THE STARFIGHTER X
As a kid, I went golfing with my father every weekend during the Spring and Summer. I learned how to drive in an electric golf cart when I was nine years old. When I was in sixth grade, my father traded some of his manual labor for a 1970's Harley Davidson Electric Golf Cart, and I drove that thing every day down our long crushed gravel driveway through the forest to pick up the mail from the box. So I've been used to driving electric for a long time, but I never thought it might be feasible to create an actual car with that same technology. But then a company called Tesla sold a thing called a Roadster to a man named Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ever since I heard about the Tesla Roadster, I've wanted one. But I can't fucking afford that shit. When SACHUMO was getting rid of his 1984 Firebird Trans Am, he asked me if I wanted it. I decided I would turn it into a Tesla on my own.
Ever since I heard about the Tesla Roadster, I've wanted one. But I can't fucking afford that shit. When SACHUMO was getting rid of his 1984 Firebird Trans Am, he asked me if I wanted it. I decided I would turn it into a Tesla on my own.
THE CAR
A 1984 Firebird Trans-AM that I am converting to a 100% Electric Vehicle. The name of this project is "THE STARFIGHTER X," as inspired by Luke's X-Wing Fighter from Star Wars. The STARFIGHTER X will have a Tesla Model S P85 rear motor drivetrain, and at its completion will have a 80-(ish)KWH power pack with a real-world 300 mile range as well.
On March 12, 2019, I acquired a 1984 Firebird Trans Am with a Chevy 305 V8, and began the process of converting it into a fully electric vehicle.
My goal is to have it completely converted into an electric vehicle before the end of January, so I can take it on a road trip to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas so I can attend FULLY CHARGED LIVE USA on February 1-2. I know that if I just do a little bit each day, I will have it finished by then, but I’m not sure how much of a range it will have prior to the conference.
SACHUMO: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCzwbm0PGQ2Co6xXgcCemRrA
THE CHECKLIST
Cut the manifold in half, weld the pipe onto the base, and turn it into a desk lamp.
Lift the 305 V8 and set it aside.
Learn how to spot weld
Purchase used Tesla large drive unit
Purchase used battery pack
Hack the drive unit, purchase a controller
Purchase and hack a Tesla model S MCU
Throttle
Gear shift
Electric Brake system
Re-install window controls into the door
Contactor
BMS from ZEVA
Adapt the floor axle well to fit the Chevy volt battery pack
Drop the Trans/axle
Bolt the drive unit in place, attach rear wheels
Flair out rear panels above the wheel wells (Tesla motor plus wheels is 77inches wide - Firebird is only 74 inches wide)
replace several heavy steel parts with prepreg carbon fiber
Hack a CAN BUS together
As time progresses, keep purchasing more batteries to increase range
Install coolant system for batteries, controller, motor, etc
Install level 3 Chargepoint under fuel filler cap and Charger Controller
Replace gauge cluster with EV gauges / hacked digital gauge cluster
Incorporate MCU into the stereo system - no tunes means no drive. Period.
Check traditional 12v functionality (hazzards, headlights, tail, brakes, indicators, speakers)
Buy a new drivers seat (something where I won't hit my head on the roof while driving), replace passenger seat
Create a Frunk (Also known as Froot in UK)
GET IT PASSED AT STATE PATROL INSPECTIONS
Drive to Austin in February
Paint it
Tesla Rear Motor/Drivetrain = 2,999.99 (plus 499.99 shipping)
Battery Pack = !!!!!!!!
THE COSTS
Tesla Rear Motor/Drivetrain = 2,999.99 (plus 499.99 shipping)
Battery Pack = !!!!!!!!
Cables and connectors = Several hundred dollars
Motor Controller = ???
Throttle = 50 to 80
Carbon Fiber Hood replacement = 719.10
Other carbon fiber replacements = ???
Creation of a Frunk / Froot = 100 - 300
BMS = ???
Contacter = ???
Tesla Model S MCU = 850 plus shipping
Tesla Model S Charge Port Assembly = 146.51 plus shipping
ZEVA Fuel Gauge Driver V2 = 190
Heating/Cooling elements = 800(ish)
TOOLS = 1,000
Random-ass shit I haven't thought of yet = probably about one thousand