Installing A Tesla Motor In An Old Jaguar

Installing the Tesla motor didn't need to be the first step in this project, but why not. I go over the frame modifications needed to get the Tesla Model 3 rear subframe and drive unit installed in the back of the 1950 Jaguar Mark V.
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[@csn583]

Good thing you did all that scanning and CAD so you didn't have to grind and cut to fit as it was slowly lifted into place! 😂

[@michaelheinrich44]

'cutted 3 times and still too short'....

[@hannahranga]

That's how it would have been done in the factory

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Story of my life. Spend forever carefully planning and measuring, and end up just winding it 😂

[@pbgd3]

Grind? 3 lb sledge and tappy tap tap.

[@jekanyika]

It just slipped right in.

[@losotech206]

Your method for quickly converting C channel into N and U channel is life changing. Thank you! 🤣

[@paweszczepanski6738]

This is awesomely interesting, superbly edited and beautifully narrated. AND entertainingly funny. Might I add I love what You did with the Honda.

[@KipppopotamusJR]

Still think keeping the high roof will look more aloof and mysterious than going for a chop

[@electricvehiclehead]

Yes plz don’t chop it!

[@jessecox6003]

Great stuff! Fills the time between Project Binky updates.

[@awjelfs5034]

Good to see a auto artist at work. I think EV kits for classics will be big business.

[@UmmYeahOk]

Agreed. It will take some time for all the haters to die out, but just like with fuel injection and automatic transmissions, eventually that will be what people want. It’s one thing to EV swap a rare classic, but some models had literally hundreds of thousands, even millions made. Those are great candidates for EV swaps. Imagine getting into a classic car, and having it start up and drive instantly, also instant torque. I do wonder about fast charging though. I do wish Superfast Matt would touch on this, other than his reasoning why he won’t use a supercharger on the jag. There are thermal runaway fears, as fast charging does heat up these things quite a bit, and there’s not a good way to precondition the batteries. Enthusiasts want to be able to drive the cars long range to meets and events, and if they can only go 200 miles before being stuck with level 1 or level 2 charging well, now they’re stuck charging for a day. Cars are meant to be driven, not trailer queens.

[@RxMalice]

Awesome content! Love the care-free, but logical engineering approach with the humor sprinkled throughout. I am definitely interested in how you used the Intel RealSense LiDAR as a 3D-scanner!

[@djfast3]

you are doing all of the projects I have ever wanted to do. bike motor in a small car, Grom motor swap, and now a Tesla powered old car.

[@bitterlemon6465]

Love the project, attitude, and fabrication skills. Can't wait to see how it progresses :)

[@jameskeal8957]

Love the way you explain all the things that could possibly go wrong. It just makes the story better than cutting it out. Keep it interesting for your viewers for sure. Once you get the major project completed you have to content with the rest ,which I'm sure will be just as interesting to follow .

[@Handskemager]

The amount of faceslapping to Tesla is amazing ty! :)

[@OkOk-kk5ys]

Thanks for letting me hang out in your garage while you do your build. Jags seem to always have the coolest body design.

[@wjvanderwesthuizen]

I just love your kind of humor! I can't wait to see the finished product.

[@BigAdam2050]

Cad ... with no cardboard? Witchcraft.

[@gstorhof1]

This is an awesome build unlike anything else on youtube! I am super excited for more! I like CAD portions also, i havent seen anyone on youtube use a scanner like thid

[@jeppewerring]

I would love to see more fabrication in this series.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

I'm not sure if this is intentional but you remind me of Alton Brown in a very good way! This project is teaching me a much about electric cars which is undoubtedly what all future cars will be. So this is like a free earlier education! Thank you!

[@peetspot]

Really awesome video, I love your humor and explanations! I hope you go into real detail on how to control and wire the motor and the overall wiring of you car. Nice job, keep it up!

[@malakiblunt]

your right to be cautious about how much in reverse testing manufacturers do . Turns out citroen did not test the 2CV above 10mph in reverse -because if you exceeded this for any distance a gear would unwind from the shaft seizing the box permanently solid. - as i found out to my cost.

[@SuperfastMatt]

yikes! Time to swap in a literbike engine and transmission ;)

[@Maccaroney]

This is my favorite channel.

[@SuperfastMatt]

:)

[@bernibeckmann9753]

No, this is MY favourite channel.

[@Autobotsunited]

@@bernibeckmann9753 - something my 3 year old would say.

[@bernibeckmann9753]

@@Autobotsunited your non gender specific 3yr. old has a bright future judging by his/her potential utterances

[@Autobotsunited]

@@bernibeckmann9753 thank you

[@niall21]

The tesla wheels are shockingly good on this. Way better than on a tesla lol

[@m.b.82]

Yeah I was startled at how stupid it was that they looked so good too.

[@sidney9534]

7:35 Matt, I think you can just clean inside very well, spray it with weld-through zinc primer and weld it. Then make some drain and access holes, paint it from the inside using a hose spray. Then on top of that spray some rust inhibiting oily coat in there and it will be sweet. Actually in California you can probably leave it bare metal and it will be fine :)

[@brackcycle9056]

I kinda agree , could be better weld it up & spray with dinitrol cavity wax ( is the best one I know so far, foams up as it goes in & spreads ).through small holes. In the UK we have both salt on the roads & the need to get the car re-registered & inspected if you cut the frame.

[@sidney9534]

@@brackcycle9056 yeah, I know the pain of strict regulations too. Americans have it so good (in this aspect)

[@bstarling5250]

Love the humour. earned a subscription. Love jags. never heard of the Mark 5. Will be awesome car. all hail the algorhythmn.

[@jozsefizsak]

Tremendously entertaining as well as interesting.

[@calbackk]

Fortunately I have learned from my compatriot, the comedian Ismo (Leikola), that big ass metal plate (8:04) means just big metal plate. Otherwise I, being a Finn, would be confused. 😂

[@wdbland0820]

Very well done. This exactly how swaps go, not mentioned nearly enough. The reason why many projects are abandoned.

[@who_is_john_galt]

In a few months: "The car we're featuring today, here on Jay Leno's garage, is a Jaguar, but not just any Jaguar, no...

[@donaldwright2426]

Realy realy like your sens of humour! And nice fit!

[@davidelliott5843]

I’ve found chain saw bar oil thinned with white spirit makes an excellent anti rust coating. It’s cheap so you can fill up box sections then pull bottom plugs to let out the excess. I took the scale and rust off some scrap steel and left it out to weather. 6 moths later no rust. Cleaned off 1/2 of it with water soluble degreaser. Left it for another 6months and only a few patches were drying to oxidise. The untouched oil was clean metal.

[@nickybritain4900]

Well done! I’m so anti pressure washing these old timers, I think it just helps more rust to start where maybe it wasn’t before. Just wondering if oil thinned with cellulose thinners would be a good option, the thinners would evaporate leaving the oil having penetrated deep into cracks and hidden crevices etc, maybe?

[@listerjones]

I'm currently starting a Jaguar MK2 tesla conversion and was thinking "why not just use the tesla subframe"....aaaaaaaand then I found you thought the same, but first, as in before me, as in yay i'm not the only crazy guy out there. Good work buddy.

[@scotmartin4460]

This is an Amazing project! I'll say this about Teslas, they are very definitely quiet. Tesla drivers seem to be even more oblivious to traffic hazards and pedestrians than usual. Crossing a street at a corner is THE most dangerous place for pedestrians. Tie a BELL to that s***!

[@prozacgod]

Rust colored snot... ah yes... I can relate - I once painted up a bunch of large rc car bodies with a friend, and we didn't have any good filler paint so we just used some random enamel paint he had, that was ... beep blue... I was somewhat worried about the color of my boogers a couple days later when that evenings festivities were forgotten. And then he mentioned it a few days later and we both realized... male bonding at it's finest, what's the value of a blue booger between friends?

[@turf63]

I’m subscribed and watching intently. Can’t wait to see how this shakes out. I have a Land Rover 1964 series 2a that I’ve been thinking about putting an LS in, but the EV conversion has always been on my mind. Hopefully I can learn from your experience

[@rendas123]

Great content, right now binge watching all videos 👍🏼

[@marcbrasse747]

I'd close all those new frame members with welding.You can leave a few acces holes with stengthened rims for rustproofing.

[@digitalawareness4282]

Love the commentary on your vids...keep us up to date on the build...

[@djsalose]

I think it was i good idea not to mount it backwards. i worked at the polestar 2 drivetrain (i know, not tesla) but on the p2 there are some things that dont like running in reverse for long times, mostly the transmission-housing oil-trap and other lube related things. also the micro-geometry on the gears are optimised for forward.

[@moagnor]

WOW! Just found this channel today! Cool project! :)

[@jimclarke1108]

You have just opened up the door for of us older classical car enthusiast, solve the fuel problem))

[@ChrisBaileyMusic]

I'm hooked. My new favourite channel. Keep em' coming.

[@JockeSelin]

Can’t wait till you find that guy who knows it all. My fabricobbling could definitely do with a few chats with him. Till then, I’ll keep returning like a dog to a neighbourhood lamp post.

[@dalecollison791]

Rust coloured snot 😄 classic!!! Good job mate! Love your work

[@davidelliott5843]

Others no doubt said it but Spitfire designer Reginald (RJ) Mitchell actually did say “if it looks right, it probably is right”. That original Jaguar chassis does not look right it’s also fairly obvious that a design correction would not have affected rear seat passengers.

[@wojtekpawlowski4951]

Great! I really liked you notice Jaguar have not used computer, so you dont do either.

[@logiclackey]

I can't believe all the obvious misses by the Tesla engineering team! How did they not see this use case?

[@SuperfastMatt]

It's like they're not even trying.

[@MarcOppelt]

Now you need one of those systems that plays engine noises thru the stereo. You could get different tracks: McClaren V12, Big Block Chevy, Honda V-TEC, Diesel Tractor...

[@Carsnacksmark]

Great video mate. Nothing is ever straight forward: awesome project!

[@igorschannel]

I always have so much fun watching your videos. It's awesome. Keep this going. Hope we can build something together someday.

[@simonyoung4722]

Now this is why ev is so exciting, how to bring the old up to the new. Good job.

[@mirvine1]

" and it should just slip right in ... annnnnd .... oh what the f ..." LOL!

[@fredfarnackle5455]

Fun project. I like your style. Subscribed.

[@henrydarrow6812]

18" wire wheels would look awesome. Or maybe detroit steele wheel co. Check them out. 👍

[@SuperfastMatt]

I kept the original hub caps in case I want to get some wide steelies. And wire wheels look so good on the Mk 4. It’s tempting.

[@henrydarrow6812]

@@SuperfastMatt do.it, and if you don't do it, do it better.

[@diyguy446]

WOW!!!! amazing .... goooooood jooooob. I'm really interested to learn about the battery interface and making this drive unit run....

[@matthewspry4217]

You probably got the rear alignment down better than Tesla on the 3 , sceeeewwwiifffy

[@crackedemerald4930]

9:16 Hearing Police here, you've been fined 1db for not wearing hearing protection while using the sparky spinny disk, you're lucky the Eye Protection Police is on strike.

[@karelvanderwalt3625]

I just knew it was going to be a snug fit when you used the hammer

[@pco1984]

Just goes to show, that to get it in you need to work on your foreplay. Love the project man, till the next!

[@Ryukachoo]

0:50 Got a tip from Michael breme of ev west, they do a ton of these conversions and he warned me away from doing this (into a c3 Corvette) The model 3/s rear suspension are designed for ungodly heavy GT cars, so the rear suspension is modern but not designed like a sports car. Basically don't subframe swap into stuff that can handle a corner or has aftermarket suspension upgrades

[@Mrelectric423]

Are you still doing the c3 ev conversion? Sounds interesting

[@Ryukachoo]

@@Mrelectric423 Yeah, it'll be on a different channel, CorVolt, but there isn't much there since it hasn't really started yet. I have to save up to buy drivetrain parts

[@Mrelectric423]

@@Ryukachoo I’ve had 2 c3 vettes over the past few years. I want to do an ev conversion too. Haven’t for the same reason

[@TheOneLifeRider]

"and then it should just slip right in... " :D

[@noobrefinisher5443]

not a electric car fan but in saying that building one would definitely be fun

[@shepherdsknoll]

I marvel at your engineering prowess but wonder if wouldn’t be cheaper and easier to fit the body to an old Model S frame. Of course you’d have to buy an old Model S.

[@torreym]

Dude!, yes! This rocks!

[@nikijester502]

This project gives me hope for our automotive future!

[@tomb5396]

excellent work so far!

[@adelaidewinetours]

Amazing work and great information, Thank You

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

Brilliant

[@Andi_Doci]

They have to, If you hit the brakes that's negative acceleration and therefore the whole weight of the car as to be stopped just you first accelerated. Cars do 0-60 slower than 60-0! But, in case of components holding up, I would look into how much force the regenerative braking system applies before the disk brakes are used and that would indicate that if forward and backward have no difference in durability.

[@briansaunders4745]

Really cool video. Intelligent and funny.

[@reidm1762]

The WTF moment was perfect. Some time later... Another great video Matt.

[@overdrivesgarage7030]

Get some weld thru primer, spray inside the frame plates, spray the frame caps and weld them into place. No aluminum U channel on steel, no rivets, no corrosion.

[@SuperfastMatt]

I decided to just weld the sections closed. But have you had good luck with weld thru primer? I've heard mixed things.

[@nc3826]

@@SuperfastMatt Instead of the substantial modification and reinforcements that were done. Did you ever consider welding rectangular tubing to create a bespoke stepped arch rear-end frame? That would align with the rear most attachment points. Using a template to keep everything aligned. It just seems more elegant and would add a lot more stiffness to those rearward attachment points. Or would that type of modification prevent it from being street legal? I just found this channel and as a KZbin wannabe expert. I just can't wait to watch the rest of this geeky soap opera, thanks.

[@crouchingwombathiddenquoll5641]

new subscriber, top video. you have great skills and determination. With this new electric technology cars can become beautiful again, don't need to meet a drag coefficient in a wind tunnel and look like every other cookie cutter vehicle.

[@greatdaneacdc]

Sandblast rusty areas before you even start to think about welding ! And fabricating !

[@chriswf]

Hey, I was curious how you mount the subframe with an understanding of where the ride height will be after the suspension is compressed? Do you just level the control arms or put the wheels at about the half way point of their full suspension travel distance?

[@chrishay8385]

Eccellent that things going to be bonkers when it's done.very entertaining build will keep an eye out for progress reports .crack on old chap

[@hozoiconcept]

look very serious work, yu are on good way

[@lowelllogerwell5146]

I want to do this but not to an old Jag! Where does one find the donor Tesla to hack to bits? Thanks.

[@fredericrike5974]

Why not start with the power train swap? We all know it will have to come out some number of times greater than normal patience will want but hey, that's the thing! And it really sets up the commitment to finish- the rust chasing only seems to be endless and who wants to start a project with endless? Actually, your process, starting while the body was still mounted, makes a lot of sense- the bit about the dogleg reshape and getting into the rear floorboard was much clearer that way. Very interesting- very!

[@noelcowie4617]

Nice project. Don't much like the wheels though.

[@nickybritain4900]

Those wheels are just NOT right for that old lady!

[@speedy_pit_stop]

Cool. I like it.

[@JoeyCreel]

This is so sick!

[@ajkolodziejski118]

Awesome, I’m taking notes.

[@callierens7796]

i watched this after watching Bob Newhart , so i was waiting for the punch line !!!

[@davidelliott5843]

I would love to see a decent size battery and electric drive into a Citroen CX. These were excellent cars often accused of being complex when in reality they were just different. They rusted off course as everything did before the late 1980s. They suspension and brakes hydraulic pipes rusted of curse leading to the “complicated”reputation.

[@LinuxGalore]

I'm confused, an electric car doesn't need a reverse gear. Tesla just add a speed limiter in the software and lock it into first gear. Then they just make the electric motors go backwards. For example electric passenger trains go backwards just as much as they go forwards so they don't have to shunt them at the end of the rail.

[@kyran5294]

it never slips right in :(

[@darwinskeeper421]

Have you figured out how to fix the rear track width issue?

[@itsjustcam247]

I see the project, hmm looks good. I start watching, instant sub, notifications on.

[@12x2richter]

How did you determine the height the subframe should be relative to the frame of the Jag? Raise it until the halfshafts are parallel and measure? Or just assume the bottom of it should all be on plane with the existing frame?

[@smartazz]

Looking good

[@abalakrishnan4152]

I think your thought process with this is very cool and logical. I'm in high school right now, but I want to go into automotive engineering when I grow up. I like CAD and laser cutting and stuff like that. Do you have any tips?

[@jennifer.juniper4845]

Fascinating watching your installation, the jaguar is great choice, did you buy it specifically for the Tesla install. Look forward to next chapter 👍

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Make sure you coat the touching steel and aluminium properly or you will get galvanic corrosion! Not good!!

[@piccalillipit9211]

*I LOVE THE JAG MK V* but I hope you are upgrading the brakes OMG they are terrible...

[@malte_volkerson]

9:13 I cried 🤣🤣

[@pasad335]

2:40 Isn't the toe control going to be opposite of what you want if you put the subframe in backwards?

[@3LFL3DA]

Cool project 🥰 but those rims are hideous

[@rex8255]

'...hit subscribe, and I'll let you know when I find that person". Love it! I subscribed. Will your car have motors on the front wheels as well?

[@Mercmad]

The subframe looks just like a Mercedes W124 , W129 etc rear axle assembly and instead of just a Diff and axles it has the electric drive unit. It's a great design so it stands to reason tesla bought the rights to use it.

[@Hippiekinkster]

I've been having fantasies of putting a Tesla motor into my 94 E320 Cabrio (triple black) which is the W124 chassis.

[@eddiebowens1919]

I'm starting to like this show.

[@bobpackard9527]

Old engineering technique you may not know about.". ""Ïf it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer"