Front VS Rear drive on electric

[SVOboy]

Likely,

Either that or valley girl, got a problem with that?

[Frank Lee]

Actually I was wondering about EV engines LOL.

[SVOboy]

I did it for the lulz, and obviously I won.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by bennelson

Mostly I am asking because of the possibility of converting a Miata.

Mostly I'd say: do it!

You're perhaps going to suffer some more energy losses. The biggest challenge is going to be fitting the batteries due to the car's small size (you might have to consider 8v or 12v batts to get the pack voltage you want without overloading the car).

Traction won't be an issue with the battery weight on board. If you're planning to use it in snow, you'll need winter tires all around though.

The fun you'll have with a Miata EV will far outweigh the drawbacks.

[Ryland]

I would personaly avoid a convertable, the roof adds structure and helps keep the weight down, a convertable just has the floor pan, so it has a heavier floor pan, one that might deform with the weight of batteries.
If you check out EV forums, there seems to be a pattern to people who convert trucks, stuff like I think the S-10 has a wider frame that alows more batteries to be put under the bed, but it weighs more then the other small trucks avalible so you need more batteries and a larger motor.
ford escort wagons seem popular, chevy s-10 are popular, along with geo metros... not to say you should fallow in others foot steps, but learing from them is alwas a good idea.

[bennelson]

Hadn't really thought about that about the convertable.

I know that the trucks are real common conversions. I have a 4 cylinder S10. Part of the reason I got it was the idea that I could convert it to electric someday.

For this conversion, I am trying to do something smaller, lighter, and pretty low tech.

Leaning more towards a Geo Metro type conversion right now, but gotta admit a Miata would be a cool little electric.

The other downside to a convertable is that it is almost unusable as a winter car. (especially rear-wheel drive) However, since batteries don't work as well in the winter, I am not sure how great my economy electric car would be range-wise in the winter anyhow.

Like I said, I am still trying to figure out what would work best for this project.

[SVOboy]

How about an EF hatch that isn't a CRX? You might also be able to find a 1st gen CRX for cheap.

[bennelson]

Been looking around for a CRX that doesn't cost a fortune and isn't a rust-bucket - haven't seen any yet.

What's an "EF" hatch?

[SVOboy]

Oooh, EF = 4th gen civic, 92-95. Comes from the vin code (EF is japan, technically ED in the us).