Traxgeek

Hi Alec, Yep, that's my idea at the mo. Use an AC 3phase induction motor with a Curtis controller. *Much*  more controllable than DC, safer, less maintenance (brushless) *and* regenerative braking to boot !! 3phase AC is a must for a serious conversion. I noted the big manufacturers use 300+ V of AC but it seems 170V is about the max for us DIY'ers with the norm being around 96 to 144V.  Anyways my idea at the mo is 120-odd V AC. I'love keep posting my progress. Thanks again.

You're right !! And therein lies my biggest concern. Where will this stop ? The currently outlined directive (as I understand it, so I'm probably wrong - but all-the-same it's worth much more investigation) is *ANY* modification that takes a car away from its de-facto 'as-delivered-from-the-factory' standard will become eligible for an IVA 'inspection' and possible re-plate with all the ensuing crap that would surely follow... Worrying indeed, not just for me and my 'project' but for *anyone* who's modified their wheels... Thoughts ? Is there more clarity on this yet ?

HI, Esxefi, both I guess (to a point) but more I s'pose for the project. Most of my driving in the 6, is to from local town (errands, dropping/collecting son from school) The 6 hardly ever gets off choke. All seems a little pointless. Tony, I guess you could. DC motors would suit well I think. The issue as I understand it (I'm still learning loads / am no expert by any standards) with direct drive is that at low speeds the motor's spinning slowly *but* drawing large currents and making heat both of which add weight with cables and the additional cooling system required. Most of my 'fun' driving is tight, twisty roads between home and town (= relatively slow,  lots of acceleration / deceleration) which doesn't really (as I understand it) lend itself well to direct drive (via the propshaft) *but* would mean the motor could sit in the tunnel area and leave the engine comp't free for mor batteries = more cost 🙁 Byakk0,  now tgere's an idea ! Record the *burble* of the 6 and play that back ! 😀 OK, probably not  !! Andy,  respect noted but I *love* my 6, had her for nigh on 30 years, don't want to get rid of her. I just want to breath some new life into her. To all intents and purposes she'd still be a classic Triumph GT6 from the outside, but then mega modern, able to (pretty much) silently, leave any other 6 standing from the lights, under the hood.

Wow, lads of stuff covered there. Thanks to all for helping and sharing so far - appreciated, really. I don't seem to be able to add a picture/image, thought I'did share a couple as to where I've gotten to so far. Maybe I don't have enough posts under my belt yet, maybe I'm just a little dumb and haven't seen how... either way I *will* post up a few images as soon as I figure out how to do so. So, back to the job in hand !! I figure the following (give or take) for a stock 1971 mk3, GT6 : Weight = 2080lbs 102 BHP 110mph top end 10 secs 0-60mph 480 lbs for the motor Some 70lbs+ for the cooling system and exhaust Some 45lbs for the fuel tank (wet) So, remove the engine and (apart from removing that superb 6 pot burble from the s/s sports exhaust   - I will miss that, but I won't miss the gas costs or the servicing   ) I will 'lose' 600 lbs giving me a final, no engine, weight of circa 1500lbs or 600 lbs to 'play' with... although I'm sure a conversion to electric will put me over this but, as long as I stick with my calculated 56/44 front/rear axle weight distribution, should be 'doable'. I figure (from my calculations so far) I'll be 150- 200lbs over stock weight... Right, I'm currently thinking of going with : AC motor 124V LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery pack (Ã la Tesla), 24KW 100 mile range 95mph top end better than 8secs 0-60mph 😀 AC induction motor for simplicity, 3phase power and minimal servicing. LiFePO4 batts for power density, extremely long life, light weight, extremely robust (nothing like bog standard  Lithium Ion), high systainable charge / discharge rates. Dual battery charger (Hi / Lo = Fast / Slow) charge rates for home / workplace charging. I'm also really reticent to modify the car structurally,  so am being really careful there; to maintain the designed axle weight ratio I'm thinking of 60% of the batteries up front, saddle-bagging the motor and the remaining 40% under the rear floor in lieu of both the fuel tank and the spare (I was thinking of gas bomb 'spare'). Splitting the battery 'pack' is *not* ideal but... needs must. I also plan to keep my 'J' type overdrive and clutch (so, no additional weight saving there unfortunately !). Keeping the clutch seems to be 'debatable' but shifting down without one is tedious (I've tried it many times now, and generally end up in a right mess, although shifting up us pretty simple). My concerns (apart from the cost and the loss of the 6's burble   ) are (1) any new / proposed EU legislation that may mean I become illegal due to having changed the car far from its stock norms (ICE to ekectric is a pretty big modification I guess, I mean, it's not like I'm proposing to add some wing mirrors !! ) and (2) I create an expensive, useless slug (although I'm hopeful that doing my homework should limit this (2nd) concern !!). So any one with any 'inside info' / pointers / thoughts as to legislation please pipe up !! Like I say, thanks to all for your help and interest so far. To anyone who's interested I have a refurb'ed 6 pot and a brand new s/s twin 3 into 1 sports exhaust system for sale (no idea as to pricing yet, open to offers !) plus the rest of the ICE kit (fuel tank etc.) Well, thats it for the mo. As soon as I can, I'll post up some pics. Thanks a mil.

Hi all ! Brand new to this forum, (in fact, forums in general are new to me). Be gentle please !!! Seriously, bought a 1971 mk3 GT6 back in '86 (British Racing Green). She'did faiked her MOT on jyst aboyt all pounts !!. Fully renovated her over 12 months or so (she went Ferrari Red) used her as my daily car for a few years til we were side-swiped on the motorway and quite literally squashed between a lorry on the inside and the armourco on the driver's side (teach me to paint her red, I guess)! Bought the car back from the insurance company and started to rebuild / restore her again (now she's Triumph Tahiti Blue !). Stopped restoration due to work and a move to France. She's been in a heated, air conditioned garage now for the past 10-12 years - waiting patiently - 80% finished. Anyways, I have more time now and want to get her back on the road. To trade I'm an electronics techie guy and I really want to convert her to full LiFePO4 electric !! Needless to say,  I have some questions I'd really appreciate some insight with... -1- Stupid idea ? I think it'd be a great project for my son (12) and I - but I'm concerned as to the mooted EU MOT / historic car changes I've seen in the papers recently. Any ideas / thoughts please ? -2- I have a renovated engine (albeit it's sat in the garage for the past 12-odd years just being manually turned over from time to time, a brand new, unused, unfitted stainless exhaust system and 3 into 1 manifolds... where should I advertise my no longer required kit please ? -3- Anyone else already undertaken such an 'abomination' , to a GT6 or interested in how it proceeds (IF the proposed new EU MOT /Historic car rules don't 'rule' out my project) ? -4- Any advice - all (for and against) gratefully received !! Thanks for reading.