EV engines in classic cars
 

Hi guys,
Was wondering what your thoughts were on EV engines in classic cars.

GM has introduced electric "crate" engines and they will soon be marketing to those who are interested in swapping for traditional power plants.

Thoughts?

JP
jpemerson.com

I am not a lover of them but believe these will be the next rage. People are always looking for something different. I saw a video the other day of a Tesla that was killing every street racer it paired up against. Granted that was a new car but if people started showing up with 9 or 10 second Fox body cars on the street it could be interesting. I think we will see more of them.

^ hmmmm, I've got a one owner barn find 1992 Foxbody...
:burnout:

I'm thinking the a Big Buick Electra with massive space for battery packs with be a mind-blower!. With the weight, it would hook hard on the street and be fun to surprise people who think a big tank can't get out of it's own way. :)
It would be a whole new learning curve for sure.

Currently there is a "secret project" commissioned by a major auto manufacturer that is doing just that. EV crate engines are already available but this is specifically designed to attract the classic/muscle car enthusiast.


JP

https://i.postimg.cc/SKMMhP9Z/chev-e10-053.jpg

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These are cool Lee. Imagine these though being converted by an authorized "factory".



Interestingly, I have seen quite a few of these done privately and to be honest, they are very impressive.



Are they the future? Would you consider one?



Thoughts?


JP

Post some pics in the Ford/Merc section.

I would not ever want or have anything to do with a classic car, especially a muscle car, with an EV engine. I wouldn't take one if someone gave me one for free. To me the whole idea of a classic or muscle car is that it is as close as possible to like it was originally.

JP, I am a Luddite! Still have my flip phone and use a key to open my car (no fob).

Is it the future? How far are we talking about? 5 to 10 years? No - I don't see it as anything more than a curiosity. 15 to 20 years? Sure. By then all of us Baby Boomers will be gone.

Although not in total disagreement with your thought, I ask this. What if, for conversations sake, we start to see these "conversions" a bit more? Leaving out the ultra high end examples, what if a entry level Mustang, Camaro, vette etc were converted?



From there we then see a "new" generation of enthusiasts and owners driving "stock looking" classics on the street. Would the visibility of these "classics" not further the hobby and with that, the stock examples?



Does a "Restomod" accomplish the same thing?


I get it, it's not the same as original, but wouldn't a rising tide raise all the boats?


Respectfully,


JP

That's a great question Lee! I couldn't tell you what the time frame is but I do think that although change is difficult at times, this (or something like it) is coming sooner rather than later.



JP

I don't see the change being voluntary. I see it coming from government mandates as most changes happen, when it comes to cars.

There is a major issue when it comes to EVs: logistics. As of the last Census (2010) 30% of the US population are renters. How can they purchase an EV with no way to charge it? Apartment complex owners aren't going to voluntarily spend the billions of dollars to equip their sites with charging stations let alone the upgrade to 200 amp service panels to support them.

People love convenience. EVs are anything but.

Currently EVs are nothing more than a novelty. Their sales are minuscule:

https://i.postimg.cc/pdc5KHHX/m.png

All great points Lee. I agree that this would have to be mandated from the top. Your info regarding rentals is of interest as well and well stated. The new EV's do come with a charging pack that can be plugged into a standard home outlet. (although it would take longer to charge)


Of course, this is all for conversation here as I also am conflicted as to the viability, at least in the short term for these.


I'm just wondering what other like minded enthusiasts think and what better place to ask than here!




JP

No thanks. I love the V8 exhaust sound.

Took the words right out of my mouth, or day (4)2 mods for better braking and handling. I'm still not over all the younger people desecrating our classics and muscle cars with LSX engines, let alone electric. Wait till I'm dead and then butcher them all they want...:wink:

I guess I should add, if new vehicles became more long distance capable and not start on fire. I would consider them for a DD, just not retro-fitting into classics. As for just the body with electronic components furthering the interest in the older cars, that's all it would do, is encourage more conversions and eliminate original components and their heritage. We already have that en-masse with the LSX movement. Many of the other muscle car/ restoration forums have many people involved in this and others wanting to. The don't appreciate the cars for what they represent of history. They just want the shell and ultra modern drive train.

Before these are mandated, somebody better think about where all the electricity is coming from, and where are the materials and capital equipment coming from to manufacture all these batteries. Also where do the used batteries go?

This is exactly what makes this site great. Conversation. opinions and dialogue. For the record, I'm an old school guy too.



I can't say I completely agree with "they don't appreciate the cars for what they represent of history" as a blanket statement. (I don't believe that is how it was intended) because I do know of many "Restomod" owners who wholeheartedly do so, but I understand what you are saying. :biggthumpup:


JP

That's the great thing about this hobby. There is something for everyone. Pure Stock, Day 2 Modified, Restomod . . . whatever floats your boat.

Yes, there's something for everyone!


Some of the folks who have been around a while...and lived through adjusting solid lifters, endless carb rebuilds, etc now prefer their muscle with modern technology...that runs flawlessly, gets way better gas mileage and has way better performance.



Why can't you have the best of both worlds?



Take for example Ken Tibor's 66. He's put over 33,000 miles on it since completion and driven it from coast to coast. I dare say there's not many folks with original drivetrain factory muscle that will do that. I do know a few that do, but they are the exception. Ken has the best of both worlds...the looks of a classic and the reliability of new tech!


https://www.lsxmag.com/news/the-blue...-by-ken-tibor/




I think that muscle cars should be driven, which is why my 66 Chevelle got 28,000 miles put on it in the five years I owned it...in the rain, too!





https://www.yenko.net/forum/cache.ph...n_DSCF6664.jpg

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https://www.yenko.net/forum/cache.ph...n_DSCF6669.jpg

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Taking this a step further...I doubt that there are many here still running Windows 3.1, or Windows 95.



New and better (well, it's supposed to be better...LOL) tech has come out...and people have moved forward with the new "engine" for their computers :) :beers:

Not to mention all the people who are on the "zero emissions" bandwagon. Uh, do the batteries recharge themselves ?? Doesn't the process of making electricity create emissions ?

I would LOVE to still be using my Windows 95 Pro edition. I hate windows 10 and I don't see that it offers that much more technology, except to be information invasive in the background. Yeah, there are a lot more toys and programs, but nothing that I use.

I guess I'm just too old because I would never consider owning or driving a classic car with electric power. LS engines in older cars don't interest me either.

I love the look, sounds, vibrations and smells of my Chevelle as it was intended to be. It's not the fastest car around and it sure doesn't get good gas mileage, but I get a thrill each time I fire it up, let the clutch out and drive it down the street. :burnout:

Interesting topic. I wouldn't rule it out. I've thought about what I'd do if gas wasn't available anymore and if I'd operate my Camaro's as electric. If so, I'm certain it would not be as enjoyable. I enjoy operating the machine on four wheels in real time with no computer influence over my inputs. The sounds, smells, rattles make the experience. Wouldn't be the same totally clean and silent. Can't argue with the torque though. However, a 69 RS/SS with an electric motor is like an Armani suit on a mannequin.

:haha::haha::haha:

In a future perfect world - no emissions. Power is generated by Wind Farms, Solar Panel Farms and Ocean Wave Generators.

IMO . . . I see Battery Powered Electric Vehicles as a temporary solution to zero emissions. The future is Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered transportation. It will leave the existing infrastructure in place. The only change would be the switch from diesel and gas over to hydrogen.

Yep, and they need to start covering every acre of land in the Midwest farming country with that crap, if they ever hope to power the industry in this country that runs on 3 phase, 480 volts, let alone all the homes and appliances in them at single phase, 240 volts.

It's a pipe dream that many utilities have already said can't be done and if it could, the cost of it and the power produced would be astronomical.
Using those sources as supplemental, to reduce the use of, and emissions from, non-renewable fuels is great, but to think we, and the rest of the world, will ever be emissions free from energy production is just not practical.
We DO need to find a way to conserve the fuels now used as they will come to an end sometime. Nuclear fuel COULD be the best source, but the complications and danger of use are still far too great and I don't see any contingent of our society working on a way to make it safer and less hazardous/deadly to produce energy and store the spent rods anymore.

People seem to keep forgetting about all the fossil fuels that are required in order to produce those solar panels, wind turbines and other sources of renewable energy. In addition, the photos I have recently seen of all the wind turbine blades that are being buried in landfills that are for the most part non bio degradable is staggering.

We daily drive our classics with their born with engines, carbs and points, and plan to do so until the day I die. I have no interest in electric cars, or even any new car for that matter.

If others want to do so, I don't hold that against them, just don't expect me to do it. :biggthumpup:

I can only speak for myself. For me personally I would never own or drive any car like a Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, etc. with an electric motor, factory installed or aftermarket installed. I would never want or own a Restomod either. I would agree that as more conversions happen it might raise the interest in the car hobby. I would support others doing conversions to EV motors if that is what they wanted to do. Again as for me I would only ever get an electric car if the government mandated them, and if I was still able to drive safely. I would buy a factory electric car like a Tesla, Bolt, etc. I certainly would not
convert any ICE car to an electric one.

Thanks for asking your questions and causing others to think about things like this.

As a journalist who interviews people every day, I was taught early that questions are good if asked without bias and encourage conversation. Also important is actually listening to the answers with the same open mind. This is how you promote conversation, not conflict.
It is also is important to "read the room" and know when to speak.
Thanks all for your input and opinions. Each is valued and equally important. This is what makes doing what I do so rewarding.


JP