What's the ideal classic EV conversion candidate car?
Discussion
LayZ said:
DS / ID 19/21
Never got a good engine, perennially lumbered with ancient 4 cylinder. Great wafter with space for batteries.
Main issue would be suspension, at least with a conventional setup there's usually aftermarket springs and dampers that can be adjusted for any changes in weight or balance.Never got a good engine, perennially lumbered with ancient 4 cylinder. Great wafter with space for batteries.
With the DS that's going to be expensive.
037 said:
Have I seen someone doing a Testarossa or have I dreamt it?
Twas a 308, linkI think the OP nailed it with the DeLorean.
Especially the ones that have the Mr Fusion on top, any ICE in there just sounds wrong. Considering the original engine was so crap, seems like the perfect candidate.
But I think there are many cars that are very popular not because of their engine or even despite it, all of them would run a lot better and be easier to live with after an EV conversion.
Mogsmex said:
something with a separate chassis makes the buiding easier
Reliant Scimitar anyone ?
I like your thinking - light body, separate frame, easily replaced / upgraded Ford running gear and space across the frame for batteries! That could be quite nice. Never really go the whole royal connection thing - was just a good looking car that had some poke to go with its looks - seems perfect for an EV conversion to me!Reliant Scimitar anyone ?
TheDeuce said:
The problem is that any car leaves plenty of space if you remove the engine - but filling the front of a car with batteries is going to result in shocking handling. Same if you put them all in the back.
Mid engined cars are best, or lose the back seats in a front engined car and use that space, granted that would spoil the original layout of the car.
This is the problem with all classic car conversions, where to put the batteries.
I agree to some extent, but the V12 was not light for its power, and the long bonnet means it could be almost front mid-engine so batteries are close to the centre. The boot is not large, but it is long a flat, so could hold more batteries .Mid engined cars are best, or lose the back seats in a front engined car and use that space, granted that would spoil the original layout of the car.
This is the problem with all classic car conversions, where to put the batteries.
Of course a new car designed for batteries will be better, but where’s the fun in that 😃
LayZ said:
DS / ID 19/21
Never got a good engine, perennially lumbered with ancient 4 cylinder. Great wafter with space for batteries.
Beaten me to it. Basically any French post-war classic. All of them are under engined with dismal, underpowered, unsophisticated, rattling boat anchors for engines, coupled to God-awful transmissions.Never got a good engine, perennially lumbered with ancient 4 cylinder. Great wafter with space for batteries.
An electric Renault 16 would be amazing!
annodomini2 said:
LayZ said:
DS / ID 19/21
Never got a good engine, perennially lumbered with ancient 4 cylinder. Great wafter with space for batteries.
Main issue would be suspension, at least with a conventional setup there's usually aftermarket springs and dampers that can be adjusted for any changes in weight or balance.Never got a good engine, perennially lumbered with ancient 4 cylinder. Great wafter with space for batteries.
With the DS that's going to be expensive.
I was thinking the pump might be an issue...but then an electric pump might be simpler again than the engine driven original....
annodomini2 said:
Main issue would be suspension, at least with a conventional setup there's usually aftermarket springs and dampers that can be adjusted for any changes in weight or balance.
With the DS that's going to be expensive.
Usually with these conversions that's kept in check relatively well, because most people don't need 200 miles of range and 500hp out of a classic like that, so you can keep the added weight very low, depending on how much you can throw out.With the DS that's going to be expensive.
Aerodynamics are a key consideration. I considered doing an EV swap on a 1980s Chevy Suburban, but the high Coefficient of Drag means you'd need all the batteries from a Tesla X but would still only get 150 miles range, assuming you did 50/50 urban/motorway miles. Apart from that a chassis/body arrangement gives a lot of flexibility when placing batteries around the car.
TheDeuce said:
The problem is that any car leaves plenty of space if you remove the engine - but filling the front of a car with batteries is going to result in shocking handling. Same if you put them all in the back.
Mid engined cars are best, or lose the back seats in a front engined car and use that space, granted that would spoil the original layout of the car.
This is the problem with all classic car conversions, where to put the batteries.
In the XJS the fuel tank space is directly above the rear suspension cage, so you could put the batteries there, and also to the rear of the (long) engine bay, keeping all the big weight near enough between the axles. I think it would make a great conversion.Mid engined cars are best, or lose the back seats in a front engined car and use that space, granted that would spoil the original layout of the car.
This is the problem with all classic car conversions, where to put the batteries.
There was an Opel GT featured on here recently. Engineering considerations aside, it seems like a good candidate:
small, light, aerodynamic(?)/low frontal area
underpowered and underwhelming engine
not so highly valued that EV conversion would decimate it
sufficiently highly valued that the cost of EV conversion would be worth it
small, light, aerodynamic(?)/low frontal area
underpowered and underwhelming engine
not so highly valued that EV conversion would decimate it
sufficiently highly valued that the cost of EV conversion would be worth it
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