[ausev] Clutch-less Porsche 914

[Brian Lasseter]

On Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 7:48 AM, The Mullins <ckmullins at earthlink.net> wrote:
> I'm planning my first EV, a 1972 Porsche 914. I like the clutch-less design
> offered by EVAmerica. I seems to deal with the main objection to
> the clutch-less idea i.e. starting off without a jolt by using the springs
> in the clutch disc to absorb the shock. Does anyone have any experience with
> this?

I've got lots of experience with clutch springs... and I would highly
advise you to remove the clutch springs... they provide way too much
"bounce" for an electric car that has a very small spinning mass in
the motor stator.  If it were not such a pain to remove the clutch, I
would consider ordering a new clutch without springs myself.

I'm not sure where you get the idea of starting off with a "jolt" in
an electric car.  I could jolt off of the line by stomping on the
accelerator pedal, but most of the time I accelerate at a reasonable
rate so that I do not crash into the rear of the car in front of me in
traffic.

Personally... my car has a clutch, and I like having the clutch, even
though there is no real reason to shift while driving.  Most of the
time I'm in 3rd.  If I'm starting out from 0mph going uphill...
sometimes I'll use 2nd, and when I get above 60mph on the interstate,
I'll shift into 4th.

You should email me privately and drop by to see my car... and you can
see what I mean by clutch spring bounce.


-- 
TTFN,
Brian "Lasso" Lasseter

"No Sane man will dance."   -Cicero (106-43 B.C.)