MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
First off, I love my B! But I'm wanting to build an electric vehicle, just to say I did it and for the new experience. I would wait for its original engine to die before starting this conversion and then keep it for a later swap of course.
I guess my question is if we were to see each other at a mg event, would you become sick at the sight of this thing ?
Not me, I would be asking all kinds of questions. I figure any MG being used is one less in the junkyard...and that is a good thing.
Electric vehicles are pretty stupid in the first place. But if you must, go for it. At least it's not a CB car.
I think the whole idea is kind of cool. I'm not sure however, that electric vehicles make much sense since the electricity just gets generated somewhere else perhaps by coal. So I'm never sure an electric vehicle is all that green. As for simplicity, I suppose plug and play is pretty neat. And it would be cheap to operate and no trips to the gas pump. But I'd worry about the short range of the car before running out of juice. I guess electric vehicles aren't for me, but I find them kind of interesting and tempting for local run-around-town cars. Wouldn't bother me if an older MG was saved and had lots of batteries, etc. installed, but I also think it's been done a few times before.
David I'd be in awe of the work you did to accomplish that!
I'd like it, particularly if you were using it in an urban environment for short trips, where electric vehicles are a smart idea.
Eco-blah aside, I think (proper) EVs a cool. They can offer more performance and better reliability than your standard otto cycle car. Only shortcoming is their range and how long it takes to replenish the fuel source.
I'd love to see it too. In fact, I love the idea of electric vehicles and hope to do a conversion one day. I'd do a B or a midget and like you I would keep the engine to reinstall later. A bit technical but very do-able. I say go for it, many modifications have been done from the smallest of improvements all the way up to complete engine swaps. Why would this be any different, it's not. Jump in with both feet. I think many here would be interested to see your progress.
Well, well, well, so I'm going to do it. I just need to save up the cash and since my b is running so well I should have plenty of time. Thanks for the thoughts.
Some students at the U of South Carolina EE Department did one a couple of years ago.
david do a search on youtube of the "white zombie" electric datsun. if you build it like that i think nobody would dare making fun of you
Electric conversion is better than running a Ford Pinto motor.. Purists would hate it..
BTW - Its funny to convert an MG to Electric, as its weakest point is Electrical X(
I drove a Tesla recently, awesome power, very quiet and smooth but not as much fun as rowing gears and hearing the engine and exhaust in my MGB.
Don't waste your time and money. Keep your MGB and buy a Nissan Leaf. It will probably be cheaper in the long run.
TGBMD
'74 MGB BRG
I looked into converting my MGB GT to electric.
My daily commute has too many variables and is too long to make it work with current battery technology.
45 miles each way, combination of 2 lane hills and freeway.
If you have a short distance to drive, then doing an electric conversion might work for you, but the car won't handle like an MG any more.
There is a company in Santa Cruz that sells conversion kits for the MGB and Midget. The kits use the original transmission through an adapter plate. Primitive, but cheap and effective.
Running a high power AC motor direct is the real way to go, but costs are still very high.
I had a ride in an experimental electric chassis while in Taiwan a couple of years ago. The control systems were all digitized with CAN communication to the vehicle modules. The chassis was powered by Lithium cells, but was primarily designed as a test bed for zinc fuel cells. In the other room was a fiberglass Mercedes SL Gullwing body shell to bolt to the chassis!
