Plastidip is magic.

 

K, I have coilovers on order and I wanted to make sure I adjust the spring rates appropriately for any weight changes. All my back of the envelope math has me believing the car will be about the same weight as before. If I'm able to get the EV conversion done at nearly the same weight that's a huge win. While mounting the tesla motor is a huge pain you get to eliminate the heavy diff, trans and driveshaft and leave the engine and trans open for batteries.

I originally did an official corner-weight at a race shop in town. When I'm done I'll do the same but for now I wanted to get a rough idea of where I was at. For $45 in Amazon scales I think this worked out pretty dang good. I weight the wheels one at a time with 3 scales (they max at 400lbs) and keep the remaining 3 at the same level using wood. I used my quickjack to raise the car and set it back down. This isn't 100% official because the suspension isn't settled but it gives a good idea of weight distribution. I was really happy to see how things settled out. 42 kwh of batteries with a car that is sitting at or below stock! Plus the distribution is close to dead on. Once I put the interior back in I'm hopeful that it will even out.

Low-budget corner weight:



Final results:

 

Front and rear weight awesome... but the weight is now at the front and rear only and missing some of the weight in the middle.

Will you somehow be able to accommodate the middle with some weight shifting with batteries or control electronics.

I don't know if your going to track the car in the future but this will impact corner entry/exit balance.

Waiting for the next rabbit you pull out of the hat.

 

Not planning to track the car. I think a picture of the tesla drive unit is deceptive. It's surprisingly compact when it's sitting in front of you and a full tank of gas on an Rx7 weighs a good amount. I've worked on a 911 and that engine is hanging way behind the rear wheels and is heavy. Based on some rough math I think it's actually doesn't add much weight behind the axle over stock:

+261lbs (Tesla @290lbs, let's say 90% of it is behind the axle)
+15lbs for 12v battery
-140lbs (120lbs for 20 gallons of gas and 20lbs for the tank, pump, etc.)
-64lbs (diff+carrier @80lbs, let's say 80% behind the axle)
-20lbs (rear exhaust)
-20lbs (spare tire)
----------------------------
Extra 32lbs behind the rear axle

 

Copy that, I see your point - a good one.

The Porsche was designed that way and it looks like lately they have been trying to address that look. The butts on the newer ones seem to be more sleek and shorter.

I was just curious about the transmission weight that was removed from the center of the car - which would affect rotation. Lets say you can get the exact same CG as stock, it will still feel different because the weight is distributed differently.

I guess a better way to describe it is you have a plane with several fuel tanks and wing tip tanks. The weight is distributed throughout the fuel cells and you are supposed to use the center tank first and work your way out to the wing tip tanks. This helps keep the plane stable like a tight rope walker. The CG will stay the same as long as the fuel is used properly with the x-feed valves and yada yada yada - but even though CG is same, the weight has changed position and thus affects how it rotates.

Does your control software have traction control for wet weather?

I also did work at Tesla as an end of line tech (EOL) very briefly (1yr) where we troubleshot issue the cars had coming of the line which would have us tearing cars apart and putting them back together. The Tesla has the battery on the bottom which helps distribute the weight throughout the car. So I am completely humbled and admire what you are doing since I know the ends and outs on how to assemble the Tesla S/X. I did not touch the 3/Y, I'm at the Lazy L now...lol. Lockheed Martin.

Sorry if I may seem like I am questioning you, but in reality I am learning from you with your knowledge and explanations to my questions.

... but my god man - Your making all the mad scientist proud !!!!!!

Thank you for your time

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you and your family !!!!!

 

Right on rotaryextreme. I absolutely see where you're coming from and until I get a decent suspension on the car and the interior back in I don't think I'll have a good sense for how the handling has changed. I think these conversions are challenging since they are usually one-offs. Folks like EV West have dialed them in for 911s and other cars. If I were to do it again I would of course make some changes.

If the handling is really off, I can always move 2 more batteries from the very front of the car to the trans tunnel. I didn't do it because it would have required "expanding" the tunnel a bit and I didn't want to muck with the car. We shall see.

 

Wow, I just re-read your thread because at work they block pics from this site and yup I learned that once again your a bad ***.

Post 70-73 shows how you distributed the weight and even into the tranny area with the DC/DC cnvrtr and HV box.

Im so happy I looked at your thread again with the new pics... wow.

Theres only one problem I can see so far- it looks like your hood prop gets in the way of working around the engine bay with those batteries - can I send you a free set of Rotary Extreme FD hood damper kit.?

You've earned it. !!!!!!

If yes just pm me your shipping address.

 

Where in Texas are you?

im in Houston and already started on my Tesla Swap.

going a bit different as I’m after max performance

LG Chem Batteries
P100D Motor

 

Hey - I live in Austin but I'm in Houston regularly visiting family (here right now). I'll PM you. Would be cool to check out your setup or if you're ever in Austin you're welcome to drop by.

 

So I admit that I love the rotary engine in the Fd. I never put a question mark and as why Mazda used the rotary engine In the Fd but instead thank them for such. With that said, I would also like to say that the quality and workmanship of this build is very impressive. Congrats on such a great quality build.

 

P100D....dude. Teslabimmer is getting 3-second 0-60 times out of a p85 setup. You will probably melt your brain with the acceleration of the P100d in the FD . Look forward to seeing it rip.

 

k, starting to work on the aesthetics. The body on this car is in great condition for it's age but there are a few small dings on the front and rear fenders. I knew I would hate myself if I vinyl'd over them...

Taking it all apart and claybarring the paint.




Spot repairs


Epoxy primer


My next goal is to wetsand the primer to flatten it out and smooth the transition to the existing paint on one fender. Then I'll wrap it and see how things look.

 

May as well roll the fenders now:


Wrapped the fender. Took quite a while to get the hang of it, but I'm pretty happy with how the wrap quickly transforms the car. I'm going to slowly work my way through the rest of the car now that I know that this is very DIYable.

 

Really cool project. Will you post it on youtube?

 

Progressing along. I have the fenders, scoops, etc. wrapped and now I'm out of vinyl. I only bought 10ft to test it out at first. Placed the order for 60ft and hopefully I'll be able to get it with all the delays and shortages.

 

Pretty funny, I was watching a video on vinyl wrapping and at 15:24 the guy points in the corner and says "That car over there, most wrappers won't even touch it, too many curves". and....it was.... an FD! Glad I picked one of the harder cars to start with...

 

So many parts on order and so many delays. I now officially have 3 wheels! Which is about as useful as zero wheels. I've "purchased" at least 12 and keep getting emails from ebay sellers and stores that they are out of stock. Apparently multiple ebay sellers list the same wheel when they see it in stock at their supplier. Then when I buy it from several of them, only one get's their hands on it.

Waiting for my coilovers too...I've been told they are at GC, just getting setup and boxed but they have a big backlog.

 

Wrap is coming along. White is going to look so good on this car, it's also super forgiving. I originally ordered only 10' of wrap and so now I'm waiting on 60' that I ordered.

 

Carpet time!

Out with the old. Someone covered this thing in cologne....the smell is so powerful I can't stand it at all.


Ultraplush carpet from stockinteriors.com. Quality looks good. I do understand this will take some work to get in there and I plan to re-use the backing from the stock carpet or cut new padding. We shall see - anything is better than that smell.

 

Still trying to find the 4th and final wheel... hopefully I'll snag one so I can get tires on these.

 

Carpet time. This is the premium molded carpet from stockinteriors.com. Really nice stuff and it fits great with some cutting. Aftermarket carpet gets crapped on so much in the forums but I feel with a little work it seems to fit great and looks nice.

I started by removing the old carpet from the backing/padding. Lots of tugging and heat.



I have the general cutting done and holes in for the bolts. I'll finish it out once I start to get the trim in.

 

thats like skinning a deer.. lol

 

Test fitting the rims. Tires should be in this week.

 

Awesome project, love it.

Your laptop sitting on the boot like that is giving me anxiety ;-).

 

More progress. Front bumper was a bear. Could do it faster/better next time.