Hi everyone new here and a total newbie to bugs

a mate and I have just purchased a 66 deluxe Bug that seams rust free, the plan is to pull the 40Hp 1200 motor which is in good condition and replace with a AC electric 77Hp motor and batteries for a 150Km range and 126 ft lb of torque at 1 rpm.

Will be interested in how you do the conversion. Please share the whole thing on here. I found a place in the U.S. that sells the motor,an ally engine adaptor,an electronic voltage unit and a sealed liquid cooling system with radiator and tank and pump to cool the unit. They want $7000 U.S. plus the batteries. Their system is good for about 350 miles before needing a recharge.

Welcome kiwiev.
I'm pretty sure a few people will be interested in your project, me included.
I have done a little bit of research on this myself, and the Beetles that have been converted already look very interesting.
Good luck, Rob.

Thanks Guys, Rob we have done a few conversions, and use some of the gear from the guy you refer too. I think the Bug will be a ripper
,
We are hoping to convert them for around $22K plus labour unfortunately after that there will be no more noise, no more smell and no more fuel bills, but then there is more power $2 - $2.30 per 100Km to charge and start every time

I will try to post everything on here.

Here is my Sonic 7 weights 840Kg 138Hp 1450 ft lb at the wheels and sub 0-100 Kph

Cheers Kiwi

Interesting.
Please post plenty of pictures and details
Will be most certainly watching this project...

Very interesting...
I would think a very difficult job in a beetle....

How much heavier than a normal standard beetle??

with Drum Brakes all round???

but then again, virtually all beetles in the USA had drum brakes....

wouldn't it be easier in a Golf etc???

LEE

Hey Lee
The cool about AC motors is you can have variable regeneration braking, this is fully programble either foot off accelerator of a pressure transducer in the brake circuit.
Motor and controller weight 60Kg and you can lighten the flywheel to 2.5Kg, batteries will weight 140 Kg.

What does a 1300 motor and full tank of gas weight?
Cheers Kiwi

Well I'm getting the bug for these Bugs lol, I went and picked up another Bug I think a Superbug for my own project

So I need advise???

I will put it up on the Hoist Passenger pan has the flintstone look, where can I get pans in Oz?

It has the Carrera rear look UGLY but I'm handy with fibreglass and I think the Guards are wide so was thinking of cutting the tail light areas and smoothing back to a round curved look.

Oh yeah the plan is to insert 2 AC motors for nearly 250Hp and 250 Ft/Lb.
Can someone tell me if this interior is stock??

Also, I know lots of questions but I know there are some great people on this forum.

I would really like to get the 66 look on the front I have googled and you can get wider 66 look fibreglass guards for the front from the USA just wondering if there are any in Oz?

Thanks Guys in advance

Kiwi

http://www.zelectricmotors.com/videos/ 

In 2008 there was someone at Warwick with an Electric Beetle - someone here might know the car/builder. Would be a valuable contact in building your car.

Thanks Karmann

Nice looking Bug and ideas

Cheers Kiwi

Good day Kiwi-your door trims and seats are not VW.The door trims were recovered when the donor seats were trimmed.The blank panels each side of the speedo are not standard VW either.The electic motor set up you are proposing is some serious horsepower.I wish to run a heater and air conditioner in my next project-both those would be difficult with only electric power.John Sherman in QLD does a wider standard look guard in glass for your model.

here is a couple of pics of motors

Cheers Kiwi

John Sherman contact

http://volksconversions.com.au/contact.html 

Quick update
Have placed order with EV west for a AC50 motor and controller chiller plate, water cooler motor adapter engine bay covers all for the 66 bug.

The super bug is going on the hoist tomorrow to see how terminal the rust is will update.

Whats everyone's thoughts on suspension?.

I would love to air bag the rear mainly because the two motors controllers and 23 batteries is over 250 kg. But what will it handle like?

The front will have 90kg of batteries.

I want a low look and handling , and I think I will order the aero guards all round if they aren't to pricy.

Thanks for all your input and help.

Kiwi

Kiwi- I have just ordered a pair of front guards through Brad at Westside- pm me and I will give you the fibreglass blokes phone number. Very well priced.