Electric motors come in two flavors. Without getting too technical, there are alternating current (AC) motors and direct current (DC) motors. Either type can be used as electric car motors. The rare electric car made by the big car manufacturers will come with an AC motor. These produce more power for their size and are lighter than DC motors, giving them an advantage.
On the other hand, AC motors are also much more complicated for DIY enthusiasts to install and are slightly more expensive than DC motors. This is the reason why most of us prefer DC motor for all our conversion projects. The advantages of using a DC motor for your electric car conversion project are numerous.
First, they are easy to acquire if you know what to look for. Reconditioned DC motors can be found locally. You can often get them very cheaply, or even for free. They last a long time. If the engine was recently overhauled, you can expect it to outlive the car.
DC electric motors are described by their diameter. It probably goes without saying, but larger diameter motors are capable of producing greater power. But before you go out and get the biggest motor you can find, remember that these will also use more power and require more batteries or more frequent charging. You have to strike a balance between power and practicality, and that balance exists in a nine- to thirteen-inch engine. This is the most commonly used size in electric car conversions.
An engine in this size range provides enough output and power to move at top speeds in the neighborhood of 55 miles per hour and can range between 150 and 200 miles between charges. It works well with deep cycle batteries, which we have found to be the best option for DIY conversions.
Installing the motor for an electric car conversion is easy to do, assuming you follow the instructions. You will probably need a helper for this step because the motor weighs about 150 pounds.
For anywhere from $1000 to $5000 (depending on size) you can buy a new electric car motor online, but I don’t recommend it. For a fraction of that cost, you can find a used reconditioned engine that will outlive any car you put it in. In fact, I have known of some who have released 2 cars.
It takes just as much effort to install and it won’t be less reliable than a new engine, so why spend extra money? You can find these cheap and reliable motors in ample supply just by looking around your local area. Spend a little time looking around and you could easily save $1000 or more. A good set of plans and an experienced guide become extremely valuable here.
You have to know what to look for and the best places to look in order to save the most money possible. The right set of plans will provide you with invaluable information in this regard. They will also walk you through the entire conversion step by step and make sure your controller, motor, batteries, and all the other components you use (including the car!) are right for the project and for each other. In fact, with the right guidance, you can usually complete the entire conversion for less than $500.
