[meanderingthemaze]

Wayland's conversions are unique. They are extremes and they use high end components that are made available by sponsors.

The battery pack has very high energy density compared to the prismatic cells that we have access to. For the same weight, a prismatic pack would yield ~45kWh, compared to what…~72kWh with the Kokams?

The Weight Reductions also are potentially better for Wayland with a more powerful motor that doesn't require the transaxle to be retained, whereas it's likely the everyday converter would retain the transaxle (and its weight, say 70lbs?). Although as someone said, you could use those small PMDC motors with high power density and maybe it would be a wash in weight savings.

I'm making a generality of course, but compared with the Insight, other cars can be overladen with less safety issues. Remember that the Insight is composed of a lot of aluminum in critical areas. Aluminum doesn't bend as much as steel when overstressed. Again the payload is 400lbs. That means after two 160lb people get in, that leaves 80lbs of payload room. Even with ~330lbs of weight savings, you would probably be better off adding some extra support, unless you don't go over a 400lb battery pack.

I'm just saying that it would be great to have access to some of the insight (forgive the pun) that Wayland and team accumulate during the build. It would be a boon to converters.

Can't wait to hear an update from Wayland.

[MN Driver]

"The battery pack has very high energy density compared to the prismatic cells that we have access to. For the same weight, a prismatic pack would yield ~45kWh, compared to what…~72kWh with the Kokams?"

We have the numbers from Wayland. 71.5kwh and 1080 pounds(491kg). 71500/491=145.6wh/kg. Compared to prismatic cells a little over 100wh/kg, making a 20kwh pack around 400 pounds.

About the transmission, I've held it and it doesn't feel like it's 70 pounds. I also opened doors for someone carrying an Insight transmission down the elevator, through the halls, and out to his car and he didn't make it seem like it was a task at all to carry it. I can't really put a number on it but I'd say it's slightly under 70 pounds, felt like the 50-60 pound range but that's just a guess, I could be stronger than I think I am but for a transmission, it feels like it's as light as it could be. I'll be keeping it for my conversion and hoping I don't shatter it with extra torque and HP, if I do, I'll have to be more careful with the second one.

"I'm just saying that it would be great to have access to some of the insight (forgive the pun) that Wayland and team accumulate during the build. It would be a boon to converters.

Can't wait to hear an update from Wayland."

I agree, can't wait.

[meanderingthemaze]

However, strangely the Insight encyclopedia says it weighs 91lbs! Perhaps that is the "wet" figure, but I still can't imagine that the fluids would account for that much extra weight.

I can imagine that the trans could be as low as 60lbs. Or you could have just had an extra can of spinach that day!

[peteWine]

Great stuff! Any updates on this project?

[rmay635703]

The silver streak strangly isn't on his site (no direct link anyway) and he hasn't made mention of progress since 2011. zzzzz or boom

[rochesterricer]

The project has only ever been on his blog. He hasn't been active recently due to personal struggles:

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums...ad.php?t=78695