Electric / hybrid 240z

[Mr Camouflage]

I commend this guy for wanting to save the environment, but I wish he could have chosen a modern econo-box small car instead of an early 240Z

Looks to be an early 240Z with the 240Z side emblems, rear hatch vents, original hubcaps, Nissan 2400 OHC valve cover on what was probably the original matching numbers engine (now sold off for parts). Apart from the sunroof it appears to be in better than average condition.

Anybody want to estimate what it would have been worth, before it was made environmentally friendly.

http://ampeater.wordpress.com/page/2/

[hls30.com]

That very project has been running through my mind for a loooong time. Building an electric 240Z as a daily driver-and a track monster. Here in Ga. it would have to be a Hybrid, true electric vehicles are limited to 35mph by legislation, and must have a flashing yellow light on top...

Will

[MikeW]

Here in Ga. it would have to be a Hybrid, true electric vehicles are limited to 35mph by legislation, and must have a flashing yellow light on top...

I don't recall seeing flashing yellow lights on the Saturn/GM EV1.

[hls30.com]

Mike,

That is the reason I was given by owner of the local dealer of one of the GM lots for having to remove the 20 or so Electric Vehicles he had on his lot several years ago. He retro fitted several of them with lights, and limiters but then no one took them as serious vehicles. They are still in storage, and according to him, unsellable as determined by the DOT.

I haven't investigated personally, but why would a dealer want to lie about it-much less eat the loss?

Will

[jmead]

I'd like to comment as this is my project. I would like to start by saying that I didn't choose this particular car to electrify, but its fate was sealed when the engine exploded during some fairly sedate driving one beautiful summer afternoon. It wasn't until the engine tear down that I discovered the problem, an oil channel in the crank plugged for piston #5, which quickly lead to the death of a bolt on a connecting rod. This left a large mass of metal floating around the crankshaft. It was almost instantly sucked/thrown into an adjacent piston where it wreaked havoc for about .1 seconds before the engine violently seized. During this process something was also ejected through the oil pan. The car sat for a couple years after that, during that time some minor rust that had been hidden by the previous owner (and not disclosed or detected at time of purchase) expanded and made itself seen under the doors and one large spot in the driver's floor and a few small spots elsewhere.

This project is an attempt to give this beautiful car a new lease on life, instead of the painfull process of watching a previously glorious vehicle deteriorate into scrap.

If anybody would like to save this vehicle from permanant modification it is available. I retained the numbers matching engine block. I have another (running) 280z that I would be just as happy to convert instead.

[hls30.com]

I would like more source details on the project, and I certainly see the value in getting a car on back on the road. Unless it is a low vin, I would keep it in the project, and show it in the ULtra modified class. Instant torque does mean instant fun, and instant surprise for anyone rolling up.

Will

[jmead]

HLS3004462

I don't know how to read vin #s.

And yes, 1000amps in tap instantly should be awesome. I'm worried about needing a subframe for the torque, but I'll go easy at first (I'll try anyhow)

[hls30.com]

Well, you do have a low vin...4462.

I think you will need a better mount for the motor/tranny to the body-that much snap needs more place to dissipate.

Will

[Go240Zags]

If the original #s matching engine is trashed I think it's a great idea. The car would be the lightest in the first gen Z series so a good choice for the electric motor, considering the weight of the batteries alone. If gives me hope that my non-numbers matching Z could live on if gas just gets too much to afford. If it's a case of it being a Series I, maybe someone has a Series II or later 240Z in equal shape they could swap him (it would be a little heavier, but might calm some nerves about using a Series I). My questions are: How loud is that diesel generator going to be? What do you think the top speed and total range will be? Probably depend on the type of driving. I applaud all who are looking into alternatives to burning gasoline. The more gas we save the more will be available to drive our classics.

[jmead]

My questions are: How loud is that diesel generator going to be? What do you think the top speed and total range will be? Probably depend on the type of driving. I applaud all who are looking into alternatives to burning gasoline. The more gas we save the more will be available to drive our classics.

Top speed should be about the same as stock, while acceleration should be quite a bit better. Range will be largely dependent on speed, probably 100mi@30mph, 50mi@50mph, <30mi@>70mph.

I just want my 25 mile commute (each way) to be gas free. I will charge at school. Any additional driving I do beyond that will require the generator, which will negate some of the benefits (extremely quiet and smooth), but also negate the main limitation (short range).

The generator will not be a permanent part of the car, I hope to make it a removable module. It could easily be replaced with an additional battery pack, or nothing (race mode, lets say). Even a hydrogen fuel cell or a gas/propane/methane/ethanol generator, whatever makes the most sense at the time.

Ideally, however, it will be replaced with a lightweight, ultra high-capacity lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack in the future when prices become more reasonable.

This would make the diesel useless. 200+ mile range and sub hour recharge is the ultimate goal.

[jmead]

Well, you do have a low vin...4462.

I think you will need a better mount for the motor/tranny to the body-that much snap needs more place to dissipate.

Will

I'm still working on the motor mount, its been giving me lots of problems (no easy way to do it because of the steering column). I've got a pretty solid idea in the works; I'm waiting for the local steel supply to get their act together and sell me the 1.5" steel square tube I need to get it done.

[beandip]

The Treasurer of our Z car club. His Brother has built a Datsun 1200 sedan, all electric. It puts down more than 400 ft lbs of torque to the ground. Turned the 1/4 at 114 mph and I didn't get the ET, but it was around 9 sec. Running street slicks and the car is street legal. Get this, 250 mile range on a single charge. The battery pack will fit in the spare tire tub on a Z . The engines , there are two that are siamesed, weigh around 300 lbs total and are smaller than a 4 banger. His name is John Wayland . He drives the car to the strip! John told me that after a run the turn around time to recharge is about 3 min. ! John was featured on the front page of the Wall street Journal a while back. He is a forklift electrician by trade. I would do this mod in a heart beat believe me if I had the bucks. By the way this was the first run with a new lithium-ion battery pack and it had upped his HP by about 100 HP. and shed about 700 lbs of weight. He knew he would be having traction problems and the tires didn't hook up until the 1/8 mile that is when the car really took off. Since that speed was reached , he couldn't make another run until a roll cage is installed and now the driver must wear a Fire suit. So I believe now he is tubing the rear to allow for larger tires also. So the technology is out there. Gary