Startup Idea: Electric Car Conversion Project Software Assistance

Startup idea to develop a software that can hack into the brain of a car's inverter and modify the code for a Mercedes 300D conversion. The software is intended to trick the TCM/inverter into thinking it is still in its original car, thereby making the conversion project successful.

I am currently doing a conversion project with one of my cars, a 1985 Mercedes 300D. The conversion project will involve removing the engine, gas tank, fuel lines, exhaust components and anything ICE (internal combustion engine) related, and replacing it with an electric powertrain.

My powertrain will include being powered by around 4,000 to 5,000 18650 Lithium Ion cells (which I am currently getting for free by taking the good cells out of dead laptop batteries), like the ones used in the Tesla Model S and Tesla Roadster.

I also plan on installing several Tesla Model S battery modules for cross country travel, and for the benefits of liquid cooled cells. For my engine and transmission, I plan on taking a one speed gear drive out of a Nissan Leaf or Ford Focus Electric, and putting it with two Chevy Volt electric motors to yield over 315 hp, and 550 lbs ft. of torque.

However, in order for this to be accomplished, I need to be able to hack into the inverter and write my own code, so that the electric motor's TCM/inverter will still think its in its previous car and not my conversion. If any of you have any experience in playing around with the brain of a computer, please feel free to let me know, as this is crucial for my conversion to work.

I have seen some CAN tools that allow you to... "control" the Volt's electric motor, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around the entire concept of getting it to work.

Submitter: Aaron Green (view contact info).