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YOUR RESEARCHVW Vanagon with a 3.4 engine conversion
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Use 996 tiptronic
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Leading evidence: 'Use 996 tiptronic' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Use 996 tiptronic' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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This 1991 Vanagon came with a 2.1 liter 4 cylinder putting out about 95 HP. But this is an interesting conversion, a Vanagon with 300 hp would certainly be an experience.
Here are some pics of the conversion, it is also for sale, and might make a good match as a 2nd vehicle for a (mechanically inclined) 996 owner.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifi...php?id=2136982
Click on "Show All Photos Full Size"
Looks like a massive job, take a look at the dashboard and steering wheel. They are using a the 996 Tiptronic. And the donor was a C4 so it looks like they will include the AWD system!
Ready for someone to take over the project. What do you think?
I'm on thesamba many times a day, saw this project and considered posting it here also. So there is at least one other person on this forum like myself owning a Vanagon and 996.
I have done 2 Vanagon engine conversions so far, one a 2wd to Subaru 2.2, another a 4wd Syncro also to 2.2 and presently doing 2wd to Subaru 3.3 SVX, I've also have done a Subaru 2.2 into a 1973 Super Beetle. I presently have another 1973 Superbeetle I bought from Jake Raby. This one has a Porsche 915 transmission in it which Jake installed. He had plans for one of his Subaru 2.8 builds for this car. It most likely had one of his RAT Type lV previously. I'll probably go with a Subaru 2.5 in this one. BTW the SB with a 135hp Subaru was a blast to drive. It had great heat too. I deleted the rear seat and mounted a heater back there which was previously the rear Vanagon heater unit.
Shown here is a very ambitious project.
One of the things I see to overcome is the fuel tank. It is a little hard to see in these photos, but they must have already removed the fuel tank. On a Syncro the fuel tank is moved to the rear over the transaxle to make room for the driveshaft.
If the engine trans combo is already mounted in the van where it will live, it appears to hang very low.
The motivation here must be "the challenge" to accomplish something different than what is being done these days. Maybe to stay inside the VW/Porsche/Audi family is part of it.
Now the asking price and this is only MY opinion. If it were running and driving and a person could see a finish line, then maybe $25k could be a negotiation starting point. So, IMHO as a 996 owner and someone who has owned, bought,sold and worked on Vanagons, I'd estimate $12k-15K if there is solid confidence in the Porsche drive train. A potential buyer has no idea of the state of any of it.
Here are pics of the 3.3 SVX bolted up to the Vanagon transmission and the Multivan it is going into. The transmission is from a 4wd Syncro. I had it rebuilt with some upgrades in strength, gearing, set up for oil cooling via pump and oil cooler and converted for use in a 2wd van. The trans retains the granny low gear and the ability to lock/unlock the differential.
Nice to see some other Vanagon fans here. I agree the fuel tank may be the toughest part. The project started with a 2WD Vanagon, and there isn't room in front for both the fuel tank and the front wheel driveline. Besides the project would probably need the whole Syncro front subframe to be installed.
Your SVX installation is a much better choice! Nice work, looks like it was well designed.
I haven't searched, but it sure would be interesting if anyone knows of a 996 driveline transplanted into some other vehicle.
Jake is currently building an M96 for one of his T3 Dokas, and will couple it to the 996 transaxle. The engine is our 4.3 liter Stage 4 specification, with our individual runner throttle bodies, and programmable ECU. It doesn't look anything like an M96, or sound like one.
Oh, that sounds cool. If anybody could do it, I am sure he can. I hope that in the future he can write about it and show some pictures of the installation.
Ahhh, this is interesting.
Just recently I was under my Vanagon trying to visualize what may need be done to fit a 996 6 speed behind the SVX 3.3 should my VW trans ever fail.
The Type 3 Doka is the same platform as the Vanagon.
BTW you guys did the Stage 1 on my '99 996 and I have Jake's '73 Superbeetle.
That Vanagon with 996 drive train is still for sale. At the start of this thread earlier in the year, was $19.900. Now only $8,000.
1981 VW Vanagon with Porsche 911 Carerra 4 drive - $8000 (Santa Monica)
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...651450894.html
"This is a 1981 VW/Porsche Vanagon project vehicle. A 1999 Porsche Carerra 4 powertrain installed (w/IMS upgrade), custom suspension partially installed, parts included, needs completion of the easy stuff, interior, paint, rest of mechanical items. Invested $25,000."
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