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Comment by ok_dad | Hacker News Reader

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.

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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.

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