Donor Vehicle Technical Specifications

I want to start this project by listing the technical specifications of the donor vehicle I aim to convert to an EV. This is the VN Holden Commodore we bought from Smith's of Port Adelaide, in October 1990. I know the complete history of this car and have all the receipts.

Manufacturer: GMH Holden - Elizabeth, SA
Model: Commodore Executive Sedan
Model No: VB8UK19-114
Year of manufacture: July 1990
Body: L447881 - Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Trim: 16I
Colour: Phoenix Red
Paint: 2F028
Extras: Auto Transmission, A/C
Price including registration: $23,800
Eng: LG2
Trans: MD8
Axle: GU4
Mileage: 163,246 Km

Exterior Dimensions
Total Length: 4850mm
Total Width: 1794mm
Total Height at kerb weight: 1403mm
Wheelbase: 2731mm
Front Track: 1451mm
Rear Track: 1478mm

Kerb Weight: 1310kg
Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
Fuel Tank Capacity: 63 litres

Engine
Model: 3.8 litre V6 "EV6"
Capacity: 3.791 litre
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 6 cylinders
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, arranged in a Vee
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv, with 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection, speed density fuel control, Bosch director place style fuel injectors and Delco electronic control module
Bore and Stroke: 96.5 x 86.3mm
Power: 127kw at 4800rpm
Torque: 288Nm at 3200rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.5:1

Ignition and Electrical:
12 volt negative ground
Battery: 75 min/350 amp nine plate

MD8 4 speed Turbohydramatic 700 Automatic Transmission:
1st: 3.06:1
2nd: 1.62:1
3rd: 1.00:1
4th: 0.70:1
Reverse: 2.30:1

Clutch:
GMH Single dry plate. Beleville diaphram spring. Mechanical cable operation, connected directly to pull fork throw-out lever

Rear Axle Ratio: 3.08:1

Top Speed in Gears: Commodore Executive V6 (125kw) automatic transmission:
1st: 65 km/h
2nd: 122 km/h
3rd: 198 km/h
4th: 195 km/h
0-100 km/h: 8.2 seconds
Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres): 15.8 seconds

Suspension
Front: Independent MacPherson wet strut, linear rate coil springs, wet sleeve shocks, 26mm stabiliser bar.
Rear: Rigid axle, Salisbury type. 5 link location with parallel short upper and long lower trailing arms and a Panhard rod between axle and under body. 16mm decoupled stabiliser bar, 30.2mm diameter dampers

Steering
Power hydraulically assisted Rack and Pinion, variable ratio (17.2:1 on centre to 11.8:1 on lock). Direct linkage (rear to front wheels) from rack to steering arms. Turns lock to lock 2.7

Brakes
Front: 271mm vented disc with single piston, sliding head and lightweight caliper
Rear: Solid discs

Wheels
Type: Steel 6.00JJ x 14 ventilated pressed steel wheels and plastic wheel trims

Tyres
Size: P185/75 HR14 steel belted radials.

Legislation, legislation, legislation.

Ok I've discussed this project idea with my lovely wife and she has agreed that I can convert the family VN Commodore to an EV on condition that we get another car first.

I've been trying to find out what legislation I need to be aware of before embarking on my project of converting an existing ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle to an EV. A lot of convertors seem to quote from the NCOP or National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification particularly the bulletin NCOP14 Guidelines Electric Drive 3 Feb 2006.

A key paragraph on that site is this:

"Prospective constructors or modifiers should contact the jurisdiction in which a vehicle is to be registered or modified to determine the most up to date information about the business rules or transitional arrangements that may be in force".

So for me in Adelaide, South Australia, that means contacting a local Vehicle Inspection Office from the Department of Transport.

Vehicle Inspection Office
Kateena Street
Regency Park 5010
Telephone 1300 882 247

The staff were very helpful with my questions about conversion and offered to send me out a free copy of the South Australian requirements for "Electric Vehicle Conversion".