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Tue May 02, 2006 11:05 pm

Hello. I am thinking about purchasing a '68 912 coupe. It seems complete except for a engine and transmission. The body is straight, no rust and origional paint. The interior looks good. The asking price is $1650. Is this a good deal and what could I expect to pay for the running gear? What are good trans/engine combos that will fit this model? I'm on a budget and not against the idea of using a high performance VW engine if I get this project. Any insight appreciated.

Wed May 03, 2006 8:54 am

Buy it ! Shoehorn in a Type 4 with stock cooling and an original 901 transaxle and drive it.

Thu May 04, 2006 9:49 am

That is a good price ( hard to say without seeing it). Look under the front of the car where the torsion bars connect to the bottom of the car. That is the #1 rust problem on old Porsches. Water gets into the trunk and starts to rust that area. This is a common fix but if you cant do it estimate the cost at a grand for pts/labor. tap it with a screw drive or something sharp, it might have undercoating on it.

A 912 engine without a rebuild is about $1500 ($5000 rebuilt). There is nothing wrong with putting a VW. there is a lot of info on what parts to use for that conversion. Lots of people have done it. You will need to have a Porsche trans 901 or 915. A vw engine will bolt to both trans without an adapter.
Bryan

Thu May 04, 2006 4:46 pm

Thanks for the tips guys. I am still considering this project. I have a '70 westy I might put up for sale to pay for the 912, if I decide to go that way. The stock 901 trans is a 4 speed right? Is there a 5 speed thrans that would fit without serious modification? I'm thinking that if I put in a 2.0 type 4 (likely) with dual carbs it would be nice to have a 5 spd to keep it more in the powerband. Again though, I'm new to Porsche and maybe the 4 spd is fine For my money though, I'd like to build up a peppy and reliable daily driver. What can I expect to pay for a new/used 901 trans and does anyone know where I might score one?

Can anyone post up a picture of the torsion tube and other likely rust areas so I can check the 912 and know where to look?

Thu May 04, 2006 4:52 pm

The 901 came in a 5 spd also. Lets be clear you cannot use a 914 trans( not that you asked)
Sorry I am a idiot on posting pics.

Go to www.pelicanparts.com They have a great site for all things Porsche. Any question that you can think of has already been asked on that board.
Good luck

Thu May 04, 2006 8:21 pm

The 901 came in both 4 and 5 speeds. The top gear is the same in stock gearboxes, the 5 just has closer ratios on the interim gears. A 4 speed shift pattern is easier to navigate in city-driving because first gear on a 5 speed is a dogleg.

An early tailshift 914 transmission can be used but it is not all that simple. You'll need things like a nosecone and hockey stick off a 901, flip the R&P, plug the stock breather hole because the relocated gear stack will sling out right up through it and then make another breather pipe somewhere, etc. Best to just find a 901 in my opinion.

Thu May 04, 2006 9:14 pm

BT, that Porsche site is sweet. I wish VW stuff was that well organized! The site didn't seem to cover the 912 though. Are there any differences between the 911 and 912 besides the fact that the 911 has the 6 cyl engine and the 912 has the 4 cyl?

Fri May 05, 2006 9:58 am

Zed wrote: Are there any differences between the 911 and 912 ...

912s are cooler and cheaper 8) Chassis and sheetmetal is all same-same...

Fri May 05, 2006 10:02 am

Zed, if you buy it PM me if you are interested in stock 912 running gear. I have a gearbox and mill out of a 1968 including all the tin and hangers in the barn. Shipping would be killer to Colorado though...