Mazda MX-5e Tesla Powered
Discussion
shalmaneser said:
I think you're missing the point of a readers car thread
The idea is you post stuff here not just push traffic to your blog.
Just repost it, it's not hard.
And that's fine with me as this thread is about the MX-5e but people ask questions about the wider OSSEV project which is developing a new open-source Sports EV. I'm not going to post that all here when it is easier to link to the website, where it is all described in detail. The MX-5e is just a test platform for a bigger project, where we can test out components and the concept. The idea is you post stuff here not just push traffic to your blog.
Just repost it, it's not hard.
It's not my blog. That's another website entirely which I won't link here
We have bought a 2nd gen Tesla iBooster to provide electrical brake assistance (replaces the brake vacuum servo) and to enable programmable regenerative braking. This will be fitted this month.
We have finished completely stripping the MX-5 heater matrix. The foam on the internal flaps had crumbled to dust. Each flap has been cleaned, painted and fitted with new foam, to ensure the flaps seal properly and to also make the whole thing quieter over bumps. It was like having a drum kit under the dash before! We can now fit a high-voltage PTC heater in place of the old heat exchanger, to provide hot air into the cabin if required.
Whilst on holiday this last week, I've been sorting out bits for the upgraded lighting. We are going for a 'stealth' look on the MX-5e given that the car is black, using dark tinted lighting where it is safe to do so. All of it is being upgraded to LED and made brighter, to make the car more visible in the shadows and at night. The 'marker lights' (reflectors) are being converted to extra indicators and the side lights to bright DRLs.
The MX-5e lighting upgrades are described in detail as a project on the OSSEV website.
Can't help thinking that this currently looks like someone doing a full resto on a Cessna then getting to the runway before realising they don't know how to fly.
Doing so much detail work, resto this, mod that, and yet the actual basis of the project hasn't even started yet - which is the REALLY difficult bit.
Doing so much detail work, resto this, mod that, and yet the actual basis of the project hasn't even started yet - which is the REALLY difficult bit.
ThomW said:
Can't help thinking that this currently looks like someone doing a full resto on a Cessna then getting to the runway before realising they don't know how to fly.
Doing so much detail work, resto this, mod that, and yet the actual basis of the project hasn't even started yet - which is the REALLY difficult bit.
I'm sure that it's all explained on his website...Doing so much detail work, resto this, mod that, and yet the actual basis of the project hasn't even started yet - which is the REALLY difficult bit.
Given that it's a restoration as well as an EV conversion it seems perfectly reasonable to deal with the restoration part first.
Also, given that some reprehensible pervert originally ordered this MX-5 with an automatic gearbox, and that the MX-5 engine is a pretty nasty, coarse thing, it deserves converting.
Also, given that some reprehensible pervert originally ordered this MX-5 with an automatic gearbox, and that the MX-5 engine is a pretty nasty, coarse thing, it deserves converting.
ThomW said:
Can't help thinking that this currently looks like someone doing a full resto on a Cessna then getting to the runway before realising they don't know how to fly.
Doing so much detail work, resto this, mod that, and yet the actual basis of the project hasn't even started yet - which is the REALLY difficult bit.
Quite. Not a patch on the alternate way to 275 bhp/tonne. Doing so much detail work, resto this, mod that, and yet the actual basis of the project hasn't even started yet - which is the REALLY difficult bit.
Cracking blog of it: https://sixintofive.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/intro...
PushedDover said:
ThomW said:
Can't help thinking that this currently looks like someone doing a full resto on a Cessna then getting to the runway before realising they don't know how to fly.
Doing so much detail work, resto this, mod that, and yet the actual basis of the project hasn't even started yet - which is the REALLY difficult bit.
Quite. Not a patch on the alternate way to 275 bhp/tonne. Doing so much detail work, resto this, mod that, and yet the actual basis of the project hasn't even started yet - which is the REALLY difficult bit.
Cracking blog of it: https://sixintofive.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/intro...
Olibol said:
There are various ways to 275bhp/tonne. The others have been done, and would be a cheaper, easier, more visceral option, but it is big EV power that will get me back in an MX5 - one day, I hope. Very pleased to see the OP pushing on with it.
I’m all for it.I was referring to ‘how’ to go about it, and how to log / blog it
Not sure starting with specking the wheels and indicators are the priority
We are trying to do the basic restoration first and then the conversion and upgrades in parallel, to speed the process up as much as possible. The OSSEV project is over 100 people now, collaborating and helping so we are not doing this alone. There are some very experienced people onboard and some that have done conversions like this already.
The whole MX-5e project is progress limited by me and my son finding time to do the actual work on the project. Right now, I have a terminally ill father that requires a lot of my time, so it's not progressing as quickly as we had hoped but, I'm trying to keep the project moving forward as best I can. My son is on an EV conversion course with Fellten next week.
Our target was always to get the MX-5e up and running as an EV in 2023 and this is still the plan.
Rob
The whole MX-5e project is progress limited by me and my son finding time to do the actual work on the project. Right now, I have a terminally ill father that requires a lot of my time, so it's not progressing as quickly as we had hoped but, I'm trying to keep the project moving forward as best I can. My son is on an EV conversion course with Fellten next week.
Our target was always to get the MX-5e up and running as an EV in 2023 and this is still the plan.
Rob
Ordered the electric motor for the MX-5e and the Thunderstruck VCU. We have gone for Nissan Leaf power, to avoid making structural changes to the rear sub-frame. This is less power than the Tesla unit but, still plenty for a car like this and it makes our life a lot simpler. We have also ordered the Thunderstruck VCU, so we can get the motor running on a bench quite quickly and test a lot of stuff out before it is fitted in the car.
The motor installation is described in a lot of detail as a project on the OSSEV website.
Fitted the front lip spoiler from Bofi Racing today too.
This car is growing on me already despite the lack of speed from the 1.6 petrol engine and the slow autobox currently fitted. When driving some of my local favourite B-roads it is proving to be a lot of fun already. The driver involvement is good, the feel through the steering wheel very good. With the new wheels and tyres fitted, the grip levels are really highn and the new braking system inspires a lot of confidence. I'm really looking forward to a bit more pace and an instant throttle response
It's never going to be as raw as my 450kg Fisher Fury R1 BEC but, this is meant to be a car that the whole family can enjoy. My wife would never even sit in the Fury R1 as a passenger
The motor installation is described in a lot of detail as a project on the OSSEV website.
Fitted the front lip spoiler from Bofi Racing today too.
This car is growing on me already despite the lack of speed from the 1.6 petrol engine and the slow autobox currently fitted. When driving some of my local favourite B-roads it is proving to be a lot of fun already. The driver involvement is good, the feel through the steering wheel very good. With the new wheels and tyres fitted, the grip levels are really highn and the new braking system inspires a lot of confidence. I'm really looking forward to a bit more pace and an instant throttle response
It's never going to be as raw as my 450kg Fisher Fury R1 BEC but, this is meant to be a car that the whole family can enjoy. My wife would never even sit in the Fury R1 as a passenger
Hi Rob
With the Leaf motor having less power than a Tesla unit, will you go for a longer range or use fewer batteries and reduce the mass slightly? I think the power loss will not matter to most users most of the time, as I'm sure the leaf motor will give better performance than the existing 1.8 ic engine(?).
PS you will need to change the thread title though....
With the Leaf motor having less power than a Tesla unit, will you go for a longer range or use fewer batteries and reduce the mass slightly? I think the power loss will not matter to most users most of the time, as I'm sure the leaf motor will give better performance than the existing 1.8 ic engine(?).
PS you will need to change the thread title though....
Flying Phil said:
Hi Rob
With the Leaf motor having less power than a Tesla unit, will you go for a longer range or use fewer batteries and reduce the mass slightly? I think the power loss will not matter to most users most of the time, as I'm sure the leaf motor will give better performance than the existing 1.8 ic engine(?).
PS you will need to change the thread title though....
The plan is to still fit around 30kWh of batteries. Power will be lower at around 165bhp but we will still have lots of torque.With the Leaf motor having less power than a Tesla unit, will you go for a longer range or use fewer batteries and reduce the mass slightly? I think the power loss will not matter to most users most of the time, as I'm sure the leaf motor will give better performance than the existing 1.8 ic engine(?).
PS you will need to change the thread title though....
Can the thread title be changed by me?
Rob
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