The Firebrid Hybrid Convertible Project (Prius platform swap)

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Xist

Would it be feasible to set up one Prius drivetrain to the front wheels of an F150 [and a second Synergy Drive to the back axle?]

Theoretically, yes, although a lot of custom harnesses and programming would be needed. It might be better to use the Hybrid Hylander power train due to it being closer to the F150's dimensions.

[Bill the Engineer]

Feels like my poor Firebrid is turning into a "Barn Find" car. There just wasn't anywhere else to put all of this stuff!



Bill

[mannydantyla]

At least you're keeping us current That's not sarcasm either, I'm genuinely interested in seeing how this project is doing. Temps around here are below or at freezing and I have to work on the donor car's body outside while the Miata chassis is inside the garage. There's a tiny space heater in there but you still need gloves and a coat and everything.

I wish Hoopie would give us an update. He's working on a Karmann Ghia which uses the same exact VW chassis that my Type 3 does. However the Miata is much narrower than the Prius.

Today I need to get the VW ready for the swap. The idea is that I'll lift the VW body off it's chassis with an engine hoist, roll the old chassis out of the way, roll the new Miata chassis from out of the garage and under the body, drop down the body, then roll the whole thing back into the garage (which is uphill so that will be a problem).

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Bill the Engineer

Feels like my poor Firebrid is turning into a "Barn Find" car. There just wasn't anywhere else to put all of this stuff!



Bill

Bill the time-traveler: The Firebird circa 2023.

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Bill the time-traveler: The Firebird circa 2023.

Bite your tongue! Not only will it be in a heated garage by then, it should be finished!

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Bill the Engineer

Bite your tongue! Not only will it be in a heated garage by then, it should be finished!

I thought 2023 was the last time anyone could verify the now-legendary presence of F’n Bird (the kids were saying after ol’ Pops funeral in 2056), as no one had dared open the garage doors for decades in fear of not being to close them again.

Some years ago I DID open a garage door like that. A fairly rare Alfa said to be underneath. It was there, but the real find was a 1963 Chrysler 300 Letter Car. Even got it running after a week of work (mainly to find re-build kits for those rare 3408 Carter’s on the V8-413 crossram). White over red leather. Looked like five years old, not nearly forty. Awesome to start and high idle. Every luxury . . . and nothing could stay with it once on the highway.

The disappeared Open Road. And Sunoco Super.

No more pics like that, Mr Engineer.

.

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by slowmover

... (the kids were saying after ol’ Pops funeral in 2056)...
.

Thanks for planning my funeral at the ripe old age of 99. I'm planning to go further than that though...

[Bill the Engineer]

It is patiently waiting for the new garage at the new house...

[Bill the Engineer]

Since I can't work on the real project, I've been playing around with photos instead. I think adding a black racing stripe on the extra metal under the doors will disguise them nicely.

[slowmover]

Agreed.

Recall the hood mount tach. Same type stripe at that offset could also be complementary, full vehicle length. (Not a secretary-mobile).

As would some period-correct callout.