In contrast to most electric vehicle conversions that use repurposed Tesla drivetrains, this particular conversion relies solely on aftermarket components.
- A late 1980s Ford Mustang Foxbody from the early 1990s was fitted with an electric motor but kept its original five-speed manual transmission.
- It's now over twice as powerful as it originally was and, unlike many EV swaps, it's actually a bit lighter too.
- For this electric vehicle conversion, only brand-new after-market components were utilized, hence there isn’t a refurbished Tesla engine beneath its bonnet.
Converting classics to run on electricity is a touchy topic for purist enthusiasts, who want to keep old cars original with their combustion powertrains intact. But while you may not agree with all classic car EV swaps, some make more sense than others, and this early 1990s Fox-body Ford Mustang might be one of them.
The name refers to the third-generation Mustang built on the so-called "Fox platform," which underpinned more than a dozen rear-wheel-drive Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models. This Mustang debuted in 1978 and remained in production until 1993. It was much more popular than the downsized and depowered second-generation model.
But as was the case of most performance cars of that era, it wouldn't be considered fast by modern standards. Unless your Fox Mustang had the 5.0-liter V8 or the 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo under the hood, it likely needed over 10 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Even the V8 took approximately 7.5 seconds to accelerate the car to 60 mph, but this decreased to about six seconds after the introduction of electronic fuel injection increased 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 major issue.
The main aspects of this specific transformation are highlighted in a video posted by The Racing Channel are the traditional manual gearboxes, which aren’t necessary for electric vehicles, yet they enhance the driving experience without adding extra weight compared to their conventional counterparts.
Even though in an EV conversion When you remove the bulky engine, you typically add more weight due to battery packs, making the vehicle heavier overall. However, this particular conversion ends up being about 50 pounds lighter compared to the standard model, which is quite remarkable. With an output of 500 horsepower and over 700 pound-feet of torque, it ought to accelerate as swiftly as a spacecraft.
The current transmission might not withstand all that torque since it wasn’t built for such power, yet the creators intend to maintain a manual setup. Thus, they’ll most likely install a fresh transmission once this one inevitably gives out.
The weight distribution across the two axles remained balanced by dividing the battery pack evenly: roughly half of it is positioned beneath the hood, surrounding the drivetrain, inverter, and various electronic components, with the remaining portion 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 speed and subtle vibrations from the clutch engagement during gear shifts. If I were behind the wheel, I might opt to utilize the clutch more frequently simply due to its availability. This approach likely surpasses systems found in certain vehicles that simulate manual transmission features alongside internal combustion engines.
While EVs don’t need a manual transmission Since these engines provide substantial torque almost instantly at very low revolutions, 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 there’s ample torque 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 method preserves the original transmission, driveshaft, differential, axles, and all standard suspension parts, making it the simplest approach to undertake.
Would you transform an antique piece to operate on electric power like this one? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
More EV-Swapped Classics
- The Early Mazda Miata Functions Well When Converted Into an Electric Vehicle
- EV-Converted 1928 Ford Model A Pickup: The Prohibition Era Electric Vehicle
- This Tesla Plaid-Driven Cobra Is Ridiculously Fast
- Audi's Electrified A2 Restoration Project Makes More Sense Than You Might Imagine
- Transforming This Mercury Comet Wagon Into an Electric Vehicle Should Cost Less Than $4,000
- A vintage Jeep conversion makes for an ideal father-son project. It’s also quite budget-friendly.
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