The electric rat rod is a true one-of-a-kind build, combining the rough and rugged style of a traditional rat rod with the modern, environmentally-friendly power of electricity. From the mind of Rich Benoit of Rich Rebuilds fame, the base for this unique build was a Zero Motorcycles donor bike, which provided a powerful 70-horsepower electric motor with 116 lb-ft of torque.
Manual Transmission Added for Classic Feel
However, the team behind this build didn’t want to lose the classic feel of a manual transmission, so they sourced a 3-speed transmission from a Chevy 305ci engine and set to work on finding a way to connect it to the electric motor. This proved to be a challenge, as the team initially attempted to create a custom coupler by hand using the motorcycle’s sprocket, the center spline from a clutch, and scrap steel tubing. However, this effort ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Custom Engine Mounts and Rewiring
Undeterred, the team turned to PMS Metal, who laser-cut an adapter plate out of a steel sheet. Then desktop Metal in Massachusetts, 3D printed a metal coupler to join the motor and transmission input shaft. Custom engine mounts were also needed to support the transmission and motor. As the original forward engine mounts were no longer sufficient with the electric setup.
Conclusion: A One-of-a-Kind Build
Aside from the fabrication work, the team spent the rest of their time rewiring the car and getting it roadworthy. The result is a truly one-of-a-kind electric rat rod. A true testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the hot rod community. This build is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. Combining the classic style of a rat rod with the modern power of electricity.
The Revolt Systems Tesla Crate Motor features a 400kW Tesla Model S large Drive Unit that will bolt up to small-block V-8 engine mounts and can be hooked up directly to a driveshaft, so you can fit it into your small-block V-8 project and keep your rear axle as-is.
Most current electric vehicles, including all Tesla vehicles, use a 400-volt architecture, but the Porsche Taycan surprised everyone when it was launched with an 800-volt architecture. The Taycan did not impress with its range when it was launched, but the 800-volt system was optimized for fast charging and efficiency. It’s not by chance that the 800-volt system was adopted by a sports car manufacturer. Porsche took inspiration from its LMP-1 race car, which used the higher voltage architecture.
The 800-volt architecture: what are the advantages?
Before we discuss the major benefits of using a higher voltage architecture, let’s talk about the 400-volt system that most EV makers still use today. This can be traced back to the time when hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius were the first mass-produced electrified vehicles. Their electric motors and batteries used the 400-volt system, so, naturally, the first electric vehicles adopted this system as well. The 400-volt system was also compatible with the existing electrical infrastructure.
The switch to an 800-volt system allows for a big efficiency jump
Lucid already demonstrated that with the Air, which is currently the most efficient electric car ever made. Lucid uses a 924-volt system actually, and it’s one of the reasons the Lucid Air was able to achieve its 520-mile range. Having such a high voltage allows for supplying the same amount of power with a lower current, which means fewer losses to heat in the power system.
800-volt systems bring with them a wide variety of benefits, including lower weight, higher thermal efficiency, and potentially greater range. At the same time, lower current means that thinner wires can be used in the electric system and less copper in the electric motors, reducing weight even further. But their biggest benefit is arguably significantly faster public charging.
The higher voltage allows for a higher charging speed because the lower current reduces the overheating in the charging cables and associated hardware. The power loss increases exponentially with heat, so you see why this is a big deal. Lastly, faster-charging speeds allow
for more efficient energy recovery during braking, so more of the lost energy goes back into the battery and less into the air as heat.
Why is an 800-volt system better?
In short, the higher the voltage, the greater the efficiency. First introduced in racing series such as the Formula E global electric championship, 800-volt systems allow electricity to move from the battery to the wheels with lower current, which reduces the power lost to heat. The higher voltage and lower current means that the same amount of power can be moved using thinner wires, and it also means that less copper needs to be used in the motors themselves – this reduces their weight and also allows them to spin even faster, allowing higher performance. A simplified analogy is a power drill: the higher the voltage, the more powerful it is – and the faster it charges.
Faster charging is enabled with an 800-volt system because lower current reduces overheating in the charging cables and associated hardware – less power is lost to heat, and more is delivered to your car’s battery (power loss increases quadratically, i.e., to the fourth power, with current, so reducing the current has a huge effect on efficiency). Using similar cables and plugs, charging time can be dramatically improved. For instance, the Porsche Taycan, one of the few vehicles currently available with 800-volt systems, can charge its battery from 5 to 80 percent in 22.5 minutes on a 270-kW 800-volt level 3 charger, while the same amount of charge on a 50-kW, 400-volt level 3 charger takes up to 90 minutes.
Why do so few EV makers use an 800-volt architecture today?
Currently, besides the Porsche Taycan and the other models built on the same platform, like the Audi e-Tron GT, only the Lucid Air, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Kia EV6 use the 800-volt architecture. The Hyundai Group’s vehicles demonstrated how the higher voltage approach can be scaled down to more affordable models, without affecting the price. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 have great charging speeds and can add 68 miles of charge (108 km) in five minutes when connected to a fast 350-kW DC charger.
At the moment, 800-volt electrical systems are not commonplace in electric vehicles. The Porsche Taycan was the first EV available with an 800-volt architecture; its relative, the Audi e-Tron GT, also has an 800-volt system, as do the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Rivian and General Motors have both announced that their upcoming products are 800-volt ready, and both plan to introduce 800-volt systems along the way, with GM committing to an 800-volt option for its new Ultium battery architecture. Startup brand Lucid actually has a 920 (!)-volt system for its new Lucid Air sedan, which has just hit the market. Global supplier Delphi sees a broad shift towards 800-volt architectures for premium EVs, followed by rapid adoption by mainstream brands.
The move to 800 volts requires not just the cars to be enabled
It needs charging equipment that can take advantage of that architecture. Most level 3 chargers run on 400-volt systems and can deliver from 50 to 150 kW; 800-volt chargers can deliver up to 350 kW but are still not very common. Ionity, Tritium, and Electrify America are the biggest players, with most offering at least one 350-kW charger alongside multiple 150-kW chargers in convenient locations.
As with any other technology, the roll-out of 800-volt systems and the charging infrastructure to support them will happen rapidly. While currently a “premium” technology, it’s already spreading to more mainstream car brands, and the increased convenience that super-fast charging offers will be irresistible to the EV owners of the future.
Jeep electric motor swap is a concept vehicle brought to you by the Manufacturer Jeep. Called the CJ Surge, which uses a scalable 400-volt, 200-kW Electric Drive Module as its core system. This modular design allows for easy installation in classic Jeeps And the system utilizes a two-speed Jeep transfer case with selectable gearing.
The CJ Surge concept also features a 2.0-inch lift kit and Dana 44 axles with 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires mounted on 18-inch wheels. The front bumper is upgraded to a beefy new design that houses a Warn winch and features Surf Blue tow hooks similar to those found on Jeep’s 4xe plug-in hybrid models. The vehicle also comes equipped with a skid plate and rock rails for added body protection.
Jeep also added a custom roll cage and bikini top to the CJ Surge. While the center console comes from a JK Wrangler (built from 2007 to 2017) and features a rotary shift knob in place of the stock lever. The battery pack of the CJ Surge is made up of 24 lithium-ion battery modules, although the capacity of the battery pack is not specified.
The Electric Jeep ” CJ Surge” is a great way to showcase the potential of an electric powertrain in your vehicle and increase its performance. The CJ Surge concept is one example of how this modification can be done, and it shows that electric drive systems can be easily integrated into classic Jeeps. The CJ Surge concept also shows that an electric drive system can be paired with off-road capabilities, making it a great option for those who love to hit the trails.
With fewer moving parts than your previously installed internal combustion engine, your new all-electric powertrain will provide all of the tire-shredding horsepower that you had with your gasoline engine in a clean, quiet, and reliable low-maintenance package.
However, apart from the motors, several things, such as the battery unit, drivetrain, and brakes, will require servicing after some time of usage.
Some maintenance costs are the same for both electric and gas cars. You still have to buy tires, for instance. You’ll have to make sure your suspension system is cared for. We’re talking about components such as shock absorbers and struts. While you might eventually have to change your brake pads on an electric vehicle, regenerative braking systems on EVs use resistance from the electric motors to slow the vehicle. For that reason, brake pads don’t get used as much as on conventional gas-powered cars and brakes don’t wear out as often on EVs. You can expect to get from 100,000 to 200,000 miles on a set of brake pads and rotors.
What You Need to Service
Tires
As with any vehicle, you’ll need to check your tire pressure. Properly inflated tires give you better mileage. Rotate the tires and inspect them for wear. Depending on how the tire tread is wearing, you could eventually need a wheel alignment. This is noticeable if the car pulls to one side or the other.
Brakes
EVs use regenerative braking systems. That means they use the kinetic energy from the car under braking to charge the vehicle’s battery. These systems last longer than conventional braking systems because they are much more gentle on the brake pads.
Battery Coolant
If you are using the Tesla battery modules for your build and have used the factory cooling system, should not need to be replaced for the life of the vehicle under most circumstances.
Your EV Maintenance Schedule
The maintenance schedule for an electric car is very simple compared to the traditional 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 services of gas-powered cars that you are familiar with. Servicing is also much less expensive.
Every 30 days:
Check the tire pressure.
Examine the tires for excess wear.
Every 7,500 miles:
Have the tires rotated.
Check the coolant level of the battery.
Check the cabin heater, power inverter, accessory power, and charger modules.
Inspect the brakes, steering, suspension, and chassis components for unusual wear or damage.
Check the power steering and drive shafts for wear.
Inspect the gas struts for signs of suspension wear.
Check the vehicle’s various light bulbs and replace if necessary.
At 15,000 miles:
Includes 7,500 mile services
At 36,000 miles:
Includes 7,500 mile services
At 75,000 miles:
Replace the suspension gas struts.
Drain and service the coolant circuits.
Tesla Recommended Service Schedule (Tesla Swaps)
Component
Service Interval
Display Text Alert
Recommendation
Tire Pressure
As Needed
Air pressures below recommendation for tires. Check pressure and refill air as needed.
Tire Rotation
Every 6,250 miles
Rear tire tread depth low. Inspect tires for rotation/replacement.
Brake Fluid
Every 2 years (replace if necessary)
Brake fluid low. Pull over safely- press brake pedal firmly to stop.
Schedule service appointment via mobile app (see Schedule Service).
LV Battery
Low voltage battery disconnected. Reconnect low voltage battery or schedule service.Low voltage battery service is required. Schedule Service- vehicle may not restart.Schedule service to replace low voltage battery. Software will not update until battery is replaced.Vehicle will consume more energy while idle. Replace 12V battery or vehicle may shut down.
Schedule service appointment via mobile app (see Schedule Service).
Battery Coolant
Does not need to be replaced for the life of the vehicle under most circumstances.
Vehicle coolant is low. Schedule service.
Schedule service appointment via mobile app (see Schedule Service).
Electric cars have become increasingly popular as more people seek out eco-friendly transportation solutions. While there are many factors that affect an electric car’s speed. One of the most significant is the high torque created by its electric motors. This powerful output allows for rapid acceleration and awesome top speeds that make electric vehicles an exciting driving option.
Our testing has shown that multiple mainstream EVs—including some sedans and SUVs with no claim to being fast or luxurious via their design, can still accelerate from 0 – 60 miles per hour in less than 5 seconds on average! That’s supercar territory!
What makes electric cars faster than gas cars?
Why are many of the latest EVs so quick? It’s down to the basic differences between electric motors and internal combustion engines. When it comes to delivering their peak output, gasoline engines are terribly inefficient. They also tend to have far narrower horsepower and torque peaks than do electric motors.
The most efficient way for a gas engine to deliver power is by using an automatic transmission. With six or more gears in the transmission of today’s high-volume passenger vehicles. There will always be a lag time when starting from idle due to its spool-up speed limitations.
What makes EVs So Quick? – Instant Torque:
The major benefit of electric vehicles is the instant torque they provide. Which results in instantaneous acceleration when compared to traditional combustion vehicles
Electric motors have the advantage of providing constant and strong torque, even at low RPMs. This means that electric cars can achieve impressive acceleration and high top speeds right off the line. These vehicles also don’t require gears or traditional transmissions. They rely on electronic controllers that transfer energy from the battery to the motor. This allows them to reach their peak torque output much faster than a combustion engine could.
Electric motors are already a reality. They’re the ones powering electric cars, and they can produce surprising torque for their size compared with internal combustion engines of either gas or diesel type.EVs. Also tend to get a packaging benefit—longer, more spacious cabins than gasoline cars of the same size and power—by separating their major propulsion components, such as having a motor at either axle and batteries tucked away under the cabin floor.
The electric motor’s ability to quickly deliver maximum torque from rest is the major reason why EVs are so quick. The extra traction is enabled by having torque generated at all four wheels through multiple electric motors. This also has an important role in enabling these cars’ rocketship acceleration and sharp handling characteristics.
Electric vehicles also tend to be remarkably swift when punching it from cruising speed, a further advantage of electric motors’ quick responses and not having to wait for the transmission to downshift that a gas-engine vehicle would do in that scenario. However, EVs’ lack of gearing does hurt their high-speed acceleration (say, 150 mph-plus) as well as their top speeds, which are generally much lower than their gas-engine supercar counterparts.
Battery Technology:
Batteries continue to improve in terms of capacity and how quickly they can be charged. This means more range for longer trips and faster charge times when needed
To put it simply, electric cars are able to take full advantage of all the power their motors can generate because the battery power is plentiful and available. High-performance batteries with large capacities help these cars maximize their performance. Furthermore, the lack of an automatic transmission allows for less loss of internal energy, giving them an edge over traditional cars. All of this combines to produce an experience that’s thrilling and unforgettable!
Electric motors are simple, durable, and have far fewer moving parts than a combustion engine has, and the limit on their power often isn’t the motor itself but the EV’s battery. Keeping batteries healthy includes asking them to deliver power in a manner that keeps the pack operating within the limits of the cell’s discharge rates meaning the drivetrain can’t ask for all that energy at once.
Advanced Motor Technologies:
The motors used in electric cars are advanced. Allowing them to deliver higher power outputs while keeping lightweight and efficient
The high power density of these specially-made motors is what affords electric cars the capability to be so much faster. While a traditional internal combustion engine needs time to rev up, electric engines can propel the car almost instantly, making them perfect for sprints and accelerating quickly out of corners. Furthermore, this instant acceleration contributes to the maximum speed an electric car is able to reach as they are exposed to less drag while reaching top speeds.
The efficiency of an electric car is often much higher than that found in gasoline vehicles. For example, one with a 70 kWh battery can travel 250 miles on just two gallons worth of energy–less than half the amount needed for gasoline-powered cars which waste three-quarters of the production process without delivering any benefit to performance or acceleration time!
There’s also an unexpected correlation between fast EVs and their range. While powerful gas-engine vehicles have less than stellar fuel economy—meaning they can’t go far unless they have a large gas tank—that tradeoff doesn’t exist in the same way with powerful, quick EVs. Although the efficiency ratings of extremely quick EVs certainly suffer—sometimes by as much as 25 percent—it takes a big battery to make big power in an EV, so some of the very quickest of the electric breed overcome their relative inefficiencies with a larger battery pack such that they still have some of the longest driving ranges.
Regenerative Braking:
When slowing down or going downhill, electric cars are able to put some of their energy back into the battery. Giving them an extra boost when accelerating again
Regenerative braking is a feature of electric vehicles that helps to conserve energy. When drivers take their foot off the accelerator, it activates the regenerative brakes. This help to slow the car down and store some of the lost energy from braking into the battery pack. This additional energy can then be used to boost performance when accelerating again. Making electric cars even faster and more efficient.
The takeaway?
EVs feel quicker than they objectively are, and that’s a good thing. They’re fun to drive, and with performance that continues to improve as battery technology advances. There’s no reason not to switch over sooner rather than later. Mainstream EVs benefit in a similar, if lesser, fashion. Fine by us. We’ll never complain if a vehicle is quick—let alone if it feels even quicker than it actually is.
P85 Tesla Rear Drive Unit with Custom Battery Enclosure – Build Specs Below
The Tesla Swapped Electric Impala is not just a one-off concept car. It is a fully functional vehicle that is capable of driving on the road just like any other electric car. The conversion process involves removing the original gasoline engine and transmission and replacing them with a Tesla electric motor and battery pack. This process is not for the faint of heart and requires a high level of technical expertise. However, the end result is a car that is not only environmentally friendly but also incredibly powerful and efficient.
Specs
INTERIOR
The interior is all-original and restored to a perfect finish, but the owner added a few extras to go with the modern underpinnings. There’s a touchscreen that operates the transmission and serves as a control panel for the air suspension.
So you have completed your EV Conversion and you are ready to enjoy all of your hard work. Another benefit is not having to smog your vehicle any longer. Here is everything you need to know.
Any vehicle registered in California may be converted to a 100% electric drive. As long as all power is supplied by onboard batteries. All combustion and fuel system components must be removed prior to inspection by a California Bureau of Automotive Repairs Referee station. The vehicle must arrive at the inspection site under its own power, and the referee will also visually inspect it to ensure that the vehicle has adequate battery storage capacity for 100% electric operation. Once the inspection is complete, the referee will sign a DMV “statements of Facts” form so that the vehicle can be registered as an EV and removed from the period smog inspection program. The statement of fact form is returned to the California department of motor vehicles. To schedule an appointment with the California Bureau of Automotive Repairs Referee station, please call (800) 622-7733
If you have converted an ICE to an EV, and you wish to register the swap with the state. You will need to follow these steps:
1) Make an appointment with BAR (http://www.bar.ca.gov/) for an inspection. They will take a look to make sure that the gasoline motor and its components have been completely removed, and fill out a form.
2) Make three copies of that form.
3) Make an appointment with the DMV (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm) to change your registration. This will require two clerks – one in your local office and one in Sacramento. Only the clerk in Sacramento can change your registration to E (make sure it is not Q).
Depending on whether or not smog inspections are required for the old donor vehicle, and possibly if the smog place you use has a sense of humor or not.
If no smog is required on the donor, then just change it, and consider it a motor swap.
If smog is required, then if the smog shop will bootleg a cert (obviously it would be very clean) still consider it a motor swap and do nothing.
Finally, get the appropriate documentation from the local DMV office for a conversion {never talk to anyone less than supervisor level) and get it inspected by the proper official. {Should be at that DMV office, but could be also CHP) and have them note all the ICE components are removed on your docs so it can’t be reconverted back to ICE. The DMV will then re-issue the registration with the proper body style code “electric” and VIOLA you are good to go. unless the car is currently registered, with current tags, the car will have to be trailered to the inspection places/DMV to be legal. On a good day it should just take one pass, and a couple of hours.
Chevy wants to help make your next motor swap project Electric
Chevrolet is known for its expertise in crate motors. Is now bringing its knowledge to the electric vehicle market with the Chevy e-crate motor. This high torque, electric powerplant. Is perfect for garage mechanics looking to upgrade their classic car or hot rod with reliable power and performance. Building on the success of the “LS-Swap”.Which has become the standard engine for classic Chevy’s, Ford’s, and imports, the Chevy e-crate motor aims to be the best engine transplant option for those looking to add electric power to their vehicle..
Chevy E Crate Motor Specs
With 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of instant torque on tap. Paired to a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled four-speed automatic. Even though these are not frame-twisting horsepower numbers. The Chevy Bolt-powered Blazer gives you 40 more horsepower and the same amount of torque from idle to redline as the 350ci engine available in 1977. But in a much more reliable, linear powerband. This setup also retains the drivetrain components including the transfer case, driveshaft, and axles from the K5 Blazer.
Power is supplied by a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack. With 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy installed in the cargo area. Using production controllers and wiring harnesses to preserve many Bolt EV features, including shock protection, battery heating, and cooling, battery-overcharge protection, and even regenerative braking.
The aftermarket components are included with this swap. Are an electric power steering kit, an electric pump providing a vacuum to the stock brake system, and an electronic controller. This is to drive inputs to the vintage Blazer gauges. Displaying the battery’s state of charge on the original fuel gauge.
Availability
The 60-kWh Electric Connect and Cruise package. Expected to be available in the second half of 2021, includes: 60-kWh battery pack, 200-horsepower electric motor DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor. DC-to-DC power converter to power low-voltage systems wiring harnesses, controllers, and water pumps for battery heating and cooling.
In Conclusion
Though this may not be the same drop-in solution that the early electric adopters want, it is a turn in the right direction.
