syc0path

I have an '88 Trans Am 305, and I've been looking to add more power. I've been looking into an LSx swap, but it's not as straightforward as I hoped. There are issues like finding clearance in the trans tunnel for a larger exhaust, connecting to a throttle-by-wire setup, replacing the vacuum pressure for the braking system, PCM programming, etc that I don't really want to get into.

There was a show on the MotorTrend network called Vintage Voltage, and it's about a shop in Wales that specializes in converting older cars into electric vehicles. They remove anything related to the gas motor (fuel tank, engine, cooling system, exhaust, etc, though they usually leave the transmission) and use the extra space/weight savings to add the electric components (motor, battery packs, battery charger and management system). It's a good solution for cars that aren't driven very often or very far, as it significantly upgrades performance while also reducing maintenance.

One of the episodes features a Ferrari 308 from the early '80s. They replaced the 220HP factory motor w/ a 450HP Tesla electric motor. I think the same motor would be a good choice for my TA. It's also a lot smaller than the 305, which would leave lots of extra room for batteries. Putting batteries where the gas tank is now would also give me extra range and improve weight distribution. I'm guessing I could get into the are of 200-250 miles of range... although I do make about a day trip that's about 310 miles round trip every few years. I'd have to figure out where there are some charging points for at least a partial recharge.

Any1 else consider anything like this or have any thoughts? I'm thinking this would probably have to be a DIY project, since a web search doesn't turn up much in terms of shops that specialize in these conversions. I'm certainly not shipping the car to Wales!

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

I think an LS swap is 100000% times more straight forward than a complete change in architecture of the car.

aliceempire

iTrader: (14)

I believe there is a firebird on here that's been ev swapped. I love the idea but cost and complexity is certainly higher than a current lsx swap.

midias

EW west make a tesla kit with small block mounts

soloc4

I would have to agree with this statement. Cost is another consideration, a junk yard swap would be far more cost effective than all new EV (wrecked Teslas are all but destroyed). Sourcing the battery packs seems to be the hardest part of the conversion, most of the companies that offer retrofit hardware do not offer power sources. Keep in mind that GM is going to be offering 30 new EV vehicles soon on a single platform (EV30 I believe), which would make conversions much easier. I am contemplating this for my '70 RS.

daferris

iTrader: (8)

I do not know much about it but I think Ford has a "crate motor" EV swap based on the Mustang Mach EV drivetrain. Might look into that for ideas.
Also Will Prowse on You Tube has some good info on DIY batteries. ( Yes it's aimed at off grid solar installs but again might be some ideas to glean from him).

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

All I'm getting from this thread is watching TV is easy.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

That thing is a disaster and a hazard to humanity. It should never be on the road. No living thing should be confined in the cab of that car. And it should be kept at least 50 ft from any building structures in case it catches fire.

vorteciroc

What car is this?

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

This is the only electric Firebird I've seen:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fire...rebird-ev.html

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Just took a peek at it.. yikes.

maroe624

Thirdgen with electric motor= Souless

tom3

Turning the car into an appliance. Interesting experiment but have to have a government grant to for it to make sense. But, different strokes for different folks.

8t2 z-chev

by far the easiest route to more power in an '88 305 trans am is a properly done 383 swap...

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

That is not true. All the things external to engine that have to be upgraded to make power with a SBC are the same things that need to be upgraded to LS swap. Anybody that's actually done it will agree. It really comes down to which platform you are more comfortable with and which one will do what you want. The LS starts the game with a much better hand.

ironwill

No.........just................................no.




While I realize that EVs are definitely the future (and that future is fast becoming the present), converting classic or soon-to-be classic vehicles to electric just shocks (no pun intended) my sensibilities. Just last month on a GM (oops, gm) news site, I read that the venerable, and long-running 'Project X' '57 Chevy, which has lasted since 1965 when Popular Hot Rodding magazine began the project, has been converted to an EV.

What's next? Cutting up a cherry 3rd gen SLP Firebird---or an all-original split-window '63 Corvette---to make them "trendy?"

'Heritage' be damned, I guess.


smh.................

afgun

GM announced an e-crate last year but it still isn't available for purchase; I believe that's what they used in the truck mentioned above. Magna has an electric axle called eBeam, but I don't see it available for purchase in the aftermarket yet. Electrification options are coming, but for now they're pricey. I think that the used tesla conversion is the best option.

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

Nope, not for me, thanks......

While I have no problem with anyone customizing their car however they choose* , for my money if I wanted a Tesla, I'd buy one.


*As long as the customization doesn't turn it into an unsafe hooptie, of course

syc0path

Sorry I haven't replied... I was busy w/ the holidays and work stuff...

I think "complete change in the architecture of the car" is overstating it. The biggest parts (engine, trans, fuel tank) all have to be removed for either an LS swap or an electric conversion. Plus an electric setup doesn't need exhaust or (in most cases) a cooling system, so that saves some complexity. The frame and body of the car don't have to be modified at all.

Well there certainly is an element of that -- everything looks easier on TV! Of course LS swaps are a lot more complicated than they look on TV too. I started putting together a list of everything I would need to change to put in an LS and it was a lot more complicated than I thought.

For me, the pleasure of the car is hard cornering, high speeds, and hard acceleration. Of course, it's the 3rd one on that list that's lacking. I would gladly exchange the rumble of a V8 for some real acceleration.

While I'm flattered that u would consider my "has barely enough options to be a Trans Am instead of a Firebird" car to be in the same league as a SLP Firehawk or a '63 Vette, the reality is that it's not. It was already missing a lot of its original parts when I got it. And I don't give a damn about making the car trendy. It's all about making the car more fun to drive, and exploring different options to do that while considering cost, complexity, maintenance, long-term usage, etc.

I would also keep the original motor, trans, and other parts if I ever wanted to revert back.

Interesting... another sign that these types of conversions are becoming more common!

Anyway, seeing the link to the Firebird eV that ironwill posted very clearly illustrated something to me -- I don't have the fabrication skills or equipment to build the battery boxes, engine mounts, various mounting tabs, etc that would be necessary for this conversion. On the other hand, I've done a lot of motor and transmission removal/replacements. I haven't done anything as complicated as an LS swap, but w/ that experience, along w/ the support and information on this site, it's within my abilities. So, I can either wait 5yrs and hope that a good eV conversion shop opens up near me, or I can slowly move ahead w/ an LS swap.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

From a nuts and bolts standpoint, LS engines are actually less complicated than the older SBC V8. Very easy engine to understand. People just gotta get over the idea that electronic sensors are voodoo magic. The whole thing bolts in to the car with the right parts.

The factory running gear in our cars is really pathetic. There is nothing worth keeping if you're going to build a powerful car. Nadda. Zilch. The big O. It's a strip it all out and start from scratch scenario. That means it's the same upgrades whether you start with a SBC or LS engine, except the LS is pre-equipped to make about +200 Hp more right out of the box.

LS engine will have extra wiring that needs to be integrated to the car. Seems difficult at first but it's actually fairly easy once you know where to make the connections. And you can make it easier or harder on yourself depending how you approach the wiring. And let's be honest about it, LS wiring harness is simple compared to the stock wiring on EFI engines of the 1980's. Doing is a TPI engine swap is way more of a nightmare than LS engine swap.