Knox in Box
Rustbelt refugee.
Maybe I'm the only one that finds that stupid as fuck.
New car thoughts. EDIT: I ORDERED A TESLA MODEL Y.
- Thread starter sunvalleylaw
- Start date
Lerxst
spaghetti and blankets
IDK it has a pretty niche market where people would want an electric conversion while preserving the appearance of the engine bay and drivetrain vs stuffing what often looks like a RadioShack exploded under the hood. Think classic car people
I would do a conversion, and while I wouldn't completely dismiss the idea of hiding it in a classic looking shell of an engine block, I'd be fine to leave the conversion completely out in the open.
I'm not about to go that deep into it money-wise, though.
and that's kind of the issue with this. It only makes sense in a big-dollar build at this point in time.
There are other companies that focus on adapters and such to get an electric motor into a classic car without trying to hide it. That seems a quicker path to an economy of scale that would allow more people to give it a try.
sunvalleylaw
Yep.
I could totally see tech oriented/back road versions of my PNWARC Alfa Club type friends I used to have when I had my Alfas being into that. Or some of the people I used to know in Toyota Land Crusher/FJ clubs, etc. PNW nerds like that like stuff like that.
Denverdave
Resident Ragamuffin
I would love a hybrid AWD, but right now with prices the way they are I'm sticking with what I have.
That is a nice looking car - good choice!
That is a nice looking car - good choice!
sunvalleylaw
Yep.
That is one thing that company I linked said that made sense. Though then their application did not seem to follow their statement.
The statement was that converting already existing vehicles was really necessary to meet what should be the goals fast enough. So, to me, if there was a way to convert basic people movers, pickups, and other things now, at reasonable cost, maybe people would do it. And even if in some vehicles it resulted only in hybrid, like that XL Fleet thing for the fleets of work trucks, that would be good too. I think the focus there on fleets of work vehicles is ongoing fuel and operations costs vs traditional, in a way that pays of when you consider a fleet of vehicles.
I think more modest cost vehicles with hatchback arrangements like this Y, especially when you can have a 7 seat version so you can throw kids in the Way Back safely, or something that replaces the function of a minivan in other words, and improvement of the pickup type of vehicle, such as getting the Ford Lightning to have more payload capacity and range, would be huge in this country. But meanwhile, I think the conversion thing can’t be completely overlooked.
Lerxst
spaghetti and blankets
Remember when people used to lose their shit out over small block chevy swaps? ITSNOTPERIODCORRECT!!! Now LS crate motors are common as can be.
Yep!
On one hand, I get it. You can get parts everywhere.
On the other hand, it's not very unique. Everyone's got one - like belly buttons.
I think that's where things are now with the EV conversions - it's still unique enough to be able to say, "Look at this!" and have people actually be interested in it.
Once it gets to belly-button status, the novelty will wear off.
I think that I'd want to be somewhere in between those two extremes.
If I were to do it, I'd like to do it more as a DIY effort rather than hand over some cash and get a finished product back. That said, I think I'd need a kit or a good friend who is an expert at all of the EV motor stuff.
I mean, I could figure it out given enough time and resources. I have an education in electrical, electronics, and computers, but I have never focused on the electric motor side of things beyond passing the classes that I need to pass.
Knox in Box
Rustbelt refugee.
Still stupid as fuck.
sunvalleylaw
Yep.
Sorry you feel that way. Feel free to not harsh my vibe.
Yes, that would be really cool. I know a Dad with some kids that work on Willys all the time, and I bet they might do that for a daily driver version, even if they kept a “correct” one for shows or whatever.
And if people with a little knowledge could make a swap in a mini-van, Ford Explorer, the VW Passats on the Audi platform (lots of those around here among the working community), Subaru Outbacks and Forestors. whatever sort of common platform might serve, I know of some other folks that keep those vehicles running for work in the valley that might be interested. I mean all sorts of suspension kits and the other systems already exist for a lot of those cars, the kind of stuff that needs to be replaced at 100k. So add in an engine swap that is EV, who knows? I love the idea of keeping crap out of the dump. VW bugs might be a thing. The Westfalia crowd that replace the VW motors with Subaru motors is a thing here. Those sorts of cult cars seem like good candidates. Hell, I might be interested in doing an Alfa spider. Though the joy of those cars is really the exhaust note, and the heel toe shifting, etc. But not many people drive that way anymore anyway, and it could be fun to have such a rig for the Sunset Strip or whatever.
As far as “correct”, I take the Leo Fender idea. He we always tweaking stuff, and designed his guitars with bolt on necks and others opportunities to mod. I am not much of a “correct” type of guy in that way.
baimun
Funkasaurus Rex
Personally, I'm looking forward to some package conversions becoming available.... Many of the EV conversions available now are very VERY DIY... requiring the builder to manufacture conversion parts, and often do their own development.
I would love to have an EV Miata or even an older Karman Ghia or Meyers Manx!... but at this point, those kinds of builds are on a very woodshed DIY level or insanely expensive.
One of the most beautiful features of EVs is that they're no longer constrained to a particular packaging based on the drivetrain packaging. We REALLY should have "flat pack" drive by wire vehicles that could have passenger car, work truck, RV, user spaces that should be able to dock with a drivetrain/platform/batterypack (which is the most expensive portion of the vehicle). If people could have their weekend recreational vehicle and their daily commuter be able to trade it's motivation platform (which would make the higher purchase price of the drivetrain more palatable. Additionally, that kind of structure could allow a mechanic to have a "loaner" flat pack while they worked on your motor/drivetrain/battery system.
I have seen EV chassis at my place of work and have marveled at how SIMPLE the entire drivetrain is compared to an ICE's fuel, exhaust, electrical, hydraulic, and so many other support systems.
Knox in Box
Rustbelt refugee.
Not trying to harsh anyone's vibe on an electric car. I applaud that. I also think that having a ready made plug and play type conversion would be a great thing. Just making it to look like a huge, gas guzzling, inefficient, OPEC wet dream in order to satisfy a bunch of "purists" that will turn their nose up at it anyway as soon as they realize it's electric. Why all the added weight and cost?
baimun
Funkasaurus Rex
What has been winning most people over to the dark side.....
UNLIMITED COSMIC POWER!!!.....
... or more specifically, 100% Torque available from ZERO.
sunvalleylaw
Yep.
Knox in Box
Rustbelt refugee.
What has been winning most people over to the dark side.....
UNLIMITED COSMIC POWER!!!.....
... or more specifically, 100% Torque available from ZERO.
I'm aware of that. I mean with all the extra engine hubbub (weight) just to make it look cool, when the people you're trying to impress will just scoff.
tiger roach
Urban Bovine Knievel
Well crap now I want a Tesla too.
sunvalleylaw
Yep.
This is the best test drive/review video I have seen so far and comports with what I experienced on my test drive. this German guy who is used to driving AMG‘s, RS’s, and M series he’s pretty impressed except his main complaint is that the suspension is not quite as nice as those aforementioned cars. In terms of being very settled at high speed. Not sure that will be an issue for me, but if it is, there are some aftermarket things he can do to the suspension to make it even nicer. But I really wasn’t looking to purchase it to have some sort of autobahn car. The sporty drivability is more of just an added benefit.