Electric MX-5 Project
Moderators: Growler, jif, SLYDIT, Born_disturbed
Electric MX-5 Project
Hi everyone,
I'm seeking some MX5 knowledge which for all my searching I'm still in doubt.
First let me explain my project, the title was a little misleading I have a 1998 MX5 1.6L 5 speed which I am converting to electric. Yup I'm putting a rather large DC motor running at 156 volts under the hood (so its is a type of rotary... )
So this brings me to my question, now in order to fit the motor to the existing transmission an adapter plate is made that fits the shape of the MX5 bellhousing, a taper lock coupler is used to interface the motor shaft to the flywheel. Now to make things easy I'm just going to buy a pre fabricated adapter plate, but this plate is designed for a 1997 1.8L MX5 whereas I have a 1998 1.6L.
Put simply - is the 1997 1.8L bellhousing and transmission case the same as the 1998 1.6L bellhousing and transmission case???? (Note 1997 is series 1 and I have series 2 mx5).
If there are differences - are differences in the transmission or bellhousing or both?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Pete.
Lower Hutt
I'm seeking some MX5 knowledge which for all my searching I'm still in doubt.
First let me explain my project, the title was a little misleading I have a 1998 MX5 1.6L 5 speed which I am converting to electric. Yup I'm putting a rather large DC motor running at 156 volts under the hood (so its is a type of rotary... )
So this brings me to my question, now in order to fit the motor to the existing transmission an adapter plate is made that fits the shape of the MX5 bellhousing, a taper lock coupler is used to interface the motor shaft to the flywheel. Now to make things easy I'm just going to buy a pre fabricated adapter plate, but this plate is designed for a 1997 1.8L MX5 whereas I have a 1998 1.6L.
Put simply - is the 1997 1.8L bellhousing and transmission case the same as the 1998 1.6L bellhousing and transmission case???? (Note 1997 is series 1 and I have series 2 mx5).
If there are differences - are differences in the transmission or bellhousing or both?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Pete.
Lower Hutt
Last edited by evmx5 on Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Tentative sideways sliding....
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2006 6:38 pm
- Location: Glendowie, Auckland
MX5 Rotary Project!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
I met a guy ho did it to a perfectly good 68 Mini Cooper... what a waste... try a kit car with carbon body... maybe a tube frame... now that would be cool!
Peter from AKL
[Posted via external email]
I met a guy ho did it to a perfectly good 68 Mini Cooper... what a waste... try a kit car with carbon body... maybe a tube frame... now that would be cool!
Peter from AKL
[Posted via external email]
kiwipete
89 MX5
Plus 99 MX5 owned by my darling!
Plus 15 motorcycles of various makes.
89 MX5
Plus 99 MX5 owned by my darling!
Plus 15 motorcycles of various makes.
Re: MX5 Rotary Project!
Now why would better performance and saving the environment at the same time be a waste?kiwipete wrote:NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
I met a guy ho did it to a perfectly good 68 Mini Cooper... what a waste... try a kit car with carbon body... maybe a tube frame... now that would be cool!
Peter from AKL
Kit car.... are you kidding me!
-
- Why yes, actually I do run this site.
- Posts: 470
- Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 10:03 pm
- Location: I'm a JAFA and I'm OK
MX5 Rotary Project!
I think its great... just as long as you can still indulge in a bit of hoonery
[Posted via external email]
[Posted via external email]
-
- I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
- Posts: 619
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:42 am
- Location: North Shore
I have a neighbour who is about to do something similar to a Subaru Justy.
What's wrong with Kit Cars?
Seriously though, have you done any calculations yet on the likely weight of your batteries and the electric motor and also, where are you likely to locate the batteries. The 5 is quite finely balanced and too much weight in the wrong place can upset the handling.
Good luck with the project.
What's wrong with Kit Cars?
Seriously though, have you done any calculations yet on the likely weight of your batteries and the electric motor and also, where are you likely to locate the batteries. The 5 is quite finely balanced and too much weight in the wrong place can upset the handling.
Good luck with the project.
TG Sports, classic roadster - modern technology. NA1800, 99 head, 11:1 +2mm Wiseco pistons, Link LEM, Alloy f/wheel, JR headers.
My comment was out of line - kit cars are great, but I intend to use my MX5 as an everyday car too so it doesn't fit my purpose.Euen wrote: What's wrong with Kit Cars?
I'll be trying to maintain the weight distribution as best I can, I believe I can get the centre of gravity as low or lower than original. I'm not using Lead acid batteries so the weight won't be too much over normal and I should have plenty of room. I just won't have a spare tyreEuen wrote: Seriously though, have you done any calculations yet on the likely weight of your batteries and the electric motor and also, where are you likely to locate the batteries. The 5 is quite finely balanced and too much weight in the wrong place can upset the handling.
Thanks
Pete.
-
- I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
- Posts: 619
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:42 am
- Location: North Shore
If you remove the fuel tank you could locate the batteries between the seats and the boot which would allow you to still retain a spare and a bit of luggage room in the boot.evmx5 wrote: I'll be trying to maintain the weight distribution as best I can, I believe I can get the centre of gravity as low or lower than original. I'm not using Lead acid batteries so the weight won't be too much over normal and I should have plenty of room. I just won't have a spare tyre
Unfortunately you have to remove the rear subframe to get the tank out. The weight wouldn't be much higher than having them in the boot and would be further forward inside the wheelbase. I am presuming the electric motor will be a bit lighter than the original 1.6 which will also likely shift a bit more of the weight balance onto the rear.
TG Sports, classic roadster - modern technology. NA1800, 99 head, 11:1 +2mm Wiseco pistons, Link LEM, Alloy f/wheel, JR headers.
Yea, I'm not looking forward to removing the fuel tank, because of the sub frame.Euen wrote: If you remove the fuel tank you could locate the batteries between the seats and the boot which would allow you to still retain a spare and a bit of luggage room in the boot.
Unfortunately you have to remove the rear subframe to get the tank out. The weight wouldn't be much higher than having them in the boot and would be further forward inside the wheelbase. I am presuming the electric motor will be a bit lighter than the original 1.6 which will also likely shift a bit more of the weight balance onto the rear.
Motor weighs about 70kg, all of this sits at the same level as the transmission case of course. Not sure how much the original 1.6 is.
-
- I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
- Posts: 619
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:42 am
- Location: North Shore
The only info I could find was for engine and trans weight, 401 lbs, 182Kg. This link is for a guy who is heading down a similar path to you in the states.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=342222
I will have a look when I get home to see if I have any further info.
One of the "dismantlers" may have weighed an engine for shipping, Brownie or Ross, are you out there??
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=342222
I will have a look when I get home to see if I have any further info.
One of the "dismantlers" may have weighed an engine for shipping, Brownie or Ross, are you out there??
TG Sports, classic roadster - modern technology. NA1800, 99 head, 11:1 +2mm Wiseco pistons, Link LEM, Alloy f/wheel, JR headers.
Great project. Im probably not alone in thinking that this sort of car probably spells the future of fun motoring. Anyone heard of the Tesla?
I dont know why people are worried about the weight. A passenger in your 5 weighs upwards of 70kg, all plonked on one side of the car. I for one dont notice any detrimental effect on handling when I carry a passenger... do you?
Any increase in weight from the batteries will be offset to a very large degree by the removal of the engine and fuel tank. Besides, projects like these are very rarely about outright performance gains or handling improvements.
Good luck to you, lets see plenty of pics, and please can I have a go when its finished?
I dont know why people are worried about the weight. A passenger in your 5 weighs upwards of 70kg, all plonked on one side of the car. I for one dont notice any detrimental effect on handling when I carry a passenger... do you?
Any increase in weight from the batteries will be offset to a very large degree by the removal of the engine and fuel tank. Besides, projects like these are very rarely about outright performance gains or handling improvements.
Good luck to you, lets see plenty of pics, and please can I have a go when its finished?
Thanks for that info Euen. There are quite a few mx5 conversions that I know ofEuen wrote:The only info I could find was for engine and trans weight, 401 lbs, 182Kg. This link is for a guy who is heading down a similar path to you in the states.
I will have a look when I get home to see if I have any further info.
One of the "dismantlers" may have weighed an engine for shipping, Brownie or Ross, are you out there??
Yea the Tesla is an amazing car... 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds.dynofiend wrote:Great project. Im probably not alone in thinking that this sort of car probably spells the future of fun motoring. Anyone heard of the Tesla?
I dont know why people are worried about the weight. A passenger in your 5 weighs upwards of 70kg, all plonked on one side of the car. I for one dont notice any detrimental effect on handling when I carry a passenger... do you?
Any increase in weight from the batteries will be offset to a very large degree by the removal of the engine and fuel tank. Besides, projects like these are very rarely about outright performance gains or handling improvements.
Good luck to you, lets see plenty of pics, and please can I have a go when its finished?
I still need to be careful with the weight, the car needs to go through certification and I can't exceed its GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating).
Check out this if it works, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=369h-SEBXd8
if not look for White Zombie on you tube.
Very cool
if not look for White Zombie on you tube.
Very cool
Euen wrote:
Thanks Euen. That reminds me of another question I have about fly wheels. How...agressively..can a stock fly wheel be lightened.. or would it be better going for a after market fly wheel ? I'll be removing the ring gear since that is no longer required.
Pete.
Pete I found another thread on Miata. net
"Engine including flywheel, exhaust, alternator, clutch, intake manifold, and starter: 280 lb "
Thats about 127Kg
Thanks Euen. That reminds me of another question I have about fly wheels. How...agressively..can a stock fly wheel be lightened.. or would it be better going for a after market fly wheel ? I'll be removing the ring gear since that is no longer required.
Pete.
-
- Black is the new black.
- Posts: 601
- Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: An Eastern Beach
Re: MX5 Rotary Project!
Wow, sounds like a great project. Will be be able to fill us in with more details as you go? I'd love to do the same one day myself (not to my current baby however!) as it would be perfect for cheap fun city driving.evmx5 wrote: First let me explain my project, the title was a little misleading I have a 1998 MX5 1.6L 5 speed which I am converting to electric. Yup I'm putting a rather large DC motor running at 156 volts under the hood (so its is a type of rotary... )
Thanks,
Pete.
Lower Hutt
I'd love to know what type of motor & where it comes from. Is it a commercial motor designed for mating to a transmission like this? What is the motor specs? What battery type/ charging mechanism(s)?
I have a friend in the Hutt that is an electronics specialist that would love to take a look I'm sure and would be happy to help with any microprocessor control, charging circuitry etc (he drives an MR2... but I don't hold that against him).
cheers
(z)
-
- Black is the new black.
- Posts: 601
- Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: An Eastern Beach
from memory the 1.6 flywheel is about 8kg and there are aftermarket ones that come even down to around 3.5kg. I have heard that people have taken off about 1.5kg from the stock flywheel by simple machining - I haven't bothered but may do one day.Euen wrote:How...agressively..can a stock fly wheel be lightened.. or would it be better going for a after market fly wheel ? I'll be removing the ring gear since that is no longer required.
Someone who knows a bit more may like to correct my memory...
(z)
-
- I count 5-s in my sleep
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:00 pm
- Location: NZ
zorruno,
Here are a few of the key components, in the attached pic there is Lithium batter, I will be fitting 48 of these 120AH cells into the back, where the fuel tank was and in the front. Altogether it will make up 156volts.
The green box is a controller which controls how much power goes to the motor. It can put out 1000 amps momentarily and something like 300 amps continuously.
Shown also is the adapter plate I was asking about originally, it bolts upto the motor and to the transmission bellhousing.
The motor is called a Netgain Warp9, the motor itself is manufactured by a company called Warfield and tuned for electric vehicles by Netgain. Its 9.25" in diameter. Its by no means the most powerful motor around, but people do use this motor in vehicles as large as utes like Couriers, or Chevy S10 trucks in the states. So it'll smoke tires on the MX5 for sure.
Here are a few of the key components, in the attached pic there is Lithium batter, I will be fitting 48 of these 120AH cells into the back, where the fuel tank was and in the front. Altogether it will make up 156volts.
The green box is a controller which controls how much power goes to the motor. It can put out 1000 amps momentarily and something like 300 amps continuously.
Shown also is the adapter plate I was asking about originally, it bolts upto the motor and to the transmission bellhousing.
The motor is called a Netgain Warp9, the motor itself is manufactured by a company called Warfield and tuned for electric vehicles by Netgain. Its 9.25" in diameter. Its by no means the most powerful motor around, but people do use this motor in vehicles as large as utes like Couriers, or Chevy S10 trucks in the states. So it'll smoke tires on the MX5 for sure.
- Attachments
-
- evcomponents.jpg (26.86 KiB) Viewed 20124 times
-
- Tentative sideways sliding....
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 7:47 pm
MX5 Rotary Project!
Peter Garrity
Wellington
Wellington
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 23 guests