openinverter forum

My first post here, and my first conversion.

I've had this Celica for a significant number of years up to this point and it has taken me more miles than it had any business doing, but unfortunately it's drivetrain has reached a point where I no longer desire to break it all down for an overhaul.

I knew there was going to be a time when rebuilding everything wasn't going to be practical anymore, but I didn't expect so soon to be living in an era of readily available components for conversion so now I'm ready to bring it into the modern age.

So what I'm looking to do is of course transplant this Gen 3 Nissan Leaf inverter and motor by adapting it to the C52 transaxle. I'll be using the long range battery modules from a Tesla Model 3 for 100kwh. Battery will be monitored by an Orion BMS2. Vehicle will be both CCS Type 1 (via BMW i3 LIM) and CHAdeMO (via Orion) compatible for maximum usability in regards to long distance driving.

I will be doing a video series regarding the conversion and will provide links as videos become available if anyone wishes to follow along in that media.

If anyone has anything they'd like to advise or questions. I'll gladly read and follow up as I'm able to. Thanks.

This is the first I've heard of anyone using a gen 3 leaf motor, I look forward to hearing how you get on.

In a fwd car is there a good reason not to use the leaf transmission?

Ev8 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 30, 2023 4:49 pm In a fwd car is there a good reason not to use the leaf transmission?

Easier to continue to use the OEM sensor with the speedometer and it was more cost effective in this instance not to have custom axles made.

How do you plan to pack the tesla model 3 battery modules?
They are very long.

Cool project, good luck

I'll be following with interest, very keen to see how all the components come together, particularly batteries, bms, and charging.

Jacobsmess wrote: ↑Sun Apr 30, 2023 4:02 pm This is the first I've heard of anyone using a gen 3 leaf motor, I look forward to hearing how you get on.

@Jacobsmess I'm using a Gen 3 leaf here (160kw version) - viewtopic.php?t=3267

hopfully the gearbox will hold up to that power!

Those celica gearboxes put up with a lot of abuse from heavily worked 3SGTEs, so (in general) it should be up to the task.

I agree the most interesting thing surely is going to be how you're going to fit the model 3 modules both in terms of space and also in terms of weight. They're 2 meters long and weigh about 400kg total.