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.

[PThompson509]

Hmm, well, if I *could* have found a '76 I would have converted it, but as you said, it is rare. However, I DID find a '75 that had a really sad engine and transmission (and of course, the usual rust). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Personally, I DON'T think it's a bad thing for people to know that '76 or later are good years for conversion. However, this information needs to make it out into the general public (rather than just the 914 world/club/whatever page). Most of the time, you have people like me (former 928, current 911) trying to find a good chassis to use. I asked the local experts for help, and concentrated on finding a relatively rust-free chassis.

Now as for the FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) regarding batteries:
Lead-acid Batteries are almost completely recyclable, and actually generate less greenhouse gas than your gastank to manufacture. They are good for 3-5 years (in moderate climates, maybe less in the bloody cold climates, dunno, I live in San Diego and have to worry about roasting to death in summer). Yeah, they are heavy, but I also have upgraded the suspension to deal with that.

Electricity? I have solar panels. <soapbox> But ponder this - I can get electricity from just about ANY source - gas, coal, nuclear, solar, etc. Where can you get gasoline from? ONLY oil. </soapbox>

So, If you want to ask people to not use earlier versions, thats cool. Talk to the people that make the kits and ask them to mention that. Electro Automotive makes a good kit for the 914, and I'm sure that someone at Camp 914 also knows.

[EDIT] on second thought, don't deal with Electro Auto. They are a company that obviously hates their customers and doesn't deliver. Don't touch them or any of their product.

Cheers!
Peter