In contrast to typical electric vehicle conversions that use refurbished Tesla drivetrains, this particular conversion solely utilizes after-market components.
- In the early 1990s, a Ford Mustang Foxbody underwent an upgrade where its engine was swapped out for an electric motor but kept its original five-speed manual transmission intact.
- It has become more than double the power it initially had, and unlike many electric vehicle conversions, this one is also slightly lighter.
- For this electric vehicle conversion, only brand-new after-market components were utilized, which means there isn’t a refurbished Tesla engine beneath its hood.
Modifying vintage automobiles to operate on electric power is a sensitive subject among traditionalist aficionados, as they prefer maintaining these vehicles' authenticity with their original internal combustion engines. However, although you might disagree with every conversion of classic cars into electric versions, certain transformations prove to be more sensible choices than others, and this early example illustrates just that. 1990s Fox-body Ford Mustang might be one of them.
The designation alludes to the third-generation Mustang constructed using what’s known as the "Fox platform." This chassis supported over a dozen rear-wheel-drive vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. The Mustang in question hit the market in 1978 and stayed in production up till 1993. It significantly outsold its smaller and less powerful predecessor of the second generation.
However, like many performance cars from that time period, it would not meet contemporary speed standards. Without either the 5.0-liter V8 or the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in your Fox Mustang, achieving a 0 to 60 mph acceleration typically took more than 10 seconds. Even so, the V8 required approximately 7.5 seconds to accelerate the car to 60 mph, which improved to around the six-second mark after electronic fuel injection enhanced the engine’s power to 225 horsepower.
Perhaps that's why the fact that the low-mileage, single-owner Mustang was electrified by FuelTech in Georgia doesn't seem like such a significant issue.
The main aspects of this specific transformation are highlighted in a video posted by The Racing Channel The original manual transmission, which is not necessary for electric vehicles, nonetheless enhances the driving experience without adding extra weight compared to the standard model.
Even though in an EV conversion When you remove the bulky engine, you typically end up making the vehicle heavier due to added battery packs. However, this particular conversion is about 50 pounds lighter compared to the standard model, which is quite remarkable. With an output of 500 horsepower and more than 700 pound-feet of torque, it ought to deliver performance akin to a spacecraft.
The current transmission might not hold up under all that torque since it wasn’t built for such power, but as the constructors intend to maintain a manual setup, they’ll probably replace it with a new gearbox once it inevitably gives out.
The weight distribution across the two axles was maintained evenly by dividing the battery pack (capacity not specified). Approximately half of it is positioned beneath the hood, near the drivetrain, inverter, and various electronic components, with the remainder located at the rear.
During their drives, the most peculiar aspect of operating the vehicle involves changing gears. The process mirrors what one would experience with a conventional gasoline-powered car, complete with audible changes in engine revs and subtle vibrations from the clutch engagement during gear shifts. If I were behind the wheel, I might find myself using the clutch excessively simply due to the tactile feedback it provides. This approach likely surpasses systems featuring artificial gear engagements and faux internal combustion sounds used by certain automakers.
While EVs don’t need a manual transmission Since these vehicles offer substantial torque even at almost zero revolutions per minute, owning one with interchangeable gears becomes particularly appealing for enthusiastic drivers. If you prefer not to shift frequently, you can keep it in second or third gear because it provides ample power to launch the vehicle efficiently without needing to start in first gear.
The most impressive aspect is that you don’t need to use the clutch to separate the motor from the transmission because the electric motor’s revolutions per minute drop to zero upon stopping. We believe there’s significant potential for such modifications, particularly as this approach is quite straightforward—it allows you to retain the vehicle’s original transmission, driveshaft, differential, axles, and all standard suspension parts.
Would you transform an antique item to function with electric power like this one? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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- Audi's Electric Revamp of the A2 Proves to Be Smarter Than Expected
- Transforming This Mercury Comet Wagon Into an Electric Vehicle Should Cost Less Than $4,000
- A vintage Jeep electric conversion makes for an ideal father-son project. It’s also quite budget-friendly.