Learning how my EV donor car works / Electric Porsche 928 project (Ep.8)

No Porsche this episode. It's waiting patiently on the hoist. But I need to learn more about this donor EV, the little MG. How much of it can I re-shell into the 928? The more we talk about it, the harder it is to decide. More design decisions about our Porsche 928 project. Maybe you're got something to add? Leave a comment.
If you're enjoying the story of the Electrified Porsche 928 EV8, then why not subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
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#porsche928 #electricporsche

[@billhill4479]

Firstly, Thanks for putting in the extra effort of documenting this journey on TH-cam. I know there is quite a bit of work in just doing that.
You are proving to be a super valuable information resource for those of us that are interested in doing an ev conversion. I follow a couple of other conversion channels and they are a gold mine of time saving, educational data.
Based on our last conversation, I have now changed my mind on your use of the MG motor. It is quite clear that you are just as interested in the process as you are in the solution as opposed to some people that just want to get an ev conversion on the road quickly. You mentioned previously that this might be 928 version # 1 and that a second one would be a Tesla revision so I realized that you're in this for the long run like any other hot rodder. Especially when you mentioned that you have a Jag conversion in mind as well. Sounds like you've really caught the ev bug.
As I think we all agree, using the MG system will help get the car rolling much quicker without having to figure out aftermarket protocols etc. Not so much with the drive unit but with everything else. So, while an MG powered 928 may not be a absolute supercar, it will still be a pretty impressive machine regardless. I reckon there's plenty of value in continuing with the MG running gear and proving the concept.
As I'm sure you're aware, there are plenty of Tesla motors that have been run backwards, sideways or upside down with only a few minor modifications.
The MG probably won't charge without the motor plugged just because of a couple of safety interlocks via communications.
With regard to whether the ecu is actually paired with the motor or not, it would be really interesting to borrow an ECU from Wayne and plug it in to see whether it works. I know in some cars the ecu is paired to the drive unit but in many other vehicles it isn't. Might be a good test just for the knowledge.
Really looking forward to the next installment. Cheers.

[@evs2k]

Car will run fine with the VCU out of another car. The previous one I repaired had the VCU and charger from the donor car initially and ran fine. It was only when it was taken to MG and scanned that we realised.

[@billhill4479]

Thanks for that Wayne. That's good to know.@@evs2k

[@evs2k]

There are a couple of inertial sensors in the front bar. If memory serves me correctly they bolt onto the radiator stack frame.

[@nathanielakkermans]

It's true when you swap 2 fases the motor spins backwards, but the spinning field is controlled with the feedback of the encoder or resolver So you need to reverse that also, but then you need to have the luck that it aligns with the stator again. And that needs to be perfect otherwise it will not work. The control of the electric magnetic field is completely based on the encoder fastback position.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Thank you Nathaniel that's helpful. Geoff also raised the same concern with this "in reverse" plan, regarding the resolver. I'm glad you guys know what that is because I don't. It looks like we'll first try the upside-down plan instead, which looks practical. And we can test it out of the car. Just might need to swap the diff oil breather and drain. I'm looking for the simplest, most likely to work, approach.

[@nathanielakkermans]

@@inCARnationAustralia yes. With the upsidedown approache you can solve the lubricant issue mechanically. But on the other hand if it's possible maybe the easiest way to convert is to bolt the motor on the original gearbox? Then you can use the gears to make the car a bit more exciting. In my conversation I did the same. But I don't know if the motor you have van be easy used without the differential casing and if the rotation direction and cooling etc will let you do this.
But any how you are going to do it I promise you you make the car better with a electric motor!

[@evs2k]

@@nathanielakkermans problem there is this drive unit (like the Teslas) uses a reduction gear set (8:1) and open diff and two outputs. Major engineering/fabricating challenge to get this to work though the existing gearbox.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

@@nathanielakkermans Yes I understand the attraction of the manual box, like Nick did with his VW Type 3 conversion using an inline Hyper9 motor (another video on the channel) but in the 928 that would mean retaining the whole bulky and heavy torque tube and flywheel, as it's a front mounted clutch but rear mounted gearbox. The weight penalty for those alone is far more than the combined EV motor/diff. In any case I prefer the elegance of the transaxle/integrated differential design of either MG or Tesla drive units, which look a nice shape to slot in the back of a transaxle Porsche, hopefully without any structural chassis mods. In Nick's VW conversion with the EV being so quiet now I did notice gear and diff noises, as you'd expect.

[@Bpoweron]

hi, im not the only one dreaming of making 928 to electric drive, i already have Tesla s drive unit so i made the decision i go all the way on diy anyhow im interested to se your process and progress. i will being watching your content "just subscribed"for sure, also i was thinking of documenting my process here on TH-cam but it will add a lot of extra time to the project, thanks for your hard work nice to watch, all details are welcome😊

[@The888Redlich]

Rather than re engineering an old car with EV tech, would it be easier to backdate the body of an EV to replicate the look and feel of an old car🧐

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Now you're just being a troublemaker Gary.