Which front Tesla SDU

[Peter]

Hi Forum. Need some help please Looking on eBay the price options for Tesla front SDU range greatly. However now UK breaker prices around £1200 makes the option to convert from existing setup quite appealing. I started my build 3 years ago so prices then were just too high. My dilemma though is which Tesla SDU to buy.... X, S, PxxD ??? Do they all accept the openinverter board from the shop ? Thanks in advance for your comments and knowledge. Peter

[Jack Bauer]

And that is the beauty of the openinverter board. Go nuts. Pick any one you like.

[Peter]

Thanks Damien. Keep up the good work and I hope your health issues are now behind you. Peter

[Kevin Sharpe]

My dilemma though is which Tesla SDU to buy.... X, S, PxxD ???

Try and buy one from a late car (some early cars had problems with the motor bearings) and from a vendor with a return warranty (some water damaged DU's around). It's also worth considering whether the front or rear is a better fit in your conversion because you ideally want to keep the oil breather in it's original orientation

I would also recommend negotiating a deal that includes the HV cables, drive shafts, and the stub drive shaft/mount (if using the front SDU). These items can be very expensive if purchased individually.

[Peter]

Thanks for the advice Kevin. The SDU will be for a vehicle with rear mounted transverse engine so 12v oil pump also needed. The SDU will be run in reverse too which from what I read on the forum is not an issue. Was hoping not have a stub drive shaft but from what I see the non-stub SDU has its mount on the diff which will not fit in my set up. Thanks again. Peter

[Kevin Sharpe]

Thanks again.

No problem.

One other thing to consider is the possibility that the latest 'high efficiency' Model S/X may use the Model 3 motor (or the same technology) and be incompatible with the SDU logic board. I'm out of touch with the current Tesla cars and don't know if this was just an internet rumour... maybe something to research before you hand over lots cash.

[P.S.Mangelsdorf]

Thanks again.

One other thing to consider is the possibility that the latest 'high efficiency' Model S/X may use the Model 3 motor (or the same technology) and be incompatible with the SDU logic board. I'm out of touch with the current Tesla cars and don't know if this was just an internet rumour... maybe something to research before you hand over lots cash.

The internet consensus that I could find (so take it with a grain of salt) is that changes to what motor was used where began in 2017. i.e. pre-2017 cars you can "safely" assume usable SDU in the front, usable LDU or SDU (depending on variant) in the rear.

I can't find an answer as to WHAT changed and WHEN after 2017, just that stuff began changing.

[Kevin Sharpe]

I can't find an answer as to WHAT changed and WHEN after 2017, just that stuff began changing.

That was the Model S/X 'facelift' (minor changes) and we're looking for something in 2019/20 after the Model 3 launch... I'll try to find out if this really happened when I get a moment.

[Peter]

Just as a matter of interest I phoned Adrian Flux to ask if any change in premium from Enova to Tesla. No extra premium required !!

[Kevin Sharpe]

I'll try to find out if this really happened when I get a moment.

elektrek said in April 2019 regarding the 'Raven' upgrades - "As anticipated, Tesla is bringing its new permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor, first developed for Model 3, to Model S and Model X" (see here).

I've no idea whether Tesla used the Model 3 motors but it would make sense given the Model S/X are low volume cars. To be safe you probably want to avoid motors from the most recent cars because they are unlikely to work with the SDU control board.

Edit: Tesla used the Model 3 motor for the front SDU on Raven Model S/X (see here).

[P.S.Mangelsdorf]

I can't find an answer as to WHAT changed and WHEN after 2017, just that stuff began changing.

That was the Model S/X 'facelift' (minor changes) and we're looking for something in 2019/20 after the Model 3 launch... I'll try to find out if this really happened when I get a moment.

Makes sense.

I did see some debate regarding LDU changes in 2017 somewhere, but that's not relevant here.

[Kevin Sharpe]

My dilemma though is which Tesla SDU to buy.... X, S, PxxD ???

So, I think the answer to your question is buy an SDU from a 2018 car because it's unlikely to have the motor bearing issue, should include any facelift upgrades, and will be pre Raven SDU incompatibility