A very PistonHeads EV conversion

[VeeDubMcG]

As an avid lurker on these forums, who has learned a lot on a range of different subjects from these pages, I felt it was time to give something back.

As such, I wanted to share with you my latest car project - an EV conversion on a 1998 Porsche 911.

I know some people may say I am crazy, or that I am ruining a good car, but with the way the car industry is heading I felt it was time to start investigating how to make cars like this more eco friendly, while retaining the joy that comes with driving them.

Like most people on these forums, I am a huge fan of iconic performance cars, and I do enjoy seeing a well sorted example of these cars roaring past on the road. I am also extremely interested in what is coming out of the electric side of the motor industry, but the cars available there that excite me are either crazily expensive, or just concepts at the moment. As a result, the only option I could see was to build my own.

I will try to post key or interesting project updates here.

So far I have the car (a slightly rough example which I am working through getting sorted) and the motor (from a Nissan Leaf which we will be looking to extract far more than stock power out of.) The next steps are to get the motor running standalone on the bench, then working to get it to fit into the Porsche.

I hope you folks find this interesting.

Moderator edit: no YouTube promotion please - post the updates here.

Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 15th May 11:55

Edited by PerformanceEV on Thursday 16th May 13:23

[gmaz]

Subscribed. Looks like an interesting project to convert a "modern" sports car.

[VeeDubMcG]

Thanks Moderator, apologies for breaking the rules.

Back on track,

Here is the subject of the build in all it's glory.



A 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera, (a 996, first of the watercooled 911s.) This one is in Ocean Blue metallic with a Savannah Beige interior (which I am in the process of replacing...as I don't like beige ) It has a tiptronic transmission, which I know isn't the most desirable, but we're not going to be using this transmission so that should not be a problem.

In terms of options with the car, it looks like the original owner was more focussed on driving than comfort as they didn't choose that many options, and just went with the sports package that include 10mm lowered suspension, larger (18") hollow spoke Turbo Twists, and sports seats.

[so called]

Thought these pics may be of interest to you.
I used to spend a lot of time in the US.
These shots are from the 'Imported Cars' show in Carlisle PA in 2014.

In the TVR Car Club North America (great bunch of people) area of the British Cars section, an old TVR Tasmin converted to electric.
Can't remember its performance.

[kambites]

There's an electric Evora build on Youtube you might find interesting given that it's a similar sort of car.

[sja360]

Interesting idea, I wondered about a conversion myself at some point for my 997 in the distant future but I'm falling into the category of that these cars are great because of the engine.

Whether it's 4 cyl turbocharged or v6 or v8/10 etc doesn't matter it makes a passionate noise and gives enjoyment. I'm unsure the electric whine will make up for it even if it goes 300 miles in a single charge and does 0-60 in 3 secs.

Are you taking the motor & battery from the gen 1 leaf?

[Baldchap]

ash73 said:

I'd prefer to see a V8 petrol put in a Tesla.

Why?

We have a Model X. Literally the only thing going for it is the power train. If it was available with a petrol engine you'd buy a Porsche or Merc people carrier.

[tuscan_raider]

VeeDubMcG said:

Thanks Moderator, apologies for breaking the rules.

Back on track,

Here is the subject of the build in all it's glory.


A 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera, (a 996, first of the watercooled 911s.) This one is in Ocean Blue metallic with a Savannah Beige interior (which I am in the process of replacing...as I don't like beige ) It has a tiptronic transmission, which I know isn't the most desirable, but we're not going to be using this transmission so that should not be a problem.

In terms of options with the car, it looks like the original owner was more focussed on driving than comfort as they didn't choose that many options, and just went with the sports package that include 10mm lowered suspension, larger (18") hollow spoke Turbo Twists, and sports seats.

Well certainly ditching the engine in that car is a good start :-) (check the porsche forums for multiple threads if you are interested)

Very much looking forward to this - as a previous 996 (turbo) owner and current TVR owner !

As a guess, I suspect the Porsche is a much heavier car than the TVR (and the engines in a different place) - so performance and handling will be 'interesting'

[Julian Thompson]

Big job - very interesting.

Can you use another motor on the front axle utilising some C4 gubbins?

[PerformanceEV]

sja360 said:

Interesting idea, I wondered about a conversion myself at some point for my 997 in the distant future but I'm falling into the category of that these cars are great because of the engine.

Whether it's 4 cyl turbocharged or v6 or v8/10 etc doesn't matter it makes a passionate noise and gives enjoyment. I'm unsure the electric whine will make up for it even if it goes 300 miles in a single charge and does 0-60 in 3 secs.

Are you taking the motor & battery from the gen 1 leaf?

I agree, unfortunately switching to electric does come with a compromise. The noise is never going to elicit the same emotions as a well balanced engine at full chat.

I'm going with the gen2 leaf motor and inverter for the drivetrain. On the battery front, I am still looking into it, there are limits to the amount of power the Leaf batteries can provide, which is more than adequate for the power the Leaf needs, but has a limit below what I hope to achieve. I have heard good things about the Volt batteries (and of course the Tesla packs have a proven ability to dump huge amounts of power to the motor very quickly.)

This will be an iterative process, as I am sure some components will reach their limits and need to be upgraded before I reach my target power....but that's half the fun.