Electric Conversion?

[cruiksdr]

I know the thought is almost sacrilegious, but I'm curious if anyone has done a conversion using an electric doner. I'm in the process of a restomod of my 914, which currently has a 3.0l with webbers. When it's together, it's an awesome machine, but I've always thought about the idea of a more environmentally friendly build. In the old days, the only option was an electric motor and a bunch of lead acid batteries, and I never liked that solution. Now, though, there are a lot of totaled electric cars out there that can be gotten for cheap, and it seems more practical. IT also seems like there are a lot of electrical engineering issues that have to be worked out - not least, adapting batteries, running the 12 volt systems, etc.

I've seen a "plug & play" kit for around $30K -- not realistic in my view. But I've also seen that you can get a wrecked Bolt or Tesla for a couple thousand. Seems like you could Frankenstein that to make a pretty cool electric 914?

Just curious what people think and/or have done.

[mepstein]

$30k would be cheap for plug and play. With newer lithium batteries you’re looking at double that. If you have the technical know how and don’t mind a really big project, you might get by with less but you are just trading dollars for hundreds of hours of research, fabrication and all the stuff that goes into using an alternative power plant.
But if you think you can do it, give it a go.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

914 EVs have been done quite a few times. The generous cargo space of the 914 lends itself to battery storage. I don't know of any Tesla transplants into 914s, but Claus Graf documented his son's transplant of a Tesla drivetrain into a 911. Somewhere on this forum, I believe.

--DD

[Oloks]

It’s definitely been done, and you’re right,with modern EV donors it’s way more practical than the old lead-acid conversions. Biggest challenges are packaging the battery modules safely, integrating cooling, and sorting out the high-voltage/12V systems. A wrecked Bolt or Leaf is usually the most approachable donor since the powertrains are simpler than Tesla’s. There are a few good build threads out there on EV 914s if you want inspiration, but it’s definitely a “measure twice, cut once” kind of project.