Mazda RX8 Electric Car Conversion

An overview of my Mazda RX8 Wankel to AC Motor conversion. Now a full electric AC car, with CanBus controlled systems. Taken about a year and £4k to get here, now that I have proven I can build a working car I am going to start upgrading parts to improve the performance and range.

[chillzwinter]

What - no test drive. I wanted to hear the motor.

[zeruiahwild]

lol from low torque rotary to electric high torque "rotary" I love this build and the humor with the kids was adorable. keep it up man!

[cliffynjovelyn]

I could never do this to my RX8 but kudos to you, this is one awesome project car!

[maddida]

Nice job ... Really interested in how that ardunio works with the can-bus, would be nice if u did a video explaining all that and make the files available thanks

[pioneersproject]

Great job. You can be very proud of how far you have come

[diyhell]

Top work on both the car and the video. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[jaynosowsky]

This is a slap in the face for Mazda rotary fans...you take the one thing out that makes these cars special!!

[partimepool]

Having owned 3 I would love an ev version.. Fantastic attempt, living is learning

[ronronchau]

that RX8 needs a badass VFD sound like those trains

[toycobra]

I love Wankel engines, but I’m glad to see you were able to make use of an great shell and teach in the process. I’d love to see what you learned from the CANbus. I have an ‘79 Rx7 with and Rx8 engine, but and aftermarket ECU. I’d love to be able to use more of the Rx8’s electronics in future conversions.

Great work! Looking forward to the next steps!

[carrrebuilds]

I’m so glad I found your channel. I’m going to look at an RX-8 today as an EV conversion project. The car has a blown motor. I am also looking at a totally wrecked Leaf with 50k miles as donor car.

[chrissscottt]

Nice job. I like the choice of vehicle and impressed with how you reprogrammed the ECU.

[ojashyadav]

The neatest conversion I have ever seen. Much love from India

[niloc]

Earlier this year i was looking for a video like this!!...yoooo great job!!

[jimmalko]

I was just reflecting on how my 8 has better smiles per gallon than miles per gallon (hello from the USA), plus I premix.. so lots of burning of fossil fuel. Thank you for giving me hope that the 8 can still be fun and not destroy the environment every time I start it up.

[fortitudevalance]

I knew conversions of older conventional cars existed and are getting more common but seriously that is a fantastic choice of car to convert to electric. Good for short distances and a quick blast.

[KevinGoldLVL]

Wow, I have always say that the rx8 would be a great candidate for a ev conversion since you can find alot of them with bad engine for cheap! I quite surprised to find somebody have finally done it! Very nice, I am looking forward your next videos, I am a new subscriber!

[staver]

Gorgeous work! Never even considered an electric conversion for this car!

[slartybartfarst]

So interesting a low budget project. I appreciate your honesty on performance. I appreciate your approach, get it working and upgrade. This is the new hot rodding. Doing it this way means each upgrade step can be opportune depending on parts available. Subscribed, Im keen to see how your project progresses. Just get in there and do it mentality is so refreshing, great work.

[ashmcconnell]

Really cool stuff, I love that old broken cars are being rescued by enthusiasts giving them a new life on electric. As you say, baby steps at the moment, but you could have an awesome car when it is done :)