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Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:31 pm
by monabuild
Hey all,
So i have be gathering parts for a leaf build the last year and finally have everything to get going on this project! I am planning to use the leaf drive train and mounting it in place of the rear differential on a 1989 BMW E30. The plan is to possibly run the motor and transmission reverse of how it was intended to have the correct clearance and not have to modify the control arms or sub-frame. Essentially making it the same mounting of a Tesla drive unit orientation because i know they fit pretty well under a e30..
So i guess my reasoning is here
https://www.drivingline.com/articles/ba ... 20reverse.. Am i crazy or would this work? I am metal fabricator in my day to day so the mounting work isn't anything to wild for me. This seems like a good option and lets me have all the under hood room for batteries and such..
Let the heckling begin!
Cheers
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2020 7:44 pm
by Kevin Sharpe
monabuild wrote: ↑Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:31 pm
The plan is to possibly run the motor and transmission reverse of how it was intended to have the correct clearance and not have to modify the control arms or sub-frame.
monabuild wrote: ↑Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:31 pm
Am i crazy or would this work?
We know from Damien's E46 Touring that the Leaf motor will run in both directions at high speed
What we don't know is whether the Leaf gearing and oil lubrication system will survive running in permanent reverse.
Why not simply mount the Leaf motor on the existing gearbox? It takes less than a day and is known to work

Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2020 2:55 pm
by monabuild
I guess I’m just trying to get away from using any and all of the ice stuff that I possibly can. Well I suppose I’ll try and if it dies a non oiled death!! I can go that route I suppose
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:34 pm
by kevpatts
I'm considering this question also while planning an E30 build. Can I ask what way you went and how much success you had?
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 3:25 pm
by monabuild
kevpatts wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:34 pm
I'm considering this question also while planning an E30 build. Can I ask what way you went and how much success you had?
Glad others are thinking about it to. It’s been a busy year for me so progress has been slow. I am shooting for the end of the month to have it rolling on it’s own power. I can also put in some photos here for my mounting solution which is worked out pretty well I think.
I’m going to make a build thread for others to reference this weekend.
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 6:52 am
by dimonlipko
If you use OEM leaf inverter, revers speed limited 3500 rpm. You can change motor direction, change 2 wire on resolver and 2 phase wire.
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 8:53 pm
by fogoo
dimonlipko wrote: ↑Wed Aug 11, 2021 6:52 am
If you use OEM leaf inverter, revers speed limited 3500 rpm. You can change motor direction, change 2 wire on resolver and 2 phase wire.
Hey, does anybody know what resolver wires on the Gen1 motor get switched? Thx
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 6:13 am
by 2fast4u
There are several builds that are running the Leaf gearbox in a reverse installation which seems to do fine. Info on how to modify the wiring to be able to do this with original inverter can be found here:
https://www.resolve-ev.com/about-us
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 3:03 pm
by fogoo
Yes, lots of information for the Gen 2 EM57 motor, but not for the Gen1 - EM67. The resolver wires are a different color.
This is the info I have gotten from this forum regarding the EM67 resolver, can anyone tell me which 2 to switch?
COSINE NEGATIVE: YELLOW
COSINE POSITIVE: BLUE
SINE NEGATIVE: BLACK
SINE POSITIVE: RED
EXCITE:POSITIVE (EX): WHITE
EXCITE NEGATIVE (!EX): GREEN
Thx
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 1:09 pm
by zippy500
2fast4u wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 6:13 am
There are several builds that are running the Leaf gearbox in a reverse installation which seems to do fine. Info on how to modify the wiring to be able to do this with original inverter can be found here:
https://www.resolve-ev.com/about-us
Like to 2fast4u says goto
https://www.resolve-ev.com/
product manual page 14 shows resolver swap connection
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 2:07 pm
by 2fast4u
Yes, like I said info is there. But also what I didnt realise, not for the gen 1 EM61 which was what Fogoo actually asked for.
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2024 3:49 pm
by fogoo
Just an FYI for those who may ask the question again later, on the Gen 1 leaf motor (EM61) the resolver wires (inside the motor) you have to swap are the yellow and blue (S2 &S4) and of course 2 of the phase wires (not the 2 outside ones though).
Happy swapping !
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:51 am
by Landsi
Also, if using the Zombieverter you should be able to swap forward & reverse direction in config. No need to swap any phases or resolver.
Correct me if I misunderstood - i have not yet tried (but am planning to do just that)
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:14 am
by tom91
Landsi wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:51 am
Also, if using the Zombieverter you should be able to swap forward & reverse direction in config. No need to swap any phases or resolver.
Correct me if I misunderstood - i have not yet tried (but am planning to do just that)
No there is a firmware limit in the inverter for reverse rotation. This is why phase swap is needed using any CAN VCU like the Zombie or Thunderstruck.
Re: Reverse Speeds Leaf drivetrain
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 11:15 am
by Landsi
Awesome, thx for that!