Tesla swapped 2wd 1st Gen build

I feel like a RC EV should max at 4k lbs and preferably be closer to 3k

 

Subbed for burnout…

 

FTFY

 

Insane build. I'm in.

 

Yea just the rear drive unit for now, I can always do the front too if I want to later. And I’m using a model 3 long range battery, figured that’s what I needed for a 200 mile range

 

I couldn’t get around the needed 400volts needed with just 2 modules, I thought about the leaf or the LG Chem batteries but I wouldn’t be even slightly close to the 200 mile range I want, I’d have maybe 60 miles with a Leaf setup or a Chevy volt setup

 

60 sounds perfect to me.

 

M3LR battery is the same as the M3P. The RWD 3s have had more battery iterations.

 

I will honestly say, I'm split on a full EV conversion vs custom EV hybrid for max perf + cool in-town golf cart with zero range anxiety.

Being able to flip a switch to cycle between EV and gas is pretty legit.

At the same time, a purpose built EV would serve me perfectly, though a 2 seater would be a bit of a waste in terms of kid schleppage. But it'd give my '05 RC a reason to be awesome (more than it already is).

Super cool project, OP, excited to hear how it evolves over time.

I think you really want to keep track of the weight though. That's your vulnerability. Those 1st gen Taco RC's were damn light to start with, part of the reason a SC v6 made them so awesome.

 

Subbed to watch this, i better see a nice burnout at least !!

 

Hybrids are significantly more complex and then you trying to add the batteries and electric motor without freeing up the space cleared by removing the ICE engine and power train, exhaust and gas tank and paying a further weight penalty reducing the electric range. In a swap, full EV is the way to go IMO. As someone that daily drives a Tesla, range anxiety isn’t nearly what non-EV drivers make it out to be. That said it would be interesting on how the driver interface swaps over, since that is a key aspect of managing the range.

 

On problem I see with splitting up the batteries is temperature management, how do you keep them cool and how do you keep them warm. Im not sure how tesla does id but some manufacturers have coolant run through the batteries and some have refrigerant and electric heaters to help maintain a good temperature for the battery.

 

It's exactly how others do it.

 

Awesome. Would love to someday start playing around like this. Keep it up!

 

Do it.

 

Subbed as well. Pretty cool read!

 

Thing is, my bro in law has done exactly this, custom hybrid in a transit van, among other EV projects. Says it’s the best he’s ever driven of his prototypes.

granted that situation was ev rear on a front wheel drive rig. Dunno how different the opposite might be.

 

No shit dude. That’s awesome. I drive a Model 3 LR around and it’s pretty zippy, just awfully boring though haha.

What are your plans for charging? Normal J1772, or can you utilize Tesla’s charging network? AEM believe it or not makes a lot of EV conversion components, even specific modules that swap directly with the Tesla OEM controllers. Something you can look into.