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I think at this point this is more of a novelty thing. As someone who owns an AWD Model 3, I'd say it's likely he is using a standalone motor controller (probably RWD only) and maybe some portion of the battery is installed under the hood. I can't see it having much range, and Tesla would lock it out of the supercharger network. So the car likely can't go very far, as its only options would be charging at home on a 240V outlet and the dying Chademo DC fast charging standard, which has a pretty limited network.
With any extreme swap it's going to be a LOT of work. I'm sure this isn't a weekend project by any stretch. The good thing with electric cars, though, is the systems are relatively few compared to an ICE car - motor, batteries, controller. No radiator, exhaust, fuel system, oiling system, etc. etc. etc.
I dig electric cars and think they make a lot of sense. I'd rather not see an FD hacked up for the purpose, but oh well.
With any extreme swap it's going to be a LOT of work. I'm sure this isn't a weekend project by any stretch. The good thing with electric cars, though, is the systems are relatively few compared to an ICE car - motor, batteries, controller. No radiator, exhaust, fuel system, oiling system, etc. etc. etc.
I dig electric cars and think they make a lot of sense. I'd rather not see an FD hacked up for the purpose, but oh well.
Dale
Just a nitpick, but most do have a radiator to cool the motor due to the high power.
I'm just speaking in generalities - you don't have as much of a complicated cooling system as an ICE.
Big take away is there's a lot less crap on an electric car to make it go than an ICE car.
Dale
that is the nice thing about the electrics, you need less junk and you can put it where you want it in the car. with a gas engine, the car is built around the engine. if you look at really old race cars, they almost are engines on wheels
Yea, I happened to run into him one day and made friends.
Basically it's got a model S motor in there, with as many Chevy volt batteries in there that could possibly fit. He runs most of it off a whole bunch of arduinos and raspberry pi's.
He's a mechanical engineering student at a pretty good college and did all this in his free time over a couple years.
He says he gets around a 100 mile range. Nice guy for sure.
Yea, I happened to run into him one day and made friends.
Basically it's got a model S motor in there, with as many Chevy volt batteries in there that could possibly fit. He runs most of it off a whole bunch of arduinos and raspberry pi's.
He's a mechanical engineering student at a pretty good college and did all this in his free time over a couple years.
He says he gets around a 100 mile range. Nice guy for sure.
that is cool, it is kind of how the Tesla roadster came to be, AC propulsion made a motor big enough for a car, and they contacted a guy called Martin Eberhard to put it in a car, and he bought a Lotus, and then the rest you know. Mr Eberhard had a Mazda 3, so we asked him about the Mr Tesla license plate one time.
I would much rather see this happen than all the LSx swaps. Technically it is still a "rotary" engine. I've actually been considering it myself once my current drivetrain bites the bullet again. I've been eyeing the reVolt CR-43. It's an electric crate engine package that is basically the same size as an LSx + tranny. I don't really like how all the electric swaps I've seen cram all the batteries in the engine compartment. I still want the car to have an "engine bay" that you're not ashamed to raise the hood on. The power also needs to be sufficient to not be boring. I haven't done any measurements, but it seems like it would be possible to fit a Tesla Model 3 or Model S battery pack under the FD. Then add a 8.8 Ford diff and driveshaft. This is a way oversimplification, and I definitely don't have the tools or knowhow to pull it off. I'm sure someone here does though. Could be a good opportunity for some vendors here to create a swap/conversion kit. There is the issue of supercharging not being available, but probably would never drive it long distance anyway. Just thinking of the future of trying to keep FD's on the road, reliable rotary mechanics/tuners are becoming harder and harder to come by.
05-18-21, 02:40 PM
