Introducing the Electric Duster Project
It seems that most of the conversions I've found mate the motor to a manual transmission and modify so that you don't need to engage the clutch to change gears. Why is this? Your blog states that most of the time you plan on keeping the tranny in second gear. Wouldn't you get greater top end speed and range if you were to shift into third gear? Is there any disadvantage or limitations to using an automatic transmission?
All good questions that illustrate the differences between electric motor powered and internal combustion powered cars. You can actually eliminate the transmission altogether. The elect motor has maximum torque at low rpm so it easily gets the car moving in a higher gear. However, the elect motor has it greatest efficiency at high rpm (around 4000 for mine). Therefore, a lower gear to start is not needed, and a higher gear to cruise in inefficient.
I kept the transmission for a few reasons:
1) Minimal change to the stock drivetrain and structure of the car. One of my goals was to keep the (modified) stock look as much as possible.
2) ease of installation and control of the electric motor & systems.
3) I can go into reverse without a reversing type motor controller.
4) There may be times when I want the availability of a lower or higher gear. I won't really know until I drive it a while but it gives me some options - especially in the future when battery technology improves.
The clutch and flywheel are heavy. Since you don't actually do much, if any, shifting while in motion, the clutch or flywheel aren't necessary and therefore excess weight. If you do need to shift, you can easily do it clutchless - used to do that all the time just for fun anyway :)
