Mazda MX-5e Tesla Powered
Discussion
BrettMRC said:
Well done for getting this far OP. 
How much heat is the motor generating during the bench test?
Do you have a way of simulating a load?
It generates very little heat. We didn't even need the cooling system at all with our bench tests but, we built it to try out other things like intelligent monitoring and control of the Tesla water pump we are using in our cooling systems (we have several using a common radiator).How much heat is the motor generating during the bench test?
Do you have a way of simulating a load?
My load simulation involved using an old sock to slow down the output shaft
We have now stripped down our bench test set up and the focus is now on stripping the MX-5e of everything we don’t need, including the wiring loom, ECU, brakes assistance, power steering, air con, exhaust, fuel system, cooling system, etc.
We have built our own vehicle scales, so we weigh the car today and everything that comes out and goes in from now on. This is one of the four weighing plates.
The goal is that the MX-5e ends up lighter than it started and we are doing a lot of work to make this happen, including a complete re-wire of the car, lighter wheels and tyres, new lighter seats, etc.
We have built our own vehicle scales, so we weigh the car today and everything that comes out and goes in from now on. This is one of the four weighing plates.
The goal is that the MX-5e ends up lighter than it started and we are doing a lot of work to make this happen, including a complete re-wire of the car, lighter wheels and tyres, new lighter seats, etc.
Moderator edit: no links to your website/YouTube channels please
Weighed the car at 987kg today. That's pretty good given that we have removed stuff but also added an Apple CarPlay 10" screen, sub-woofer and some big rear speakers The aim is that we will lose even more weight as we convert it to an EV. Next month we strip the engine bay and dash. We are fitting a new light-weight wiring loom and dash supporting CAN Bus. We remove the engine, gearbox, exhaust, air-con, power steering, heat shields, cooling system, ECU, alternator, etc.
Planning new light-weight seats (still adjustable) too. Tesla iBooster to allow programmable and personalised regenerative braking. It will feature personalised keyless entry and start too, linked to the existing central locking. Our DCU also supports driving modes, data logging, GPS, TPMS, 3-axis accelerometer and compass
The aim is that we will lose even more weight as we convert it to an EV. Next month we strip the engine bay and dash. We are fitting a new light-weight wiring loom and dash supporting CAN Bus. We remove the engine, gearbox, exhaust, air-con, power steering, heat shields, cooling system, ECU, alternator, etc.Planning new light-weight seats (still adjustable) too. Tesla iBooster to allow programmable and personalised regenerative braking. It will feature personalised keyless entry and start too, linked to the existing central locking. Our DCU also supports driving modes, data logging, GPS, TPMS, 3-axis accelerometer and compass
Completely stripping the car down, so we can re-wire it and fit the EV parts, once we have finished up the restoration underneath. Then we have new sub frames and suspension arms that have been freshly powder coated. These will be fitted with new ball joints, bushes and alignment bolts. It's going to look like a new car by the time we have finished! Mainly because most of it is new
This month we plan to trial fit the Tesla iBooster and Nissan Leaf motor. The steering rack is also being properly depowered. We are fitting new brake lines (the old ones get in the way of our restoration work) and a new wiring loom with CAN bus.
We have a new Super Fuji 3.6:1 ratio LSD for the MX-5e. This has the right ratio to give a better top speed of 109mph. It’s also much stronger because it has a 7" crown gear instead of a 6" one. The internals are being upgraded to make it even stronger and we are getting the arms welded up to strengthen them too. It will be refitted with new poly bushes.
Evanivitch said:
I think people often forget how heavy the MX5 engine is! I think I've seen posts suggesting than an aluminium small block v8 doesn't add much weight!
I think that’s that’s one of the selling points of the rocketeer engine conversions. It’s a big V6 and it’s no heavier than the original engine. Definitely find this interesting.
We have refurbished the driveshafts. The MX-5e is currently up on ramps whilst we remove all the old underseal from the bottom of the car, treat any rust and then prime and re-underseal the car. We can then fit the new subframes and suspension arms,. with new bushes and ball joints.
|https://thumbsnap.com/h9hYEU2K[/url]Then we get to the exciting part and starting putting it all back together as an EV
[url]robcollingridge said:
We have refurbished the driveshafts. The MX-5e is currently up on ramps whilst we remove all the old underseal from the bottom of the car, treat any rust and then prime and re-underseal the car. We can then fit the new subframes and suspension arms,. with new bushes and ball joints.
|https://thumbsnap.com/h9hYEU2K[/url]Then we get to the exciting part and starting putting it all back together as an EV
[url]More cleaning up on the underside of the car this morning. Have now done both sides.
To clean up the rest of the engine bay, we have dropped the front sub-frame. This is being replaced with a "new" one anyway.
This wide angle shot shows how little rust there is on this 1992 Eunos Roadster but by the time we have finished here, it will look like new
To clean up the rest of the engine bay, we have dropped the front sub-frame. This is being replaced with a "new" one anyway.
This wide angle shot shows how little rust there is on this 1992 Eunos Roadster but by the time we have finished here, it will look like new
Nicks90 said:
I know it's not the cheapest solution, but for time saved and personal sanity, would it have not been easier to just have it chem dipped?
That's beyond my knowledge and skillset. We are working from a couple of small garages. Took two mornings to clean up the floor of the car and we will not take much longer to get it all completed. We have had the subframes and suspension arms all shot balsted and powder coated though.These are the front components but we have the rears done too.
The underside of the car has been primed with glass-reinforced Buzzweld primer. This should see the car stay rust free for another 30+ years.
We are doing a complete strip and respray of the engine bay too. Remarkably little rust in here but we cleaned up all the oil splashed about by those dirty ICE things
Just a little biut more cleaning to do and we can start the respray.
The Bosch/Tesla iBooster fits well. The outlet ports and connectors are in just the right place.
We are doing a complete strip and respray of the engine bay too. Remarkably little rust in here but we cleaned up all the oil splashed about by those dirty ICE things
Just a little biut more cleaning to do and we can start the respray.The Bosch/Tesla iBooster fits well. The outlet ports and connectors are in just the right place.
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