Has anyone ever fitted an automatic gearbox to a 444/544 ?
Did not come across any threads on this subject. BW35 of preferably AW70/71 are considered. But perhaps with a V4, V6 or even V8 ?

Hi Gert, you may like to check out this project PV444 Buick V6

http://volvoadventures.com/444V6spec.html

Jim

That's a slick, clean looking project! And he's only a bit of eBay scrounging/junkyard cruising away from perhaps adding a Buick supercharger to it as well - for 240 HP and 280 ft. lbs...

Nuttiest and neatest picture from that page:

Talk to homebilt. He just finished cramming a 302 Ford V8 and an automatic in his '63 PV. He's got some pix, too....
--Ethan
--
'64 PVMoneypit, '93 945 Turbo

Ethan, how do I get in touch with "homebilt" (whoever that is - sorry, live in the Netherlands...)

Gert,
Sorry, een beetje laat, maar ik had je post niet eerder gezien. Homebilt heet Bob Melville, en je kan hem pakken op melvilla@nbnet.nb.ca.
Groet,
Rob

I can't imagine why you would want to put a BW35 in a PV and as John says the tunnel needs major surgery, however when I was rebuilding my PV the thought of putting in B30 did occur, ( after I had done most of the work ) so I measured it up anyway, leaving the front of the motor in the standard position and cutting out the battery box would work well, with the B30 an auto makes more sense and you would need to fit one as there would be no room for 3 pedals anyway.
Hans

With enough cutting, chopping, welding you can put -ANY- engine and transmission in a PV. I've seen a few with large US V8 drivetrains squeezed in. I think it often involves replacing the front suspension and subframe, as well as cutting and chopping on the firewall and tunnel. My own personal opinion is the time, effort, and money is better spent on pepping up a B20 instead. You won't ever get the massive pull of a big block V8, but you can get a powerful car that still handles well. Pepping up a B20 is an often discussed topic around here.

If you are talking about just putting a BW35 with a B18/B20 in a PV then I'd be 95% certain the wider bulkier tranny won't fit without some modifications to the transmission tunnel - just as the OD manual tranny requires some work. The PV tunnel is -just- barely wide enough to clear the skinny M40 case - and immediately narrows down behind it. Doable if you aren't squeemish about cutting a huge hole in your car and doing a lot of welding to replace it.