914 electric conversion, knowledge needed! Options

[thelogo]

EV will be somewhat heavier than the original gas motivated car, but it will have gobs more torque, and will arguably be more fun to drive.




Sorry but I cannot agree with the heavier but mor fun to drive .


as per colin chapman : this makes no sense to me ?

[smontanaro]

At minute 6 there is a red 914 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yeah, I saw that too. I thought for a moment it might be Otmar's, but I suspect he'd have too much pride to let the Plasma Boy smoke him that badly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[smontanaro]

Sorry but I cannot agree with the heavier but mor fun to drive .


as per colin chapman : this makes no sense to me ?

I'm not talking 2x heavier. More < 500 pounds or heavier. I sort of suspect most of the folks who've dropped V8s into their 914s don't mind the extra weight. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Again, referring to John Wayland, here's a blog post about his latest EV conversion, Silver Streak. (This guy is a veritable fount of crazy EV ideas!) He's taking a perfectly good 2000 Honda Insight, ripping out the existing power train and replacing it with a new drivetrain based on the motor from a GM EV1 (bought new as a "spare part" years ago before GM started crushing them). His projected range is 400 miles with a curb weight about 1000 pounds heavier than the Insight's original curb weight. That extra weight is entirely due to the 71kWh pack he's going to use (985 pounds according to the blog post). Cut that range back to 200 miles and you can cut the pack size roughly in half, and you've got a car which was extremely light to begin with, plus about another 500 pounds.

Skip

[orange914]

At minute 6 there is a red 914 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yeah, I saw that too. I thought for a moment it might be Otmar's, but I suspect he'd have too much pride to let the Plasma Boy smoke him that badly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I had to look away... at the very end he did

[fuznubz]

At minute 6 there is a red 914 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yeah, I saw that too. I thought for a moment it might be Otmar's, but I suspect he'd have too much pride to let the Plasma Boy smoke him that badly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I had to look away... at the very end he did

well if it was a combustion engine, he probably wouldn't have had a chance unless he did an engine swap

well we have some parts for sale! i put up an ad (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

anyone know the value of a 1.7L 914 engine that runs? we need to sell ours

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=159157

Classifieds Ad

that link is to our parts ad, we have 3 carburators, an exhaust, and other stuff

[SchantzMD]

Hi Jeff, & group.

"anyone know the value of a 1.7L 914 engine that runs? we need to sell ours "

I see USED 1.7L engines for sale all the time, and the going price is usually from almost free-$1000, depending on condition and mileage. Assuming yours is complete, runs well, and doesn't emit any blue smoke I'd say aim for the middle at ~$500. To be honest it's really hard to put a value on it without knowing the history or internal condition, so the actual price will most likely be whatever someone is willing to pay. Things like solid even compression numbers or borescope images will also help in your sale, so if you have the tools and/or the ability to do either that would be great.

Secondly, if you're lucky enough for that 1.7L to have dual 40mm Weber carbs, or 36mm Dellortos, they can be worth ~$250-400 for the set alone. If that's the case you may want to consider selling the carbs separately from the engine so you can get more coin for your EV project.


Finally, I don't know if you're going to have to do any "hard" hand calculations on this project to determine voltage or battery requirements, but if you do this is another good site that has drag coefficient data.

http://www.cassidy-online.com/porsche914/a...aids/index.html

I was going to do an electric 914 conversion for my senior project at CPP but my ME adviser told me that an EV wasn't "senior project worthy", LOL. Also, I'm not sure if I still have the file, but I created an Excel spread sheet that was setup as a GUI for my potential 914 EV project. I had all the calcs set up in it so I could input the battery pack voltage and amount of batteries. The output gave me modified ideal values for the range based on average speed, overall gross vehicle weight, top speed, amperage draw, and I think a few other things. I was going to use it to select my EV components, but I may of deleted the file when my adviser shot down the senior project idea. If I still have it I'd be more than happy to email you the file to help with your component selection.

Good luck with your project,
Mike

[Chris Pincetich]

Awesome! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
I bought my 914 for an EV conversion. Can I hand it over, you guyz do your project, and then I get it back? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I've been fixing it up over the last four years, upgrading everything but the stock 1.7. I AX race it several times and year, and that 1.7 won't quit! I now have a new job, with much lower pay and fun $$, and the EV project is on hold for a while.

Otmar moved from Silicon Valley to Oregon several years ago after building a bad-ass 914 EV w dual DC motors. He owns or co-owns Zilla controllers and consults on EVs professionally.

Keep sharing progress, and LOTS of photos!

I too day-dream of the 914 EV AX project. Mine would have a battery pack on hydraulic jacks that pops out from underneath at the race, leaving only a series of 16V batteries and capacitors to jam through some runs in light-weight configuration.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[JRust]

Contact Otmar @ CafeElectric. He has done multiple electric conversions. He is running a dual electric motor 914 that is ridiculously fast. It is also heavy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) . He also makes some of the conversion parts. I forget which but it is one of the main module's needed. Obviously over my head but he'd be a great referance

[914Mike]

Contact Otmar @ CafeElectric. He has done multiple electric conversions. He is running a dual electric motor 914 that is ridiculously fast. It is also heavy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) . He also makes some of the conversion parts. I forget which but it is one of the main module's needed. Obviously over my head but he'd be a great reference

That would be the Zilla motor controller, available again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) from:

http://www.cafeelectric.com/

Or from:

http://www.evsource.com

They have a nice battery calculator here as well:

http://www.evsource.com/tls_battery_main.php

Almost forgot, there is a thread on RoadGlue about my seemingly never ending conversion. Check the top right corner of this site for RoadGlue...
(I swear, I'm gonna buy some batteries someday...)

[fuznubz]

[quote name='SchantzMD' date='Dec 14 2011, 03:00 AM' post='1588421']
Hi Jeff, & group.

"anyone know the value of a 1.7L 914 engine that runs? we need to sell ours "

I see USED 1.7L engines for sale all the time, and the going price is usually from almost free-$1000, depending on condition and mileage. Assuming yours is complete, runs well, and doesn't emit any blue smoke I'd say aim for the middle at ~$500. To be honest it's really hard to put a value on it without knowing the history or internal condition, so the actual price will most likely be whatever someone is willing to pay. Things like solid even compression numbers or borescope images will also help in your sale, so if you have the tools and/or the ability to do either that would be great.

Secondly, if you're lucky enough for that 1.7L to have dual 40mm Weber carbs, or 36mm Dellortos, they can be worth ~$250-400 for the set alone. If that's the case you may want to consider selling the carbs separately from the engine so you can get more coin for your EV project.


Finally, I don't know if you're going to have to do any "hard" hand calculations on this project to determine voltage or battery requirements, but if you do this is another good site that has drag coefficient data.

http://www.cassidy-online.com/porsche914/a...aids/index.html

I was going to do an electric 914 conversion for my senior project at CPP but my ME adviser told me that an EV wasn't "senior project worthy", LOL. Also, I'm not sure if I still have the file, but I created an Excel spread sheet that was setup as a GUI for my potential 914 EV project. I had all the calcs set up in it so I could input the battery pack voltage and amount of batteries. The output gave me modified ideal values for the range based on average speed, overall gross vehicle weight, top speed, amperage draw, and I think a few other things. I was going to use it to select my EV components, but I may of deleted the file when my adviser shot down the senior project idea. If I still have it I'd be more than happy to email you the file to help with your component selection.

Good luck with your project,
Mike
[/quote]

thanks a lot! i'll check to see what we have in there right now. im not sure how well the engine is currently running, but i'll ask my teacher who used it as a daily driver for a month or two before we started working on it.

im sorry to hear your project plan got shut down :/ i think we have the voltage info calculated out, thank you very much for all the info!

[quote name='ChrisNPDrider' date='Dec 14 2011, 08:45 AM' post='1588551']

Otmar moved from Silicon Valley to Oregon several years ago after building a bad-ass 914 EV w dual DC motors. He owns or co-owns Zilla controllers and consults on EVs professionally.

Keep sharing progress, and LOTS of photos!

[/quote]

do you have any contact info for omar? i'd love to get in touch with him!
we're working on the car this thursday, i'll get some pics for the thread, sorry i wasn't able to get them last time

[quote name='JRust' date='Dec 14 2011, 10:08 AM' post='1588591']
Contact Otmar @ CafeElectric. He has done multiple electric conversions. He is running a dual electric motor 914 that is ridiculously fast. It is also heavy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) . He also makes some of the conversion parts. I forget which but it is one of the main module's needed. Obviously over my head but he'd be a great referance
[/quote]

is otmar @ cafeElectric his email? yeah, we're expecting it to be a bit heavier, but we won't be racing it (much) so its not too big of a deal.. i'm sure it will preform decently when we're done, i can;t wait to drive it haha


That would be the Zilla motor controller, available again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) from:

http://www.cafeelectric.com/

Or from:

http://www.evsource.com

They have a nice battery calculator here as well:

http://www.evsource.com/tls_battery_main.php

Almost forgot, there is a thread on RoadGlue about my seemingly never ending conversion. Check the top right corner of this site for RoadGlue...
(I swear, I'm gonna buy some batteries someday...)
[/quote]

haha batteries seem to be the most controversial part of the whole project! thanks for all the links! I and my team greatly appreciate all the help!

[PThompson509]

Quick note for converters: DO NOT USE ELECTRO AUTO. They will take your money and you wont' get anything. Rather than go into details here, there are several people that have had big problems with them.

Also avoid EV Components - same story.


I'll try to post a list of known-good EV parts companies later today.

Cheers,
Peter

[PThompson509]

Ok, got some breathing room (in between meetings). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Some known good companies:
Canev - www.canev.com - based in Vancouver, BC.
KTA - www.kta-ev.com - based Ramona, CA.
EVSource - www.evsource.com
EVParts - www.evparts.com
Cloud Electric - www.cloudelectric.com
Electra-City Motors - www.electracitymotors.com
Evolve Electrics - www.evolveelectrics.com
Electric Car, Co - www.electriccarinternational.com
Cafe Electric - http://cafeelectric.com/
Netgain Motors - http://www.go-ev.com/ - excellent DC motors
Metric Mind - www.metricmind.com - high end AC motors
EV America - http://www.evamerica.com/

There *are* more, but these are companies I'm aware of that are "known good".

If you are worried about cost, either go for a Warp9 DC motor or the HPGC AC50 AC motor.

Cheers,
Peter

[Chris Pincetich]

Peter - thanks for that valuable info (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I have read often about the supply problems from Electro Auto. I guess they never improved. They are up in Felton, an area I am slightly familiar with (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[fuznubz]

yes, thank you VERY much for that info! we were looking at electro automotive to supply us with a conversion kit, thank you for the warning!

unfortunately, we forgot the camera XP i'm really sorry.. the picture we did get (from a phone) is of the transmission

we have a side shifter installed, the previous shifter was the tail shifter (did i call it by the correct name?) and so we still need to install the shift linkage (which we have) shift stick and assembly (which we have yet to attain) and whatever pieces connect the shift linkage to the actual transmission.. it seemed we were missing a few pieces

(IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/376101_2500451029333_1194637208_32178614_2104827616_n.jpg)