#3) Project ForkenSwift EV: first electric test drive
Posted on Dec 23, 2008 under suzuki auto parts | 25 Comments
Officially, we’re only at the battery rack building stage of the project. But while waiting to get a welder to finish the job, Spring Fever struck and against better judgment we piled 6 batteries into the car, hooked everything together and went up & down the street a bunch of times.
(Oh – and by the way, if you enjoy spotting continuity errors in movies, you’ll have a field day with this one!)
Again, apologies for the video quality – 20 year-old video camera, makeshift way of getting the pics into the computer for editing.
In case titles are hard to read, here they are:
1. a BIG ForkenSwift milestone
2. Officially… we’re at the stage of the project where we’re making battery racks.
3. The racks will hold four batteries up front, and four in the hatchback.
4. (Cardboard mockups – help figure out positioning and clearances.)
5. But while waiting for a welder to finish the trays… we got SPRING FEVER
6. and decided to “set up” (ahem) the car for a little test drive
7. Here’s the forklift pot box, modified to talk nicely to the golf cart controller
8. Surplus forklift battery charger.
9. Umm… Don’t try this at home. :-O
10. Darin’s actual first drive …
11. Shhhh… Listen…
12. Listen to this: unsolicited feedback from a guy fixing a car in his driveway…
13. “HEY – WHY’S YOUR CAR SO QUIET?”
14. ” BULL$#!T … REALLY ? ”
15. ” AWESOME! ”
16. THAT WAS NOT MADE UP 
17. Ivan takes a spin.
18. Coming up: more comments from the peanut gallery, in … 3 … 2 … 1 …
19. ” Can you turn the muffler up a little bit, Ivan? ”
20. An impromptu car show with the car repair guy and his friends …
—
Project ForkenSwift is an electric car conversion made using parts from a Suzuki Swift, Geo Metro, Baker electric forklift and a golf cart.
http://www.forkenswift.com
Duration : 0:5:27
By Trelamenos88 on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
FUTURE!!!!!
FUTURE!!!!!
By ForkenSwiftDotCom on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
It’s a hydraulic …
It’s a hydraulic pump motor from an electric forklift.
By ForkenSwiftDotCom on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
It’s a hybrid! Geo …
It’s a hybrid! Geo Metro with Suzuki Swift wheels, hatchback, and Pontiac Firefly hood. Yes, Canadian: the car is in eastern Ontario.
By ForkenSwiftDotCom on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
The car did not …
The car did not have power steering. Nothing removed, so it’s no more difficult than before. Speed = slow. Around 50 km/h max.
By medinaaob on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Where is the …
Where is the electric motor from??
By grandcarriage on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
It looked like it …
It looked like it had a Pontiac symbol on the hood: A Pontiac Firefly? Canadian?
By SpeedMetal4635 on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
great work! how …
great work! how works the steering wheel without powerbelt? it´s hard? how cost all? and the speed, run fast? please
By grndiesel on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
I get restless to …
I get restless to start my own conversion every time I see this video. There are some folks on DYI electric car forums that would love to pick your brain.
By toby6661 on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
hahaha. love the ‘ …
hahaha. love the ‘award winning’ commercial voice over at the end. go the EV1!!!
By ripplesouth on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
great. now build me …
great. now build me one.
By creatingbliss on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
awesome
awesome
By oliverburke on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Cool filming.
…
Cool filming.
Unique to have a vid not be heavily narrated. I appreciated that (while waaaaiting to see if Ivan or the other were going to “yipeee!” or anything while pulling out). Nope. Just the quietness of the car. Thanks. (I love narration normally, but liked this a lot too).
By ForkenSwiftDotCom on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
All the exhaust & …
All the exhaust & fuel system parts have since been removed from the car.
By jomelmaldonado on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Liked the audio of …
Liked the audio of the GM EV1 commercial at the end.
By Puabond on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
I loved it and …
I loved it and would like links to any resources you may have referenced in undertaking the conversion, in addition could you increase efficiency by tearing down the exhaust manifold and everything but the transmission, engines, batteries, and controllers, etc.?
By bmiklavc on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
the more volts you …
the more volts you have the faster it goes the more amp you have the stornger motor is
By ForkenSwiftDotCom on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
This car has no …
This car has no clutch. See video #5 for the clutchless shifting demo.
By gryphonman on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
this is a questioni …
this is a questioni have always had looking into converting a car, do you still have to use the clutch as if it were a gas powered car? and if so is it any more difficult?
By ForkenSwiftDotCom on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Not fast. Absolute …
Not fast. Absolute max is about 70 km/h with a VERY long run up. 45-50 km/h is a more often seen “top speed” in regular driving. Which is fast enough, since it’s only used as a sub/urban runabout.
By GeoMetroMan91 on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
nice car. how fast …
nice car. how fast will that go??
By mco5e on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Looks great, I’m …
Looks great, I’m looking to build something in England, as the cars that are for sale over here don’t look like cars. Great work. Thanks for the inspiration
By lgrca on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Very inspiring. I …
Very inspiring. I would like to build one – just got to do it I guess.
By ForkenSwiftDotCom on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
You know, for this …
You know, for this purpose (low speed city EV), it’s a good host vehicle: really lightweight, enough room for batteries. The hatchback makes it practical, and it can actually carry people & stuff. I often use it to carry bulky items, and I took my nephews snowboarding at a local hill a bunch of times this winter.
But it has ZERO curb appeal! A Miata or old MR2 would be much more interesting.
By spootyrat on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Excellent work, …
Excellent work, kudos. If you were to convert another car in the future, would you use the Metro/Swift? Again, great job.
By 0WildBill0 on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Great job there.
…
Great job there.
Bill