Newbie starting out on a 914 project and have found a '71 roller without engine or tranny.

Will any 914 transaxle fit the '71, and do I need to worry about whether it's a side or tail shift configuration?

-- Leon

Yes it will fit. A 71 came with a tail shift but you can convert it to sideshift and

the sideshift will give you more precise shifting.

The cars before 1973 came with a tail shifter, and that would be the easiest to fit. However, the side shift transaxle is preferrable, and as long as all the parts from the shift knob to the tranaxle are replaced, the sideshift transmission and linkage can be updated into an early chassis car. Only one bushing needs to be specially ordered that is not a Porsche part (at the firewall where the shif rod comes trough the firewall)

Good Luck and enjoy your new toy!

Don't forget the engine mount (cross bar). I believe that is specific to the side shifter, since the shift rod passes _through_ it. You would need a side shifter engine mount.

Yes, these parts differ from side to tail shifter:
- Stick shift: Tail = ball and cup, side = blade coupling
- Coupler to shift rod in center tunnel
- Shift rod from fire wall to tranny
- Fire wall bushing
- Engine mounjt bar
- Engine mounts from engine to bar
- Bar mounts on body

It seems like a lot, but you can get most parts for low $$ and free in many cases. It is not hard to convert