 Seven years ago Paul “Neon” Gooch used the most radical and effective method of gas engine refinement: Complete and final gas engine extraction.
The results were fantastic, and we can't imagine a better way to cruise past today's high gas prices!
So tell us, why did you convert a beach buggy?
I had the car and I wasn't going to sell it. :) The car, while fun, had become a bit of a nightmare. About this time I remembered seeing an electric car as a child (one of those Renault Dauphine conversions.) A friend and coworker of my father drove it to and from work. I was fascinated with the idea then, and again remembering it. I went online to see what information there was about electric cars. I found WildEVolutions, ElectroAuto, OEVA, SEVA, and the EV discussion list. I joined the EV list and started reading. The idea of converting my buggy was formed. A local EVer let me drive his EV a few miles and I was impressed. I found out about the upcoming Portland show and decided to attend.
How does the VW crowd like it?
How's your acceleration? Is it better than stock?
It's better than a stock Beetle, but not nearly as fast as it was when it was powered by a hopped up 1600cc VW engine. It used to weigh 1100lbs and have about 80hp. With only 370lbs over the front wheels I could even do small wheel stands.
However, the gas-powered version was troublesome. It ate starter motors, motor oil kept collecting moisture because it ran so cold, and the duel carb setup needed regular adjustment. It was also loud, VERY loud, as in setting off car alarms in parking lots. I also had to keep a close eye on all the nuts and bolts. It kept rattling them loose.
As an EV it drives much nicer. I have right at 49hp with the Curtis 1221B and 120 volts of Optimas, this is the same as a stock air-cooled Beetle with the duel port engine (but the buggy is 400lbs lighter.) The nuts and bolts stay in now, its quiet and it handles better. It weighs 1420lbs, with 605lbs over the front tires. With the 6 batteries down low under the seats it can corner like a slot car. It naturally has a slight understeer if you go into a corner way to fast but a little throttle or brake can turn that into slight oversteer. Very controllable now, like a go-cart (the gas version did not take a corner well - severe understeer.)
What do you like best about cruising in your buggy?
Cruising in my buggy :-) Its hard to say, its not the tire blistering hotrod it used to be but its more fun to drive. It always gets lots of attention, its quiet and smooth and there is something about the open 'wind in the hair' experience of a beach buggy that is enhanced by it being quiet. I do feel better about not being one of those cars that can give people headaches (especially since tuning it was enough to give even me a headache.)
What would you change next time?
More power. I'm likely to change that on the buggy in the future. I like Zilla controllers, but it seems almost wrong to make a VW buggy water-cooled. I did get instructions on how to remove the squeal from Curtis 1231C controllers, but its involved (dig inside and forget about any warrantee.) I see at least one place is rebuilding Curtis controller into higher amp versions. I may go that route. My other concern with Curtis controllers is the 'throttle ramp rate' limit of at least the stock Curtis controllers. If I hammer the throttle at a stop light it will only pour on the power so fast. Its just a fraction of a second for the ramp up in power but it has always made me feel I'm missing a little something off the light (chirping tires, unless I use first gear.)
What would you keep the same?
The batteries in the floor are staying. The effect on the vehicles handling is impressive (well, cornering - handling still has a little VW Beetle quirkiness.) I like the big ~n~ little balloon tires. The vehicle was designed for simplicity and while I may add a few features I do not want to loose that aspect of the design. I found my combo of 'stock', 'custom' and 'race car' even before my Buggy. I like the combo I have found, I think it makes a great ride. The stock part is using VW parts where applicable. Custom is obvious I guess, things like color and paint detail work. The race part is the simple design, you can see fasteners, the interior is sparse, and extra parts are eliminated. The Prestolite motor gives a great look out back but other options could have been used.
How much did you spend?
The vehicle was rebuilt from a flipped buggy I found in a local wrecking yard. I paid $400 for it in 1992 and they delivered it to my place on a flatbed because of its condition. I built it into its original VW powered monster for about $3000 over the winter of 1992-1993. In the spring of 1993 I painted it in my garage. Over the winter of 1998-1999 I converted it into the EV you see today for about $4000.
Who else helped you complete the project?
My wife first. Lots of hold this and help me measure that. Especially for the "you hold that here and close your eyes while I tack weld it."
Rod "Wildman" Wilde at EVparts (was WildEVolutions) He never even saw the thing until after it was built, but he helped with understanding all the little pieces of building an EV, and getting them. Most of my new parts came from his shop, but he also helped me find used parts. He found the used Prestolite motor with the undrilled end bell, these haven't been made new in years.
Rich "Madman" Rudman. His input was helpful in figuring out what I wanted the EV to do. He gave strait information about range and performance. He provided technical assistance so I knew what I was doing was going to work.
John "Plasma Boy" Wayland. I had ideas; I had been reading the EV list a couple of months. Then I attended Portland EV Awareness day 1998. He liked the idea and took the time to help me refine my plan. Using Optimas instead of flooded 12v batteries was his idea.
I should point out that John, Rod and Rich where at Portland EV Awareness day 1998. I was able to talk with all of them together and watch them discuss their opinions over what parts would be most suitable.
Scott Hull in California. He provided his adapter plate design, which I then redrew for the Prestolite motor I had chosen. Going clutchless and using a small, strong, and light Ruland shaft coupler to attach the motor shaft and using a remachined VW Bus input to mainshaft coupler for its splines was his idea. He has a red beach buggy with an ADC 9 inch motor and group 24 marine batteries mounted outside the body in a line down each side (in what looks like side brush guards.) The 2 of us were also in a bit of a race to get on the road around Memorial Day 1999. He did beat me by about 1 week.
Why is "neon" your middle name?
I have been trained as a neon tube bender. However, the buggy neon was done by Euro Neon in Lynnwood and the installation was done by me.
Paul Gooch lives in Everett, Washington. He's worked on cars since before he could drive.
|
Monday, February 08, 2010 
Back