Changing the 70-72 914-4 transmission from rear to side shifter

[Windisch]

As we all know, the early (70-72) 914-4 transaxle's ass-end shifter resulted in the familiar 'vagueness' feel that resulted during shifting. My question for others here is, can the rear-shift assembly be easily exchanged for a newer side-shift mechanism? Or does that require sourcing a 73-onwards transaxle and installing it on your pre '73 914-4? I am guessing that a new (more recent) tranny is required and that it is simply not possible to exchange shifter mechanisms simply on a pre-73 914-4.

Anyone with experience in this matter care to weigh in on this?
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1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
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Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...

[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...]

[Windisch]

PS: For what it's worth, the Porsche 914 website consensus seems to be that while, yes, the conversion can be done with all the right parts, it's a lot of work and some of the partgs may be difficult to source and procure. The recommendation is therefore that it's loads easier to find a 73-onwards 914-4 tranny and bolt it onto the engine, thereby saving both time and effort. Any dissenting opinions on this?

Here's the 914 comment thread: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=292962

Thanks.
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1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
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Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...

[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...]

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you can fix your early shifter to make it perfectly acceptable. BASICALLY new lubricated bushings and reweld the rear shift rod and lever to take up the slack wear. Converting is VERY expensive, parts are extremely hard to find, and I personally dr914 would not do it. If you like you can call Sean Traywick in our 914 parts department for good advice

[Wolfgangdieter]

I had a new '72 914 and guess I got used to the shifter - never seemed to be a problem - so new wear parts would fix it. That said a lot of 914 folks have done the conversion. I even have a cast engine hanger in barn! There are many rusted '73 up 914s so if you can source the parts inexpensively go for it. The old tail shifter has a market as it can be used in a beetle or kit car conversion to the 901 transmission. (Just remember for a rear engined car like a bug you need to flip R&P and make other changes - like a 901 nose piece).
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CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy