I can do 200KM with Li-Ion batteries. 75HP is a little large though. I'm sure that 20HP 3 phase with a water cooled Simens controller would be good for 14s in the 1/4.

 

I've seen some electric cars for sale for 7500...why do people insist on building an ugly-*** electric car?

14's? Jesus christ! That is far and away more than enough straight-line power for the best winter beater ever. And I was thinking...wouldnt you need a space heater or something similar for those -40 nights? Or does the electric engine produce enough heat to justify using the stock heating system?

 

Exactly. People choose POS cars like the Escort, Rabbit, etc. If manufacturers built electric cars that looked like the Corvette, RX-7, Diablo, etc. then they'd have lineups at the dealerships...Hell, the EV-1 was ugly as crap and GM had a mile long waiting list anyway...too bad they only leased (and now that the leases are up, the cars are being forcefully taken from the owners, crushed, and GM is putting out "we can't sell electric cars" press releases....).

Unfortunately, you are not going to get much heat from the electric drivetrain. It's just too damn efficient. Might get some luke warmness from the controller, but that's about it.

Two choices for heater:
-leave the stock heater core, replumb into kettle-like electric heater. Rather inefficient.
-replace stock heater core with ceramic element. Self regulating temperature, efficient, reliable. This is the best choice.

Nice thing about EVs is that while they are charging over night, the heater can be be on "low" so it's nice and toasty first thing in the morning.

 

BTW, check this out. Pure electric Insight with a 230 mile range:

http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/461.html

From London to Toronto and back on one charge....

 

Electric 1st gen: 11.946 @ 102.46mph

http://www.dcpowersystems.com/

 

Goddamn impressive! I bet your mom had some trouble cleaning your trousers after you found that website!

I chose a volkswagen rabbit to do the project on because of its lightweight! And for some reason, it looks pretty nifty with all the badges shaved and the trim gone...or god forbid a Fiat X-19! I know theres a porshe 914 shell around here that I could possibly pick up for cheap.

Let the race begin! I want to see wich I'll find first: A $200 shell or a Merkur XR4ti that is in great condition...that i can afford. Decisions decisions decisions.

 

umm.. where's the 914 shell? is it rust free? (well, there's no such thing when it comes to 914s, but is it close?)

If you're not interested, I am!


The AWD talon that I've seen has a diff in the back. He got on the gas once in the rain and dumped the clutch and the rear wheels spun. The guy is selling it because he wants a turbo car! I've also been inside while he's going fast, if it's a turbo car it's got the QUIETEST turbo I've ever heard, and ... umm.. its NOT fast. Respectable, maybe, but not fast. Felt quicker than my cavalier, but ... not fast.

I'll see if he has some pics.

 

Terrh, the shell is actually at a wreckers down the road from my house. I had a couple looks at it, but not recently. Doubt its in very nice condition, it has been sitting in a field since last year...but who knows right? Could be a great project car!

 

hmm... if you wouldn't mind having a look the next time you're by there, I'd love it. See if it has an engine/trans (and which engine... alltho thats harder to tell. It should be in the badging.. 1.7 or 2.0 or 1.8, most likely)

I've been looking for a 914 for quite a while...

 

I will brave the huge pig they have their and most likely go sometime during the week when they are open!

 

LOL. Actually, I've known about the site for years now. I've been into the electric car thing since grade 8, so I've been keeping in the loop for a while now. In fact, my original car was going to be a 480V dual motored '87 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. Monochromatic black, naturally.

You want lightweight? Try a Dautson 1200...
http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/036.html
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Garage/5606/

If you're going to build an electric car, start with a GOOD CONDITION doner. Nothing worse then spending half your money and time on repairing the car even before you start on the electric stuff...

 

I love the look of that Datsun Aaron! Something that nice looking, I'd want to keep the original piston engine. I was thinking about going with an 1974 Alfa Romeo GTA (one of my favourite cars of all time) but I wouldnt have the heart to take out the 1.5L 110hp engine...loud, obnoxious and light!

 

Bouyah!!!

 

oh god...

 

wow, that's cool!

 

I'm thinking about converting my old truck over to electric. It's got a solid body, lots of room for batteries and gobs of space under the hood for the charging motor.

I only use it around the land that I live on, and could *really* use the torque that electrics give.

Then I'll have to figure out how to mount the hydrolic pump (and bucket) off the old tractor on the front of it.

It'll be the Dodge from Hell.

Z

 

excuse my ignorance, but how do you just MAKE an electric car!!!

(out of curiosity - like what is essentially involved other than alot of batteries..)

 

There are several ways to make an electric car.

You can convert an existing car. This normally invovles ripping out the combustion engine, exhaust, cooling systems, fuel system, etc. and mating the electric motor to the existing transmission. The controller, wiring and batteries are then added. The advantages is that it is easy to find parts for the "donor" vehicle, easy to get it licensed, and you don't have to make a car from scratch. The major downside is that conversions are typically horribly inefficient since the gas car is heavy, not designed for efficiency, etc. Packaging all those batteries can also be a major problem, which limits the amount of power you can carry.

You could also build one from scratch, either based on a kit or from complete scratch. The advantages are that you have much greater control of the design, and can build it light, stiff and with lots of battery area. The downside is that it is difficult to register and insure a scratch built car. And all the scrounging for parts is very time consuming.

Now, it is possible to convert a gas-electric hybrid into a pure electric car. You would still completely replace the existing engine/motor combination, but you now have a chasis that is light, aerodynamic and designed with efficiency in mind. You also have room for batteries. The Prius would be a poor choice for this since it is a poor hybrid, so if I was doing this I would go with the Insight for sure.

 

Hmmmm, before or after the lime-green paint job?

 

Sorry this is a VERY late post, but I ran accross this thread while searching for something else, and thought you guys might get a kick out of this. I personally witnessed an Insight beating the hell out of a riced out Civic one day. The Civic was weaving back and forth down the road trying to get someone to race him, and he ended up next to the insight. The light turned green, the Civic "chirped" it's tires a little, and the Insight simply walked away by about 1 1/2 to 2 car lengths! It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life. What made it really funny, is that the Civic had a huge wing, body kit, and wheels. All show, no go!

 

oldest thread ever.

 

Wow! Did I drive my time machine to work today?

Insight is quicker then most people assume. I had to do some creative driving around Toronto on Saturday and had a blast just dumping it into 2nd/3rd at highway speeds and then passing/merging/etc (not in a reckless way). I'm fairly sure that 3rd gear is where both the motor assist and power from the combustion engine is at it's maximum.

 

Never noticed how old this was =D