Day 3 Where to get Parts

At this stage I am trying to get all replacement parts.

- Gearbox

- Adapter plate

- BMS

- DC to DC converter

The gearbox needs to be replaced. You have to do some calculations to understand if your car can drive without gearbox. This depends on weight, motor power, rpm, wheel size, and other transmission factors. The Mazda V6 existing 5-speed Auto gearbox has to be replaced with a manual one. First plan was to replace with one from a manual Tribute, then the plan changed to get a light-weight from a Mazda 121, then final plan, a 'best fit' is a Mazda 3 five speed manual.

Where to get it? You don't buy this new, you go for a wrecked car instead. There are plenty available but the price varied heaps and also "not sure what you get". Elsewhere on this blog (later) I will list out the places where I bought my parts. **

Dan and Kai supported me heaps at the wreckers place. The one shop place to be. For under 300 AUD I got the gear box, drive shafts, clutch and a middle console. If it all works it will be a bargain.

The transmission plate (Adapter plate) is the next part you need which sits between gearbox and the electric motor. This is precision work and not many people have the tools or experience to make a nice one. Because there are so many different models cars all with different gearboxes you need to make on. There is an online store but with a limited amount of models. I get mine from local experts from the AEVA club. **

For the battery the other crucial parts is the Battery Management System. This is to avoid you kill the expensive cells too soon. Also you need a battery charger and a DC to DC converter.

To protect most parts there is some cooling needed as well. Cooling for driving and cooling for parking in the hot summer sun. Temperature above 45+ C degrees is not good for any battery.

** Contact details will later be added elsewhere in the blog

Next is to start putting it all together.