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Originally Posted by Matt.0
I pretty much narrowed it down to either a Honda CRX or Porsche 914.
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Both have been converted to EV before.
Have a look at some other conversions - you can search the database for Honda's or CRXs or even the 914.
Some list prices and range.
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Thing is, I have a few problems. A) I don't know enough about cars to completely scrap the car and complete an EV conversion. B) I drive 20-60 miles a day, and sometimes (rarely) up to 80. Mostly freeway.
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That range is a bit of a problem.
Driven normally, even cars made by big car manufacturers struggle to get to 80 miles.
If you aren't hypermiling already, learn the tricks first
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They are both light (approx 2000lbs), but I'm worried about how many batteries either car can hold, and weight distribution.
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You should.
The range you want, is going to require a lot of Ah and thus batteries, taking up a lot of space, weighing a lot.
Most conversions go with lead-acid batteries for cost reasons.
Certainly there are better batteries out there, but they don't come cheap.
Dave Cloud's Dolphin has the range, but on nearly 2000 lbs of batteries, and highly modified to be streamlined. His budget was $3000.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...hin-13142.html
Dave gave some insight in message 102 of that thread :
http://ecomodder.com/forum/181811-post102.html
So yes, it can be done on a budget, with a lot of work and dedication.
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Second... how much do you think a shop could charge for doing this?
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Some DIY-conversions cost above 10 K.
That's before someone tries to make a profit on them.
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Is it worth it to learn it all myself?
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Yup.
If you have to pay for labour, it's going to cost you.
Forum user Ben Nelson has a DVD on making your own electric conversion.