The Firebrid Hybrid Convertible Project (Prius platform swap)

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I was already aware of that Flathead-powered Camaro. But if I were going to attempt a similar project I'd rather try either a flathead-6 or a Cadillac flathead V8 since they're at least in theory less prone to overheat.

Originally Posted by RedDevil

In Europe the Ford engine in a Chevy issue tickles no spines, but if you say Porsche engine in a Ferrari ...

I'd rather put a Chevy engine in a Ferrari. BTW you might have already seen something about Renegade Hybrids, a company that adapts Chevy engines into Porsches.

[mcrews]

company building retro 66 mustangs is having to put chevy v8 in them. Something to do w the new 'limited production laws' that were just passed and certifying for smog. something about the ford crate motors didn't meet the certification in all 50 states and ford wasn't going to fix it. Chey's v8 already met the specs.

[Bill the Engineer]

Update:

Sorry for the sideways photo...

I spent the afternoon cutting away the pieces that I thought were holding the Firebird body too high on the chassis. Nothing seemed to work even though the parts I cut would have needed to get trimmed back anyway.

I got inside the car and jumped up and down with my 1/8 ton body weight, but it was solid. Nothing was about to move. Just before running out of time, I stuck my droplight into the end of the driveshaft tunnel and poked my cell phone in to take some pictures where I couldn't see. Sure enough, a pair of brackets that used to hold the console in place in the Prius v were protruding up higher than expected and supporting the Firebrid's body above where it should be. I'm out of time for this weekend, but nect weekend the body will get lifted so that I can cut those brackets off entirely.



Even slow progress is progress.

Bill the Engineer

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Which? Retain the Firebird "hump" for originality...or...replace with a flat panel for less wasted space?

Keeping the hump to mount the original console onto!

Bill the Engineer

[Galane]

I don't see a need to relocate the battery and make the rear seat useless. Build a stainless steel "rain hat" for it and ensure the original Firebird water handling system is leak free. If need be, out the old and rebuild it with stainless steel.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I'd rather put a Chevy engine in a Ferrari. BTW you might have already seen something about Renegade Hybrids, a company that adapts Chevy engines into Porsches.

Your Ferrari would be WAAY less likely to catch fire that way. Maintenance costs that don't require you sell a kidney, maintenance intervals you can measure with a calendar instead of a stopwatch, and parts at Walmart.

I see little downside here.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by Galane

I don't see a need to relocate the battery and make the rear seat useless. Build a stainless steel "rain hat" for it and ensure the original Firebird water handling system is leak free. If need be, out the old and rebuild it with stainless steel.

"Leak free!"

It's an old Pontiac I think leaks are kind of the rule of the day.

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Galane

I don't see a need to relocate the battery and make the rear seat useless. Build a stainless steel "rain hat" for it and ensure the original Firebird water handling system is leak free. If need be, out the old and rebuild it with stainless steel.

The battery couldn't stay where it was. The backrest of the rear seat in the Firebird's body is a main structural element that needs to stay where it is. The existing battery location in a Prius v is at that same location (and still protruding into the lower portion of the rear seat while at the same time preventing the top from lowering completely.)

The choices were to move it to the trunk, which would require extensions to the existing cables, or move it under the rear seat cushion. Either way it requires a rain cap, since GM convertibles in the rain are prone to many internal leaks. (Some by design!) I have plans to install a Coverdent Plug-out system and possibly a Plug-in conversion system in the little Firebird trunk. To me, the choice to move the traction battery under the rear seat is the best solution.

Bill the Engineer

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

The only Priuses I've ever seen were regular 3rd-generation ones, neither the Prius C or the Prius V, but I'm aware the C has a console-mounted space-saving lithium battery. Anyway, is there any other approach you could try?

[Saskwatchian]

I don't know what the battery cells are shaped like, but would it be able to be re-configured to fit in the transmission tunnel?