An 87 accord is certainly a workable car. GVW should be labeled on the car itself someplace, like a plate on the drivers' door. Hondas have counter-rotating engines to most other cars but that isn't much of an issue, just be sure to adjust brush timing if you go with a DC motor.
40 miles at 40mph is doable with lead acid but these days, you are probably much better off going with lithium. 100AH at 120 or 144 volts will only cost a couple thou more than lead will but will give a much lighter, better performing car with better range.
If you want to go with DC, an 8" motor will be fine as will a 9". If you want AC, there are "low voltage" systems (96V I think) that are reasonably priced and will give enough performance. With the lower voltage, you might go to 120AH or 160AH cells though.
One note on the honda, unless the chassis is in really good shape, it might be worthwhile to look for a better donor vehicle. Sounds like yours is likely to be pretty well worn out. I spent only $400 on my MR2 donor with 188K on it, but I ended up spending about $2500 on the chassis just getting it up to my standards. I would have been better off finding a better donor. Live and learn.
Good luck.
40 miles at 40mph is doable with lead acid but these days, you are probably much better off going with lithium. 100AH at 120 or 144 volts will only cost a couple thou more than lead will but will give a much lighter, better performing car with better range.
If you want to go with DC, an 8" motor will be fine as will a 9". If you want AC, there are "low voltage" systems (96V I think) that are reasonably priced and will give enough performance. With the lower voltage, you might go to 120AH or 160AH cells though.
One note on the honda, unless the chassis is in really good shape, it might be worthwhile to look for a better donor vehicle. Sounds like yours is likely to be pretty well worn out. I spent only $400 on my MR2 donor with 188K on it, but I ended up spending about $2500 on the chassis just getting it up to my standards. I would have been better off finding a better donor. Live and learn.
Good luck.
