Graham Palmer
Club Member
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Electric 240z......Late brake show....
- Thread starter Graham Palmer
- Start date
SacCyclone
Club Member
Agree with the engine sound add.
I would really miss shifting through the gears in the Zed as well.
I do appreciate the build however.
I would really miss shifting through the gears in the Zed as well.
I do appreciate the build however.
Forgive me for being controversial, but despite the great engineering, I detest electric classics. Simply put, IMO the soul has been removed.
The sound, the vibrations, the smell, the feel, the character - that is what a classic is about beyond it’s looks. Otherwise you may as well just buy a modern electric sports car which would be far safer on the road.
Having said that, when it comes to a daily driver however, let me shut my self up with this:
Much like smoking in public places, one day not too far away we will look back and wonder at how we used to pump such harmful gasses in and around our towns and schools. Much like finding horse droppings on the road, we will scoff when a “classic” piston car goes by and leaves that pungent forgotten smell!
The sound, the vibrations, the smell, the feel, the character - that is what a classic is about beyond it’s looks. Otherwise you may as well just buy a modern electric sports car which would be far safer on the road.
Having said that, when it comes to a daily driver however, let me shut my self up with this:
Much like smoking in public places, one day not too far away we will look back and wonder at how we used to pump such harmful gasses in and around our towns and schools. Much like finding horse droppings on the road, we will scoff when a “classic” piston car goes by and leaves that pungent forgotten smell!
Rushingphil
Club Member
How do these converted EV's manage to maintain their historic status and number plates? I don't see them scoring many points on the DVLA system. I'm vaguely familiar with the converted mini that was rejected.
It’s a great question. As long as you don’t cut the monocoque you score enough points but IiRC in the Mini’s case, they had drilled a couple of holes for thick cables and that constituted a modification to the monocoque structure.
Seemed very harsh to me, but you’re absolutely right, if that can happen, then these cars may be on thin ice.
The original Audi Q5 was to be launched as a hybrid but VAG pulled the plug (literally) on the hybrid part just before launch as they were concerned about the safety of the batteries in an accident. It was so late in the day that my manual in the old 2011 Q5 I had kept referring to the hybrid functions that didn’t exist.
Not entirely sure what kind of safety / IVA / SVA testing the electric conversions are required to go through by law - but maybe someone like @IbanezDan51 knows more about this side of it?
atomman
Club Member
Interesting car been watching it for a while now & Will get more people taking about S30's that's for sure ,
I think theses EV converted classics have there place, mainly with rich people (that's only my opinion though
) because of just how much they cost, 50-60k I'm assuming that's after buying and restoring the car ?
You could build a nice L-series for that money...
I'm sure if you brought all the second hand parts and some orange cable you could come up with something cheaper, if you knew how this EV stuff works. and I think its a good use for all those second hand EV car parts, sticking them in classic's , if they still can keep there classic tax & MOT free status is another question ?
What's the longevity of those battery packs ? they are already second hand and I have read about the life cycle before , 7 years on some ? what do they cost to replace when they are gone and will you still be able to get them ? as they are going to be Old Tech soon....
I think when we get to a point were we can replace the OG drive train with EV and still have the same weight/packaging and the same mileage we would of had out of a tank of petrol, and a lot cheaper they will be an better option I think.... but then there is also new sustainable fuel which is only getting better and is much more ECO friendly than mining Cobalt etc etc
Also why have them machined off the cooling fins on those Toyota callipers ? those wheels cleared them on mine when I had them & there are better options out there
I think theses EV converted classics have there place, mainly with rich people (that's only my opinion though
) because of just how much they cost, 50-60k I'm assuming that's after buying and restoring the car ?You could build a nice L-series for that money...
I'm sure if you brought all the second hand parts and some orange cable you could come up with something cheaper, if you knew how this EV stuff works. and I think its a good use for all those second hand EV car parts, sticking them in classic's , if they still can keep there classic tax & MOT free status is another question ?
What's the longevity of those battery packs ? they are already second hand and I have read about the life cycle before , 7 years on some ? what do they cost to replace when they are gone and will you still be able to get them ? as they are going to be Old Tech soon....
I think when we get to a point were we can replace the OG drive train with EV and still have the same weight/packaging and the same mileage we would of had out of a tank of petrol, and a lot cheaper they will be an better option I think.... but then there is also new sustainable fuel which is only getting better and is much more ECO friendly than mining Cobalt etc etc
Also why have them machined off the cooling fins on those Toyota callipers ? those wheels cleared them on mine when I had them & there are better options out there
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Rushingphil
Club Member
It’s a great question. As long as you don’t cut the monocoque you score enough points but IiRC in the Mini’s case, they had drilled a couple of holes for thick cables and that constituted a modification to the monocoque structure.
Exactly, and in the 240z case, they've cut out the spare wheel well and replaced it with a battery pack.
Exactly, and in the 240z case, they've cut out the spare wheel well and replaced it with a battery pack.
Q plate all the way right there!
Robotsan
Club Member
Watching it now. Very clever! And jesus.. 3.8s 0-60.. but still has unassisted brakes. Terrifying!
Blimey. I wouldn't swap my L6 engine to EV only to go slower
And even if it’s just in your mind - it FEELS and crucially sounds quick! 40 in my Z feels like 90 in my 3.2L A4!Blimey. I wouldn't swap my L6 engine to EV only to go slower
MCBladeRun
Club Member
I like how these companies are pushing technology into old cars like this - its a good thing overall. It proves it can be done.
candy red
Club Member
As a Builder I would say anything can be done just depends how much money you want to throw at it
Sitting in my relative’s F355 last week - I was like a giggling 4 year old listening to that INCREDIBLE V8 howling its way enthusiastically to the 8K rpm redline.
Then a gear change comes and the orchestra picks up all over again!! My facial muscles were exhausted from grinning so much.
By modern standards, it’s probably not a very quick Ferrari and I’m certain the electric version will leave it for dust - but I somehow being in the dust with that V8 warbling / screaming behind your head is the experience that never gets old.
I’m trying really hard, believe me I am - but I cannot find a SINGLE thing that has convinced me this is a good thing to do to proper classic sports cars. No amount of G force or 0-60 can replace that assault on the senses experience of the L series or the Ferrari V8 / 12, that raucous Alfa 3.0 V6, the V10 LFA, the V8 RS4 and so one.
There is something very special about grabbing the engine by the neck and rowing that gearbox to make progress. Despite the impressive Ludicrous Mode acceleration in my BIL’s Tesla, it very quickly started to feel like a theme park roller coaster but without the rattling excitement. Disappointedly the only rattle was coming from the glove box lid.
The only answer I can think of to the above question is “they both lost their souls and what made them an occasion every single time that key is turned and the beast awakened ”.
Waiting in A&E a bit bored - sorry for rambling on.
Then a gear change comes and the orchestra picks up all over again!! My facial muscles were exhausted from grinning so much.
By modern standards, it’s probably not a very quick Ferrari and I’m certain the electric version will leave it for dust - but I somehow being in the dust with that V8 warbling / screaming behind your head is the experience that never gets old.
I’m trying really hard, believe me I am - but I cannot find a SINGLE thing that has convinced me this is a good thing to do to proper classic sports cars. No amount of G force or 0-60 can replace that assault on the senses experience of the L series or the Ferrari V8 / 12, that raucous Alfa 3.0 V6, the V10 LFA, the V8 RS4 and so one.
There is something very special about grabbing the engine by the neck and rowing that gearbox to make progress. Despite the impressive Ludicrous Mode acceleration in my BIL’s Tesla, it very quickly started to feel like a theme park roller coaster but without the rattling excitement. Disappointedly the only rattle was coming from the glove box lid.
The only answer I can think of to the above question is “they both lost their souls and what made them an occasion every single time that key is turned and the beast awakened ”.
Waiting in A&E a bit bored - sorry for rambling on.
I find this really interesting. You have to admire the guy and his foresight and skills.
When I was doing trackdays in my 240Z I really enjoyed wringing its neck to get the most out of old technology and just showing people how good these cars are especially on old 2" SUs. Changing down before a bend and powering through, balancing the car on the throttle in the correct gear was rewarding.
This electric car wouldn't do that for me, I'd have lots of power and the straightline performance would be expected and easy. Of course the cornering would still be the same.
The recharging would be a pain though. You'd have to take a generator!
I like it. The car that needs electrifying is the Mazda RX8 - great car with unreliable engine (but lovely when running).
500Volts seems a bit scary.
I always though electric cars were being introduced to 'save the planet' but they aren't really are they?
When I was doing trackdays in my 240Z I really enjoyed wringing its neck to get the most out of old technology and just showing people how good these cars are especially on old 2" SUs. Changing down before a bend and powering through, balancing the car on the throttle in the correct gear was rewarding.
This electric car wouldn't do that for me, I'd have lots of power and the straightline performance would be expected and easy. Of course the cornering would still be the same.
The recharging would be a pain though. You'd have to take a generator!
I like it. The car that needs electrifying is the Mazda RX8 - great car with unreliable engine (but lovely when running).
500Volts seems a bit scary.
I always though electric cars were being introduced to 'save the planet' but they aren't really are they?
MCBladeRun
Club Member
Exactly why they call them soulless Rob, give it another generation and the preference will change from ICE to this electric malarkey.
(I wrote a massive rant about electric cars in response to your comments but thought better as to the forum topic and deleted it)