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As electric cars become more common, so is the idea of swapping an electric motor for an internal combustion car. Luxury stores and hobbyists have been at the forefront, but other companies are working to facilitate the process. GM showcased a modular electric motor swap kit at SEMA last year that is obtainable with a Chevy LS transmission bolt pattern to easily pair with a variety of transmissions. However, if you can’t wait for that, EV West has another way to easily add power to your classic.
The company announced on Facebook that it would soon begin selling a Tesla box motor kit. And the important thing is that it is equipped with brackets that allow you to screw it to anything with brackets for a Chevy LS or a Chevy V8 small block. That covers more than half a century of Chevy products. Not only that, if there are companies that make engine mounts to convert other cars to an LS or small block, this will also be integrated. This Miata owner wouldn’t mind seeing a collaboration between Flyin ‘Miata and EV West to make a Tesla-powered MX-5.
In addition to the motor and bracket, the kit also includes the power inverter. The engine itself is a refurbished one by EV West, as Tesla does not sell new individual engines to individuals and businesses. It’s also important to note that this box motor is designed to bolt directly to a driveshaft, so it will ditch the drivetrain. The engine has a 2: 1 reduction gear before going to the driveshaft and afterwards to its differential. A representative from EV West suggested a 4: 1 rear as a good possibility, for an overall 8: 1 gear ratio, especially if your project is running somewhat small diameter wheels and tires. The reason for this is that, with smaller wheels and tires, the end result should be a gear similar to a normal Tesla, which would have a 9.73: 1 final drive ratio, but also has large wheels and tires diameter. Of course, you can also choose from a variety of rear gear sets for whatever your purpose. EV West built a hot rod with a similar setup and adapted it so they could reach a speed of 238 mph at Bonneville. You could also go with a really short gear ratio and have a completely absurd pull car or exhaustion machine.
The EV West rep said the box motor unit should be available in about a month or two. The box engine will cost around $ 30,000. He estimated that additional components, such as batteries, could bring the cost of a complete powertrain to around $ 50,000. Of course, that will vary depending on how many batteries you need.
