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This thing constantly gives me chills. Please tell me it looks fun and I should build it.
I would love all kinds of feedback. Everything is changeable.
$6,000, 864lb - Two Chevy Volt battery packs, used, 36.8kWh
$2,400, 156lb - NetGain Warp 9 motor
$2,875, 16lb - Zilla 1k controller + hairball
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$11,275, 1036lb - I haven't bought anything
Motor coupled directly to the pinion shaft of an IRS LSD diff, possibly Ford 8.8" (rotated backwards, do diffs hate being run primarily backwards?).
The major components, plus driver, are positioned approximately to put the center of gravity exactly centered between the axles.
I've been dabbling in design for a long time. I think I've finally about settled on what I want to build. I still need to build a mock-up of the cabin to see how it feels. I still need to figure out exact steering and suspension geometry. Inboard coilovers, outboard brakes. Some kind of FSAE style anti-roll. The Porsche 911 steering rack that Kinetic Research mentioned sounds like it could be a good fit.
I'd rather start with an Internal Combustion Engine, honestly, just because parts are so much cheaper. But the 9.9" from the bottom of the oil pan to the top of the drive shaft I just cannot get to work, aesthetically (there are old models on my website).
SCCA cage rules say 1.375" x 0.080" round tube, bent, for the roll hoops, for up to 1700 pounds. But compliance seems impossible because I want to use cut and welded square tube. Plus they don't allow non-production electrics. So, I'm thinking 1.5" tube for the roll hoops (primary behind the passenger, plus all the way at the front), and 1" for everything else? Wall thickness?
I have no building experience. I change my own oil and brakes. I'm mechanically inclined. I'm hoping the simple shape will make it a little easier on me, compared to those of you who use things like compound curves. For a long time I figured I'd be learning to use an English wheel, or fiberglass molding, I just ended up liking this shape more. I figure first steps are find somebody with a welder I can practice on a bit before buying one. I'm a computer geek, I run linux. I'm modelling in blender, which is free. I live in Pelham, New Hampshire.
I want a TIG welder, because I care more about making it pretty than doing it fast. I got time. Maybe just a used DC (not AC/DC) welder to start with though, because I'm currently just interested in steel.
I want 245/40-24 tires / wheels. That gives me about the same sidewall as OEM 1995 BMW M3, with the tall tires I want for aesthetics. But they seem... hard to find. I'd rather use parts that are easily available. 245/60-20 has about the same outer dimensions, and is commonly available, but that seems like way too much sidewall. These both would give me about 1.4x the contact patches of the M3, if you can do that by just multiplying diameter x width. I'd be happy with less, exploring the limits of traction is more fun that perfect sticking.
I know it's a very ambitious project, but I'm happy to see less ambitious than some around here. I figure on building it a couple times for practice.
I have a 2003 CBR1100XX. "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow." So, I'm not going for the fastest, I'm going for the most fun, which I can actually push without instantly exceeding speed limits. I'm very grateful for my too fast Blackbird with its endless throttle, but that's not what I'm looking for in this build.
A lot of stuff says electric motors don't need a transmission, multiple gears. All the torque from 0 rpm and all that. I'm obviously planning to take advantage of that. And will need to change the diff gearing to be able to do highway speeds without exceeding the motor's max rpm, but they're available. But I'm still a little concerned about stuff I've heard about optimal power bands with electrics - not entirely certain I'll be happy without a transmission. But I think it'll work.
The Ford 8.8" diff pinion has a 2" horizontal offset, is there a more symmetrical decent option?
The batteries and controller are liquid cooled. The motor isn't, which I'm not happy about.
Oh, yeah, I think I'm going to design my own windshield wiper mechanism
A lot of busses have a wiper that stays vertical. I figure that basic concept shouldn't need to be changed much so one wiper can be lined up with the edge of the windshield at each side.
Website:
https://www.eternalmachinery.com/ecar/There are 4k 60fps 53 second video loops to download. They're about half a gigabyte, I don't recommend trying to play them in a browser.