Chevy prepares EV crate engine for projects

[jaredmac11]

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/10...lt-ev-hotrods/

What do y'all think? If the US got randy and decided to really cut down on internal combustion engine, what length would you go to keep your e21?


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[amarino]

As the technology keeps getting better the prices of batteries and other parts will go down. It's already common to swap Tesla motors / batteries from crashed cars. Places like EV West will sell you almost everything to do it yourself where you just bolt the motors and components in and don't need to alter the body in any way (or do it for you for a price) https://www.evwest.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=40

I'd rather have an EV E21 vs none at all.

Not nationwide but in California its starting with commercial / diesel trucks, either get a newer engine or you can't register it. We'll see how long before that spreads to personal automobiles.
https://www.ccjdigital.com/carb-to-b...tions-in-2020/

The new “health-based requirements” will need to be met before a driver is allowed to register his or her truck through the Department of Motor Vehicles, CARB says. A new enforcement tool used by the DMV beginning in 2020 will automatically block 2010 and older trucks from registration.

For older vehicles, CARB says they must be either replaced with a 2011 or newer vehicle or repowered with a 2010 or newer engine.

[autox320]

I'm typical performance oriented gas car guy, but have been keeping my eye on EV's over the years. Have come a long way since the early 2000's. Now that the dual motor model 3 is looking so promising, it's on my short list of something I'd actually buy. Eibach has a nice set of springs and bars, wider tire with real wheels available. Can break a 7min around the Nürburgring.

Swaps are not quite as common yet due to putting a package together. Most looked at the Chevy volt as a donor car due to components made by same manufacturer and work together easier. Never been against swaps, and EV would be a good one. Biggest issues after packaging and common vendor parts is power vs weight. Batt storage is significant weight to add back to the car and always been an issue. They are getting better all the time though.

[Somjuan]

I was thinking the best way to do something like that for weight distribution would be to pull the tesla solution and put the batteries on a ‘skateboard’ under the car. As a bonus you could put whatever suspension under it you like, and basically convert the car to a frame / body instead of a unibody. Loads of space under the car without the exhaust or gas tanks.

[okieflats]

Yeah that is the problem I was concerned about, where is a good place to put the battery. Not in the trunk, or under the hood. EV have a big flat battery under the floor.

You could convert an e21 to be like that, with some significant work.

[amarino]

I've looked at this a bit and follow some EV conversion YouTubers. Inside those big flat batteries are smaller modules, and the modules made up of individual cells. You wouldn't need to use them all, just depends how much range you want. So can get creative on where you put them.

I bet you can fit some Tesla modules in the gas tank location (in an enclosure of course). Like this guy put them bare all in the trunk: https://electrek.co/2018/08/06/tesla...ctric-car/amp/

Have also seen some split them half under the hood (since motor is so much smaller) and half in the rear. Another good example: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...ER1glUqjI5Z8eS

Some examples of BMW modules if you want to keep it OEM https://batteryhookup.com/

Maybe one day one of us will do it.

[autox320]

I've looked at this a bit and follow some EV conversion YouTubers. Inside those big flat batteries are smaller modules, and the modules made up of individual cells. You wouldn't need to use them all, just depends how much range you want. So can get creative on where you put them.

I bet you can fit some Tesla modules in the gas tank location (in an enclosure of course). Like this guy put them bare all in the trunk: https://electrek.co/2018/08/06/tesla...ctric-car/amp/

Have also seen some split them half under the hood (since motor is so much smaller) and half in the rear. Another good example: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...ER1glUqjI5Z8eS

Some examples of BMW modules if you want to keep it OEM https://batteryhookup.com/

Maybe one day one of us will do it.

My idea was rear mount the motor etc to direct drive the wheels like tesla does. I mean just eliminate the trans and driveshaft. Make the tunnel area for batts and use the engine bay if needed. Puts the weight exactly where I'd want it. Of course use the fuel tank areas as well thats a given. Best weight is kept between axle lines low in the chassis. Tesla has mastered this. Even with just a tunnel battery I'll bet range could be daily commuter or autocross fun machine. Track days take a little more demand but last I checked even tracks are putting in charging stations now. Last time at VIR there were a few model3's tearing it up and recharging at dedicated chargers. I remember a few e30 and e36 EV cars in the 2009-2015 timeframe at VIR. Homemade setups.

Once batt life cycle over time(years of near full recharge) and range improves it will be hard to ignore taking a serious look buying one. Issue then iIMO is most of America loves big big SUV's and trucks. There will be a market there for some time. But majority of commuters well it will be kinda dumb to buy a gas car. Even a nissan leaf is silly performance compared to most cars. It's happening like it or not I tell myself. Going with the flow and EV is gaining more traction today than it did just 10yrs ago.