HS250 / Convertible conversion project
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Project update:
Central Ohio does not seem to have been a hotbed of HS250h activity. The local Lexus dealers have not had a used HS for me to test drive in over two months of searching. In addition, the numerous local salvage yards around Columbus don't even have one. All of the recent salvage auctions have been states away, making transport of the car quite costly.
I have also recently learned that the HS mg2 electric drive motor pumps out 107kW vs 70kW in a Prius, so falling back to a Prius is very undesirable. The search for an HS continues!
I just wonder why Toyota didn't think of putting the HS power train in a Prius and calling it a sport model?
Bill the Engineer
Central Ohio does not seem to have been a hotbed of HS250h activity. The local Lexus dealers have not had a used HS for me to test drive in over two months of searching. In addition, the numerous local salvage yards around Columbus don't even have one. All of the recent salvage auctions have been states away, making transport of the car quite costly.
I have also recently learned that the HS mg2 electric drive motor pumps out 107kW vs 70kW in a Prius, so falling back to a Prius is very undesirable. The search for an HS continues!
I just wonder why Toyota didn't think of putting the HS power train in a Prius and calling it a sport model?
Bill the Engineer
Try Byers Volvo in Columbus. They have a nice 2010 Premium with Tech Package, 45K miles and it's only $21,000! I was seriously considering this one but my local Lexus dealer made me a good deal when I "threatened" to drive north to buy that one. Has a very clean Carfax, too. It may be more than you're looking for but on the chance that you may decide to just keep the HS intact, you'd be hard pressed to beat the price on this car with this many options. Good luck!
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 725
Likes: 31
From: NC
My guess is the HS powertrain - bigger engine, bigger motor, bigger battery, beefier transmission, etc - wouldn't fit in a Prius, or would be too heavy for the chassis.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Bill the Engineer
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,297
Likes: 1,226
From: IL
Kudos for the time and expertise exhibited so far! The battery vent out the faux tailpipe is clever.
Not to disappoint those of us with HS's but have you measured or considered the Camry Hybrid,
2.5L IC with 200 system HP vs. 2.4 & 187....
Not to disappoint those of us with HS's but have you measured or considered the Camry Hybrid,
2.5L IC with 200 system HP vs. 2.4 & 187....
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
When I first started looking into the project, I examined all of the Toyota and Lexus hybrids. For example, the RX strut towers are too tall to fit within the Firebird fenders (although I'd love to find the rear axle traction system.) The Prius C is too small, the Prius V is too long and tall. The Plug-in Prius would be underpowered, although the plug-in capability would be cool applied to the HS drive.
An HS it needs to be!
Bill the Engineer
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I'm not wishing anybody any bad luck, but if anyone hears of a tree falling on an HS during a spring storm, please let me know!
Searching the salvage austions has been less that fruitful.
Bill the engineer
Searching the salvage austions has been less that fruitful.
Bill the engineer
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
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I had one of those "D'oh!" moments. If I take 1-1/2 inces out of the front fenders and hood of the Firebird behind the front wheels, (relatively easy to do) then the wheelbase will be the same as an HS250h and I can use the chassis uncut from one vehicle. (I no longer need two.) That brings the cost of the project down to manageable. The attached photo is a to-scale overlay of the SHORTENED Firebird over a HS250h. I honestly don't think anyone would notice the reduced length unless I parked it next to another '67 Firebird.
Oh, and I finished taking the welding class I signed up for, so I'm ready to go for welding sheet metal!
Bill the Engineer
[/IMG]I had one of those "D'oh!" moments. If I take 1-1/2 inces out of the front fenders and hood of the Firebird behind the front wheels, (relatively easy to do) then the wheelbase will be the same as an HS250h and I can use the chassis uncut from one vehicle. (I no longer need two.) That brings the cost of the project down to manageable. The attached photo is a to-scale overlay of the SHORTENED Firebird over a HS250h. I honestly don't think anyone would notice the reduced length unless I parked it next to another '67 Firebird.
Oh, and I finished taking the welding class I signed up for, so I'm ready to go for welding sheet metal!
Bill the Engineer
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Purchased a used HS speedometer on E-pay last night. Now I can at least make some modifications to the Firebrid dash while I search for the right donor car.
I'll post progress photos when available.
Bill the Engineer
I'll post progress photos when available.
Bill the Engineer
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 509
Likes: 7
From: PA
Are you putting the Firebird speedo in the HS, or is it the other way around? I forget.
When you get into the HS unit, maybe snap a photo. I seem to remember it was one of the first on the market with OLED (organic) lighting. I'd be interested in figuring out how it's done.
When you get into the HS unit, maybe snap a photo. I seem to remember it was one of the first on the market with OLED (organic) lighting. I'd be interested in figuring out how it's done.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
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From: Ohio
As for the Dash, I plan to use the Firebird dash panel with the gauges from the HS adapted into it.
Bill the Engineer
Last edited by Engineer; May 24, 2014 at 05:38 AM. Reason: Addition
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Bill the Engineer