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by muzika 1407 days ago
Btw yesterday I took off a rear motor off a model Y. Probably took me about 2 hours to remove. So much easier than removing am engine or a transmission from an ICE car. Most difficult part to replace is the HV battery- it’s a whole day job. The biggest problem with EVs right now is that there are not enough third party (affordable) shops that are willing to work on them.
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Would it be possible for me to convert a classic car to electric if I got my hands on a drivetrain and battery? I used to fit V8 engines into old cars so I can fabricate stuff, but I’m worried a bit about the battery voltage and safety.
Yes there are kits for sale that will allow you to interfere with the Tesla drivetrain, you would wire that ecu to the accelerator pedal, etc. Most conversations use battery modules from model S/X as they are smaller modules than ones from 3/Y. You would need to fabricate mounting for the motor(s) and possibly custom half shafts and suspension. And custom mounting for battery modules, custom cooling system, power steering and ac must be converted to electric. Lots of work.
Sounds reasonable thanks!
Yes. Ford and GM are both starting to produce electric crate motors:

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/why-fords-electric-crate...

There are companies offering conversion parts and people self-building EVs out of ICE cars if you look for them online. Haven't looked up much, as for me a car is just a money sink, but they exist.
This Californian hotrodder did it with an old Jaguar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z7XVzUZPmo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAfnbG2UNzM

Think he's an ex Tesla engineer though, but I don't think that's neccessary.

GM is working on electric crate engines. Supposedly delayed due to covid and supply chain issues.