This might be unpopular but I'm planning to convert this CRX into an EV.
Ironically that actually means more instantaneous torque paired with the economy. It might be faster 🤣
If Honda actually came out with an EV I probably would've bought it but I suppose that's not an option still.
I weighed out the options of building from scratch (parts) an EV buying the motor, controller, inverter, battery, etc. I estimated that would cost me about 15k which is more than I'm willing to spend.
Alternatively, if I bought an older working EV, and gutted it for parts, I could do so for about 5-8k. And it'd come with almost everything. I have a welder to I can fab the mounts. I'd probably still have to figure out axles unless I find an adapter plate to mate the motor and transmission. Keeping the transmission would mean I retain my 5 speed which is tempting. Making balanced axles would certainly be harder so I'm weighing those options.
I've been planning this project for over a year and initially picked up a Fiat 500e as the donor car. What I quickly learned was Fiat locked up the car behind a canbus network that made it difficult to do anything. In short, putting in a custom radio tripped the ecu and almost crippled the car. Imagine if I took out the airbags and ABS. Research also was difficult as there was a gas version and this car wasn't popular so no one cared to hack the canbus.
So when some family wanted to buy the Fiat from me I gave it to them. In the midst of the research I learned the Nissan Leaf has significant support for conversions. Resolve-ev had hacked the Nissan Leaf Canbus controller and was selling essentially a plug and play box.
And today I found a Leaf for 5k. Even the batteries for the leaf would cost more. The leaf motor assembly alone was being sold online for 4500.
Later I will go check the leaf and if all goes well, I'll have another donor car for parts
If all goes well, maybe I'll get AC back in the car too 🤣