Mazda MX-5e Tesla Powered

[robcollingridge]

We are now a family with 3 MX-5s! :-)

Having restored Yoko (1990 Eunos Roadster 1.6) with my son Ethan, we have embarked on a much bigger project to collaboratively build an Open-Source Sports EV (OSSEV) from scratch.

As part of this project we are converting our newly acquired 1992 Eunos Roadster to electric power using the 220kw/295bhp/330Nm Tesla SDU. This MX-5e will be our test platform for developing and testing parts planned for the OSSEV
The plan is to transform this car into something that is faster, lighter and more involving to drive. It also means we will be developing a load of new components that should fit any NA MX-5 or Eunos.

Moderator edit: please don't link to your own website/social media pages

[visitinglondon]

Lighter and more involving to drive?

Is this an early April Fool’s joke?

[SpeckledJim]

Watching with interest!

[biggbn]

robcollingridge said:

We are now a family with 3 MX-5s! :-)

Having restored Yoko (1990 Eunos Roadster 1.6) with my son Ethan, we have embarked on a much bigger project to collaboratively build an Open-Source Sports EV (OSSEV) from scratch

As part of this project we are converting our newly acquired 1992 Eunos Roadster to electric power using the 220kw/295bhp/330Nm Tesla SDU. This MX-5e will be our test platform for developing and testing parts planned for the OSSEV
The plan is to transform this car into something that is faster, lighter and more involving to drive. It also means we will be developing a load of new components that should fit any NA MX-5 or Eunos.

Good effort man, will read with interest

[kambites]

Someone put what I believe was that power train into a Lotus Evora. Might be worth contacting them to see if they have any useful information.

ETA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV2XEz9U4aE

Edited by kambites on Monday 20th March 19:28

[J4CKO]

visitinglondon said:

Lighter and more involving to drive?

Is this an early April Fool’s joke?

Might have meant than a Tesla ?

295 bhp in an MX5 will be fun, just a different kind of fun than the usual shagged out 1.6 twincam.

Watching with interest.

[robcollingridge]

visitinglondon said:

Lighter and more involving to drive?

Is this an early April Fool’s joke?

No joke. It will weight less than the original Eunos Roadster we have just collected. Slightly less range though :-)

Yes, more involving to drive too. Loads of driver focussed upgrades including ditching the power steering, improved suspension, better brakes, sports seating with 6-point harness, etc. And 295hp

[Nicks90]

Sod the 295bhp, that's meaningless in comparison to 330nm of torque at zero revs.
That will be arsetwitchingly epic

[Toilet Duck]

robcollingridge said:

Was that pic taken at Woodbridge?

[normalbloke]

What’s the current situation with regards to registration with DVLA after the conversion? There are a few horror stories floating around.

[InformationSuperHighway]

All power to you, this will be an epic engineering project!

I would say though, you have a tough hill to climb making it more involving. The Mk1 MX5 is surely one of the most involving mass produced drivers cars ever?

[Krikkit]

normalbloke said:

What’s the current situation with regards to registration with DVLA after the conversion? There are a few horror stories floating around.

Q plate I would bet

[robcollingridge]

Toilet Duck said:

Was that pic taken at Woodbridge?

Yes. We had just bought this car and thought we would take it on track and see if it broke before we put time and effort into it. It got hammered all day on track and the only issue we had was a pin-prick hole in a coolant pipe :-) After several years and over £4000 it is an immaculate example of the 1990 Eunos Roadster

[Terminator X]

Watching and I don't even like EV's! Fair play to you.

TX.

[jeremyc]

If you haven't already seen it, you might be interested in an electric conversion of the inspiration for the MX5: the Lotus Elon.

[TheOctaneAddict]

An MX5 with that power unit will be insane, my supercharged 210bhp NB is enough of a handful. Can't wait to see how this progresses!

[Pixelpeep Electric]

watching with interest - massive respect OP...

done right this would literally be the ideal 2nd car for me.

[ajprice]

Nice. Zero EV converted an MX5 to electric. It isn't a Tesla motor but it's close to the original MX5 weight. Jonny Smith did a video on it



Zero EV (now called Fellten) did their own build videos on it. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbwOEg3Q-BOzhPo...

[AW111]

Good project.

As a serial modder who has done several ICE engine swaps, I said a few years ago my next swap will be an electric motor.

I just need more EV's to turn up at the wreckers so parts are affordable.

[robcollingridge]

Started stripping out the interior today. It is going to lose a lot of weight! We knew the soft top leaked but we only paid £1425 for the car. It was wet inside but just some surface rust which has now been treated. The soft top is going to be replaced with something more Lotus Elise like. Eventually, the whole wiring loom will be stripped out and replaced by something much lighter, that also supports CAN Bus. All the sound deadening has gone. Lighter seats are on the cards too.

The main focus is on preparing all the important bits for the conversion. The brake calipers are going off to be refurbished as new and every thing else is being replaced. New disks, pads, braided brake hoses, new brake pies and an electric Bosch iBooster will replace the current braking assistance system. The air conditioning system and power steering system is going too. This car will end up lighter than it was when we bought it :-)