[WIP] MX-5 NB Tesla SDU
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 7:08 pm
Hi,
My name is Stefan and I'm converting an MX-5! I have been driving one for the past 8 years and I didn't feel like touching that one, so I bought another
The plan:
Model S front drive unit mounted in the rear subframe. This gets rid of the entire original driveline. This is a must have for me. I don't want to deal with any driveline issues or weak points that will break with all that torque
. The Miata has a massive community that also does some 3d scanning, so I did all the fitting in Blender. The fuel tank is right above the subframe, so that is where I have room for the motor. Hence the choice for the front sdu that is already tilted in the Model S. The motor will have to turn backwards so I need to open it up to modify the oil pump and put the openinverter board in.
The added bonus: Lots of room in the engine bay and transmission tunnel to put all the batteries. I have bought a Corsa-E pack and will probably be using 16 modules to get a 96s pack and save some weight as opposed to using all 18 modules. I have not taken all the modules out yet but I assume every module has a cooling plate under it. Not sure if I will be using these. Some are very easy to handle, others not so much. I probably don't need the cooling anyway as I will have just one 3.3kW charger and I don't live in the desert. I might use electric heating pads instead for the colder days.
I have already removed the motor and most of the other ICE bits and dropped the subframe from the car.
I'm now designing the motor mounts so I can start building
My name is Stefan and I'm converting an MX-5! I have been driving one for the past 8 years and I didn't feel like touching that one, so I bought another
The plan:
Model S front drive unit mounted in the rear subframe. This gets rid of the entire original driveline. This is a must have for me. I don't want to deal with any driveline issues or weak points that will break with all that torque
. The Miata has a massive community that also does some 3d scanning, so I did all the fitting in Blender. The fuel tank is right above the subframe, so that is where I have room for the motor. Hence the choice for the front sdu that is already tilted in the Model S. The motor will have to turn backwards so I need to open it up to modify the oil pump and put the openinverter board in. The added bonus: Lots of room in the engine bay and transmission tunnel to put all the batteries. I have bought a Corsa-E pack and will probably be using 16 modules to get a 96s pack and save some weight as opposed to using all 18 modules. I have not taken all the modules out yet but I assume every module has a cooling plate under it. Not sure if I will be using these. Some are very easy to handle, others not so much. I probably don't need the cooling anyway as I will have just one 3.3kW charger and I don't live in the desert. I might use electric heating pads instead for the colder days.
I have already removed the motor and most of the other ICE bits and dropped the subframe from the car.
I'm now designing the motor mounts so I can start building