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Old 01-02-2009, 04:32 PM   #1 (permalink)
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New Year's Resolution: Scratch Building an FE (diesel electric hybrid) car.....

After much thinking, and many drinks, I've decided that current car offerings are unsuitable for super high fuel economy numbers. So, I've decided to jump in and build my own high-mpg car..

Goals are:

1.Capable of freeway speeds
2.Under 5K (this one might be hard)
3.Over 100mpg.

Luckily I have the help on an engineer friend who will help me create an electric-diesel vehicle. For registration purposes (and to drive in the carpool lane) it will be three wheeled, even though I didn't really want it to be. For power I'm starting out with an old-school E-tek electric motor, which provides a constant 30 lb-ft of torque. Not much you say? Well this sucker is going to be LIGHT.

Since I am a dreamer, but no fabricator, I'l be starting out with a t-bucket chassis and front suspension, most likely from Total Performance of some other similar shop. The rear suspension will be a motorcycle swingarm, and the regen for the electric motor will be a 10hp diesel generator which uses about 1 gallon per 5 hours at 12 volts. I've built a T-bucket before, and I can tell you that the chassis, front suspension, and steering only weighs a few hundred pounds.

I'll be running a 24 volt alternator off of a motorhome for a charging system, and I expect the running vehicle to be well under 1000 pounds with a rollcage (don't want to get smashed by LA traffic)....since my Chevette only makes about 70 lb-ft at peak, and weighs 2400 pounds, the vehicle should be plenty fast to "keep up with traffic."

Wish me luck guys and gals, I'll keep updating this thread as I make progress......

For now, here is an example of what I'll be shooting for, minus the hi-po engine but with a much more enclosed bodywork....

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4...ympus69ck5.jpg

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Old 01-03-2009, 12:17 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Fokus - '12 Ford Focus SE
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you could use a fork lift electric motor
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https://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-...ehicleid=10608
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Old 01-03-2009, 12:34 PM   #3 (permalink)
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I like it! Especially the Gatling guns mounted inboard of the front wheels :-)
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Old 01-03-2009, 03:58 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Wow - looks like a major challenge to me!
GOOD LUCK with it!!!
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Old 01-03-2009, 06:07 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JQmile View Post
After much thinking, and many drinks...
Wow, you type well for someone who's had many drinks .

Sounds interesting. Subscribed.
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Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
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Old 01-03-2009, 06:09 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
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Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

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PS - I added "diesel hybrid electric" to the thread title. Hope you don't mind.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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Old 01-03-2009, 09:14 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
Wow, you type well for someone who's had many drinks .

Sounds interesting. Subscribed.

I'm a writer by trade so that helps...and spell check can be a good friend for those who type fast and carelessly

Oh, and as I learned from the GM guys, the car will actually be an E-REV (extended range electric vehicle) since only the electric portion of the power system will be driving the wheels. I just figured a diesel engine would be the most efficient generator until something else comes up.
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Old 01-03-2009, 09:15 PM   #8 (permalink)
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My resolution is to make my s-10 hit the 35gpm mark.

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