LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

View and post your Nissan/Datsun project(s)
User avatar
gooned
Posts: 1069
Joined: 07 Jul 2003 23:19
Location: Langley

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by gooned »

Wow!

That is super impressive, I’m not even sure where to look, so much going on.


question...is the tailpipe super small or?
Derek
Posts: 1352
Joined: 04 Jul 2003 17:19
Location: San Francisco, CA

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by Derek »

Yep 1.75" out using the stock titanium muffler -- it's only 1000cc so seems OK?

I took it on the highway this morning for a quick pull. You can see I'm ready to short shift -- I need to get used to that 13k redline. :)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xLqRKXPUne53TWjTA
User avatar
gooned
Posts: 1069
Joined: 07 Jul 2003 23:19
Location: Langley

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by gooned »

That sound!

Gotta be happy with that 😃
User avatar
JordanTr
Posts: 1007
Joined: 20 Feb 2013 22:27
Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by JordanTr »

Man!!! Is that ever cool! Congrats :)
'72 2 door KA project | S14 Silvia RB25DET | S14 RB26DETT (sold) | '90 Audi 90Q20V (sold)
Derek
Posts: 1352
Joined: 04 Jul 2003 17:19
Location: San Francisco, CA

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by Derek »

After a couple of slow months fixing some problems with the chain line and radiator ducting, the car is reliably on the road!

I've replaced the ball bearings in both the idler and tensioner sprockets with needle bearings which should hopefully help their longevity. I had to increase the size of my window scoop to get enough air into the radiator to be able to run on ICE power only on the highway, so longer distances are now possible.

And while I hesitate to call them finishing touches, I have the interior back together, and the firewall is 95% there. Need to have it fully sealed before I start trying to tackle the interior noise issue, which is crazy loud.

Outside the car, it's not so nuts -- it's the stock muffler after all. I roped a friend into filming a drive-by yesterday, so you can hear for yourself:

https://youtu.be/SxuFXTIhT8I

All the details of this work and more can be found in my photo dump: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hBUezQtiCVuvTPQ99
Derek
Posts: 1352
Joined: 04 Jul 2003 17:19
Location: San Francisco, CA

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by Derek »

A year later and the car is still going. If you follow my instagram (@derekbruceyoung) this is all old news, but here's the synopsis:

Showed the car at Monterey car week and out sprung an article on the Autopian: https://www.theautopian.com/how-an-engi ... e-in-back/

Which was followed by a piece on Super Street with some really nice photos: https://www.motortrend.com/features/nis ... tom-build/
06 (1).jpg
06 (1).jpg (729.93 KiB) Viewed 540 times
And then most recently I drove (!) it down to LA and Youtuber SuperfastMatt reviewed the car: https://youtu.be/PVlMxQaAf-k

Which includes footage from my car's first lapping day at Streets of Willow Springs -- I made a composite full lap video here: https://youtu.be/UgoxhiMSIHA to get it ready I put on 14" rotors with 370Z sport calipers and added an oil pressure gauge.
JPS Adv - session 3 turn 11 - WS8_0360_Feb0423_1253PM_CaliPhoto.jpg
JPS Adv - session 3 turn 11 - WS8_0360_Feb0423_1253PM_CaliPhoto.jpg (733.18 KiB) Viewed 540 times
My next big move is I just purchased a Leaf Plus inverter (motor controller) which will unlock nearly double the front EV horsepower. Total will go from 280 to somewhere closer to 370 -- fun! I'm also looking to build my own 2 step rev limiter to finally launch this thing properly. Current 5-60 times are ~5.5s, hoping to drop into the 4s with the new inverter.
User avatar
bertvorgon
Supporter
Posts: 12125
Joined: 04 Aug 2003 20:45
Location: White Rock, B.C. Canada

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by bertvorgon »

Hey Derek,

Good to see you on here again. James did send a link on our email, so I have watched them. You are pretty amazing my friend! I have only just figured out how to use a can opener and change the date on my VCR!

Take care,

Keith
"Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty" - Peter Egan

Keith Law
1973 2 Door Slalom/hill climb/road race / canyon carver /Giant Killer 510
1971 Vintage 13' BOLER trailer
Derek
Posts: 1352
Joined: 04 Jul 2003 17:19
Location: San Francisco, CA

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by Derek »

Thanks Keith! Since I basically do this type of work at my job, I gotta keep up with the times you know. Good to hear from you, and hope all is well!
User avatar
ostaylor
Supporter
Posts: 433
Joined: 19 Dec 2020 08:40
Location: Victoria, BC

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by ostaylor »

That is cool beyond belief. I love the wizard reference... there is definitely some wizardry there.
Regards,
Owen
70 Datsun 510 2 door - SR20DET - https://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?t=34572
64 Studebaker Daytona - Supercharged 289 4 speed
95 Lotus Esprit S4s Monterey Edition
65 Sunbeam Tiger MkI
User avatar
icehouse
Posts: 3925
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 17:06
Location: Everett Wa

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by icehouse »

Cool to see it in action! Although to please the 510realm community you need to swap the bike engine for a L series.
"People don't like it when shit doesn't match their rule of thumb." Sam
Derek
Posts: 1352
Joined: 04 Jul 2003 17:19
Location: San Francisco, CA

Re: LeafZX: EV + Literbike = DIY road coupled hybrid

Post by Derek »

hah, a carb'ed L series in the back of my car sure would be something. Anyone build a transverse one before?
Post Reply