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Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:15 pm

I've seen articles on 901's into Beetles, but never anything about putting one in a 356. I have a 68 912 with all the running gear and a pretty beat 58. A five speed and IRS sounds pretty appealing, especially with either 912 or 2 ltr VW power. I saw an article in Excellenced on the Parts Obsolete Pre A with the conversion, though it only mentioned that the banana arms just happened to be the correct length and not much else. Has anyone done this that might have some insight? Thanks in advance.

Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:15 pm

I do believe the 901 5-speed was optional in 1967-1969 912's. Shouldn't be a far stretch.

Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:49 am

Seems like the biggest hurdles would be the obvious:
Switching to IRS of course, would take some pretty skilled welding and measuring- but not impossible. Then the linkage...the 58' is a 741 trans? Or is it the early style with the monkey motion?
I think the B (T5) cars with the 741 had the nose cone with the shifter stuff in roughly the same place, but I though 58/59 had some odd stuff done in transition to that design. And the shape of the trans may be trouble- I have no idea though- I just know how close to the body the stock trans sits.
It would be a worthy project! And whos gonna do it if YOU dont!?
Git er' done.
Bob O

Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:16 pm

A Berg-5 swingaxle into the 356 might make more sense ---

Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:29 pm

The only problem is that last time I knew anything the Berg 5 fifth gear was a stock VW 4th gear. The gig with the 5 speed is its close ratio so you can whup the ricers.
They probably sell you whatever gear ratio's you're willing to pay for I guess.
Get going!

Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:01 pm

Check the 356 tech forum @ PelicanParts. There's a guy on there with a v. cool racer-style 356 custom with a 901 trany and a big-azz type IV motor.
Look for a thread titled "Meet Frank"
moT