Picked up an aircooled T3 recently and have been toying with the idea of restoring it and making it a daily driver.
I have done some internal measurements to compare it to my current Baywindow bus, wall to wall, roof to floor etc.
I have never compared a bay window bus to a splitty, but I believe they are quite similar inside and out in overall sizes.
Comparing a T3 to a T2 surprised me!
So are they bigger/smaller, the same??
After peoples impressions.
Oh, and anyone out there made the upgrade? Wonder how different they are to drive?
I know there is a big difference on suspension, and I assume they handle much better. (I have driven late watercooled T3's and assume handling is
simlar to them).
Are the motors a big jump forward over a 2L bay window, or basically the same?
T3 is definitely wider. I would say about 6". My impression is that they are much better to drive, handling wise. Compared to a 2l bay I would
suspect that they will not be as lively as they are heavier though it has been years since I last drove a 2l bay. As mine is a camper and generally
loaded and ready to go it would probably carry extra weight. I can say that they tow a trailer well as I have taken to towing one when we camp.
Works very well.
Ian
I have a complete 89 T3 with a dud motor, plenty of room inside and a subie would go great in it as the plumbing works are all ready in place, but
and I say but, been looking at the 5 speed box under that T3
anyone
fitted one of these to an earlier type 2? another thing I noticed, the water cooled 2.1 ltre motor resembles the early type 1 case. The question
that needs to be asked, wonder if that crankshaft will fit an earlier 1600 case?? ( with a few modifications)? cheers Frank
T3 wider?
Measuring inside, wall to wall is ~2" wider! Same from floor to ceiling!!! Front to back is ~1.5"
Never measured outside, but I would guess they are about the same.
The big difference is the much lower rear deck height and squarer body means it doesn't taper off to the edges like a Bay window.
Surprised me, I thought they were much wider. Have not looked at weights, but like you my bus is perminantly overloaded. I guess that means they will
be about the same performance.
Volksair, am certain they will not fit, no way a stock 1600 can make 2.1L without big mods.
I am no expert on gearboxes but when I fitted the locking diff I thought of changing the four speed to a later five speed. Advice given then was not
to as the five speed box was not as strong as the four speed. Having said that I throw that all out later this year when I convert my bus to diesel
(genuine Vanagon 2l turbo diesel from the '80s) which will use the matching diesel gearbox. I will retain the locker in that box if it is not too
far worn or get another or LSD. See how it all goes later this year.
Ian
Yep T3's are a little larger, and heavier, but they drive really well on the street, unfortunately they are not as capable off road though. The trans
has a rep for being weaker as from new they don't last as well as the older 4 speeds, but it is due to excessive heat as they have a bigger more
powerfull engine pushing a heavier bus at usually faster speeds. I fit a transmission cooler to keep temperatures down if used for heavy duty towing
etc., that way the oil is in it's operating temp range so bearings last longer. Having said that, my T3 trans hung in there until 375 000km......not
too shabby really
And yep, the engine is a Type 1 derivitive. The crank can be used in a Type 1 case with some work/mods, or the case can be modified for use in an air
cooled type 1.......called an Oxyboxer!.....possibilities are endless. Have a look at Shoptalk Forum, heaps of info there on the conversions.
So I'm better keeping the T2 as my daily then 
Am surprised to hear the T3 crank will fit? Must need a lot of mods to get a stroke that long.
74 isn't a big stroke, 88 is BIG...90 well that's silly !
I have not measured exterior sizes, but assume they will be basically the same.
I'm guessing hey are safer than a T2 also with a lot of work done on crash protection.