Boxster EV question - what runs off the motor?

[smontanaro]

I have been thinking about doing an electric car conversion. My current thought is that maybe a Boxster would be a good candidate. It's fairly light, can be had for a reasonable price in decent used condition, has all the modern conveniences, has plenty of space for batteries and there are lots of suspension and brake upgrades should that be necessary (battery weight and all). 914s are excellent candidates, but I'll have trouble getting my wife into one on a regular basis since it lacks a lot of modern conveniences (air bags, easily stowed top, heated seats, etc) and isn't really very winter-proof. Still, I'm not personally aware of any Boxster EV conversions (see http://www.evalbum.com/type/PORS for some non-Boxster examples), so I wonder if maybe I'm missing something real important.

In drastically simplified form, you pull the gasoline engine, cooling system and fuel system then install a motor, controller and batteries. (Depending on the type of motor and controller you use the cooling system might come in handy though.) Of course, on a gas motivated car there are lots of things that rely on the engine being there to spin stuff and blow air. Not having owned any Porsche as new as a Boxster before (I currently own a '70 914/6), I'm not entirely sure what accessories are powered by the engine and will need to be replaced in some fashion. Obvious engine-powered devices are the heater, power steering (does a Boxster have PS?) and A/C. There is probably some sort of sophisticated engine management system as well. Does it tie into the car's computer in some important way? In other words, will I have to fool the car's computer into thinking the engine management system is okay?

Sorry for the fairly vague questions. I know precious little about Boxsters yet. I'm only beginning my research.

Thanks,

Skip Montanaro

[Aron in TO]

There was a Boxster being converted to electric in the UK.
http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=1331
I don't know if it was ever finished.

[smontanaro]

Yes, I'm aware of that. (I think he's actually in Canada.) I sent him an email a few days ago but have yet to hear back from him.

Skip