Electric Conversion for 356

For those who couldn't care less how their 356 left the factory!
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Dennis Engel
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Electric Conversion for 356

#1 Post by Dennis Engel »

Does anyone have experience with Electric Conversion kits? I have come across some companies such as EV West that sell kits that appear suitable for a 356. I know that there are some kit cars out there with EV kits but wondering if anyone in the 356 Registry has converted a real 356 body to EV.

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Martin Benade
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#2 Post by Martin Benade »

The lack of response shows that none of us really approve of the idea. It seems like a good idea to do to a replica instead, as the original powertrain is part of the appeal of these cars. Also now the real cars are too valuable for most people to consider such a change.
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Miguel Antonetti
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#3 Post by Miguel Antonetti »

If you're talking converting 6V to 12V on a 356 the answer is Yes!

I'm personally not familiar with EV West.

Dennis Engel
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#4 Post by Dennis Engel »

Thanks for your comment, Martin. I have looked into replicas but Canadian laws make it difficult to register replica cars. I didn't think turning an original body into a EV would be a problem for the 356 community if one was built from a body that had lost its original drive line. One could always put a period correct engine/transaxle back in if the conversion was done with that possibility in mind.

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Martin Benade
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#5 Post by Martin Benade »

That is true and it wouldn't disturb me personally, although I need that gasoline engine in mine!
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Adrian Rendle
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#6 Post by Adrian Rendle »

go for it Dennis, this is the outlaw corner, after all.....those batteries would probably have to go in the cabin area, i would have thought ....sounds like a great challenge

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Glen Hamner, Jr
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#7 Post by Glen Hamner, Jr »

Hi Dennis,

I will offer you some history. In order to keep the engine for my project original to the vehicle, I needed another engine to use for my own design preferences. Looking around, I found a person in Phoenix marketing an early 912 engine. I bought his engine and it is now the basis of my project going forward.

The reason the engine was available, he was building an electric 912 and had no need for the original engine. Attached you will find photos of his project. Enjoy, these are all the details I have readily available.
Attachments
electric 026.jpg
electric 025.jpg
electric 024.jpg
electric 023.jpg
electric 022.jpg
electric 021.jpg
electric 018.jpg
electric 017.jpg

Miguel Antonetti
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#8 Post by Miguel Antonetti »

Amazing, totally amazing... and prrrrrrreeeeeettycool!

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C J Murray
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#9 Post by C J Murray »

Electric cars are just dopey. Without government(taxpayer) subsidies they do not exist. They are environmentally dirty and totally impractical due to lack of range. The weight and complexity are 180* opposed to the Porsche credo. Do that stuff to Chevettes, not 356s.
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Michael Moss
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#10 Post by Michael Moss »

Dennis go for it. This is the Outlaw Corner not the Authenticity Corner! Any modification done with craftmanship is appreciated by myself and many others.

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Charlie White
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#11 Post by Charlie White »

This may be the "outlaw corner", but common sense would suggest
that "screwing up", pardon the expression, an otherwise valuable 356
Porsche by putting in an electric motor makes NO economic sense! You
would be ruining an otherwise valuable car by chopping it up to fit all
the electric necessities, motor, wiring, and particularly the batteries.
What you end up with is an electric 356 Porsche which is worth a lot less
than one with a stock Porsche pushrod motor! Why not try this on an old
VW bug? JMHO!

CW
Charlie White

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Martin Benade
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#12 Post by Martin Benade »

It doesn't have to be about money, if that is what Dennis wants and he can afford to accept the long-term results.
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C J Murray
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#13 Post by C J Murray »

Why not start with one of those MG TD replica cars that are built on a VW chassis? No harm, no foul. :idea: Light bulb appropriate for electric car topic. :idea:
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Jim Kellogg
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#14 Post by Jim Kellogg »

All,
The Rocky Mountain 356 Club had a tour of the factory in Denver that makes electric replicas. I noticed that quite a bit of fibreglass had to be modified to fit all the batteries. Performance was adequate but obviously did not sound like a real 356.

Miguel Antonetti
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Re: Electric Conversion for 356

#15 Post by Miguel Antonetti »

^^^in addition to the difference in sound... what about the handling of the car with the extra weight?

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