RANT: Electric Conversions, Not what you think...... Options

[KaptKaos]

There's a fellow selling a motor in the classifieds. Here's the link:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=92077

Seems normal enough. I assume, maybe wrongly, that this person is using the car for an electric conversion.

I have no issue with people converting their cars to electric motors. However, I am wondering if it is reasonable to ask or inform the people that are looking to do this to please try to use '76 cars? This is particularly important in California, as the smog checks in California aren't required on Pre-76 cars.

There are two counter arguments that I can think of and they are:

1) '76 cars are fairly rare, and therefore either more expensive and/or harder to find.
2) The point of an electric conversion is to reduce emissions, so using a car that has higher emissions makes more sense.

I am not sure if this is practical/possible/reasonable/feasible, so I figured that I'd ask.

Am I out of line here?

Please note that I mean no ill will to the seller above.

[So.Cal.914]

So the premise of using only pre-76 vehicles for electrical modification just doesn't hold water...

It does unless some idiot told them it's modified.

[creeg123]

I bought a 73 teener that has been converted. It needs new batteries before it will work, and Im moving right now, so its gonna be a while before its running.

The new battery technology is not going to be available (or economical) until at least 2012. Otherwise, you will spend $10K on the Lithium batteries.
Yes, lead acids are heavy, but they can do the job for commutes (up to 30-40 miles). Once the battery technology catches up, there will be electric 914s out there that will blow the doors off any gassers.

I think that everyone is entitled to their opinions- but you have to consider all the factors involved, such as the price of gas (which will probably rise of over the summer), the environment, and the fact that the 914 is a realy good car for this coversion: it looks great, has LOTS of space for batteries, and is easy to work with.

I understand why you would want to only convert post-76 cars, but people can do whatever they want to their cars (with the limits of the law, and sometimes outside that). And besides, where do you draw the line on modifications to your car? Keep it 100% stock? Only use Porsche-approved aftermarket kits? Or is the line drawn at the conversion from gas to electric?

Its up to people to do what they want with their car. That ability to express yourself and be unique through your car is what makes them great.