Elecrtric Hot Rod Build

[settintrendz]

I've had a few requests to post pics and info on a car I'm currently building. So... this will be an ongoing thread I'll add to that will track the progress.
In May of '08 a good customer of mine hired me to design and build a concept-type car that used an electric motor. He really had only a few requests... that it have a small footprint, and that it be quick. With that in mind, I loosly based the conceptual rendering on an early 30's Ford ('33) roadster.
I've previously had no experience with electric vehicles, so I've faced quite a learning curve. But let me tell you.... it has been very neat to do something so different.
A few details.... We're using a WarP11 motor (11") in front of a 5 speed. 12, twelve volt batteries (144v total)that power the motor. One aux battery. 106" wheelbase. 60" track width. As it sits right now.... Just a hair over 2000 pounds with driver but the batteries weigh about 800 pounds. We think we can shave almost half of that if we make the switch to lithium. It'll be low on HP (190) but high on torque (600ft/lb+). Based on other builds using similar motors and weight, we project 0-60 time in the ballpark of 2.4 seconds. We'll see.
Any and all questions/comments welcome. Enjoy!

[settintrendz]

[goodfellow]

Beautiful!!! absolutley fantastic fabrication and welding. Did you cut the pieces on a CNC plama machine?

[settintrendz]

[Kevin54]

I wanna come hang out in your garage Real nice!!! How much does the grille weigh? It looks like you could shave a few pounds off of it by cutting some of the depth back. It might be minimal weight, but if you are looking for weight savings, every little bit would help. Definately looking forward to more pics of this.

[settintrendz]

[settintrendz]

Here she is at SEMA 08, unfinished.

[Kevin54]

Heck...when I posted I didn't see all of those pics. Very, very nice!!!!

[nova65ss]

Wow! Forget that it is electric the fabrication and design is incredible. Thanks for sharing.!

[rockvr4]

Amazing fab work.

[72chevy]

Now that's what I call Shock and Awe!

[Uncle Buck]

I think it is cool that someone is even trying to build an electric powered hot rod, very cutting edge stuff there. BTW: Fantastic fab skills displayed there!

[settintrendz]

AAWWWW... you guys are so sweet. thanks for the compliments.

Originally Posted by goodfellow

Beautiful!!! absolutley fantastic fabrication and welding. Did you cut the pieces on a CNC plama machine?

The grill was lazer cut. As for everything else..... layed out direct, and hand cut on the bandsaw.

[settintrendz]

Originally Posted by Kevin54

I wanna come hang out in your garage Real nice!!! How much does the grille weigh? It looks like you could shave a few pounds off of it by cutting some of the depth back. It might be minimal weight, but if you are looking for weight savings, every little bit would help. Definately looking forward to more pics of this.

yea, the grill is pretty heavy, but I wanted it to look deep. Also, the front of this thing is pretty light. too light. the motor just doesn't weigh enough so the grill lends some much needed poundage to keep the front end planted.

[Jononon]

Wow

If I might ask a nerdy question - I can't picture how gearchanges work, does the motor controller maintain constant revs when you de-clutch ?

[Jaguar Fan]

Very cool! Where in California is your shop?

[settintrendz]

Originally Posted by Jaguar Fan

Very cool! Where in California is your shop?

Thanks. Fresno, Ca.

[Kevin54]

Originally Posted by settintrendz

yea, the grill is pretty heavy, but I wanted it to look deep. Also, the front of this thing is pretty light. too light. the motor just doesn't weigh enough so the grill lends some much needed poundage to keep the front end planted.

My bad. Never even gave it a thought about the front being so light. I hope you keep posting it up on here so we can follow through or get someone to whip you up a website that we can check the progress. There was a show on TV that we used to get last summer called Amped Up or something to that effect. All electric vehicles. That was some good stuff. It amazed me at the torque that came out of a small motor. The last show that I had seen was a mail truck for the drags. Lots of torque and kept shearing a gear. Yours is going to be a hell of a lot better looking than a mail truck

[musgofasta]

Wait, are you building this in your garage?

This is phenominal!!!

[Holedgr]

Pure fabrication porn. PLEASE keep us posted. Also do mnd sharing your source for the electric motor? Thanks.


-T