I had an opportunity to ride in an early 80's Westfalia Vanagon recently in
which the owner had installed a Porsche (3.2l w/G50 5-speed I believe).
Lots of mods necessary to get it right, but this guy was an ex Porsche/VW
mechanic, so he had the resourcs. He got the 911 engine from a [new] wrecked
911. Needless to say, this thing moved! While stopped at a light, some
kids in an lowered import were overheard commenting: "Why would anyone would
put such nice wheels (17" Ronals) on such a POS?"  It was quite
entertaining to leave them and their respective jaws in the dust! They tried to
keep up with the Vanagon, but no dice! The owner did mention that the front
end tends to get very light and unstable at around 110+ but runs just fine
at 85mph all day. He has taken it to Cabo several times with few problems. This
was his current daily driver until his Syncro engine was ready (another custom
2400cc Porsche/VW hot rod). Supposedly, this Vanagon was to be featured in one
of the VW mags soon. All it takes is $$$.

Michael - bone stock 87 Westy

----- Original Message -----

From: Christopher T.
Berchin

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

Sent: 5/12/01 6:13:23 AM

Subject: Porsche 911 Engine

This is funny that someone would bring up this topic.  Somewhere in my
real house (i.e. my parent's house that I grew up in), I have an issue of CAR
magazine (the British monthly) where they did exactly this - they put a 911
engine in a Vanagon.  I was just telling my friends about this since I've
been showing them my "new" bus.  The magazine was dated somewhere in the
early 80's, I'm sure - I think the Vanagon was relatively new when this article
came out.  Next time I'm in Pittsburgh, I will see if I still have the
magazine.  To this day, I rememeber them saying that there was nothing
better than the look on someone's face who was driving a BMW 5-series when they
passed them on the Autobahn at 120+ mph in a bus!  : )

Chris

--- Michael Ramer

--- ramerm@earthlink.net

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