The Firebrid Hybrid Convertible Project (Prius platform swap)

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Awesome generosity. It is one thing to have plans for the projects we have not completed, but a person enters another league when they produce the plans for the unique project they have actually finished! ☺

Bill the Engineer is WAY in the lead for ECOMODDER of THE YEAR!!!!!

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by mcrews

Bill the Engineer is WAY in the lead for ECOMODDER of THE YEAR!!!!!

Thanks for the compliment. The year is still young though!

Bill the Engineer

[Bill the Engineer]

It's SPRING! The project is out of hibernation. Next step is getting the electrician to install the circuits for the welder and air compressor.




Bill the Engineer

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Any guess on when it's gonna get ready?

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Any guess on when it's gonna get ready?

Couple of years, although I might have it on the road unfinished somewhat earlier to determine if I need to make suspension mods.

I'd rather do it right than do it fast.

Bill the Engineer

[jgatl]

Originally Posted by Bill the Engineer

It's SPRING! The project is out of hibernation. Next step is getting the electrician to install the circuits for the welder and air compressor.
Bill the Engineer

@Bill, I'm curious if this is the final alignment or if the body will drop down some more (it appears the prius engine is near the top of the engine bay already). If you can, would definitely like to see some schematics or read about the next steps in the build.

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by jgatl

@Bill, I'm curious if this is the final alignment or if the body will drop down some more (it appears the prius engine is near the top of the engine bay already). If you can, would definitely like to see some schematics or read about the next steps in the build.

Actually, your question is the most common one I hear. At most I could get another half inch (12mm) before I would need to cut into structural parts that I don't want to disturb. This was expected from the beginning since the structural design between 1967 and 2014 is so vastly different.

Page back to the earlier posts for a number of drawings and diagrams that I have posted here so far. I will post another update soon.

Bill the Engineer

[jgatl]

Originally Posted by Bill the Engineer

Actually, your question is the most common one I hear.

Page back to the earlier posts for a number of drawings and diagrams that I have posted here so far. I will post another update soon.

Bill the Engineer

I'm sorry I thought I read all the posts but must have missed that. It will be interesting to see how you end up fabricating and attaching the rocker panels.

Keep up the great work, I always thought about using a Prius as a platform for a convertible. It's good to see you pulling this off, even if it takes a few years.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by jgatl

@Bill, I'm curious if this is the final alignment or if the body will drop down some more (it appears the prius engine is near the top of the engine bay already). If you can, would definitely like to see some schematics or read about the next steps in the build.

Actually the square block look is pretty popular, most Dodge cars look like that, so a little more height can add an opportunity for a certain unique flair.

(I love these type of projects)

[me and my metro]

I really like the look of the asphalt cars from the late 70's that were raced at Vegas and Mesa Marin in Bakersfield. What they did was stretch the bottom of the body. From the door seam the panel went straight down. This looks very good on the older body style cars like your bird. We raced a 68 Firebird at Mesa Marin in the late 70's and a 79 Trans Am in the early 80's.