My Hyundai "Electra", Ultimate mod: turn a 2002 Elantra GT into an electric vehicle
|
This forum is now a read only archive. Please use our Garage to update you car's information and pictures.
My Hyundai "Electra", Ultimate mod: turn a 2002 Elantra GT into an electric vehicle
|
Aug 2 2010, 12:27 AM
|
|
Club Newbie Group: Members Posts: 1 Posts Per Day: 0.00 Thanks Received: 0 Trader Stats: 0 (0%) Joined: 22-September 08 From: Grand Prairie, TX Member No.: 6,544 Mood: Geeky |
I'm probably going to post more details soon, but I've got a multi-year project almost at completion. The project is to convert my 2002 Elantra GT hatchback into an electric vehicle.
I chose the Elantra because it was rated "best bet" for a used car in its category by Edmunds.com, and because it had good overall characteristics for an electric vehicle conversion. The hatchback in particular is great, because you still have room in the back for stuff even with batteries added in the back. Plus, it's a bit more aerodynamic with the more gradual slope in the back. More info, videos and photos can be found at http://www.youtube.com/HyundaiElectra, http://tinyurl.com/hyundai-electra, and http://www.evalbum.com/2083. I might get around to posting some more when it's done, which I hope is soon. The biggest thing now remaining is for me to modify the rear suspension to carry the extra 700 lbs of batteries. Yep. Crazy, huh? Well, I've looked into it, and it seems like the best option is to order custom springs. Do any of you have any other good options? I tried to find air shocks for the Elantra but wasn't having much luck, other than very high-end options usually bordering on if not exceeding $1K. -------------------- A proud member of the club.
|
|
|
Aug 2 2010, 02:41 AM
|
|
'05 Elantra & '98 Accent Group: Lifetimer Posts: 3,332 Posts Per Day: 0.48 Thanks Received: 27 Trader Stats: 0 (0%) Joined: 23-March 05 From: Seaford, Victoria, Australia Member No.: 607 Mood: Anxious |
Sounds like a pretty neat project. Here in Australia there is a company that converts the Hyundai Getz into an Electric car
-------------------- 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Active 2.2 CRDi 6spd Auto, Ocean View 2014 Hyundai i30 elite , 1.6 CRDi, 6spd 5dr Hatch, Dazzling Blue 2009 Hyundai i30cw SX 1.6 CRDi 5spd 4dr Wagon, Hyper Silver 2007 Hyundai Getz S 1.4 DOHC 5spd 5dr Hatch, Blue 2005 Hyundai Elantra elit�, 2.0HVT 5spd, 4dr Sedan, Ebony Black 1998 Hyundai Excel GX, 1.5 DOHC, 5spd, 3dr Hatch, Red |
|
|
Aug 2 2010, 11:11 AM
|
|
EClub Live Chat for Life! Group: Lifetimer Posts: 1,426 Posts Per Day: 0.28 Thanks Received: 126 Trader Stats: 2 (100%) Joined: 12-February 10 From: gone Member No.: 8,215 Mood: Sick |
SWEET DEAL! Another EVer *AND* an Elantra to boot! Congrats on it! I know our transmissions, some of them, came from Mitsubishi for a while. I wonder if suspension from their little pickup truck would fit?
The other thing I'd recommend is ask around in the "Fossil-Fuel Free" section of ecomodder.com - there are 10-15 guys running around there with EV conversions. I hope to join them someday! -------------------- |
|
|
Aug 2 2010, 08:04 PM
|
|
CarPuter Masta! Group: Lifetimer Posts: 6,363 Posts Per Day: 1.04 Thanks Received: 130 Trader Stats: 11 (100%) Joined: 23-June 07 From: Toronto, Canada Member No.: 4,300 Mood: Relaxed |
I'd say look into the Tiburon springs - I believe the 03GTs had a 'hardride' suspension that is a bit beefier. And since you're adding the additional weight they should be a good match. You should be okay with stock struts or upgrading those to KYBs or the like should be good. Also grab the 19mm swaybar from the 03 Tiburon and you'll be able to keep the corners happy with the extra weight. I would say look into Eibach or H&R springs, but I don't think you're looking forward to having a lowered car.
Looking forward to your progress!! -------------------- carPC Build Thread | My Elantra Site | My Fiero Site | My WebSite | Donate here to keep ElantraClub online and growing. |
|
|
Aug 2 2010, 09:05 PM
|
|
the EC addict Group: Lifetimer Posts: 1,386 Posts Per Day: 0.24 Thanks Received: 3 Trader Stats: 0 (0%) Joined: 4-April 08 From: cedar city utah Member No.: 5,896 Mood: Accomplished |
i watched the videos it looks like a awesome deal. im kinda jealous. i wouldn't mind having a electric car for around town driving.
-------------------- Commas Save Lives. For instance, : " Lets eat grandpa " or " lets eat, grandpa"
|
|
|
Aug 2 2010, 09:12 PM
|
|
Insert title here Group: Lifetimer Posts: 1,196 Posts Per Day: 0.23 Thanks Received: 19 Trader Stats: 0 (0%) Joined: 6-December 09 From: Ventura california Member No.: 7,980 Mood: Exhausted |
just get the dimentions from the springs you have then go to the junkyard to match it up to something there that has a better load. If not find a set that doesn't quite fit and cut them down a bit.
It is a bit rough but that could be a starting point. -------------------- Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack.
|
|
|
Aug 3 2010, 02:40 AM
|
|
Nanomember Group: Lifetimer Posts: 7,787 Posts Per Day: 1.11 Thanks Received: 57 Trader Stats: 2 (100%) Joined: 27-January 05 From: College Park, MD Member No.: 106 Mood: Blah |
Will the front springs fit in the rear struts? I never tried, but figure the car has a worse than 60/40 weight distribution stock, so the front springs must be a lot stiffer than the rears. Might be a cheap solution if they do fit but I've never tried.
-------------------- Help keep ElantraClub running and free for all Elantra owners: Donate.
|
|
|
Aug 3 2010, 06:19 AM
|
|
CarPuter Masta! Group: Lifetimer Posts: 6,363 Posts Per Day: 1.04 Thanks Received: 130 Trader Stats: 11 (100%) Joined: 23-June 07 From: Toronto, Canada Member No.: 4,300 Mood: Relaxed |
I doubt they will fit...in fact pretty sure they won't
the fronts have a much larger diameter top and bottom. -------------------- carPC Build Thread | My Elantra Site | My Fiero Site | My WebSite | Donate here to keep ElantraClub online and growing. |
|
|
Aug 3 2010, 07:22 AM
|
|
EClub Live Chat for Life! Group: Lifetimer Posts: 1,426 Posts Per Day: 0.28 Thanks Received: 126 Trader Stats: 2 (100%) Joined: 12-February 10 From: gone Member No.: 8,215 Mood: Sick |
Starting out lowered would be bad, very bad. If anything, EV converters normally go about an inch or two higher, depending on weight of the pack, so that it comes out about "normal" once loaded.
-------------------- |
|
|
Aug 3 2010, 08:24 AM
|
|
Idiot Savant Group: Lifetimer Posts: 9,573 Posts Per Day: 1.42 Thanks Received: 256 Trader Stats: 4 (100%) Joined: 20-September 05 From: Trumpistan Member No.: 1,406 Mood: Uncertain |
Impressive.
The thought of something like this crosses my mind from time to time as I make my 12 mile journey to work, but after watching your vids, I am not able to complete such a project it's just far to big for me. Kudos to you sir! -------------------- To Helena Handbasket! |
|
|
Aug 3 2010, 09:43 AM
|
|
Post Maniac Group: Lifetimer Posts: 1,746 Posts Per Day: 0.29 Thanks Received: 57 Trader Stats: 0 (0%) Joined: 24-August 07 From: North White Plains, NY Member No.: 4,755 Mood: Accomplished |
Nice, the elantra looks great BTW!!
-------------------- |
|
|
Aug 3 2010, 09:14 PM
|
|
Berlin Veteran Group: Lifetimer Posts: 1,157 Posts Per Day: 0.17 Thanks Received: 37 Trader Stats: 0 (0%) Joined: 31-January 05 From: St. Petersburg, FL Member No.: 212 Mood: Bemused |
Wow that is pretty cool man. I would not know where to even begin. It would be interesting to know what the new weight of your car is with the batteries? Also are all the safety features still operable, ABS if the car had it and are the airbags still functional?
-------------------- |
|
|
Similar Topics
Topic | Replies | Topic Starter | Views | Last Action | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
My 2017 AD Elantra RS (Yes RS) :)- | 4 | billy4u | 65,363 | 26th January 2017 - 09:16 PM Last post by: elantragt |
|
Hyundai ATF SPF-III and Synthetic Mobil One 5W30 - 4 Quart bottles - $10 Plus engine and cabin air filters - Pick up or ship |
0 | olidx | 846 | 25th October 2016 - 05:35 PM Last post by: olidx |
|
My Elantra MD Lowered on ARK GT-F Lowering Springs | 27 | TeamARK | 9,054 | 7th October 2016 - 09:18 AM Last post by: AKENT |
|
My New 2016 Forte EX!! | 9 | Babyhyundai05 | 21,956 | 24th June 2016 - 08:51 PM Last post by: Babyhyundai05 |
|
Hyundai surprisingly dropping the Sonata | 5 | elantragt | 15,739 | 2nd April 2016 - 09:52 AM Last post by: elantragt |
Copyright 2022 The Elantra Club   | Time is now: 18th March 2024 - 09:16 PM |
Elantra Club is not affiliated in any way with Hyundai Motor America |