Author Topic: Rally Rabbit (Read 6078 times)

jettadelt · « **on:** October 16, 2007, 08:46:50 pm »

Hello I am currently a student at Kettering University in Flint, MI. For one of my classes I am part of a team that has decided to undertake the task of designing a Hybrid Diesel Rabbit. The base car we will be starting with will be a 1982 rabbit diesel. Before we dig ourselves too deep into this project, I have a few questions. Basically right now I am looking for as much technical data I can get for this, as currently we do not have the Bentley manual for this car. Also if anyone can set me up with some tech sheets like the blue prints or something for this car that would be great. As of right now the plan we have is to use the proprietary hybrid system that we designed to run a rear drive axel. We will still be using the diesel to run the front drive and then also charging our hybrid system. This system will basically be used for take of and to give that extra boost of power when it is need in traffic situation. Any advice you are willing to share will be great appreciated. If you would like some more information just let me know or if you would like to get a hold of me send me a pm.

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2007, 09:31:02 pm »

no offence, but why mess with a good thing? a properly tuned rabbit will net 50+mpg city & highway. the added weight of all the motors and batteries will negate any sort of gains. stick with a hybrid truck or suv, as they have lots of parasitic losses, and could scavenge all sorts of power from regenerative braking alone. (this only applies to you if you're trying to squeeze more mpg's out of a rabbit)

now... if you wanted to make a hybrid diesel rabbit for acceleration and speed, count me in! i've always thought about getting a motor for both rear wheels (isolate the rear wheels in the event that one of them slips. not full power, but less drive shaft and differential crap)

this will be one expensive project. get some big capacitors for that 'turbo' boost :lol:

Darkness_is_spreading · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2007, 04:28:26 pm »

I am actually considering this idea for my TR, but I can use smaller higher torque Poly phase motors ( 3 phase motors). A drive and converter, and cells. I will not reveal some other secrets to the drive line but it will be simple and rugged.

Dr. Diesel · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2007, 02:25:35 pm »

i don't know if you can still search that far back, but there used to be a fellow on here who built an electric rabbit. He turned the front 1/3 of a diesel rabbit into a trailer of sorts that acted as a 'pusher' when the electric power was too low. He left this site when people (including me) weren't willing to share their information on ideas, mods/etc.
He's got a website dedicated to the project, which could probably be found easily enough by googling electric rabbit or something close to that.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2007, 09:02:46 am »

knowledgable guy: http://www.mrsharkey.com/

Watwood · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2007, 08:29:07 am »

Quote from: "BlackTieTD"

knowledgable guy: http://www.mrsharkey.com/

Hehe, he's a smart aleck too... I was crackin up at some of his responses.