Feasability of going from gas to only electric

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I picked the list I gave because the OP has [or had] a Super.

Yep. And I still have it. Along with the engine still in pieces in my spare bedroom where it's been for the past 3 years.

Originally Posted by teknomage2012

Yes the leaf sl is the best value you can find in a used ev, and having dc quick charging makes all the difference...

Even if there's no DC quick charger within 300 miles of where I live? But yes, maybe they might put in some closer to me in the future. But even the normal route I would take to Denver has some 150 miles without even a level 2 charger.

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by Bazzetta

I hate to say these words... but a one or two year old Prius is your best choice if you don't want to fix it and still want to lower emissions and higher gas mileage. Not sure where the Volt lands in that regard but it does give you the electric operation you want for local travel and gas for your ling distance travel.

The only thing about the Prius and the Volt is that one main idea of mine (which could be completely off course, so correct me if you please) is that an electric vehicle would solve the potential engine damage and poor emissions caused from the cold start, short distance trip driving I do. And from what I understand, the Prius and Volt use the engine for heating. So they would start up anyway and void electric mode altogether in the winter. Did I say it's supposed to snow again this Tuesday?

[freebeard]

So you're saying the Superbeetle is all prepped for an EV conversion.

Whether you do that or get the Leaf for about the same money—add $3K for a Tesla Powerwall. Quick charge at home.

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by freebeard

So you're saying the Superbeetle is all prepped for an EV conversion.

I wish. But I already have ask the parts refurbished, rebuilt or new, except for new rod bushings, which is where I'm at right now. I think I got over $4,000 into this engine. I was shooting for a fuel sipping Super Beetle. But I just never got to finishing it. Everything from cam to digital timing to ceramic coatings to piston quench and high CR is already set up ready to be put together.

Maybe I could finish just the engine and sell it and then go electric. But I'm still wanting to see what kind of fuel mileage my concoction will actually put out.

Originally Posted by freebeard

Whether you do that or get the Leaf for about the same money—add $3K for a Tesla Powerwall. Quick charge at home.

I'll have to look into that. Thanks!

[freebeard]

I'm in a similar position; I had an engine built up over ten years ago and it still sitting on a roll-around stand. It was going to go in the panel van, but I sold that. It's built to the Mileage Motor spec—stroker crank and high reciprocating mass—plus aluminum case, Type iV cooler and a filter hanging off the oil pump.

I've got a build sheet that says $4500. But if I install it I know it's going to be noisy and stinky. Ever since I got crosswise on the black ice last winter, I'm leery of open differentials. The Lexus rear drive unit I got for a conversion has an open differential. I may finish the motor mounts and axle pucks and then sell that on.

Acura MDX and some Honda model SUV are coming to market with a similar part in 2017, with twin motors and an software differential (like Arcimoto). While I'm waiting for one of those to wreck, there's plenty to think about with DC-DC inverters, heated seats and all that in the mean time.

I showed it to the business lead for Arcimoto on Saturday, and he kind of freaked out that I would sell it. I told him if I had a job I wouldn't have too. I don't have to work for Arcimoto, I want to work for the company that make body kits for the SRK. The VW motor and a set of Sears Rader VW wheels I've had since the 60s is worth half an SRK, but I can never get what it is worth when i sell anything.

$3K for a Powerwall is top dollar. It's really not much more than a Tesla battery pack, some control circuits and an expensive plug.

[teknomage2012]

There are now all kinds of good used nissan leaf and other electric and hybrid car parts now available for pretty fair prices on ebay.com ecrater.com etc..

Most of these are perfect parts carefully pulled from working cars that were totaled in a collision.

I'm looking at two nissan leaf motors and transaxles to build a rock crawler 4x4

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I'm in a similar position; I had an engine built up over ten years ago and it still sitting on a roll-around stand. It was going to go in the panel van, but I sold that. It's built to the Mileage Motor spec—stroker crank and high reciprocating mass—plus aluminum case, Type iV cooler and a filter hanging off the oil pump.

Awesome! It's that there Aircooled.net's Mileage Motor spec? Mine isn't quite that, I kind of took another route. Instead of going dual carbs I kept it central and added dual heat riders and more intake texture to increase emulsion. I also adapted a Type IV cooler and filter pump but along with an oil thermostat. That took a lot of thinking especially since the oil cooler is still in the same position on the crankcase (doghouse). That and a lot of oiling mods mostly. One of these days I'll get to it and see if what I had planned will actually work. If it doesn't I'll either sell the whole car or just the engine.

[freebeard]

teknomage2012 -- OEM FTW

Can you post a picture for size comparison? The Toyota/Lexus MGR is 50kW/68hp and 98lb.



What chassis? Suzuki Samurai? What might be interesting would be a VW sand rail converted to 4WD.

Isaac Zackary -- Built to John Karcey's original spec (less the 50lb pulley) before the HVW series. They went with fuel injection heads for the smaller exhaust valves, but I used CB Performance big valve heads because I thought I might run CNG.

I did the Type IV cooler with Gene Berg parts.

[Isaac Zackary]

Will I finally did it. I bought a Leaf yesterday. I drove it 79miles on the first day and still had 24 miles left and that's with all season mud and snow tires. It's a 2013 SL. It's got the quick charge port and 6.6kW charger.

The best part was that my sweet wife was completely against the idea until she sat in the vehicle. Then she decided that we needed this car.

[ChewChewTrain]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zackary

Will I finally did it. I bought a Leaf yesterday. I drove it 79miles on the first day and still had 24 miles left and that's with all season mud and snow tires. It's a 2013 SL. It's got the quick charge port and 6.6kW charger.

The best part was that my sweet wife was completely against the idea until she sat in the vehicle. Then she decided that we needed this car.

Very cool.

Did you buy a 2013 Leaf because it is better than the other model years?

Also, did it come with summer tires? That's because research has shown that knobbier tires gives less MPG.