bobxyz
Board Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2014
- Location
- Boulder CO
It's way over budget, but here are some really rough and optomistic cost guesses to convert a 240/740/940 RWD brick to a very basic full EV using a donor Lexus GS450H.
Let's start with a salvage Lexus GS450H with a fully working e-drivetrain - maybe $2500 if you're lucky. This will give us the e-motor transmission, inverter, transmission pump, and some (probably) aged wimpy batteries. Maybe an e-gas pedal, and whatever is used to sense regenerative-braking/full hydraulic braking too.
https://erepairables.com/salvage-cars-auction/lexus/gs+450h
https://www.copart.com/vehicle-search-model/lexus/gs450
You'll need to add an aftermarket VCU controller board, say $450 with a case and wiring harness
https://www.evbmw.com/index.php/evbmw-webshop/toyota-built-and-tested-boards/gs450h-vcm-kit
Add a custom driveshaft for $200?
You'll need a inverter cooling system, say $150???
And something to drive the power steering, say $150???
Assume no cabin heat and no air conditioning for now.
The donor is a hybrid, not a full EV, so you'll need some sort of slow charging system, say $300??? I don't know what a home fast charging station would add.
And you'll want more/better salvage batteries, so at least another $500??? And some big wires, contactors, fuses, mounting bits & bobs, etc, maybe $400???
If you have space, you can try to part out what's left of the donor Lexus (unfortunately, not a common model), plus the redblock engine, tranny, ECU/EZK, etc, and get some money back to help with other expenses.
What else am I missing? Does the Lexus donor include something to generate 12volts for all the standard vehicle electricals?
$2500 salvage Lexus GS450H
$450 VCU and harness
$200 driveshaft
$300 cooling, steering
$300 charging system
$500 more batteries
$400 wiring, misc electrical
------
~$4700 - $? partout of Lexus and no longer needed brick parts
Which gets you a (barely) driveable e-brick, with limited range, maybe limited top speed, no A/C, no heat, and lots of questionable DIY content that can leave you stranded on the side of the road. Safety will be bad due to non-factory front and back battery packs.
Let's start with a salvage Lexus GS450H with a fully working e-drivetrain - maybe $2500 if you're lucky. This will give us the e-motor transmission, inverter, transmission pump, and some (probably) aged wimpy batteries. Maybe an e-gas pedal, and whatever is used to sense regenerative-braking/full hydraulic braking too.
https://erepairables.com/salvage-cars-auction/lexus/gs+450h
https://www.copart.com/vehicle-search-model/lexus/gs450
You'll need to add an aftermarket VCU controller board, say $450 with a case and wiring harness
https://www.evbmw.com/index.php/evbmw-webshop/toyota-built-and-tested-boards/gs450h-vcm-kit
Add a custom driveshaft for $200?
You'll need a inverter cooling system, say $150???
And something to drive the power steering, say $150???
Assume no cabin heat and no air conditioning for now.
The donor is a hybrid, not a full EV, so you'll need some sort of slow charging system, say $300??? I don't know what a home fast charging station would add.
And you'll want more/better salvage batteries, so at least another $500??? And some big wires, contactors, fuses, mounting bits & bobs, etc, maybe $400???
If you have space, you can try to part out what's left of the donor Lexus (unfortunately, not a common model), plus the redblock engine, tranny, ECU/EZK, etc, and get some money back to help with other expenses.
What else am I missing? Does the Lexus donor include something to generate 12volts for all the standard vehicle electricals?
$2500 salvage Lexus GS450H
$450 VCU and harness
$200 driveshaft
$300 cooling, steering
$300 charging system
$500 more batteries
$400 wiring, misc electrical
------
~$4700 - $? partout of Lexus and no longer needed brick parts
Which gets you a (barely) driveable e-brick, with limited range, maybe limited top speed, no A/C, no heat, and lots of questionable DIY content that can leave you stranded on the side of the road. Safety will be bad due to non-factory front and back battery packs.