VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

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Jimmy Harrison
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VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#1 Post by Jimmy Harrison »

I have a 1955 Speedster 356 Pre-A with a 356 engine and I want to install a 12 volt VW Transaxle. I need help.

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Emil Wojcik
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#2 Post by Emil Wojcik »

Jimmy, Do a search on this forum for info about this installation. It's not an easy job but it's been discussed here plenty of times. You'll find comments from those who have done it. Best of luck.
Emil Wojcik
'64 356C Euro coupe
'78 MGB
'86 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3
'94 MB E420

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Tom Tate
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle ?

#3 Post by Tom Tate »

I'm confused, how does a 12v transaxle differ from a 6v? Transaxles are not electric are they? Is this the beginning of a new hybird? Do you mean 12 bolt vs 6 bolt? As in differential carrier? Are the differences the same as a 12v tire vs a 6v tire? As you can see I'm confused

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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#4 Post by Jimmy Harrison »

The difference between the 6 volt transaxle and the 12 volt transaxle is the 12 volt starter. Do you have any info on a conversion of this kind?

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Tom Tate
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#5 Post by Tom Tate »

I have had both 12v and 6v starters in 356 transaxles. I have used 6v starters in 12v cars (w/ 6v solenoids) but never 12v starters in 6v cars. I wouldn't have occured to me to change the entire transaxle when all I wanted to do was change the starter. Where is this coming from? If you want a 12v starter instead of a 6v then change the starter, not the transaxle.

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Emil Wojcik
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#6 Post by Emil Wojcik »

My assumption is that Jimmy wants to use a VW transaxle with a 356 engine in a Speedster and that the fact that it's 12V is incidental. Am I correct?
Emil Wojcik
'64 356C Euro coupe
'78 MGB
'86 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3
'94 MB E420

Jimmy Harrison
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#7 Post by Jimmy Harrison »

Emil - You are correct. Thanks.

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Emil Wojcik
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#8 Post by Emil Wojcik »

Jimmy, Here's a link to an old thread about putting a VW transaxle in a C...don't know how it will differ from a Speedster: http://porsche356registry.org/356talk/t ... +transaxle

Some of the guys that respond in the thread in that link have been around 356s forever and know what they're talking about...to make a long story short...it's not easy, unless there's something about the Speedsters that makes it easier that I don't know about.
Emil Wojcik
'64 356C Euro coupe
'78 MGB
'86 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3
'94 MB E420

Jimmy Harrison
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Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:21 pm

Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#9 Post by Jimmy Harrison »

Thanks for the link, Emil, the posts are really helpful. You're right, I was having a hard time finding this info myself.....

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Mot Megan
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#10 Post by Mot Megan »

I put up a thread here a while ago about fitting a Type 1 VW gearbox in a C. I don't know about doing it in a Speedster, but it was pretty easy in my car. The shift linkage is a bit difficult, but it can be overcome.

http://porsche356registry.org/356talk/t ... ion#p72114

Tom
By the work, one knows the workman -- La Fontaine

Jimmy Harrison
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#11 Post by Jimmy Harrison »

Thanks, Tom...your pictures were great!

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Greg Banfill
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Re: VW 12 volt transaxle conversion

#12 Post by Greg Banfill »

12v transmission will have a larger bell housing than a 6v unit due to the larger flywheel.
I posted a "how-to" when I put one into my '54 here... http://porsche356registry.org/356talk/1 ... l?start=45
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