EV 914's Options

[raynekat]

Whether you like 'em or not....they are definitely a wave of the future.
Not sure what I think about the whole idea myself.

Still have the rear luggage boot which is nice.

It's pretty slick the bolt in rear cradle that holds some of the batteries, Tesla motor, cooling, etc.

The "custom" look is pretty bad as to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJTNsH-SIqk

[emerygt350]

Batteries will get lighter.

And you can put the electric on the transmission. It doesn't help with range but I would definitely do it for fun.

[Superhawk996]

Batteries will get lighter.

Keep drinking the Kool-Aid. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) The promised land of battery technology is always 10 years away . . . as it has been for the last 20 year or more.

It's always a trade off between range and weight.

[bbrock]

Batteries will get lighter.

Keep drinking the Kool-Aid. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) The promised land of battery technology is always 10 years away . . . as it has been for the last 20 year or more.

It's always a trade off between range and weight.

What the heck are you talking about (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Sure it's a compromise between range and weight, but the range batteries get for the same volume/weight today is many times more than just a decade ago. Maybe the weight of the battery hasn't changed so much, but the amount of juice inside it certainly has. Remember that 30 years ago these cars would have been crammed full of lead acid batteries that just "might" get you to the grocery store and back.

(IMG:https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/styles/full_article_width/public/2022-04/FOTW_1234.png)

https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articl...m-ion-batteries

[Superhawk996]

Batteries will get lighter.

Keep drinking the Kool-Aid. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) The promised land of battery technology is always 10 years away . . . as it has been for the last 20 year or more.

It's always a trade off between range and weight.

Maybe the weight of the battery hasn't changed so much . . .

Agreed. Point being Lithium is the lightest metal (and 3rd lightest element) so not likely to find a new metal to replace it anytime “soon”.

Yes, battery energy density is increasing but it is still a long way from the energy density of gasoline.

Always fun to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) on the EV topic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

My end point being that the weight of the batteries is what destroys the handling - especially with a 914 conversion. That’s OK if you only drive in a straight line to go get ice cream as your fun drive. I prefer something that handles better than that.

[Dave_Darling]

My end point being that the weight of the batteries is what destroys the handling - especially with a 914 conversion. That’s OK if you only drive in a straight line to go get ice cream as your fun drive. I prefer something that handles better than that.

So, how do you feel about Small-Block Chevy conversions?

--DD

[Superhawk996]

My end point being that the weight of the batteries is what destroys the handling - especially with a 914 conversion. That’s OK if you only drive in a straight line to go get ice cream as your fun drive. I prefer something that handles better than that.

So, how do you feel about Small-Block Chevy conversions?

--DD

I'm not sure I want to kick that hornets nest right now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Physics is Physics. It really doesn't matter what the powertrain is.

When modifications start increasing weight, raising Cg height, and increasing polar moment of inertia, handling moves away from the nimble chassis that the 914 started with.

I don't know who said it, but a universal truth of automotive engineering is that "weight begets more weight".

Sometimes that weight gain is driven by HP gains (need larger brakes, stronger trans, stronger axles, bigger tires, etc.), other times that weight is driven by the powertrain choice itself and it's cooling implications. Without offsets, that weight gain can quickly spiral out of control and affects polar moment of inertia adversely.

Personally, my psyche is invested in what originally drew me to Porsche back in the mid-eighties. Light weight, air cooled, handling unlike any American Iron I had experienced prior to my driving my buddy's early-70's vintage 911 in early 1987. Subsequent seat time in the mid engine 914 convinced me that was the better chassis vs. the 911 even though it certainly wasn't faster than a 911 of the same era. My bias is toward steering and handling - less toward acceleration. That's just me and it's different from most gear heads that want to "Hot Rod" or EV fans that want other attributes like limited or perceived zero emissions, less NVH, etc. Others will have different preferences - that's OK.