Research and Spending $$$

We have done some extensive research online trying to gain a better understanding of our project from other people's conversions. Gav's New Zealand Electric Conversion was a great overall breakdown of a conversion. Also, Don's EV page helped with wiring and a parts list. There is a wealth of information on the internet about electric vehicle conversions.

Taking Apart and Cleaning

The very next day, we all went to town on the vehicle. We removed all the internal combustion components from the engine and drained most of the fluids. Lance and I then cleaned all the oil, grease, and road grime from the engine bay using a heavy degreaser, a few rags, and a pressure washer hose. It only took 3 washes. Then we decided to give the outside of the car a bath using the same degreaser, rags, and pressure washer. Another two washes and man what a difference.
We also removed most of the interior of the vehicle. Over the next few days, we be cleaning the plastic interior trim pieces, carpet, seats, door panels, and headliner with a high pressure washer hose to see if we can remove that cigarette smoke smell. The trunk trim pieces were also removed. We cleaned the trunk, and will reinstall the plastic trim pieces to optimize space to install twelve batteries. Bleach was used to clean the dirt and road grim from the interior metal of the vehicle. What a difference! I now wish I took before pictures.

Let's convert an internal combustion engine vehicle to an electrical vehicle!

Our conversion team consists of Bill, Dave, and Lance. Our goal is to convert an internal combustion engine vehicle into an electric vehicle for under $10,000. Here we go!

After cruising Craigslist.com for vehicles, we decided on a 1990 Plymouth Laser from Vancouver, WA as our conversion vehicle. The car had a blown piston and a nasty cigarette smell, and came with a Chilton (1990 Plymouth Laser Handbook), but was otherwise flawless. For a price of $400, who could say no?