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hybrid retrofit?

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05-01-2008 , 11:07 AM

MoBitch

journeyman

Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 212

So what would it take to retrofit my gas guzzler with a hybrid engine? Would this even be feasible? Any potential ROI on this?

Folks want to save on gas but may not have the scratch to spend on a brand new hybrid. So what about retrofitting what they already have?

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05-01-2008 , 11:23 AM

TiK

veteran

Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,801

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoBitch

So what would it take to retrofit my gas guzzler with a hybrid engine? Would this even be feasible? Any potential ROI on this?

Folks want to save on gas but may not have the scratch to spend on a brand new hybrid. So what about retrofitting what they already have?

You can talk to this guy. His Hummer gets 60mpg.

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Goodwin leads me over to a red 2005 H3 Hummer that's up on jacks, its mechanicals removed. He aims to use the turbine to turn the Hummer into a tricked-out electric hybrid. Like most hybrids, it'll have two engines, including an electric motor. But in this case, the second will be the turbine, Goodwin's secret ingredient. Whenever the truck's juice runs low, the turbine will roar into action for a few seconds, powering a generator with such gusto that it'll recharge a set of "supercapacitor" batteries in seconds. This means the H3's electric motor will be able to perform awesome feats of acceleration and power over and over again, like a Prius on steroids. What's more, the turbine will burn biodiesel, a renewable fuel with much lower emissions than normal diesel; a hydrogen-injection system will then cut those low emissions in half. And when it's time to fill the tank, he'll be able to just pull up to the back of a diner and dump in its excess french-fry grease--as he does with his many other Hummers. Oh, yeah, he adds, the horsepower will double--from 300 to 600.

"Conservatively," Goodwin muses, scratching his chin, "it'll get 60 miles to the gallon. With 2,000 foot-pounds of torque. You'll be able to smoke the tires. And it's going to be superefficient."

He laughs. "Think about it: a 5,000-pound vehicle that gets 60 miles to the gallon and does zero to 60 in five seconds!"

Last edited by TiK; 05-01-2008 at 11:37 AM.

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05-01-2008 , 01:34 PM

SretiCentV

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,693

(stock photo)

bought this byotch used for $15k. Best $15k I've ever spent on a car. Don't like how it looks? Me neither but it gets the job done at 60 mpg and is hella reliable.

As far as retrofitting a car: I think you would see a -ROI unless you can do all the labor yourself and maybe get the parts from a wrecked hybrid (like a ford escape or a toyota tundra). I imagine even those are in higher demand now.

People do all kinds of total electric conversions and that seems like it would be alot of fun if you have the time on your hands. A good resource imo is http://www.evworld.com

Last edited by SretiCentV; 05-01-2008 at 01:41 PM.

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05-01-2008 , 02:09 PM

x6tence

banned

Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,484

why the **** do car companies not make normal looking hybrid cars? if you want to get 60mpg you have to look like your driving around in a car from the jetsons

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05-01-2008 , 02:17 PM

LeapFrog

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,537

Quote:

Originally Posted by x6tence

why the **** do car companies not make normal looking hybrid cars? if you want to get 60mpg you have to look like your driving around in a car from the jetsons

that rear wheel **** is probably related to reducing drag and thus improving gas millage -- what are you a terrorist?

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05-01-2008 , 02:55 PM

SretiCentV

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,693

Quote:

Originally Posted by x6tence

why the **** do car companies not make normal looking hybrid cars? if you want to get 60mpg you have to look like your driving around in a car from the jetsons

(stock photo)

My wife's car. 2005 honda civic hybrid. We bought this thing new though for like $20k so it wasn't as awesome of a deal. 48 mpg though - no Jetson's look required.

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