I agree - sounds like your motor is running "backwards" to how it was originally intended.
The brushes on the motor in the ForkenSwift were originally advanced pretty far:
Quote:
I was reading up on the pile of EVDL messages ripening in my inbox, and came across a message from motor guru Husted about low voltage systems & brush advance. Noted that he said "5 degrees for mild" voltages. Apparently the common "10 degrees for street use" applies to higher voltages (say 120+). So I went out and measured... and the brushes were advanced (stock) almost 17 degrees!!
Whoops. For 48v he suggested putting them to neutral.
I now have them near 2 or 3 degrees advanced. According to Jim, the closer to neutral timing = more low end torque and less top end RPM. The motor should run more efficiently too. After making the adjustment (drilled a new set of adjustment holes in the end cap ... with the motor still in the car), I can vouch for the first 2 statements. The car goes up hills better (relatively speaking), but I can no longer wind it out to 4000 rpm before shifting - it just runs out of steam.
And it still won't spin the tires on gravel, before or after the adjustment.  I tried.
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From this post in the FS build thread:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/hreshowth...3-post801.html
I can't comment on how it may have affected efficiency though. I'm not sure I could test it in a controlled way.