Electric Volvo?

"I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner" (forvolvo)
12/17/2014 at 12:44 • Filed to: None

Am I crazy for wanting to do an Electric motor swap into my Bolbo instead of an L33? I plan on having my Vo' for years and years and years to come, and I wouldn't have to worry about fluctuating petrol prices in the future. Might even be able to sell it for a handsome profit in the future too!

DISCUSSION (18)

505Turbeaux > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 12:53

Is that a 960 with a 3.0l in it? One of my favorite cars I ever owned. 25K mile T belt changes though...

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 12:53

Kinja'd!!!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 12:56

Well as long as you do it with no intentions of ever coming close to breaking even on cost (gas savings by going electric) then it would be interesting at least. Although aerodynamics play a big factor for range in an electric car so idk about a Volvo wagon being a great rig for that lol. I have seen a good number of Pontiac Fiero e-car projects though. Here is one: http://www.greenplanet3.org/ev/Home.html

Funktheduck > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 12:59

It would be cool. Do it

Steve in Manhattan > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 13:01

" handsome profit ..." Don't go into it with that expectation. But do consider how you use the car. If you commute 20 miles to work, and nothing more, why not? It's rear drive though, so you'd have to sort out where all the pieces go. Does anyone sell adaptable electric drivetrains?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/17/2014 at 13:03

That paint job is hideous.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 13:11

Can't say I support this idea. While YOU might plan to keep the Volvo for a long, long, long time, that doesn't necessarily mean that's what will happen. What if it's hit by a dump truck? Bye bye Volvo and all the money you spent. I say if the car runs now don't screw with it.

Rock Bottom > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 13:21

Did you ever see the guy that built an electric 510? It was stupid quick and sounded like a giant electric drill! It's not for everybody, but if you want one, build it!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 13:53

Understand that you won't be able to get into an endurance run with a leaf.....or even a volt on pure electric. If that isn't an issue then you can give it a go. But in 5-10 years, your conversion will be hilariously outdated and you'll need a complete upgrade to new batteries and wiring and whatnot. Your conversion will never be worth anything in the long run because it's either expensive or outdated.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
12/17/2014 at 13:58

I wouldn't be doing it now anyways, as a poor college student. It Would be after I graduate, long after graduation.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > 505Turbeaux
12/17/2014 at 13:58

Yup! The engine is an absolute peach on it!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
12/17/2014 at 14:02

Weight savings idea, just sand off all of the paint and get some "speed holes" everywhere

505Turbeaux > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 14:28

did I ever show you pics of my huge mileage 960 I used to have? the black one? Well who cares. You get them again. these were pre sale pics at 268K miles (interior from a 80K mile car that had that wood too). One of the best sounding engines at WOT

Kinja'd!!!

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > 505Turbeaux
12/17/2014 at 14:36

What year was it? The center console is different than mine, and mine has carpet on the door sills and not wood, but we have the same pre-facelift exterior

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 14:37

Whoops, would have helped if I read it all the way

505Turbeaux > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 14:40

1993, so it had the 760 console and the solid metal sunroof instead of the glass one. The wood was a package, possibly dealer. The wood was really thick and affixed with OE fasteners. Also I had the optional cupholders (that usually always break) on top of the center console storage (in the armrest). I also had the 3rd seat in it. Thing was so glorious. I put the Hydras on it instead of the Nova's, and kept the Novas for snows.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > 505Turbeaux
12/17/2014 at 14:47

Ahh I have a '93 too, also the metal sunroof. And I'm so jealous about the 3rd row seat!

505Turbeaux > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
12/17/2014 at 14:49

yeah if you find any 7xx or 9xx with the seat in the same interior color, grab that and the belts. It took less than an hour to install, and actually wasnt too bad for space back there