Date:         Fri, 9 Sep 2005 23:44:22 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: New Vanagon owner with newbie questions- tranny,
              engine conversions
In-Reply-To:  <OF90E75ACD.030E3225-ON85257076.0068BD07-85257076.0068FC73@fairchildsemi.c
              om>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>Another question - is it possible to replace the automatic tranny with
>a 5-speed out of a Porsche 914 or 917?

A Porsche trans conversion is certainly feasible, but you'd be
wasting your time unless you also fitted a decent engine.

The 901 isn't a great trans, but no doubt better than a VW item.

The 915 trans (from an earlier 911) is a good unit, and the diff can
be flipped for rear-midengine or front-engine use. They are
inexpensive, easily available but tend to need synchro & bearing
replacement. Shift quality is poor, like Transporter shifts.

The Getrag G50 is a far better box. They are extremely hard to break,
do not seem to wear and are not too expensive... so long as you look
around! If you want to pay much more, they are available with LSD and
reverse synchro (Turbo G50/50). Supposedly the shift quality is
greatly improved over the 915.

When upgrading the trans you will need adaptor axles (from Weddle or
Sway-A-Way) of the correct length and and for a G50 you'll need to
decide what to do re CVs. G50s have larger-diameter 930 CVs; you can
fit smaller VW/Porsche CVs if you fit adaptor drive flanges (Weddle),
use inner 930 & outer small CVs or fit adaptor driven flanges
(Weddle) to the van and use all 4 930s.

You will also need to fit the Porsche gearshift (make sure it matches
the trans!), as the VW item won't work. The correct Porsche starter
will be needed.

My own SVX conversion uses a G50/50 with German adaptor axles and
outer CV adaptors from Weddle. The engine & trans are mounted but the
conversion is a long-term one!

As far as management systems is concerned, if fitting a Subaru EJ or
EG engine you can do the wiring yourself, get a wiring loom from
Kebbedy or other vendor or you can forget this and buy an aftermarket
system from Link (my choice, but if you buy in the US you'll pay
twice what you'd pay to buy in NZ) or Australian Motek (spelling?).
The Link can be had with a dash-mounted display from which you can
select program options, and this is the route I will follow.

I am using a Kennedy flywheel and adaptor plate (same plate fits any
VW or Porsche trans prewatercooling). Engine & trans mounts were done
by the local convertor. Images can be seen at:
http://akciddento.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=thumbnails&album=41
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut

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