EV insight with a Prius heart

[Imwoody36]

how fortunate to have those parts to experiment with.

our insight EV project is slowed while we develop prius software.

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Wish I had the time to do the experimenting!
Good luck on the Prius software, what will the software do?

[Imwoody36]

during periods of EV driving, it will cause the engine to spin to increase the top speed above 52mph.

[MN Driver]

Originally Posted by Imwoody36

during periods of EV driving, it will cause the engine to spin to increase the top speed above 52mph.

So you are going with an unmodified transmission setup. This would make it a PHEV if you left the engine on. If you are spinning the engine but not putting gas through it, it will run less efficiently than with it going because you would be dragging the engine behind with all components of the engine moving. Which engine are you using?

[Right Lane Cruiser]

I think he's actually working with the Prius -- not a transplant. Because of the planetary gear setup the engine has to be turned (gas fed or not) above a certain speed because one of the electric motors will exceed its RPM safety "redline" if it doesn't. This can be seen on the highway when in "warp stealth" -- it is an EV glide but power has to be used to spin the engine over while the injectors are off.

It is inefficient but it is a way to enable higher speed EV without mechanical alteration to the vehicle. If you have a big enough pack you can just eat it above the "safe" speed and operate at lower speeds without the extra parasitic drag.

By the way, though the Ford Fusion Hybrid doesn't have a warp stealth mode, it does exhibit the same behavior between 30 and 40mph in EV mode. You can watch the power flow on the smart gauge and even if you enter neutral while in a glide it will still use some power to turn the engine.

[Imwoody36]

Because not everybody will want to take apart the transmisison and modify it...I have decided to pursue a software solution. My project outline is to end up with a marketable hack. This may not be the most efficient, but more people hopefully will want to buy it ( due to ease of installation)

I know most of you are Insight fans, but my experince is with Toyota

The engine block from a prius wont fit in the insight, so the 3cyl insight motor will be used.

( provided we dont just settle for only using MG2 )

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

I looked on your website and think I found found the project.
http://www.autobeyours.com/Insight%2...cept%20car.htm
Good luck