I am exploring the possibility of converting my 2004 C5 Z16 Corvette to an electric drive train and removing the engine, exhaust, gas tank and everything associated with the gasoline drive. I was considering buying a Tesla Roadster which is an electric sport car based on the Lotus Elise body and suspension. I've always loved Corvettes for many reasons so decided to explore converting my C5 rather than buying the Roadster. The Tesla has similar performance and the electric low end Torque is amazing. I was curious if anyone here has done a C5 conversion as there are Corvette specific issues.

The first is weight. Can anyone point me toward strategies for making the body/frame lighter?

The next is the computer and is there any way to modify its software so it does everything related to the non-engine related systems I'll be keeping but ignores the engine is gone. Or is there any way to "fake" normal inputs from the engine oriented systems so it believes everything is ok?

Does anyone know how much involvement the computer system has on the major non-engine systems that must work properly or behave properly. Such as:
Active handling
Traction control
Braking
Transmission/rear end etc.

An electric version has some of the same displays but are different for example:

1- Fuel gauge is now battery charge and remaining range
2- Coolant Temperature is now Electric motor/cont coolant temperature
3- There is no oil pressure equivalent
4- RPM is the same except an AC induction motor

Can anyone provide guidance on how the computer is handled when a Corvette is heavily modified for racing leading a similar but not so dramatic change?

Thanks for any ideas

Tom

 

pgrovetom, when you start this project, keep the camera handy!

 

Why???

 

From a green stand point the idea is cool, from a performance standpoints it will probably leave a lot to be desired.

There was write up in Hybridz.org on a 240z they converted over to electric with some pretty good links to other electric conversions. It's not exactly cheap and with less performance, but not everything is perfect on the first try either.

Using the existing driveline will simplify things, but also keeps you from shedding some weight. Remember electric motors can spin at 5000rpm without any problems, but you will be generating a lot of heat.

I don't have all the answers for the engine computer, but I do know they can stand alone so it should be able to be seperated. Other then the speedometer, the rest of the stuff could just be shut off (actuve handling, traction control etc) You can always sort this stuff out when you get the car running.

Remember you lose AC and power steering without the engine as well. An alternator or two could probably integrated into a drive line somewhere.

...and why do people keep asking why? It's like having disobedient 5 year olds around. BECAUSE YOUR DAD TOLD YOU TOO, THAT'S WHY!

 

So you are going to hack up a Z16 vette to convert to electric?

With all the vehicle choices out there for this type of conversion, you have to choose a vette......

 

 

I'm at what I would call the feasibility phase.

People have been doing EV conversions for years and a big corner has been turned. The world has begun to take "Global Warming" seriously and now with the US involved, the electric cars world is full of startups like early silicon valley. Tesla was brave enough to think they could build an Auto company ( in high tech like thinking you can compete with Intel for PC Processors) or crazy? Well they just got 1/2 billion $$ loan from the DOE and the other auto companies crashed. Tesla was worth more in market Cap than GM for a while. That is funny but shows what the smart money is saying.

Whether its Global Warming or Peak Oil, the move to electric is going to happen. China is using oil at an enormous rate which will lead to oil supply not meeting demand fairly soon and from Econ 101, that means either oil prices go sky high or growth stops in China. I'm not a China fan, just realistic. Its been quite a few years now that oil suppliers have been tapping into unconventional oil which means all that easy oil you pump, is running low and China and India want their share. So that pushes everything toward electric which can be produced from renewable like the sun, wind, geo, hydro etc.. or coal and NG which the US has lots. Unless they come up with a Natural Gas or Coal car, electric is coming and after driving a Tesla as a Corvette owner, I was impressed! It was faster than my Z16 with 405HP.

There are 5-10 electric drive train developers I have found that have motors that will push a Corvette like a Tesla. Battery technology is still a problem but I have learned enough to see that my extra weight over the Tesla will leave me with maybe 100 miles of range. Over the next 10 years, that will go up to 250 like the Tesla at 2700lbs.

examples are:

Cal Motors

Raser Technologies

AC Propulsion

and more.

Add 50KWhr of Thundersky LiFePO4 batteries and a few miscellaneous

Charger/BMS
12V Converter to run existing electric
Power steering pump

and you have an 11 second electric Corvette 0-60 in under 4 just like the Tesla

 

April is a bit far away to be talking like that!!! An electric Corvette!!!! Thats just wrong on so many levels! To each his own.

 

Oh no...

I'd say do it. One less Z16 will make mine worth a bit more.

 

I say go for it! It's something new and different. Box stock late model Corvettes are a dime a dozen. You'll have something that people will want to look at in depth and inquire about. Plus, you can probably annoy the Prius crowd even more with a totally electric setup.

 

I heard about a kid(16 year old) in the midwest who converted a ford focus to an all electric car by purchasing and using a electirc motor from a fork lift. He had to beg his mom to borrow the money for the fork lift(he paid $ 1000) and found all the info he needed on the web.

Only drawback is range.

FYI...I just read that GM is considering a hybrid/electric corvette in the near future to keep the vette alive and not negatively affect CAFE ratings with a gas guzzling V8.

GOOD LUCK
WE NEED PICTURES!!!

Marty

 

Good luck with that!

 

Best have very deep pockets,a good shop,many tools and plenty,plenty time.You do know how expensive those Tesla's are dont you? They have a range of 220 miles also dispite there extremely light weight.Do you know that the carbon foot print of an elec car is far larger than a gasoline powered car?

 

I saw a show on Speed. It had a Cobra and a few other PURPOSE built electric HOT RODS. Mega Torque and drifted great, blowin the tires off the thing. 100-150 mile range and 1100 lb. batteries. But all in all very cool.

John

 

As posted above there is a company that converts different cars to electric. Rather than chop up your car, I would sell it and buy an older C5 with a shot motor.

 

This should be an interesting exercise in futility on more than one level.

 

What a dork. Go back to flatearth.com.

 

Green is

buy a Chevy Volt and be done with it.

 

I've given serioius thought on doing this to my 76. I'm an electrician by trade(26yrs), I've done solar training and have worked with electric motors and know the instantanous torque they make. I'd like to make an electric/solar hybrid out of the stingray. Forget the people who say why?, and try to discourage you. Its your car, do what you want. Keep thinking outside of the box.

 

My 1st thoughts of an elect. motor car was for power reasons and not "green" ones. There for my thought processes were to scrap the batteries and put a turbine generator (fuel could be most anything) and run a 400cycle AC motor instead of a DC motor and operating it off of a variable frequency drive. Would still love to do it someday, but I'm sure battery technology will have come a very long way by the time I ever get around to it

I agree with those post about you continuing to think out side the box.........but I'm also in agreement with the not doing so to the ride you currently have. Maybe your "prototype" should be FRC or possible a vette that has been completely trashed, Lord knows there are plenty out there. Just can't see it being done to a "good" car.