Manual EV 356

[Ollie]

I'm guessing I'm one of the younger members here being 43, like may others I have an interest in EV's but also a love for the analogue/mechanical so can't see a converted 912/356 etc being nearly as much fun as they don't have the feel and sound of a carburettor engine, the rewards of being able to tune and fettle, the smell of oil and petrol... the list goes on... none of which can be replicated by an EV.

That being said... I'm contemplating converting my VW T3 to an EV in the next 5 years/when battery prices come down. First step is a brake upgrade with I'm working on at the moment... If the numbers don't work in 5 years it'll get some sort of 911 engine just for fun, however it is just a brick on wheels

I also had a sneak peek a while ago at Jonny's 914 EV project... which looked insane... so could be wrong about EV's not being exciting... [edit... in the time taken to write Jonny's posted above!]

Its a tough one!!

[Ollie]

Yeah... that's going to be fun!

[gridgway]

C'mon Jonny, we need a driving review! Settle it once and for all, a sparky super drive or a dull drive with no current-cy all?

[Jonny Hart]

^ yeah, can't wait to get out it out. It's been fighting back a bit - nothing to do with the EV stuff. Got a leaking front damper and need some rear springs. Should be a hoot.

[WRC_1S]

Sorry, I want my fun now.

Here's my boring car:

300HP. 50/50 Weight Distribution. Same weight as 3.2 Carrera. 911 Suspension/brakes. Power steering. Power Brakes (Tesla).





Number plates came through last week - a couple of minor jobs then on the road!

Looks an impressive build have you actually driven it yet?

[KS]

Truly impressive build (not sure about the blue LEDs/neons.. ) BUT it's now a 914-shaped EV, not a 914.

I'll possibly take my car out today for its last drive before pulling the engine and drivetrain ahead of the engine and trans upgrades - switching on the ignition, listening to the fuel pump fill the carbs, pump the throttle three times, turn the key, listen to it cough once or twice then fire up into its rattly idle as the JE pistons slap around until they're warm. Smell the oil, the fuel... Wait for the gearbox oil to warm up before changes become more slick... To me, all that I love about driving a classic.

I guess I'm just a Luddite who will never quite get it - nothing against EVs as a whole, but lets not pretend there is such a thing as an EV classic (well, not until early Teslas attain classic status, I guess. Until then they'll be classic-shaped EVs).

Fab looking car, Jonny, and I look forward to seeing it one day...

I've said my piece, placed the pitchfork back in the shed and extinguished the flaming torch.

[sisu]

I'm guessing I'm one of the younger members here being 43, like may others I have an interest in EV's but also a love for the analogue/mechanical so can't see a converted 912/356 etc being nearly as much fun as they don't have the feel and sound of a carburettor engine, the rewards of being able to tune and fettle, the smell of oil and petrol... the list goes on... none of which can be replicated by an EV.

That being said... I'm contemplating converting my VW T3 to an EV in the next 5 years/when battery prices come down. First step is a brake upgrade with I'm working on at the moment... If the numbers don't work in 5 years it'll get some sort of 911 engine just for fun, however it is just a brick on wheels

I also had a sneak peek a while ago at Jonny's 914 EV project... which looked insane... so could be wrong about EV's not being exciting... [edit... in the time taken to write Jonny's posted above!]

Its a tough one!!

Yes it is a tough one. It is interesting how different car scenes deal with things, I have a '77 GMC motorhome and it is a real struggle as the owners and suppliers are mostly well into retirement. Most people bought them when they retired. My favourite thing is the shops who sell GMC bits might have a webiste, but only a phone number, maybe a fax. No email.
The early Porsche and VW has a more broad minded approach to this as modifying them is not seen as heriacy by many. But there is a cookie cutter theme with them and now that they are seen as valuable the shadow over creativity is creeping in. An endless supply of cheap "rust free" American imports has made the VW and early Porsche scene vibrant in the UK and Europe over the past 30 years. But is that always going to be the case or is this going to be like Steam Train or Traction engine enthusiasts where everyone dresses up and waves to people in the village, but never gets used for what it was designed for?
It will be an interesting time as keeping the door open to change is what keeps things alive. I am pitching my 14 year old on the idea of putting a 100hp motor from a Mitsubishi PHEV outlander into our Twizzy so it can drift, I don't want him to race or rally as that is to fast. Even the GRYaris is quick and that is a 3 cylinder 1.6.

I don't think peak car was in 1973 either

[RobFrost]

Sorry, I want my fun now.

Number plates came through last week - a couple of minor jobs then on the road!

Is this the 914 I saw on some tv show?

[impmad2000]

The 914 (shaped EV) looks great Johnny. It’s come a long way from the car we saw a few years ago.
Go ahead and show us how it’s done

[rhd racer]

Sorry, I want my fun now.

Number plates came through last week - a couple of minor jobs then on the road!

Is this the 914 I saw on some tv show?

Yes, it was featured in a Vintage Voltage episode (and a couple of others, lurking in the background)

[RobFrost]

Looks tidy - EV's not for me right now (I'm loving the sound of my 2.2 at the moment) but somebody has to lead the way if we're going to keep this floating rock alive.

[deano]

Can't resist, I'm in EV research mostly at the higher end of the market and hybrids e.g. McLaren.

I think everyone on here who isn't willing to let their car become a garage ornament 20 years from now needs to keep their beady eye on this.

If you can swap an engine, weld tubes and brackets (ideally) and wire a plug, then you would be able to take an EV kit available today and convert your classic car within a week or two, and then begin to enjoy the additional thrill from the huge torque increase, without the smells and the noise, while fossil-fuelled cars and their drivers become frowned upon....

I think the main barriers at the moment are the extremely high cost of the parts, and lack of choice and supply to DIY'ers - motor controller, motor and managed battery systems in particular. I'm certain that this will change over this next decade - we are already seeing Bosch, a huge player, embracing the electric moped startups market especially in India, China, Taiwan etc. This massive market is going to bring component prices down. In the future, I anticipate that fully integrated 'crate' solutions will exist to drop-in/replace that lovely engine that you have at the moment... I expect to convert mine, once I am happy with the solution and the price... Ooo, and my preference would be to keep the interior as-is, including instruments. Anything extra, would be semi-hidden under the dash....

[Nine One One]

One mans answer to being sold a DKW with a bodged engine, and how he kept it on the road using second hand Nissan Leaf components. The overall cost he estimates at around £10k, and to be honest the result is remarkable, and keeps another classic on the road. Does it really matter the smelly, smoky two stroke is not in it anymore?

The video in the article is worth watching as to how he overcame installation issues and problems.

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/elec ... w-expired/

[911hillclimber]

911 EV kits available now in Cal USA, was featured in the Porsche specialist press last month.

For me this is interesting, the whole subject, but for my 911 I doubt I will live to be in the position to swop it over, some else might.

I personally like the Moggie idea to mount the cylindrical motor on the gearbox.
Greatworth Classics had this on a Karman Ghia in their workshop at the swap-meet.
The EV movement for me is speed of charge, range, cost.
I look forward to the Johnies 914.

[gridgway]

Do we think that "EV classics" is a movement? Surely it's just a tiny niche.

When and how would someone decide that it makes sense that their £500k 2.7RS should be converted to EV?