Any interest in a whole forum project vehicle?

[vinny1989]

I think its a good idea.

Id definitely contribute if i could.

[tasdrouille]

Once the actual building phase starts, having so many parties involved in such a project is going to be extremely difficult to manage in a timely fashion.

But, I agree that going through the design phase can be done remotely as easily as if we were all sitting in a single room together.

We can give this a shot, but at the moment I am torn between building upon what people already started (the sunrise project), or starting from scratch and going all out against the aptera, which imho is the reference.

[LeanBurninating]

hmm... I think this type of stuff is only done effectively in person as a team, or else there are too many cooks in the kitchen before you even start cooking. Dont get me wrong, there is a tremendous wealth of info and talented individuals here, but as far as decision making and design and stuff goes... It should probably be a select few.

It seems a little far-fetched, but don't let me stop you. I just think geographically people on this board are so spread all over, finding a committed and dedicated team to work on one car in one spot may be a real challenge. But if you build a serious performer that is showroom quality on the visual spectrum, maybe there is some potential to make some coin.

Heck you might even find some rich guy who hires the board to build him a car.

Good luck.

[NachtRitter]

Consider this possible approach:

Rather than design and build a car from the ground up (which I think would be a significant challenge), start with something that already exists that people can identify with. Then use the resources of board members to make it something incredible and show worthy.

For example:

• Have Ecomodder collectively purchase AndrewJ's Civic (see http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post105448)
  

  TomO: I see the potential for AerocivicII for the next person that buys this. Good luck on the sale Andrew.
  basjoos: Its most of the way there. All you would need to do is complete the belly pan, add rear wheel and muffler boattails, front and rear wheel spoilers, inner side skirts, front wheel well skirts, and a nosepiece with integrated driver adjustable radiator inlet, and you'll have a close match for my car. Just imagine, 90+ mpg cruising at 65mph on the interstate and people everywhere taking pictures of your car. It could be yours for a grand.

• Add some vinyl graphics advertising this site and the purpose of the mods (lots of surface area behind the driver's door!)
• Pass it from member to member to add, improve aero, FE, etc features, such as:
  • All the mods that basjoos noted above
  • Swap in VX motor (such as TomO's at http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post102970)
  • Convert to EV

Seems like this would be more achievable and affordable, plus it provides a recognizable vehicle as the starting point. Having it more recognizable gives people something they can relate to, which may encourage them to do similar things to their vehicles... especially if the modifications look really professional.

[Electric Frenzy]

all good ideas. I'm in no way "taking charge". I just wanted to throw it on the table and see what sticks.

as someone personally interested in doing this I would want to build something from the ground up but I agree that buying a civic and aero-modding it would be cheaper. My personal preference is to move 100% away from gasoline. I'm VERY interested in learning the EV game but I currently make my own biodiesel and we could very easily go with a diesel engine in a light body and return much greater results with aero-modding.

I didn't mean this thread to be the one where we start hammering out ideas. I just wanted to see if there was interest in starting a new thread and addressing the actual build process to do something like this. This will be something that will not be cheap and if people don't commit to helping fund the build it'll never get past the design phase.

[NachtRitter]

You'd probably be better off using the wiki (Main Page - EcoModder) for such a thing rather than the forum...

[UfoTofU]

At the risk of sounding redundant, part of the design phase must be setting a schedule for the building phase.

Also as LeanBurninating stated, if you could get a couple of people to decide which part of the project to commit to, you might be able to do it and keep the rest of the forum posted, especially when troubleshooting, for ideas and support

[bgd73]

This is good ideas, but I already have a statment not mainstream. No 3 wheels, no two wheels, must be four wheels, realistic for highway (I saw jay leno flying down the road in the aptera..)

My ecomod started with a monte caro SS and 2.73 gears..24+ mpg was great. that was v8 and 3500 pounds. I grew up around tractor trailers at 5 mpg...but hauling 40 tons the goal.These 3 wheeled and less and 500 pound vehicles could have the worlds dumbest engine with a total weight of 500 pounds to push..that is not the real worldly challenge.
My latest in common sense is internals and 87 octane put together correctly is the 3 main boxer engine is the one that even comes close to hypermilers goals and real vehicles.real weight, rela crosswinds and real tractor trailers on the same real roads.

I could add what I learned about that, its been 12 years, 2wd,4wd,sedan ,wagons, dual range and single, tall gears and short. carbed and injected...there is a miraculous combo...It is never what most think, and that is my loneliness.
Whatever the forum does, it will be interesting to follow and learn.

[Electric Frenzy]

bgd, I have the hardest following your posts. Is english not your native language??


I don't see why you'd set a schedule on something as time consuming and labor intensive as this. I think a large part of time will be spent on planning and design phase. Once someone has plans to work from it should be very smooth.

I could probably dedicate 2hrs a day to working on the chassis or drive system but I own my own business and can't spare more than that. I don't think there should be any reason to rush a project like this.

I say we take our time and do it all right the first time.


p.s. I personally would like to see a reverse trike with dual motors in series and some very expensive batteries (maybe the Valence or LiIon packs) so it could have some serious range and power. I would suggest that we buy one of paul's custom controllers and maybe some used fork lift motors as they're cheap and plentiful. I can build the chassis, suspension and steering myself but would need help with the drive train, body work, electrical, etc.

[UfoTofU]

Originally Posted by Electric Frenzy

p.s. I personally would like to see a reverse trike with dual motors in series and some very expensive batteries (maybe the Valence or LiIon packs) so it could have some serious range and power. I would suggest that we buy one of paul's custom controllers and maybe some used fork lift motors as they're cheap and plentiful. I can build the chassis, suspension and steering myself but would need help with the drive train, body work, electrical, etc.

I was thinking of a project like the HyperRocket