HP motor, these vans had trouble getting out of their own way. Maybe the 6 is overkill but I am sure you will love it. I hope you keep posting your conversion process here!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) one thing I think about is gearing of what ever porsche trans used due to the weight difference ,wonder if porsche addressed that in any way ?.

Yes, the plan is to document everything here. The bus transmission is geared a bit lower to make the smaller T4 engine viable, which means its winding out the /6. I may need or want to slightly re-gear the 915 - something I want to talk to Mike about when I get closer to that stage of the build. Probably gearing in-between the Bus box and the stock gearing for the 911.

My idea for this bus is NOT to have it be fast. But to have it be able to climb hills without crawling into 3rd or 2nd, and be able to pull a small trailer or pull the 914 or dune bug.

A friend of mine with a T4 powered Westy uses his this way, so I should have no issues with the /6.

The /6 should also give me the option of adding AC, and will have a larger alternator so I'll be able to run more STUFF - like maybe seat heaters and a nicer sound system.

Speed wise, I intend to keep it about 70 - and maybe set s speed limiter since I have a currently 14 year old boy who may end up driving it from time to time when its done.

Zach