[ausev] Best source to scavage a motor

[evehicle4me at hischopsticks.org]

I have been reading lots of posts and looking at pictures and asking  
questions.  i am a little confused about something.  The concept I am  
working with now is to take an awd minivan (ideally a grand caravan),  
connect an electric motor to the rear wheels - which already have a  
differential, etc and leave the front end of the car alone.  When I  
have posted questions about how large a motor I would need most people  
have responded by saying "about 20 hp" should do.  Yet when I look at  
conversions I see many people have used as large as 100 hp motors.   
Why?  What should I use?  I want the electric motor to push the car  
around town and when I get over 55 mph I want to use the gas motor up  
front.

Second question, what is the best source for scavenged engines for my  
purpose?  I see lots of folks using fork lift engines.  The reason for  
this question, of course, is to lower the cost :)

I realize that I may have to "modify" the floor of my vehicle a little  
to do what I want to do.  Would be ideal if I could slip in another  
tranny in between.