I understand wanting to keep the original powertrain mounting and axles, but the Mini engine and transmission setup is very undesirable for conversion to an electric motor. The consensus seems to agree with Tremelune: use an aftermarket (or modified stock) subframe to mount a more suitable transaxle, or to use the entire drive unit (motor with transaxle) salvaged from a typical production EV.Thinking of keeping the original gearbox and mounting a Hyper9 motor directly on top of it. Using SilentSync sprockets and belt as a drive system...
The electronics package mounted directly on top of the motor is a tidy setup for many vehicles, emulating the shape of a typical engine which is being replaced, but it looks very tall to put in a Mini, especially stacked on top of the transmission. I would check dimensions carefully.Also considering the EV Europe system: https://eveurope.eu/en/product/ev-hype-kit-low-voltage-max-90-kwatt-180-vdc/
I have converted a 77 moke and successfully kept the original transmission. It works but it was a pain to do and the gearbox is noisy and I'm always worried I'm going to destroy the 40 year old Leyland gearbox /driveshafts with the new power.
If I was to do it again I would look to drop in an imiev running gear or maybe fit a rwd cars diff to the front and belt/chain drive it with the motor sitting on top of the diff.
That looks like a nice package. Not much different from typical salvaged EV drive units in design and performance, but potentially easier to work with... but that's why they need to describe inverter options and support use of any aftermarket inverter/controller, as well as to document the axle outputs and support the use of various inner CV joints. It's a lot of money compared to a salvaged unit if you are stuck with their controller and it isn't easy to use, and if you are required to custom-build axles.Stumbled with this option online:
https://swind.life/products/hpd-2/
Size seems manageable, price wise seems similar to what I had in mind. Will the Shafts be an issue? Should I go for the limited slip diff? Using this system with other components non SWINDON could be challenging?
See if you can get a subframe and axles, too...They build these things (but charge six digits):
https://swind.life/products/e-classic/
There's the problem: they probably have no intention of actually selling any of these, other than as part of a complete conversion. Since they have the parts (to do the conversion), they threw together a marketing brochure for them, in case they might sell a few that way. If you need to use their shafts then they (and their cost) should be considered as part of the package, and the drive unit isn't as useful for other vehicles.I just got confirmation they will be selling shafts and a subframe.
It's interesting how much more robust the final drive of the Swindon-supplied unit appears to be, compared to the original Mini bits. It does look promising.This is a CAD dwg just for size reference.
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I’m really leaning into this solution.
Nice! Do you have a page or thread with more details? How do you control the motor? Did you keep the Mini gearbox?I have converted my Mini with a 27kW-powertrain (from a Th!nk as donor car). With these 27kW I can make the front wheels spin at any time I want (sometime I fail to avoid it) from zero to approx. 60km/h.