Scooby conversion

Being lucky enough a few years ago to see (and hear) Richards Scooby powered 356 over here in the UK, its become a bit of a dream of mine to own one like it.

I'm now moving to the US in the next few months and have managed to 'win' a nice early Intermec on ebay.

Now that quite a few people have done the scooby into bug conversion, could we chew out what the basics are for the most simple (and price effective!)conversion and what drawbacks it might have.

What you would do differently next time?

Try to answer questions like; Is a 'built' bug box (whatever spec that might be) anywhere near as good as a used 901 and what difference is there in assembly cost and time?

One last thing on the subject, these guys in the UK seem to be doing quite a few conversions into bugs and buses.

http://tsrdragracers.co.uk/index2.html

Kester (Big time newbie!)

Hi Kester, Welcome to the U.S./speedsterowners
In ref to your conversion take a look at "shoptalkforums.com" under
"conversion perversions", you'll find plenty of info.

Welcome aboard, Kester.
I bought a 901 tranny with the intention of putting it into my CMC. It wouldn't fit without cutting the tunnel to weld in a two-inch tranny lift plate. The nose cone of the transmission had different geometry than my stock VW tranny; I believe the rod came out lower on the Porsche transmission. It's been a while. Other folks here could tell you for sure.
As I recall, the body of the tranny case had a lumpish shape growing off of one side or the other, too.
Anyway, it didn't fit.
The shift linkage and so forth on the 901 were in a completely different position, although not by much, and I'd have had to hack the fiberglass up to make it fit. That was three years ago, when I was still afraid to run afoul of the recip saw.
Now, I'd kill a yak with a spoon to have that tranny back again.
All I'm suggesting is that perhaps a tape measure and an ace mechanic would be a good idea before you spend the money on a 901.
I don't know anything about the Subaru, other than what folks have written into in the Knowledge section.

I know that the folks at Special Editions will build you a Subaru-powered Beck if you want, so they might be willing to provide some advice on what you'd need to do the job. I'm pretty sure they use a standard VW transmission and some kind of adapter plate.

I believe it's Kennedy Engineering that builds the adapters for Suby engine to VW transaxle. This is what some of the dune buggy and sand rail guys do. I had a look at some Suby-engined units when I was in California last spring, some of these monsters with 700 hp engines! Geez!

I wonder if making this modification to a car intended to be used on public highways would be legal, since EPA rules are pretty specific as to the gear ratios of the original car vs. the kit car or manufactured product. The rules are pretty clearly spelled out in their regulations.

When talking Subie engine conversions, keep in mind that Speciality Auto offers their vehicle with the engine IN FRONT of the transaxle, using the entire Subie drivetrain. I have seen others (at car shows) with the Subie mounted BEHIND the transaxle, presumably with a type I transaxle conversion. You may need to clarify which you are pursuing to maintain coherent communication.