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Well I have a 73 412 4dr, and its in need of alot of TLC and I dont have a ton of time. A few guys at my work are interested in entering it in the gressroots motorsports challenge. Basically you get 2000$ (2006$ for the 2006 event, 2007 the year after etc..) To build a car that will compete in 3 challenges. Autocross, Drag (1/4 mile), and concours.

I think the 412 has an interesting look that may give it some love in the concours and otherwise i doubt it will win but might be fun just to show up with a car that 95% of the people there will have no friggin clue what it is.

So considering the car needs the engine rebuilt or replaced what might you guys do to get some cheap performance out of the car. Also its an Auto, how much power can that box handle, if I got the car up in the high 100's hp wise would it take the power?

http://www.grmotorsports.com/news/categ ... challenge/

How good of mechanical abilities do you guys have? If you want to have any chance, I would say Junkyard turbo Wasserboxer with CIS and a turbo from an older turbo Saab or Volvo.

Check out these posts for junkyard turbo wasserboxer:

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=91719

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=93253

I've seen those cars in pick 'n pulls before. I don't know how much power the auto can handle, but I'm sure you will find it lacking in a performance application as far as shift points, gearing, etc...Can a Porsche 914 transaxle be made to work in the opposite orientation? You might be able to get one of those or other older Porsche transaxle cheap. I believe Ray has mentioned that he didn't think those would be too difficult to fit into a Type 4. I might be able to supply a manual trans. pedal cluster and some related parts. Then, make sure you have decently wide wheels and tires- should be able to find something ugly and cheap in 4 lug. At the very least do the Audi front strut mods and put some new generic shocks in the rear.

The 901 is almost exact is length, tail cone placement etc. The differential can be flipped...and it bolts right up to the type 4 engine. The autobox...with a better torque converter can most likely be used up to about 185 hp...just cause there are numerous factory cars with pretty much the same box. Its not the auto section that is at issue. It is the differential section.
You will need to grab a piece of shaft and a clutch pedal from an audi or some water cooled...to bolt right up to the auto pedal cluster. Then you can use any aftermarket hydraulic clutch slave package.

I would not use the standard type 4 factory manual even if you could find one. Though the gearing is excellent...I have no idea what the upper end HP is.....and parts are almost unobtanium. Sounds fun. Ray