I'm hoping the more even weight distribution between front and rear makes the car handle even better, if that is possible...

I think the mini will ride better with slight weight gain. My cabriolet rides really nice with added weight.

I remember being at the resort in Dorato, PR. Using an electric golf cart was so much fun. 

I got the rough motor mount/controller mount mocked up this morning, and now pushing on with design 2 to sexy it up a bit. Gussets are not shown in this shot, but pretty happy with it. Shell is in primer as of last week, pushing on with K-series powered mini that is getting painted this week, then I'll get on with the EV shell as the parts are just starting to trickle in now. 

John, I was referring to Veggivet's Moment build. That company starts from 50K going to 150k. I like the idea immensely. The question will be how the EV mini price holds up in the secondary market

Not sure where you are getting $50k from, unless your talking about that particular builder on there faq page stating that conversions start at $50k you supply the car. Generally labor is $10k-15k. Parts are parts. Regardless, with EV West charging $100k with a 4 to 5 year waiting list... Few builders I spoke to are building classic cars outright, buying, restoring, converting, $120k+ average selling point in the USA. It doesn't make sense to me, but that's where the market is right now. However, on the other side of things, people buying wrecked leafs, etc and re-using and re-engineering it to work with a classic car are doing it for a total of $10-12k on the lowside, with mixed results on the end product. So there are a lot of variables of what you want the finished product to be. It's not cheap by any means, but it is a interesting concept. 

50 large plus seems an awful lot for a motor upgrade. 

Quiet indeed! Looking forward to ditching my earplugs ??

I'm guessing with so few people actually using their minis as daily drivers, charging would not be a. major concern. It's gotta be a real quiet. Gone will be the 4 cylinder hiccups.

I'm not sure what your considering fast charge (Only Tesla Chargers), I still think the Level 2 chargers at 240V/6.6kw of AC power is fast enough charge, better then Level 1 for sure. This power output translates to 26 miles of range per hour. We are roughly talking from dead at 20% that it would take 3 to 4 hours to fully charge the Mini.  

Without fast charging is an achilles' heel. I remember owning a diesel; you had to know all the diesel filling stations. What about the other automotive companies selling EVs? Still an interesting build.

From my understanding... NO. Vin has to sync up with charger for it to work basically. People tried to do a work around, but Tesla owners also would heavily frown upon it, as well as Tesla itself. But any level 1 or better level 2 charger at numerous locations would do the job. I mapped them out a few weeks ago to just see where they are in my area. Walgreens, community college, various gas stations, supermarkets, etc. Didn't seem too cumbersome, and I know the network will grow as time moves on and there is more demand. Regardless it really depends on your use. Running to grocery store, work etc this would get most people back and forth. Extended road trips obviously would take some planning, but there is Apps for that, maps, etc.

Will Tesla let you fast charge?

You certainly can, we won't for the demo build. There are a bunch of different products available depending on what voltage your running. 

Are you going to use an electric heater for defrost and heat?

Not sure why I'm not getting email notifications, but...

Stock Mini Weighed in at (with empty gas tank):
Front 1,000 (64%)
Rear 575 (36%)
Total 1,575

 

EV Mini Weight:
Front 925 (56%)
Rear 725 (44%)
Total 1,650

Each Tesla S Battery weighs ~55.8 lbs each, 27”x11.5”x3.5”T + Enclosure 

John, How much weight are you adding with the batteries?

Can you send me an email at [email protected] . Send me your contact info. Cheers.

Been done a few times with the mini gearbox, and obviously has it's own challenges. Not sure if possible to get motor in solidworks, believe I've seen some people render it. I have the Netgain motors pdf blueprints I've been working off of. 

Very interesting, please keep me posted.
Is it possible to get a Solidworks or STP file of the motor? 
I'm thinking of using a standard mini lump, just remove the motor & blank off the gearbox, connect the electric motor to the (lightened) flywheel.
Thanks, Martin.

Congrats John for tackling a new project. Keep going.