Ok, dont laugh too hard.
I have worked on Jeeps for a while now. Working on them you tend to think a bit different. You see a part or just a piece of scrap metal and say I can make it work. All you need is a Plasma, a welder and duct tape. lol
Anyway, I love watching the videos on YouTube where someone has put an electric motor in a small vehicle and they scream down the drag strip. Has anybody heard of this being done to a Spider? You would think the Spider would be a great platform for that setup.
Sounds crazy but might be a fun build.
Electric?
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JerryH
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:00 pm
- Your car is a: 1976 124
- Location: Erie, Colorado
Re: Electric?
You need to check out this website:
http://www.electric-lemon.com/
There are several electric Spider conversions on the web, but this one is the highest quality conversion that I've found and without a doubt the best documented conversion on the net.
When I purchased my '76 a couple years ago, gas was $4/gal and I was considering converting mine to electric. Then gas got cheaper and I found out how cool it is to have a motor equipped with dual 40IDF carbs
.
-J
http://www.electric-lemon.com/
There are several electric Spider conversions on the web, but this one is the highest quality conversion that I've found and without a doubt the best documented conversion on the net.
When I purchased my '76 a couple years ago, gas was $4/gal and I was considering converting mine to electric. Then gas got cheaper and I found out how cool it is to have a motor equipped with dual 40IDF carbs
.-J
1976 Fiat 124
1972 Fiat 124
1972 Fiat 124
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peggus
Re: Electric?
Hey, thanks for the praise! I guess the pictures don't show the generous use of duct tape and bailing wire. Of course most of that went in after my daughter was born and spare time was limited and funding non existent.....
There are much higher quality conversions than mine, check out http://www.diyelectriccar.com and http://www.evalbum.com/
Here's a pic from today, we just got J1772 charge stations in the parking lot at work, I was the second person to plug in, a converted Spitfire beat me to it.
There are much higher quality conversions than mine, check out http://www.diyelectriccar.com and http://www.evalbum.com/
Here's a pic from today, we just got J1772 charge stations in the parking lot at work, I was the second person to plug in, a converted Spitfire beat me to it.
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jbills
Re: Electric?
Mine's converted and I can confirm your theory - it IS a great platform for an electric. As you can imagine, the best cars make the best conversions.
Mine will outgun a stock FI Spyder from 0-45mph with all that juicy battery powered low end electric motor torque, and then will taper off up to highway speeds. Not meant for the drag strip but I can roast the tires if I felt like it, I suppose (generally I start in 2nd gear because 1st is a bit too much kick). But if you want to see what a small form factor car can do with an electric drivetrain - google "The White Zombie" (http://www.plasmaboyracing.com) and see an old 72 Datsun 1200 destroy Corvettes, Dodges, Porsches, you name it. 0-60 in 1.8 seconds.
Mine's a daily driver. I've got an AGM deep cycle pack of batteries at the moment but I can imagine performance and range would go up a bit if/when I eventually upgrade to lithium polymer. (some day... $$)
Like many things, the possibilities are endless as far as what components you can put in, based on your needs. There's a huge established scene out there and it's growing.
My car is here:
http://www.evalbum.com/3358
Hey peggus - I meant to ask - did you swap bumpers to shed some weight? Lemon is lookin' slim and sexy these days!
Mine will outgun a stock FI Spyder from 0-45mph with all that juicy battery powered low end electric motor torque, and then will taper off up to highway speeds. Not meant for the drag strip but I can roast the tires if I felt like it, I suppose (generally I start in 2nd gear because 1st is a bit too much kick). But if you want to see what a small form factor car can do with an electric drivetrain - google "The White Zombie" (http://www.plasmaboyracing.com) and see an old 72 Datsun 1200 destroy Corvettes, Dodges, Porsches, you name it. 0-60 in 1.8 seconds.
Mine's a daily driver. I've got an AGM deep cycle pack of batteries at the moment but I can imagine performance and range would go up a bit if/when I eventually upgrade to lithium polymer. (some day... $$)
Like many things, the possibilities are endless as far as what components you can put in, based on your needs. There's a huge established scene out there and it's growing.
My car is here:
http://www.evalbum.com/3358
Hey peggus - I meant to ask - did you swap bumpers to shed some weight? Lemon is lookin' slim and sexy these days!
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Zippy
- Posts: 585
- Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 10:06 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 Fiat
- Location: Real Close to Milton, WA
Re: Electric?
jbills, nice car. Good luck with your upgrade. I would also like to have an electric spider but now that I have the time I don't have the funds.
peggus, nice car. Did you ever resolve the problem with the DMV, BAR and ARB?
peggus, nice car. Did you ever resolve the problem with the DMV, BAR and ARB?
1978 Spider
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peggus
Re: Electric?
The weight was definitely a big reason to dump those tube bumpers, 40-50 pounds each, that's 2+ battery modules for me, plus they're ugly.
I'm working on the registration still, had it inspected again, this time by a BAR refree. He scratched his head, called someone on the phone and told them it doesn't have an engine, just a steel box. Then he punched some numbers into a computer and that was it.
I still need to go back to the DMV, stand in line and try to get it registered. I wouldn't be suprised if they want me to take it to the CHP next....
Coming back from the BAR station I noticed a thumping noise coming from the front right, so this weekend I'll be replacing the ball joints. I'll probably also cut a coil on the springs, it's riding a bit high in the front.
I'm working on the registration still, had it inspected again, this time by a BAR refree. He scratched his head, called someone on the phone and told them it doesn't have an engine, just a steel box. Then he punched some numbers into a computer and that was it.
I still need to go back to the DMV, stand in line and try to get it registered. I wouldn't be suprised if they want me to take it to the CHP next....
Coming back from the BAR station I noticed a thumping noise coming from the front right, so this weekend I'll be replacing the ball joints. I'll probably also cut a coil on the springs, it's riding a bit high in the front.