Gus' 1960 B T5 - Electric Conversion

[Gus Borner]

My 1960 356 coupe electric conversion is finally on the road after 4 years of work.
I just want to share this with the group.

It should be about 220 equivalent HP but the torque is instant. So it's really fun to drive.
It was about the challenge to figure it out and sharing the process with my son and friends.
My commute is about 3 miles each way so range was not an issue.
It has dual AC50 Curtis motors and controllers. 130 Volt Lithium battery pack. Custom flywheel, 180mm clutch to a Rancho transmission with a bus nose and heavy duty axles.
Front disc conversion to try to stop it.
LED's all around controlled by an Arduino.

I just got it on the street today so I'll keep debugging and finishing the interior.
I'm planning on leaving it bare metal with some oil for now.

I'm posting some photos here. On facebook there's also a video or the maiden voyage.

https://www.facebook.com/Gus-Borners-19 ... 132553004/

Gus

[Tom Coughlin]

Gus: I'm going out on limb here but I think you may have the only one and if I'm wrong, you'll be in a band of "electric outlaws" with few members. Let us know how quick it is. Tom

[Martin Benade]

Is the clutch something you use and disengage or is it just to connect to the transmission? And do you need to shift gears, or is it only using one all the time?

[Steve Harrison]

I wonder what the weight distribution is,...I’ll bet with those batteries its likely to actually help the balance front to rear.
Your installation is nice and clean too, and you can’t tell a thing from the outside.
A real sleeper.

[Steve Proctor]

Instant torque from the electric motor makes for LOW 0-60 times. The new Tesla Roadster is less than 2 seconds. Not projecting times like that, but would be interested to see yours. Well done!!

[Alan Hall]

Super clean installation! I am impressed that the Lithium battery pack is small enough to fit where the fuel tank and batteries were, leaving some room for a spare and maybe a little luggage. Any idea what the range will be?

Will be a fun car, Keep us updated on you experiences with it.

Alan

[Gordon Maltby]

Nice job, Gus. Do you know what the total dry weight is?
Love the video - a 356 that can squeal its tires!

[Mike Wilson]

I wondered what you've been up to, Gus! Awesome project. Can't wait to see it in person!

All the best!

Mike

[Doug McDonnell]

YAAASSS!!! Love it.

[Jim Liberty]

BEAUTIFULLY DONE !!! I just love the attention to detail, and the inventiveness. A man after my own heart. ..............Jim.

[Gus Borner]

Thank you guys ! Thank you for the positive feedback.

Tom: I read somewhere somebody had done another 356. 911's and 914's for sure. A few out there.

Martin: You can drive all day in 3rd or 4th, it has enough torque, no clutch needed since the motor goes to 0 RPM when you lift the accelerator and with regen on it actually help the braking a lot. But if you want to drag race you need it to switch gears quickly with the clutch.

Steve: There are 38 batteries. 16 in front and the rest in the back seat area. Seems pretty balanced. Gotta drive it more.

Alan: There are a bunch in the rear seat area. I'm hoping for 100 miles range but depends on how heavy your right foot is...

Gordon: Next time I'm out I'll take it to the recycling center to weight.

Thank you !

Gus

[Adam Wright]

Very cool, it always freaks me out how quiet they are, like drive-by cars!

There was a B cab that had an electric conversion a few years ago, I think it's in FL.

[Martin Benade]

It charges the batteries when you lift off the pedal?

[Wes Bender]

Old technology, Martin. Back in the days of the B-47 ('48 - '68) the starter was geared to the jet engine and became a 28 volt generator after the engine started. In Gus' case, he's using the motor as a generator when he lifts his foot and the act of it charging the batteries provides some retarding force.

Good job, Gus. Love it.

[Martin Bruechle]

Very nice Gus. Not sure why you used unistrut vs square tube ?
Hope to see it at the Phoenix Club.