Datsun 411 Bluebird EV Speed Test

Having installed brakes, I was ready to take the little electric car into the alleyway for a speed test. Although it has a theoretical top speed of 35 mph, the factory speed setting in the Club Car golf cart's Curtis controller is keeping me at 20 mph. The good news is that everything works well: ADC 6.7" sepex motor gives acceptable acceleration, the Geo Metro automatic transmission shifts through all three gears properly and the brakes stop it all with assurance. Success all around.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

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[chetsjug]

How fast do you have to go on a Beer Run? hehe JK! Wow, this is a neat car, when I was a teen we had a 1964 ~ 410 sedan. I am going to convert a 1968 Datsun Roadster (SPL311) then my '25 T-Bucket. I will do a fork lift conversion on the T. I understand that you can leave it pretty much all forklift, but a big fat controller exchange is best. Here's a site to shed some light. This guy did mass research... forkenswift * com

[jfbrink]

@chetsjug - Funnily enough, I have a '66 Roadster and aim to one day have a '26 or '27 T. The forkenswift guys did a sweet budget conversion; the golf cart components happened to be easier and cheaper for me, but the forklift approach is more practical for getting around. Good luck with your conversion(s); keep us posted on your channel.

[jfbrink]

I'm using the torque converter. At the speeds and power level I'm dealing with (low and lower), its benefits outweigh its drawbacks. Also, as in many A/Ts, the torque converter contains the pressure pump, so taking it out would require adding a pump, which would be a big hassle.

[sockosockosocko]

congrats! beautiful car.

[jfbrink]

@sockosockosocko - Thanks. Love your SAAB!

[bwhite701]

Cool, what are you using for batteries in this test?

[jfbrink]

@bwhite701 - I'm using four 12V Kirkland (Costco) batteries, model #12852. They were inexpensive and so far are exceeding my expectations.

[myusualchannel]

Beautiful car, its eerie how quiet it is.

I'm actually working on a 64 Datsun Fairlady right now, but I plan on keeping it gas powered.

What electric motor are you using?

[Liowen]

For the transmission are you just using a coupler without a torque converter or is the torque converter the coupling unit?