3dr hb Nose job

[spdas]

Aloha, I have a 2007 Yaris 3dr HB that has been converted to electric. ie, no gas engine at all, just Lithium batteries and a electric motor capable of 85+ mph. Anyways, since I have no radiator and no need for a grill, I am wondering if anyone knows of a conversion or a one-off job that drops the nose and gets rid of some of the "frontal area" and thereby get better aerodynamics. (maybe like a Porsche 911?). Or any nice after market plastic front ends?

thanks
Francis

[bkndacn]

Wait?!?! you can convert a Yaris to electric? how much would that cost?

[hachi-roku_fan]

Dude, you can't make your first post, saying you converted a Yaris to all electric that does 85MPH, and NOT post any pics!!! Come on man!! lol

[spdas]

Dude, you can't make your first post, saying you converted a Yaris to all electric that does 85MPH, and NOT post any pics!!! Come on man!! lol

Wow a lively bunch here.....:iono: The conversion and new Yaris in 2007 cost a bit. I got it on Ebay and the owner paid about $32,000.00 for it as he made it right from the dealer with 0 miles on the odometer. It had old lead acid batteries and I am just now putting in lithium. Range will be about 100-120 miles. I drove around with the current setup and it had some BALLS. More torque than the gas version. Anyways, here is the ebay site where i bought it . Click the link below and see lots of pix and the electric conversion and movie.
Francis

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-Yaris-Electric-Car-Electric-Vehicle-2007-Yaris-EV-NO-RESERVE-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3f04a4a1d3QQitemZ27066 0837843QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks#v4-43

[matthewai]

pretty crazed mon

[big lo]

Welcome to the forum, and now a moment of silence..... But they do have a point post some pics of your ride and then some of us can get an idea in what you want to do.

[yaris2010RS]

electric car with a M/T? thats epic

[yarisugi]

Where in Hawaii? I want to see it if it's on Oahu!

[donchae]

According to the link spdas posted:

Q: Hello, Is it really a standard transmission! Is it necessary to use a clutch when starting and stopping? What wasn´t a Yaris with an automatic used for the conversion? Thank you, Tom

A: Hello, Yes it is standard 5 speed transmission and it has a clutch. However I never use the clutch, not even for starting or stopping. I usually start in 3rd gear and shift (without clutch) to 4th at 45MPH and to 5th at 55 to 60 mph.

huwaat the fresh???? :confused: that's soooo cool!! :wub: :eek:

[SpaceShot]

As a temporary measure, I have had good luck using old magnetic door signs, turned dark side out and trimming to fit over the existing grille. The front bumper assembly can be carefully tipped forward to fasten the grille blocks with screws and fender washers.

Not the best look perhaps, but I try to distract people from that with Racing Disc hubcaps, and a Shark Fin style antenna.
I do it to reduce airflow during the colder Winter months, and I use a ScanGauge II to monitor coolant temperatures and MPG.

I know, running a Yaris HB well below freezing for 3-4 months of the year will sound very odd to you, but that is life here at the opposite end of the country. ;-)

[MadMax]

Too cool! But even the range when it was new (25 miles) would barely get me to work!

Cheers! M2

[bkndacn]

^yeah I commute about 100 miles each way to work on Fridays :-/ but hey he's in HI so th island can't be that big ! :)

[thebarber]

you'd likely have to DIY on the front bumper to remove the grilles, etc

[CTScott]

How about some under hood pics? I'd like to see what motor they used and how they mated it to the MT.

[cali yaris]

+1

[Betrivent]

Yeah, we're all damned curious how a MT works with an Electric motor.

..okay well at least I am.

[cali yaris]

I got it on Ebay and the owner paid about $32,000.00 for it as he made it right from the dealer with 0 miles on the odometer.

That guy was a member on here. Same car, I remember it.

[edit]

here's the thread:
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3169

[spdas]

That guy was a member on here. Same car, I remember it.

[edit]

here's the thread:
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3169

Good digging to find the original owner.
In answer to some questions...
1: I am putting Lithium batteries in, so it will go 100 miles between charge. The original owner used lead-acid Orbital (Optima) that went only 25 miles

2: I am in Kapolei Oahu

3: The original converter did a VERY good job, used the highest quality parts and was professional....not a backyard hack job. I will me making improvements when i add the Lithium that will make it look "factory". The car is immaculate and only has 8499 miles.

4: The grill is already blocked off

5: I am going to "skin" the underside of the car as it is very rough and is VERY easy to do with a 4'x7' x 1/8" ABS plastic. Especially since there is no motor or exhaust.

6: Check out my ebay link and go to the image gallery and movie to see motor/tranny details.

7: You can start out in 5th and never use the clutch even at a stop sign. It is sluggish. Using 2 gear, u will do a big time burnout, but lose speed around 35-40 mph and need to shift. For around town just put it in 3rd and leave it there, if on a surface street @40mph, maybe use 4th, and on the highway use 5th

Francis

[spdas]

My vision of modifying the front is following the windshield down to the bumper that should be about 12 inches from the ground. I do not want it to look stupid and I am no artist, so I am thinking it may never happen. Probably the only way it will happen is to see another car with a stylish nose and have a custom body shop do it. As there are not very many components in the front end, it does not seem to me to be a herculean task. But then again, I am no artist.

francis

[Betrivent]

The old thread has no info on it, and the website the original owner set up no longer works. Pictures please! :D

[jonismyname]

The old thread has no info on it, and the website the original owner set up no longer works. Pictures please! :D

watch the movie.


OP- i think you'd be hard pressed to make a more attractive front end while making it MORE aerodynamic. there's a few high MPG forums with folks attaching foam to the front and rear of old civic's to get serious fuel economy, but it's ugly. while considering looks and aero, toyota put lots and lots into it to make it work. the only thing you'd really achieve would be making it clearly not a normal yaris... and if that's the idea, rock on. i think i'd just start taking stuff off and go from there. maybe a clear plexi glass front end? fenders and all? otherwise DIY with fiberglass and time? i think some EV stickers would be easier...

[Betrivent]

None of the links work anymore, the movie is apparently removed by user

[spdas]

Here is my earlier post that has lots of pix.

uote:
Originally Posted by hachi-roku_fan View Post
Dude, you can't make your first post, saying you converted a Yaris to all electric that does 85MPH, and NOT post any pics!!! Come on man!! lol
Wow a lively bunch here..... The conversion and new Yaris in 2007 cost a bit. I got it on Ebay and the owner paid about $32,000.00 for it as he made it right from the dealer with 0 miles on the odometer. It had old lead acid batteries and I am just now putting in lithium. Range will be about 100-120 miles. I drove around with the current setup and it had some BALLS. More torque than the gas version. Anyways, here is the ebay site where i bought it . Click the link below and see lots of pix and the electric conversion and movie.
Francis

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...5fTrucks#v4-43

and

http://www.go-ev.com/Albums/Yaris_Album_files/

and

http://www.go-ev.com/Videos/electric_yaris1.mov