Minimum cutting to get a 1.9 in a beetle?

[Hoxviii]

So looking through all the threads, it seems most people remove the rear apron to install a WBX. I'm curious as to the minimum amount of cutting anyone has done to be able to pull of a watercooled 1.9 into a beetle.

I have a line on a good running, but recently wrecked van. This conversion has always intrigued me, but I'm not willing to go absolutely nuts with a saw to make it happen as the potential recipient is most likely a '54 Beetle or a '74 Thing. I know I'll have to "slice and dice" the front of either, so I'd like to keep the rear cutting to a minimum.

Thanks,
Justin

[buildabiggerboxer]

if you use the later water pump, its possible to get them in without cutting any body panels, its just so easy to make the rear panel detachable, it makes sense as maintenance is then easy. you may need to slightly clearance the side trays for rocker cover clearance.
all you need to know can be searched from the forum. good luck with it, another convert then?

[fastback]

here's a pic of a 2,1 WBX in a -57 oval .
not pretty , but functional
this one has the late style waterpump.
if u use the the stock mountig for the thermostate housing , u need cutting in the rear tray-floor.
The pic shows the housing mounted higher due to radiator in the rear tray

[AMBROSIA]

I've fitted a 2.1 with early style thermostat.


I removed both side trays as they where no longer needed.
I cut a hole to route one water pipe to the thermostat.
The rear valance is removable but did not require any cutting otherwise.
Bulkhead is untouched.
A slot each side to allow carb settings.
There is of course the matter of radiator placement and futher cutting to consider.
Regardless of all this, it's the best thing I ever did to a beetle