New Project Options

[pek771]

We will talk in the near future. I still need door panels.

[pek771]

Short update: I brought the car to the painter yesterday. He said to grind the 40 year old Bondo off. It is all cracked, and would not make a good underlayment. Evidently, Bondo technology has come a long way in 40 years.
On the brighter side, my motor will be in in 3 weeks, supposedly.It was very nice of Karmann to put the oil line holes on either side of the floor pan (that is where the battery wires will go.

@shivers- No fire suppression system is planned. If I get a thermal runaway on the batteries, I jump out. I don't think there is a good way to put that sort of fire out in any onboard system.

@914e- I am trying to figure out a way to utilize the space on either side of the engine compartment for batteries. But, the batteries have to match the Tesla Model S modules to work properly (22.7V, 5.3kWh).

And, finally, did the 1970 have side marker lights? ( I suspect yes). The holes were filled in with 1979 Bondo.

[Jett]

I watched a documentary where the scientists had a drone in flight, had some kind of malfunction and it hit the earth. Wasn't that high up. The battery burst into flames upon impact. And not just a small fire, the dirt was frozen so two guys grabbed a big rock and started smashing the battery pack that didn't want to go out. Tesla may have crash zones for this reason, if they don't they should. Are you going to use some type of fire suppression system? Cool project

Kevlar bag for the batteries is a common protection mechanism, but you are spot on with the risk.

[pek771]

The car goes to the paint shop on 6 June. I think we are going with Porsche Murano Green, from the 80's. Everything else will bedliner black.
Car weighs 1200 lb empty (it is around 570# in front and 630# in the rear), including the wheels, front and rear lids, rocker panels and targa top-no glass, no powertrain. no seats. I sanded all of the 40 year old bondo off, which was cracked. Undercoated everything with Second Skin Spectrum.



Car started out as orange. someone resprayed everything in blue. Tough getting all the blue painted areas prepped sufficiently for new paint.

[Cairo94507]

Hi Patrick - Nicely done. Taking the extra time and effort to prepare the jams, trunks, engine bay, etc., will pay great dividends once painted as the new color will adhere nicely. Nothing worse than a color change when it gets a chip and you see the prior color(s) show through. BTW, I like Murano Green. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[pek771]

Short update: Got this from the painter today. Evidently there are a couple (at least) of Porsche Murano Green, so we came up with this instead. Everything not shiny and blue/green is bedliner.

[steuspeed]

That's a nice color!

[autopro]

Color looks great!

[pek771]

Quick progress report:
6 of the 7 Tesla modules are in. I managed to get two 2/0 wires in the tunnel.
Motor is mounted on the gearbox. I did install the Quiafe TBD. The charger is laid out, but I have to fab some brackets for it. No cooling system yet.

[pek771]

Doesn't take up much room.

[DRPHIL914]

@pek771

what tow bar did you use? the one on the first post , picture of it hooked up . that step up is what they need to line up with a hitch, I got the Harbor Freight one but its flat and i am going to have to use a lowring drop hitch on the truck, or get a different tow bar like that.

Thanks,

Phil

PS, nice project, that paint looks great. In light of recent increase in prices but recent increase in interest of battery power conversions im not sure the value will be hurt by the conversion. Someone could always take it back to original. My son and i were going to do this about 12 years ago, thats why i bought my car, but we dident do it as the cost of batteries, LIPO at that time was rediculous and either way you would not even get 75 miles so it got restored back to original color etc. BUT he and i still have thought of doing this, maybe only to tub that had already been butchered (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) .

Looking forward to seeing the culmination of your effort.

[pek771]

Phil, I got that hitch plate from 914Rubber. It accepts a Super Beetle tow bar. The 914Rubber plate is still on the car..bolts up to the stock torsion bar housing in front. The hitch is a Curt, and it is a 5" drop hitch that goes into the receiver on the car..So, the 914Rubber plate and the Super Beetle tow bar cost about $300; well worth it.

[VaccaRabite]

@pek771
Any updates?

[pek771]

Update:
Moving to NC in two weeks. Been getting the car ready to pull up to NC from Florida. I am going to flat tow it. I have a TOAD portable braking system for it.I'm debating the merits of putting the front and rear glass in first.
I had two battery boxes built up in Tampa. All seven Tesla modules are in, but not wired. I have them in pretty secure, so this little trip will be a good test.
Rear battery boxes with batteries are 125 Lb each, and the motor and controller are 139 Lb, so this works out fairly closely to the original 4 cylinder weight.
When I get the car up to Carolina, I'll go through the weights and corner weights. I am pretty sure that the car will spin like a top, and not roll over:)

[Dlee6205]

Where in NC are you moving to?

[pek771]

Hi Doug, Rock Barn, in Conover.

[FlacaProductions]

Doubtful. It'll gain less than 200 lbs. and acquire rocket-like acceleration.

[krazykonrad]

This is a really interesting project. Where are you $-wise on the cost of the electric components? I'm interested to see where this lines up with a six conversion or a Subaru conversion.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[pek771]

@krazykonrad :
I am at approximately $41k on this, everything. Cost of the car, shipping to FL, motor, batteries, every nut and bolt almost. Paint, new rubber and trim parts, total refresh.

Like you, I am curious where it lines up. I think my old 914 racer was about the same. The Hyper9 motor and 7 Tesla modules are about the same as a well built 2.7. I think a Suby conversion would be more.

[Jett]

I watched a documentary where the scientists had a drone in flight, had some kind of malfunction and it hit the earth. Wasn't that high up. The battery burst into flames upon impact. And not just a small fire, the dirt was frozen so two guys grabbed a big rock and started smashing the battery pack that didn't want to go out. Tesla may have crash zones for this reason, if they don't they should. Are you going to use some type of fire suppression system? Cool project

IIRC. The RC folks wrap the batteries in Kevlar to protect them and control fire.