Hybrid AWD conversion

[Autobahnschleicher]

I'm looking a little into doing a hybrid-conversion.
This isn't realy anything serious yet, but I was thinking a little about it.
My car has no engine or gearbox up front and just enough space below the "frunk" to add some driveshafts and a small electric motor or two.
The big question would be how to run driveshafts from the hubs to the motors as I don't think my front hubs are meant to have driveshafts.
On the other hand it isn't unlikely Toyota has used pre-existing hubs upfront or there might be compatible ones that could fit.
Besides, a little performance increase would undoubtly be fun and I've got an 11 kW outlet at home.

[Stubby79]

Go look up the Fiero hybrid on Youtube (assuming it's still there)...they basically chopped out the front crossmember and grafted in one from an EV or hybrid.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

The big question would be how to run driveshafts from the hubs to the motors as I don't think my front hubs are meant to have driveshafts.
On the other hand it isn't unlikely Toyota has used pre-existing hubs upfront or there might be compatible ones that could fit.

I would check if any hub from a Corolla or a Camry is suitable.

[Ecky]

Often the existing knuckles will not accept hubs that accept driveshafts. I'll give an example:

In Honda circles, AWD conversions are highly desirable. Typically one uses an Element or CR-V transmission and rear differential. Turns out Honda Insight front hubs have the same axle size as CR-V or Element rear differentials, so you see tube frame fabrication for mounting points to put Insight knuckles and, sometimes, even control arms, into the back of Civics. The steering arm becomes a "toe arm".

Fronts are probably easier than rears, given that the MR2's front suspension almost certainly shares parts with some FWD vehicle you can steal knuckles out of.

[freebeard]

My recommendation would be the rear axle from a Lexus LX400h or Toyota Highlander. Here's mine (on the right).



It's a problem for me because the Toyota axle stubs are contrary to VW axles. But it wouldn't be for you. 68 hp, 98 pounds.

ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/hot-rodding-toyota-mgr

[Autobahnschleicher]

With 68 hp more, my little Spyder would get quite quick as well.
But I'll need to check if I can mount driveshafts to the hubs.
Also did some calculations on electric range:
As the Spyder has a pretty low CDA and low weight, I can get quite some range even from small batteries.
In case I'd go full EV, I'd be looking at over 300 km with a 30 kWh pack at 100 km/h.

[alexshock]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

With 68 hp more, my little Spyder would get quite quick as well.

Your little will become not so little... it is 98 pounds only for motor without battery and invertor.

And in electric drive, power more depends on the maximum battery output, not on the motor itself.

Would you mind some conversion from Prius2/Yaris/Aqua?

[Isaac Zachary]

We're talking about the MR2 Spider?
My suggestion is to research and first see if anyone has done an AWD conversion before and then go with that. If not, you're going to be the first to do both the front drive line and EV aspect at the same time.

I know with the classic VW Beetles some had done 4WD conversions before. Using the same parts with the exception of modifying the transaxle adding the drive shaft, all you'd need more would be the electric motor connected to the new front differential and batteries and controller.

[Piotrsko]

There are type 2 transporters with a drive shaft extending out the front of the trans to drive the front wheels. Other than being rare, I suspect this is easily adoptable even to modification of a standard transmission

[freebeard]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifi...php?id=1852996

This pile of Schwimmwagen parts sold for $8500.