Ultimate 356A T1 drivetrain transplant?

[pdxjim]

What would be the ultimate VW/Porsche drivetrain transplant for a T1 356A?

I'm looking for quick and reliable B-road performance, and cruising at modern freeway speeds, without (much)increased weight.

This is for a numbers matching , low-mile OG survivor '56 1600 Coupe I've recently inherited from my father. It's been mothballed since soon after I was born in 1968, so no irreversible modification to the chassis!

I know I've got the rivet counting purists' hackles up already, but rest assured, I'm asking with the utmost respect for this very special and sentimental car. My father passed away just before Christmas, and his little 356 has been waiting over 50yrs for it's time in the sun again, but I want a proper driver, not a garage queen.

Of course, the original drivetrain will be refreshed prior to secure storage.

[Bub]

Are you concerned about making it seem or look totally original also? Or are you open to a little "Outlaw" attitude?

If you're willing to leave the 356 tech and want some good power that still works with the car. Just an idea, but I would consider a Typ4 2.0L from a 914 with a Raby DTM kit on it.
I built one for a 912 years ago and it was so much MORE than I ever even anticipated. Costs $1/3 of what any comparable build would cost. Parts are all off the shelf and you can get 110hp fairly easy.
Not just any type4 base is what you want, definitely start with the 2.0 from the 914 or 912E.

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[pdxjim]

[Bub]

Lots of parts are ‘the same’ or interchangeable. On the Porsche version the most important part (in my opinion) is the heads.
In stock form the Bus heads would take a bunch of work to get to work anywhere close to what the 914 specs are in stock form.the crank and p/c’s are forged also, so better parts and already made so they can support some extra HP with not much effort. But those can be had aftermarket in nearly any flavor you want.
So- you can absolutely build a great T4 engine using a bus engine for most of it, but I’d use the 914 heads.
Another crazy option if you want to get serious is an Oxyboxer engine.that’s a Vanagon block with the water jackets cut off- so you adapt it from water cooled to air cooled. And with a couple tricks there’s almost no limit to how fat you can build one of those.
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[pdxjim]

Sounds good and thx for the info.

I should be able to source a T4 locally. I know one of my scooter buddies was selling one on FBM for $600 a couple weeks ago. Cyls/pistons are cheap, and 914 repop heads $1500-2500 depending on spec.

Can't find a price on the DTM kit, but like all things Raby it probably isn't cheap. Looks like the rest of the tins are available in kit form as well.

Purpose made off the shelf exhaust looks a bit more elusive, and what to do about the iggy? Convert the car to 12v looks like just swapping out the bulbs?

Lots to learn here. Glad I've got some help.

[gears]

Since you mentioned "drivetrain transplant": I'd suggest (along with the Raby engine) installing a VW Type I swingaxle trans. I believe someone has developed a mount kit allowing this, without any body mods. You'd get the benefit of a more reliable synchronizing system, inexpensive re-gearing, upgraded differential, and you may even be able to squeeze in a Berg 5-speed. (I know Hayden @ WEVO was working on a 356 5-spd, but that used 901 gears, which aren't really an upgrade.) Perhaps talk to Mike @ Rancho about the 356/VW conversion kit ..
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aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[Sebastian Gaeta]

As a longterm owner of 356s and air cooled VWs (over 30 years) I would suggest trying out the original drivetrain first and my guess is you will just leave it alone. if your goal is cruising at modern speeds you will find the 356 does just that. I have stock 1600s in both of my cars and have never felt underpowered. I have over 100,000 miles on my coupe of 32 years and 70,000 miles on my cabriolet of 20 years, have driven them both all over the country on long trips and have never felt I needed "more".

I say this only because you mention the OG drivetrain will be refreshed before putting it away. Try the OG drivetrain in the car first and you will see the guys at Stuttgart were pretty good at what they did, even way back in 1956. Another idea is to drive someone else's 356 before making the decision.

Now, if your goal is to have a car with crazy HP and whatnot, then do something different but just know it will be a different car from what was originally engineered. By that I mean that while you can get big HP numbers from a VW engine, it will never have the torque a 356 engine has which is what you will feel seat of the pants in most of your driving. Again, just know it changes everything and if it were the better choice then most 356 owners would just put a VW engine in their car when needing a rebuild, but unless cost is the deciding factor they do not.

Either way, congratulations on a terrific car and family heirloom!
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Sebastian Gaeta

'63 Beetle Turkis
‘64 Karmann Ghia Coupe Manilagelb/Black Roof
'64 356C cabriolet Signalrot
'65 356C coupe Rubinrot
'66 Single Cab Velvet Green
'67 Karmann Ghia convertible Heliosblau

[Slip356]

Seabastion, I’m with you. 62 B Cab owner of 16 yrs & 32k miles, much of which has been Hwy trips. Keeping up with modern traffic, no problem. Had big bore kit installed when engine rebuilt a few yrs back.
Never felt the need for more power, I like your sugestion for OP to drive a well sorted 356 before any major engine changes.

[pdxjim]

[wagen19]

[Sebastian Gaeta]

[wdfifteen]

[wdfifteen]

Looked a little closer to your pictures. You should order a set of engine lid bumpers. Yours are shot and the lid will knock the paint off of the body in no time. They are on back order at Stoddard, but AASE Sales has them in their catalog.

https://www.aasesales.com/collections/porsche-356-rubber-seals/products/g2j-i61-9i-108694

That's a beautiful car. I have a warm spot for '56 Porsches, so I envy you. I've owned my '56 Speedster and coupe since 1974 and been through a lot with them. After trying lots of modifications I've gone back to mostly stock. The coupe still has the 12 volt system, 1960 Super engine, and 741 transmission that I put in 30 years ago and I've driven it across country more than once. The Speedster has a modified 912 engine, but still has the 519 transmission, which is a terrible combination, but I'm not changing it now. I have installed dual master cylinders and LED lighting in both of them. Have fun with your car!!

[pdxjim]

[MoPor]

From a value point of view I would keep it stock. I did have a slightly modified big bore 912 engine in my A coupe and I thought it was a good amount of power for that car.
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Matt

'58 356A coupe
'00 Boxster S

[wdfifteen]

[wdfifteen]

[pdxjim]