915 tranny, late T3 car, big T4 engine, help!

[Shad Laws]

Hey Guys-

I was hoping you could help me out...

I have tabs on a Porsche 923 gearbox, which is a 1976 912E item. Essentially, it's a 915 gearbox that accepts 901-like flywheel, clutch, TO bearing, etc. (i.e. use 914 parts for a T4). This means I won't have a problem with the TO mechanism going the wrong way.

The car is a 1972 T3 Fastback, and the engine will be a new 2800cc 350hp+ normally-aspirated monster with our new cylinder heads :-).

But, I think I have some other problems... namely size and CV/driveshafts.

SIZE:
I know it's bigger than the 901. From what I've read in previous posts, it appears that the common solution on a T1 is to kill the torsion bar housing and use coil-overs as the rear suspension system. I'd like not to do that if possible...

A late T3 has no frame horns and (I think) the torsion bar housing is *slightly* more out of the way. Remember that the big automatic tranny fit in there without a hitch. Here's my thought: clearance the torsion bar housing as much as possible without killing it, then mount the tranny as far forward as possible, although likely still further back than the stock box. The engine will be pushed back a little, but that's fine. And, as a result, the CV flanges may be pushed a little further back than normal. Do you think I could get away with this? Would the angle on the CVs be too much?

CVs/DRIVESHAFTS:
The manual-tranny late T3 uses the same CVs and driveshafts as a T1. What options do I have? Would some options allow a higher degree travel and make it easier to get away with having the tranny located too far back? I'd prefer using the stock outside stub axles *if possible.*

SHIFTING:
The T3 has the access plate for the shifter on the bottom of the car, unlike the T1. Now I just make it into the shifter entrance point, too :-). I'm sure that after fussing with this for awhile, maybe adding a second U-joint, I'll be able to knock it out. Do you think that I could get away with using a stock shift rod and shifter and simply modify the blockout plate?

Thanks much for your help!

Take care,