[digger]

Hello good people!
My son and I are going down the path of converting my 1978 Triumph Spitfire to an EV. We got a hold of a 2014 Nissan Leaf as the donor.
Our “plan A” is to use the components of the Leaf and not get “fancy” with swapping out components (like, we’ll keep the full battery packs, etc). The goal would be to get this working before getting creative with other configurations.
What we are considering (and looking for some guidance on) is the control unit(s). The resolve-EV looks perfect (since we’re keeping stock Leaf components), but they look unavailable right now. So, what can we use as an alternative?
I saw the Thunderstruck VCU, but then we need BMS, chargers, etc etc since they didn’t integrate with the canbus. That’s an option, but I don’t like having to replace all those parts.

 

[digger]

There are some questions about connecting the motor to the drivetrain, but we have a “plan A” for that, too, for now… but something is like to pick your brains on after the controller questions.

 

[remy_martian]

So the Leaf batteries, PDM, and drive unit /motor all fit?

It sounds like you're keeping the Spitfire transmission, so it'll be interesting to see all of this get crammed into that little sportscar without it handling like a pickup truck. The Leaf motor is pretty big...that and the Spitfire transmission displace what could have been usable battery space.

Also have to ask about project timeline. If it's two years to do the build and a week to integrate a controller, you might want to revisit what's "out of stock" and the order you're doing it in.

Your project, I'm provoking thought here.

 

[digger]

I appreciate the thought. It’s part of why I posted to y’all.

I think you’re right that I should not worry so much about the controller availability and hold my horses.

As to the configuration, like I said, it’s “plan A”
There’s some constraints with the Spitfire’s rear end that is leading us to think we should keep the transmission (the rear diff can’t take the high RPMs, etc).

 

[remy_martian]

Understood.

Don't let the diff make the big decisions for you where nothing fits, though. Small cars create big problems.

 

[brian_]

There’s some constraints with the Spitfire’s rear end that is leading us to think we should keep the transmission (the rear diff can’t take the high RPMs, etc).

The input speed to the rear end (which presumably means the final drive which includes the pinion and ring gears and differential) depends only the road speed, not whatever is driving it. Yes, you need some form of reduction gearing between the electric motor and the final drive, if you want to take advantage of the performance of the motor at low road speed; the stock transmission can do that, but so can another reduction gearbox.