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Re: [T3] 912E Trans in a T3 - How difficult?


Hello-

> This is mainly a question for Shad but anyone who knows anything can chime
> in.

The 912E used a Porsche 923 transmission (only about 2000 examples were ever
made).

A Porsche 901 transmission is a semi-common conversion to VWs.  It requires
a bit of custom fabrication, but not a whole heck of a lot, and it is far
cheaper than a Berg 5-speed or equivalent.  The 1964-69 911 and 912 cars
used "901" and "902" transmissions, respectively (same basic construction,
just some had 4 and some had 5 speeds).  The 1970-71 911 used a "911"
transmission, which is a modified 901 setup.  Slightly stronger case.

The Porsche 915 transmission is a whole new animal - all different internals
and case and everything.  It's much more durable than a 901. However,
Porsche decided to use a pull-type clutch on these.  That means that instead
of activating the clutch by pushing a throw-out bearing from the outside in,
it pulls it from the inside out.  This makes for a big hurdle for VW
conversion.  There were a couple different variations spanning their 1972-86
use in the non-turbo 911.

The Porsche 923 transmission is basically a 915 with a 901 bellhousing.  How
convenient :-).  It was used in the one-year-only car, the 1976 Porsche
912E.


> With all this talk about 924/944 suspension and brakes and such I wonder
if
> you could describe what you've done to your Fastback in more detail?

Here's a brief summary:
- car
    - 1972 Fastback
    - silver exterior (actually, 1993 Dodge Platinum Silver)
    - blue interior
- engine
    - 2615cc Type 4
    - the first Nickies-equipped engine ever :-)
    - custom tuned FI using Autronic computer
    - Tangerine racing exhaust (the first VW to ever have one of those, too
:-)
    - way in the hell too many other mods to list here
    - 220hp at 5000rpm, 235 ft-lb at 4500rpm
    - rock-hard reliable and durable, no matter what load, what speed, or
what temperature
- braking system
    - 944 rear calipers (36mm, 1-pot), hubs, and cross-drilled and vented
discs
    - 944 front brakes (54mm, 1-pot), modified hubs (adapted to T3), and
cross-drilled and vented discs
    - 944 aluminum master cylinder (15/16" front and 3/4" rear)
    - SS-braided teflon brake lines
    - ATE high-temp brake fluid
    - Porterfield carbon-kevlar pads
- front suspension
    - KYB GR2 front shocks
    - additional aftermarket sway bar
- rear suspension
    - 944 rear trailing arms
    - polyurethane trailing arm pivot and spring plate bushings (modified so
there are zero squeaks!)
    - KYB gas-a-just rear shocks
    - aftermarket rear sway bar
    - modified bump stops
- wheels/tires
    - 1996 Porsche 993 front, 16x7 ET55, Dunlop SP5000 205-55-16
    - 1996 Porsche 993 rear, 16x9 ET70, Dunlop SP5000 245-45-16
    - chrome-plated aluminum/magnesium Porsche lug nuts (soooo light :-)
    - Porsche 356 4.5" steel spare tire
- transmission/clutch/drivetrain
    - 923 5-speed
    - hydraulic clutch (SACO system modified for use with 923 tranny)
        - needed due to 2300lb pressure plate
    - 944 axles
    - T4 CVs (same size as T2/944/etc.)
    - 944 outer stub axles
    - modified stock shifter
        - reduced throw
        - fitment to 5-speed pattern
        - theft lock - modified to lock in reverse in the 915 shift pattern
        - clear acrylic shift knob in the stock T3 shape
- climate control
    - gas heater (from 412) placed under rear seat
        - Eberspacher BA4
        - directs hot air through stock heater ducting
        - uses bilge blowers to direct cool air into heater from interior
    - custom A/C system
        - front-mounted high-efficiency condensor with fan
        - Sanden 507 compressor running R-134a
        - original VPC under-dash evaporator/vent unit
- sound system
    - Blaupunkt Casablanca CD/radio head unit (silver with blue writing to
match the silver car with the blue interior :-)
    - 60W amp
    - pair of tweeters in front
    - pair of Kicker boxes in back
    - not enough to wake up the neighborhood, but enough to hurt my ears,
and that's fine :-)
- interior
    - TMI blue upholstery and door panels
    - TMI black carpet
    - billet aluminum budvase with blue/white flowers
    - aftermarket steering wheel
- instrumentation
    - stock 1973 speedo, clock, and gas/idiot cluster (matches aftermarket
VDO better than earlier stuff)
    - VDO Cyl. Head Temp for left bank, 2 1/16"
    - VDO Cyl. Head Temp for right bank, 2 1/16"
    - VDO Oil pressure, 2 1/16"
    - VDO Oil temperature, 2 1/16"
    - Autometer tachometer, 3 3/4" (NOT the monster size, but the VDO ones
weren't good enough for my use)
    - all gauges repainted and rebezelled (mid-year Karmann Ghia fuel gauges
have nice bezels) to match stock look
    - A/F mixture LED bar adapted to fit inside the "Fasten Seatbelts" light
casing
- lighting
    - Xenon headlights
    - foglights added
- electrical system
    - battery relocated to spare-tire well for weight balance
        - Optima
        - quick-disconnect
        - connected with two 2ga wires on the + side and a 00ga and 4ga on
the - side
    - heavy-duty 70A late bus alternator
    - IMI hi-torque starter
    - built-in AC inverter (for laptop FI tuning :-)
- future enhancements
    - 2720cc Type 4 engine, worth about 350-375hp at 8000-8500rpm
        - uses a bunch of new products we are still developing right now
        - will also use a dry sump system with the tank located in the
spare-tire well
    - front suspension modifications (maybe a Porsche 928 adaptation...)

There's probably a bunch more I can't think of right now...

Take care,
Shad Laws
LN Engineering - Aircooled Precision Performance
http://www.lnengineering.com

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