1978 308 GTS EV Conversion | FerrariChat

1978 308 GTS EV Conversion

Discussion in '308/328' started by 308Hutch, Sep 27, 2014.

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  1. 308Hutch

    308Hutch Formula Junior

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    Anyone done this?

    This is getting interesting. Picked up a 308 w Salvage title... go figure.... fuel leak and subsequent fire.... put out quickly. Perfect iconic conversion to EV. Reducing total weight for rebuild and found a little fender bender history..... really moderate and simply some metal crunching...... working with EV West in San Marcos (San Diego) and rebuilding with 270HP (@Euro standard) using 3 AC 50 electric motors and tractor belts. V formation for engines......

    More details to come..... specs are looking great! recycling all unneeded parts for other 308's and putting this back on the road for daily driving!
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    308Hutch, Sep 27, 2014
    #1
  2. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

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    I think that you may be the first to try this. Should prove to be an interesting thread. Don't forget to set up a speaker and a recording of a Ferrari engine to play as you're driving. :D
     
    ragtop1, Sep 27, 2014
    #2
  3. E-Dino

    E-Dino Formula Junior

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    Bravo! I think you found a really good one to convert. I chickened out doing my Dino after my engine rebuild went better than expected. But we'll see....:) I'm converting an MG now. Its a 79 with a poor old over-smogged 47 HP motor that had to go.

    I would love to see your pictures and progress to see what could have been...

    The EV west guys are pretty cool too. You will have a blast.
     
    E-Dino, Sep 27, 2014
    #3
  4. scowman

    scowman F1 Rookie

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    Expect another fire.
     
    scowman, Sep 27, 2014
    #4
  5. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Wade, Sep 27, 2014
    #5
    psych0hans and Ian Bishop like this.
  6. hanknum

    hanknum Formula 3

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    Cool, Cool, Cool.

    Looks like you found the perfect donor car. Salvage/recycle what you can and then let's see what comes of it. Once you get it done...bring it to Earth Day up here in Santa Barbara.
     
    hanknum, Sep 27, 2014
    #6
  7. Mike Florio

    Mike Florio Formula Junior

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    It must be a thing with modern mechanics. Here's my son after we pulled the engine out of my GT4. I'm wearing my steel-toed Red Wings, and not standing on a rotating chair.
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Mike Florio, Sep 28, 2014
    #7
  8. GrayTA

    GrayTA F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Wow, that's going to be an interesting project!



    PDG
     
    GrayTA, Sep 28, 2014
    #8
  9. 308Hutch

    308Hutch Formula Junior

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    It sure is fun....... there will be posts in the EV West Facebook site updating progress... tons of work to do!

     
    308Hutch, Sep 28, 2014
    #9
  10. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    It's California. We all wear sandals. I did for a while in the dealership but you feet just get too dirty.

    They do need some Hawaiian shirts though.
     
    Rifledriver, Sep 28, 2014
    #10
  11. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

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    "Oh, but that will KILL resale!"
    Subscribing for the build thread...
     
    don_xvi, Sep 29, 2014
    #11
  12. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    To each their own (says the certified environmental compliance and safety officer with over 30 years of experience) ;)

    However, you didn't address the swiveling chair with non-locking castors. :D

    Otherwise, it's a fascinating project.
     
    Wade, Sep 29, 2014
    #12
  13. singletrack

    singletrack F1 Veteran

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    Two things.

    Awesome project; good luck!

    LOL @ sandals...I would not allow that in my home garage...haha.
     
    singletrack, Sep 29, 2014
    #13
  14. singletrack

    singletrack F1 Veteran

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    LOL!
     
    singletrack, Sep 29, 2014
    #14
  15. jd359

    jd359 Formula Junior

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    I just saw an episode of "Boys Toys" where they were doing the same thing with a Delorean that got 0-60 times of 4+ seconds with a 100 miles range.

    But I had another thought for a regular, still working 308. Use the half shafts from a rear suspension in the front attached to an electric motor where the spare tire well and battery currently are. Put a bank of lithium batteries in the trunk and use a computer to control acceleration and braking in conjunction with the rear wheels. This would aid in acceleration and the regenerative braking would give you reduced braking distance and help charge the batteries well. When cruising at highway speeds you could use the electric motor if necessary to charge the batteries. It could also and give you the equivalent of 4-wheel drive if that would be a benefit. Plus you would still have that Ferrari exhaust note instead of the golf cart whine. :)
     
    jd359, Sep 29, 2014
    #15
  16. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    Cool as hell and a great way to put some life back into a damaged 308. What are your battery specs, and what kind of range are you expecting?

    And are they converting a 914 too? I have a real soft spot for those cars.
     
    shmark, Sep 30, 2014
    #16
  17. singletrack

    singletrack F1 Veteran

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    No one wants All-wheel-driveryourself ; )

    Cool idea.
     
    singletrack, Sep 30, 2014
    #17
  18. 308Hutch

    308Hutch Formula Junior

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    308Hutch, Sep 30, 2014
    #18
  19. 308Hutch

    308Hutch Formula Junior

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    Had to post another sandal photo and a few others! Why not, it's CA. Printed shirts possible later along with Detroit Tigers hat and mustache!

    A lot of extra weight coming out of the 308 & fire damage removal & prep/engineering for new Motor(s). Tesla S? No thanks to $100k... Nissan Leaf... NFW! Time to make a Roadster... Chop Chop Mr. Musk!

    Thanks to lots of threads about specs and past experience with the 308... it's helping a-lot! spec updates on EV West FB page. I defer technical intel to MB at EVW. He has some great design ideas that fit the midrange $!....


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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    308Hutch, Oct 1, 2014
    #19
  20. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

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    I think I'd rather watch it converted into a faux 288GTO.
     
    Todd308TR, Oct 1, 2014
    #20
  21. NickH07

    NickH07 Karting

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    +1

    good looking project!
     
    NickH07, Oct 1, 2014
    #21
  22. 308Hutch

    308Hutch Formula Junior

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    So many things going on... but looks like wiring reduction is in order.. Lots of add ons that get to go.... and upgrades to come..... Some interesting engineering in progress..... more updates tom come with photos.
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    308Hutch, Oct 7, 2014
    #22
  23. Bobbytinvab

    Bobbytinvab Karting

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    As many have already stated, this looks like a great way to "re-energize" a 308. I'll be checking this thread often ... best of luck.

    Bob
     
    Bobbytinvab, Oct 9, 2014
    #23
  24. Robz328

    Robz328 F1 Veteran Rossa Subscribed

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    Nice project...

    Don't worry about using flip-flops: if you injure your feet too much, just cut them off with the sawzall and install aftermarket replacements.
     
    Robz328, Oct 9, 2014
    #24
  25. 308Hutch

    308Hutch Formula Junior

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    Anyone have any good recommendations for '78 308 GTS Adjustable Coil Over shocks for us?
     
    308Hutch, Oct 9, 2014
    #25
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