The UGLY Truth Behind Electric Vehicle Conversions

In this episode we take a detailed look behind Tesla swaps and EV conversions in general.
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Special thanks to Matt from www.stealthev.com and Sam www.polykup.com/
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Salem, MA 01970

[@ramarimcrae691]

"At this point you've decided neither one of your kids are going to college ." LMAOOOOOO

[@boythee4193]

lol that line really lashed out at me too

[@timothynorman9170]

These days, that is actually a sound decision. Maybe they will go to community college, get loans and pursue a trade cert or get apprentice.

[@harwoods11]

Best comment I have read yet 😂😂😂😂🤣📖📖👍

[@justincaprani7151]

@@timothynorman9170 i did the apprentice route, no debt collected and i earn the same as anyone who has been to university in my line of work so i agree with that

[@9unslin9er]

You've got to be a total moron to send your kids to college nowadays anyway. At least with buying a money pit car, it still gets you from A to B. All colleges and universities do is kill your kids moral values.

[@o0Avalon0o]

My go to rule for DIY anything: _It's going to take twice as long and cost twice as much as you think._

[@DFX2KX]

Take what you think it'll cost, Double it, and that's your lowball estimate.

[@vandalpaulius]

Yup. For example, I'm building my second 3D printer and I already have used 220% of my expected budget..

[@benjamn3618]

More like [(2T+2$)^2=cost]×infinity You should practice with something "simple" like an LS Rx7 conversion😋

[@Wren4123]

@@benjamn3618 so many variables, so few equations! 😭

[@theeoddments960]

Yeah I thought rebuilding the front end of my skylark would be about a month in a half instead 2 and a half and 2 extra grand because of a bunk sway bar

[@hintzofcolorconcepts]

Before you spend 80k on an EV, consider ultralight aircraft, no speed limits, and cops can't pull you over anyway.

[@DFX2KX]

that depends on what you call 'ultralight' if you're talking US part 103, then there is indeed a speed limit (72mph I think?) :P Sorry, gotta be nitpicky for nitpicky sake sometimes.

[@KuraIthys]

Eh. I'd rather a kit-built LSA category aircraft. But I'm in a different country, so I don't know. XD I mean, those can be had for what would be the equivalent of about $20,000 US or less. Sure you need a pilot's license first, which will set you back almost as much in it's own right. But still... Speed limit below 10,000 feet is 240 knots. (about 275 mph) However, most small, cheap LSA category aircraft don't get much beyond 100 knots (maybe 110 to 130 if you've got a nice one, but those tend to be more towards the $200,000 price range.) That's about 115 mph. And yes, you can and will be doing that. In fact, it'd be unusual for an aircraft to be doing less than it's top speed except when trying to land or take off... Of course, now you're restricted to operating from airports... Also did I mention that your basic pilot's license only teaches VFR? So... Don't expect to go anywhere in bad weather or poor visibility. Or even just if it happens to be a cloudy day... (Clouds are the mortal enemy of the VFR pilot. IFR pilots don't care about clouds, but to a VFR pilot they're way more dangerous than you would ever think a cloud could possibly be...)

[@brandoncaldwell95]

@@DFX2KX It depends. Pilots license or not? Without a license you can top at 120mph only and fly days only below cloud lines. No airports with towers. With a license, you can fly any time and at night any airport you please can be landed at

[@hintzofcolorconcepts]

@@DFX2KX they'd have a hard time tracking you down to issue a speeding ticket to an anonymous ultralight which doesn't require ID numbers etc...

[@mikeaguilar7648]

And where do you land it when going to Kroger's?

[@cscheatum]

So this video tells me whoever creates the first affordable and simple EV conversion kits for gas vehicles is going to be rich as hell.

[@vogueisdeath2176]

EV west?

[@MrEvilTag]

@@vogueisdeath2176 ever look at their prices? Just mid tier batteries are too expensive

[@draven4464]

I think the real issue is trying to deal with the specifics of adaptation. Basically you would need to find a way to build a mount system for an electric motor and sell pre-built electrical harnesses, wires. Etc. and systems to reuse as much of the original equipment as possible, and it'd have to be on a car by car basis. Options packages add a while new level to that

[@mycarolinaskies]

@@draven4464 I think the conversion could simply start with an electric motor in place of the engine and transmission and you don't worry about the regenerative braking. Modularize batteries like Lego bricks fitment for easy upgrade. Older large bodied cars will be easier as they have room to spare.

[@vanderumd11]

No, stick to the money leave the poor penny pencher to gas cars. Batteries at $1000 per kwh are going to cost 10000 no matter what for decent range. Imagine it's zero in gas ever again. You need to pay for 15 yrs of gas upfront. It costs 30k to restore any classic lol you make way more money that way

[@nickmudd]

Could you do a video on the more ghetto EV swaps that people do with a cheap car and forklift motors?

[@RagothGrituk]

No fucking way 🤣

[@RichRebuilds]

yes, thats coming!

[@anthonybha4510]

These are my favorite. He should fly to NZ and do a calab w Gavin, KiwiEV!

[@giin97]

Yeah, I came here after seeing $2,300 conversion kits for old VW bugs, which aren't much more and thought, "$5,000 for a dyi EV? Iiiiiiinteresting..."

[@daniellust4301]

When this coming? You'll get a new follower The Day that video comes out!

[@Kittzz]

This video title should be "Uncle Rich talks me out of converting my 350z to electric"

[@blackericdenice]

The black guy with the fat white wife. Stopped me from converting my $375 2001 Deville, I bought from a police impound to electric.

[@blackericdenice]

@@eVOLUC I have a boyfriend. Do you want to see him?

[@chokeizm]

or simply ... some of your questions answered / advertising for our garage... but found it very helpful just not too much interesting like the older videos. but still nice to watch the whole way threw .

[@jnauttube]

It should be titled, Stick to Internal Combustion.

[@israelharold]

It should be titled, buy a base tesla model 3

[@PureEpitaph]

I work for a company and we convert gas and diesel buses to electric and have been through dozens of versions , it can be hell to do

[@NFLYoungBoy223]

Maxwell Rock are the electric buses faster?

[@crazydrifter13]

name the company already

[@NFLYoungBoy223]

The Brown RAT awe

[@NFLYoungBoy223]

The Brown RAT ohh okay

[@hungrynapps]

@@jasenrock :O

[@XaviarCraig]

As someone who helped a friend do a 318i conversion to electrical, this video needs to be seen by ANYONE even dreaming of doing a conversion. it sounds simple on paper but getting into the nitty gritty is very expensive and time consuming. Good luck with the model A

[@michihoffi69]

I had an 316 e46 with brocken rod bearrings and a worn out vvt, i thought about a conversion... I dropped that idea after one Saturday of Research.. I knew it would not be cheap but the numbers you get are insane, when you want it on the road here in Germany...

[@sh0cktim3]

This is why you pay a legit shop to do it, so you can go to sleep.

[@michihoffi69]

Nah who needs sleep? A shop might be an option for some people but not for me and not in Germany, the rules to get a car street legal are insane. And I also like to be in my shed and fiddle with cars, so paying for the fun part will never be an option :)

[@sh0cktim3]

@@michihoffi69 everyone not capable of doing such work. Hell id say most aren't. That's why if u got the money be nice to pay for it.

[@dpeagles]

@@sh0cktim3 It's to find a shop just to completely rebuild an old car much less finding one to convert to electric.

[@Kj16V]

"The trunk wouldn't open because the car didn't know what gear he was in." And THIS is why I hate modern cars.

[@giin97]

Wait... That's a thing?

[@giin97]

@Robert Slackware you're thinking about it backwards. The vehicle wouldn't electronically unlock the trunk for outside access, because it couldn't tell if the vehicle was safely in park, or in reverse or neutral, putting in danger someone standing behind the vehicle. Trunks do indeed have manual emergency releases inside. Still surprised this is actually a thing though.

[@quantumleap4023]

The tech in new cars is getting ridiculous. It makes me want to go back to the classics...

[@giin97]

@Robert Slackware lol, that mental image is priceless.

[@rogeliosilva1962]

If new technology it's so complicated, we should go back to free energy horse riding! Transportation, right?

[@remichie]

In this episode Rich smashes our dreams of a VW bus, 911, or 57 Chevy truck to EV with , with facts.

[@pavement66]

Give it a couple years...

[@HoorayTV21]

Well no, he didn't. He killed dreams of a VW bus with a 90 CD changer, 5 screens, and a bunch of other shit you don't need on top of an already expensive car. Fucking dumb. If you want to make your own tesla on top of an already manufactured car that at this point isn't really a car due to all of the manufacturer specific nonsense and then tried to make a Tesla from parts. Anyone that puts together old toys, cars, guitars etc will tell you putting a thing together as that thing is always more expensive than just buying the whole thing. Lots of ways around this price that if you were sane and not a fast and furious hype beast turd would cut thousands off that price. Batteries etc are gonna cost you but $200+ miles range? Maybe 20k aint bad. How far can most peoples gas cars make it before needing to fill up again? lol. Don't try and make your own Tesla kids, make your own electric car.....without cameras and monitors all over it. The fuck do you need screens for in a car again?

[@SweBeach2023]

Not really, those conversions can still make sense. You own these classic cars because you love them, don't you? And spending money on something you love can sometimes be justified. I would love to have an old VW type 2 and to electrify it. This even if it would be far far cheaper to just buy the gas as needed for the few miles these classics normally run.

[@01blackhills]

HoorayTV21 Yours is the most real comment I’ve ever read

[@polishherowitoldpilecki5521]

Volkswagen company is releasing electric Volkswagen bus. This comment didn’t age well.

[@rgs4x]

Moral of the story....buy a nice used Tesla and save yourself $20-$40K

[@Wouter-van-der-Molen]

or use up that combustion engine for a while :)

[@bullet_tooth_tony]

or buy something like ls430, a freaking house on the wheels! ..for $6-10k and enjoy the ride forever.

[@DeerKoden]

@@bullet_tooth_tony cool car, but in some countries putting a car like that on the road will easily cost thousands of euros (basically in Italy).

[@calholli]

or buy a nice looking vehicle that has a blown motor and transmission for 2k to 3k and start off on the right foot.

[@philspaghet]

@@DeerKoden Don't live in a shitty country then. PROBLEM SOLVED.

[@bigrob029]

Quality Rambling.

[@chuchfever]

Uncle Rich speaks- :Taking notes Intensifies:

[@RichRebuilds]

For everyone crying over the last year, I built a $2800 EV here! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4PRd62hob2catE

[@bobkul4868]

Great analysis and brought me back to my senses. I was thinking of converting my mountain bike to electric and when comparing upgrading my bike to a brand new much better e-bike with better components, battery/warranty, I bought the new bike and saved around $300 compared to the cost of upgrading my bike. And, with the new bike everything worked great, better brakes, etc. and I was riding it instead of screwing with a retrofit, risking battery fires and all the time. Your analysis is right on, it will be a used model S next for me.

[@jonbell7296]

Im converting tesla to an LS swap

[@greynolds17]

FWD would be easier....just sayin

[@chrismofer]

@@greynolds17 sideways LS

[@philtmonx1446]

Northstar driveline

[@elesjuan]

@@philtmonx1446 NO! Worst piece of shit GM EVER Produced! The LS was in several different FWD platforms.... it's physically a smaller engine also.

[@nopers2223322]

Buick regal engine

[@jeodude]

“Probably not me, this is for smart people and stuff” Lol!

[@TradeAlgoPremier]

Jeodude, don’t underestimate your capabilities. Speak good things concerning your abilities. 🙏

[@jeodude]

BlueDrive Diagnostics 9:45 mark

[@snoopu2601]

That's a good one 👍

[@robertweekley5926]

@@TradeAlgoPremier - He was Quoting the Reference in the Video, about Controlling the Robo Race Cars, through "AI Learning Systems!"

[@venzoah]

This makes the $35k Model 3 look like a killer deal.

[@MiGujack3]

Because it is.

[@MatthewBerginGarage]

If you can buy one and it is actually $35K. Good Luck.🤣

[@internettoughguy]

You can't compare buying a mass produced car to making a custom 1 off. The 1 off will always cost more.

[@eksine]

It's not $35,000 it's at least $40,000, don't lie

[@venzoah]

@@eksine You can request the $35k car through phone or at a service center even tht it's not listed on the website.

[@vintageexcellence]

I’ve done many engine swaps and converting to electric has some of the same problems. Keep these things in mind - The car you build will have little to no resale value, something will rattle loose regularly, some connection will give you continuous problems, the parts are not engineered to work together and the conversion is not engineered so something will be off (power/handling/comfort/usability/safety/reliability), don’t think you are going to use a pieced together conversion car as a primary driver - you must have a real car to use when your conversion car constantly breaks, and it won’t be as cool in reality as it is in your mind. For all the trouble building a really nice stock original gasoline engine for your classic is probably a far better choice and then you get that resale back. Imagine investing $60k into a classic Porsche and getting all of your money back when you sell it so you can then buy the next fun car rather than throw all that money away.

[@daniel73minshall]

Engineers are overrated ... You can do anything you put your mind to.

[@caaande]

You sir are a pessimistic mind. Not an engineer I’m assuming?

[@McMukMuk]

I mean, he's not wrong. First rule of car modding is that you'll never truly get what you want out of selling it if you build it to your style and liking. That's why classic cars with all original parts can get millions after restoration. They are something that was massed produced and people with the money buy them for life memories or because the value will only increase. Tuner cars and anything you will diy to electric are gonna be in your style and taste. No one will pay everything you put into it. If you want that, just go buy a telsa or other electric car and keep it pristine until you're ready to let it go. Anyone can literally do anything they put your mind to, but unless you go into production, it's simply something you're doing for yourself.

[@tgxperience]

@@McMukMuk That mindset is changing a bit though as the younger generations discover these old cars. Believe me when I say they have no qualms about stuffing whatever powertrain they feel like in there, and yes sometimes those cars are in amazing original condition. If/when prices come down on these EV parts you are going to see more rather than less of them regardless of any sell-on value. Having said that, resto-mod's at auction are doing quite well and I have to think that the 'mod' in Resto-mod will one day be EV.

[@fakexloser]

Damn.... Used leaf never looked so good! Plus I hear a company in Europe will start selling 38kilowat battery for the 1st gen leaf!

[@badchefi]

Lucjan Wilczek true that - but try to buy 2014 or newer Leaf -

[@paftaf]

badchefi Actually it’s 2013+

[@paftaf]

badchefi Oops, it depends. If you want to drive a leaf, get a 2013+. But if you want to use it for parts, the older ones are better because less integrated. 2010-12

[@syedbasiljaved6201]

When are they gonna start selling it, who are they, and in which part of Europe?

[@dantedlane2]

Dude hook us up

[@matttelz6014]

Come on Rich! When are you going to convert a Tesla to gas power???

[@RubenKelevra]

Well, if he goes that path, then completely: Coal powered steamer 😙🎶

[@gelisob]

I'm afraid that could get you stabbed

[@pontuslaurell8178]

haha agreed, that would be a sick show car. Like a big v8 or something like that xD

[@pit_stop77]

Ha ha, that'll get Elon musk wound up 😂

[@chrissavage5966]

Well, he does have a nice Chevy 305 going spare......

[@justinfowler2857]

Excellent video. It just goes to show that any car mods or restoration follow the same mantra, "You'll never get out what you put in to it." It is a labor of love, but not impossible.

[@luisaleman7935]

70k at that point might as well buy a fully loaded model 3 or a used model s

[@DavidJSmith-hl6kb]

Yes!...I Agree!...like the Tesla Model 3 Performance!...I am Just Saying!...God Bless!

[@omardude39]

And therein lies the point of this entire video?

[@jeremym8748]

Yeah. Or I can swap my dinky civic and actually makes something bad ass out of a normally slow car. I think it would be easier to convert it to rwd too, if more expensive

[@Dotseoem]

But what if you don't want a Tesla? I think the point isn't the power, but the conversion of a car they already like/love..

[@AlecWatersMusic]

You’re inspiring, Rich! As an IT guy with little hands-on automotive experience, this stuff makes me more confident in eventually taking on my own EV conversion.

[@LostMyName15]

Can't be the only one that was puzzle here... Cut the whole interior panel to get access to two bolts behind the gas... Really? Why not cut the two straps from the back instead? It's not like you will need them anyways without a fuel tank there.

[@VGScreens]

Doesn't look like it'll fit out the back.

[@Essiee261]

It didn't get welded in there, that's for sure. Drop the frame or lift the body. Those sparks near the tank amlost gave me a heart attack

[@ae86hachi]

It makes for an interesting vid but it was a completely ignorant way of going about it. Pulling the body off isn't difficult whatsoever. Poor ole thing didn't deserve that sort of butchery

[@elrondmcbong467]

Long Story short, buy a used S or X or even a new 3 and you can go to a big Vacation with the Rest.

[@GrahamCStrouse]

El One Mac Bong Nice if you have that kind of scratch laying about.

[@ksnax]

I spent years dreaming of converting my Miata - until every time I did the math. Lease return EVs cannot be beat.

[@nuhali1819]

I was looking into to doing this right now only in early stages of research what were the main problems with doing this did u have an estimate price you ended up with at all this would be my first project car

[@EarlBalentine]

Hey I remember my old 56 Chevy I could not push the clutch in and just turn the key and the starter motor would make the car move, that's just like an electric car but in slow motion : )

[@mrgrumpy5116]

you don't need to do a ton to have some fun, especially with an MX5 .. and you can carry Gas in a can.

[@DobroPlayer12]

Converting a Miata would defeat the whole purpose of the car anyway. It's supposed to be a lightweight sports car that handles well, and batteries are very heavy.

[@ksnax]

@@DobroPlayer12 While that is true, I think you are ignoring that an easy compromise technically to preserve all of that is range. Even with a gas range extender onboard, the early BMW i3 is under 2900 lbs. 80 miles of range is what you get for the generator-free version at 2635 lbs.

[@456volt]

Rich, I could not have said it better. I've been building/driving ev's since the 90's. All DC. I can't believe people think it is so simple to remove the ICE and transfer all the complicated and proprietary electronics from a donor Leaf/Tesla; and in the same breath say they know anything about electricity. I tell newbies buy a DC non running conversion for cheap, learn from it and get it running; then think about building a 'Tesla' race car. Maybe in the future someone will offer rolling ev 'skateboards' for body swaps. Only time will tell.

[@TheAefril]

Well said Sam!

[@aikonomic]

Isn't Rivian planning to do something, somewhat, kinda like what you said in your last sentence; offering skateboards to anyone to do whatever? Edit: Atlis, not Rivian.

[@calebharris292]

I'm actually working on making a cheaper electric drive system that'll also be far easier for converting cars and having all the accessories work :)

[@calebharris292]

@@garystorm799 working on it

[@DFX2KX]

@@calebharris292 I'm going to hazard a guess and say... DC Forklift-style motor with already-mounted controller and a selection of pre-made adapter plates for different makes/models? I mean, just a mass produced adapter plate selection for common engines would make it an intriguing option with some of the perfect-body-but-doesn't-start cars I see around here.

[@pompeymonkey3271]

"How fat is my wife?" LMAO! Very informative video. Thank you!

[@Danny_Lopez_]

7:32 "So, at this point, you decided neither one of your kids are going to college..."😂🤣😂😭😭😭

[@markdavis2475]

Good episode thanks! Just back from Fully Charged Live at Silverstone. Some amazing conversions there and yes....all of them were on older cars, incl an XJ-S and Ferrari 308.

[@xkitejunkie]

And that Delorean was sweeeeet!

[@JGCSRT]

The Chevy 305 being the Kix cereal of the engine world was pure comedy gold 😂

[@Ryukachoo]

And this is why you do.. -classic car, Corvette C3 in my case -chevy volt batteries, lots of power but only like 130 miles of range which is fine (4 grand) -model 3 motor, powerful but still efficient, and they'll get cheap soon because they'll be everywhere (5 grand) -one of those $3000 all in one motor controllers that interfaces with the Tesla inverter manages almost everything -mount batteries in the engine bay and gas tank location, mount the motor like a rear diff, no transmission, minimal fabrication -belt fed power steering that's only really on at low speeds -fast charger setup! Chademo because it's much easier to implement -probabky skip a/c at first Should be 15 to 20k, minus the donor car

[@gelisob]

Things like "soon" and "should" are not something I would suggest anyone to base their future plans on :) Add labor cost and you are also back at 30k or more - that gives you 150-200mile working used EV that has more features and is safe to use :)

[@Ryukachoo]

@@gelisob I'd be doing the swap myself of course. Not that I don't trust a shop, it's just that it's much more satisfying that way. Of course, it'll take 6 months to a year , which I'm expecting.

[@livemeyer]

Reasons why my 1985 Nissan 720 is the perfect candidate for an EV conversion: 1. It's already paid for. 2. It's a small, lightweight truck 3. It's a manual. No worrying about automatic conversion/torque converter issues 4. It does not have power steering. No need to engineer that in, it doesn't need it. 5. It does not have air conditioning. Ditto. 6. It has a truck bed. Once converted to a tilt bed, building a home for batteries under the bed will be easy. 7. It has almost zero rust. I maintain my vehicles. No, it's not like new, and yes, it needs a paint job, but since when is that important in an EV conversion. 8. I already know what I want it to do. I want it to be FAST. Doesn't have to be White Zombie fast, Nissan 350z fast will do. 9. It's a NISSAN. Let's keep it in the family. Looking for two Leaf donor battery packs, 48-56kWh is plenty enough. I'd be happy with 100 -140 mile range. 10. It's already in great shape for its age. I don't have to worry about fixing anything else and can just focus on the conversion. 11. I already own a Nissan Leaf so I know what I'm getting into and have realistic expectations. 12. It's not a newer car with a ton of electronic nannies. Nothing in this truck will start complaining when the ICE gets pulled.

[@davidcraft4909]

Thank you for this video. This just reminded me when I got schooled on how doing an LS swap on a 72 C10 will cost way way way more than the 1000 dollars or so that you would spend on a junkyard engine.

[@DanRossGraphics]

Really interesting sponsor! Thanks for uploading, Rich.

[@waterzonegt9179]

Tbh I would buy that 305 but to far away😭

[@greenhometony]

Isn't it a 307??

[@16driver16]

Same here

[@SuperVstech]

greenhometony no, the 307 has a thin balancer, this has the thick balancer to offset the 3.48 crank throw mass.

[@388gruardian]

In back to future 2 a hover conversion costs 40k. In 2019 just to convert to EV cost twice that! SMH 🤦‍♂️. I love your videos and content👍👏.

[@michael1234252]

Well that was the 2015 price range. In reality the Hover conversions never really caught on and never worked.

[@davidelliott5843]

A 1980s Citroen CX or BX would work nicely. The brakes, steering and suspension are all hydraulic. Add a motor to drive the pump and it’s sorted. Standard engines were only around 150bhp so no need to go mad on the motors and batteries. The front end space is huge for some batteries and the fuel tank space accommodates some more.

[@paulmiller591]

Wow Rich solid advice & highly informative cheers!

[@klassclown]

I learned more today than I ever thought! As EV tech evolves, simple swap kits will become ubiquitous. I’ll never do it because I love the sounds, smell and mechanics of an ICE. Great video though!!

[@lourocha]

After watching the whole video I realized how more ingenious than I thought Sam is. And I already thought he was pretty genius before.

[@331SVTCobra]

I would be open to the option of ripping out the hoity-toity "infotainment", using gps for speed, and install a prius AC in a modern vehicle's shell. Mustang or M6 convertible.

[@TheDeelunatic]

Thank you for putting this in perspective, I was already put off by part costs alone. I guess I'm more into the idea of a far simpler EV than what is being produced. I don't want infotainment, nor do I want AC, just a means of defrosting the windows, the ability to go forward and backward, know how far I can go before I'm out of juice, all with the necessary bits to be safe on the road like lights and wipers.

[@andraslibal]

If you want a Tesla powered Audi it's called the e-tron and you'll need $80k.

[@mailmanx69]

That was absolutely fascinating! Thank you!

[@joshuaupham5993]

Still haven't scared me from wanting to convert my Yugo. Dont need the best or fastest or much range.

[@GrahamCStrouse]

Joshua Upham That is such a lunatic project-I support it fully!

[@fyrrydr4g0n]

I've redone the math every few years on conversions in general, and boy have things changed. When my mom did her 1979 VW Rabbit conversion in 1993, it was the Rabbit, Beetle, Ghia, the occasional Type 2, and a few (mechanically similar) Porsches. The car still runs with the stock manual transmission, no power steering, electric vacuum pump for the brake booster, minimal instrumentation, and at the time, a homemade battery charger. Conversion cost to make a diesel Rabbit run for 50 miles on lead-acid batteries was around $5000 in 1992. Since then, the radio and battery charger have been upgraded, and we finally added a heater last year. And here I am listening to Rich run through the cost of CANbus integration of airbags and infotainment systems, and feeling like the old guy saying "back in my day"... Rich, you're the best. Keep up the awesome work!

[@peterdietrich1785]

I've ridden in Sam's Audi. It's amazing. Got me seriously thinking of trying to do a conversion too. One thing that makes it easier is that Sam used an open source controller and ditched the Tesla ECU. Do that and you don't need half as much of the original Tesla components (No Infotainment system on which to play MarioKart)..

[@wires4auto]

Well done Rich, many people think it's way cheaper to convert to ev. This is a great reality check for some.

[@patrickdaxboeck4056]

Your video is proof that too many people cannot do even the simple math. Sounds like a friend who once complained about drink prices being more expensive in a Disco than in a supermarket. I like your channel. Thank you very much !

[@TheBodgybrothers]

"disco"

[@tommueller8780]

Uncle Rich you haven't answered the question about your Mrs... 😁

[@harryconover289]

Are you kidding life is short amp much shorter with a pissed women

[@mennovanlavieren3885]

This is going to be a running gag isn't it? How is Rich going to get out if this one, while also working on his full time job?

[@vatomalo68]

I have the answer, she's PHAT! Only the best for Tio Rich

[@KrazyKrzysztof]

I saw the legs of his wife in one of the videos and she's skinny as hell. probably a hottie

[@sparkimoto]

I've never had an interest in converting a gas powered car to electric. But given all of the little things most people might overlook, like power steering, brakes, AC, lights, stereo, etc, an alternative would be to compromise and not go 100% electric. You could install a small engine to power all of that stuff which you would run while driving. And then any extra electricity generated, after powering all of that, could be used to charge the main battery cells. So, for example, you might use a motor from a common type backup AC generator, but convert it so it charges 12V DC. That may not work for charging the main batteries as I don't know what type of voltage is used on Tesla motors. But you get the idea! And the upside to this would be that you could get extra range because, you'd have that gas powered on board generator. How much extra would depend on the power output of the gas motor and the size of the fuel tank.

[@johnngaggin1243]

I really enjoyed this video. Also, I really appreciated this video. It's honest, and entertaining. That's rare on the internet. Strong work @Rich Rebuilds.

[@mattfranks4335]

So basically it's an expensive pain in the arse and you may as well buy a Tesla.

[@jkoorts]

Actually, so basically just stick to petrol. EV's are not cost effective yet.

[@mattfranks4335]

@@jkoorts They are if you got 70 grand .

[@jkoorts]

@@mattfranks4335 for that price i can by a house. Point A to B 70grand pffff

[@mattfranks4335]

@@jkoorts Where the hell do you live ? 70 grand for a house ! You wouldn't get a dog turd for that money here .

[@DFX2KX]

@@mattfranks4335 Yeah. in this town they're going for 100k, that said, 10 miles away (in the range of ANY EV, even scooters) it's like 30k... @Jaques I wouldn't necessarily write it off entirely. but it will not be cost effective *at all* unless you're willing to do the work yourself and take the performance hit of using something like a Forklift motor (which can work very well used in a small enough car). Cheaper still is building a dedicated EV on a bicycle/trike chassis, and those can be done in a bedroom if you have a bit of sense.

[@DynamicCash]

Yo rich I'm 18 and I just wanted to say how much I fucking love your videos. I can't wait to own an electric car!

[@sterlingsilver5937]

Watch your mouth young man. Lol! Jk

[@JoeyRodz74]

Yo, dude, wrong site post. There's no fucking in these videos. Close your other browser tabs, 18 y/o.

[@thelastmemphian]

Well you’ll be waiting for a long time

[@DeadBaron]

EVs may be fast, but screw turning a hot rod into an EV. A hot rod/rat rod needs to rumble and smell of gasoline. Taking that away and making it a quiet EV is basically heresy.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

True. Some vehicles are best with a combustion engine.

[@zellway]

Great vid. I helped a buddy build a EV VW using some kit he got online and you covered a bunch of the big talking points that often come up when people ask about jobs like that. I hope as battery tech moves forward we will see smaller and lighter units that will help with some of the issues.

[@fernandoherranz4095]

LOL I love how you have 2 different things going on here- the video topic of the EV conversion of your Chevy and then the voice over reality check. Nice work and thanks for clearing things up for me and showing me that it likely won't cost me anywhere near the $10-15k I was hoping to spend on my 2006 Corolla for an EV conversion.

[@randywilliams4325]

Some body makes kits to convert old VW . I have been looking to do an old Ford Ranger pick up . You could hide lots of batteries under the bed .

[@jaypee42]

EV West have lots of drop-in VW conversion kits. I like their VW kits because they are designed to bolt in, no cutting, and someday (if you decide to swap stuff around, or switch to a different body) the original body is uncut and can be sold to another VW masochist, erm, enthusiast...

[@arturopacheco89]

They had Ford Ranger EVs in 1999.

[@gslinger65]

"Probably not me - this is for smart people and stuff" hehe

[@twinturbotaj]

exactly, I've been following this type of electric-car-conversion for 20 years and that's been the basic situation.

[@HandyDan]

I love the way you explain the reality! I wanted to build up a 1920's era pickup truck and convert it to a Tesla build but I too estimated upwards of $35,000 even if I scored on some parts. I ended up buying a 2015 Smart fortwo Electric Drive and tricked it out! I just wish it had more range...

[@frankrizzo7781]

Thank you finally an honest assessment of an EV conversion. I help my friend convert his 1970 vw van. First off he is an electrical engineer and had spent the previous year planing his power train. It took a lot of work to get it done and still took a good 90 days of him working out all the problem after it was complete. After he did a second one he worked out a bunch of procedures and parts to do vw van conversion. Even after he got that business up and working he sold it because he could never figure out away to make economical for the average customer. The last time we spoke he was working with another engineer on the feasibility of running the shop out of Mexico converting vans.

[@riccardo1796]

Tbh the biggest problem with EV conversion is that the people who make them have the shittiest aesthetic sense Most conversions look like an ugly box and a rat's nest under the hood

[@nubreed13]

That's exactly what I thought when I saw the extra batteries in that wooden box with the wires going everywhere

[@dragonhold4]

There needs to be a Steve Jobs kind of movement in cars. Modern cars have gotten too bloated with the miles of wires, 5 dozen computer chips, a bloat of parts, in weird positions, and difficult access to everything. We need a minimalist and aesthetic revolution in car construction.

[@Species-lj8wh]

thank the government for all those regulations; Safety, emissions, fuel economy, etc. That mandate all the computer controlled crap in new cars.

[@OmegaF77]

Hard to repair, planned obsolescence, and inferior hardware. Great design.

[@dragonhold4]

Once inside, the organization of parts are very simple; everything else Apple does in their 'War on Repair' is extra. Cars need a push for streamlining. Hopefully too many of them won't go megalomaniacal against consumers. Ideally, more will embrace open source. Cars can be national treasures. I hate when these pieces of history are just discarded in junkyards and there's too big a barrier of entry to revive them. I also hope more manufacturers embrace something like Mercedes-Benz's "classic center".

[@OmegaF77]

@@dragonhold4 I think what you mean is not necessarily "Apple style," but more gaming PC style. For example, the way you can buy a powerful graphics car and install it without much hassle would be the same way when you want to buy a more powerful motor.

[@dragonhold4]

@Tech Witch True, that is ideal but its already kind of like that in cars. Cars already have a largely modular design for parts. However, I'm referring to the Jobs & Jony Ive disrupting era, (before the corporate switch to Apple's current megalomaniacal structure), that created an industry-wide competitive push for simplicity and minimalism. I guess there needs to be Streamlining(Apple) + Modularity(PC).

[@ApocGuy]

30K for conversion while you can get used tesla 3 for less money. madness.

[@MrApple187]

Where proof??

[@amazeddude1780]

Nothing better than being real. Great advice! Notwithstanding, I am looking at converting a 72 Karmann Ghia. Thinking along the lines of the 'crate motor' offerings from Ford and GM. The trick will be to find an adapter that mates to the VW IRS transaxle.

[@Zenobeus]

Thanks for taking the time, excellent video

[@ralphmenta249]

You just pissed in everyones cereal this morn.... lol. That RoboRace stuff is friggen awesome. Gonna do some research

[@SDMag619]

What about adding electric drive to one pair of wheels to supplement the existing drive system? Like a hybrid conversion? Would this be easier/ less expensive?

[@badchefi]

Salvador Magallon no, unless you drop a whole Prius unit in there.

[@KSCuberOfficial]

Think about it. Overly simplified, custom fabricators can't match the price of mass producers. Teslas cost 70-100k mass produced, expect that or much more depending on how much custom fabrication you want.

[@Cre8Lounge]

But then the Tesla will need servicing. Then the cost goes up.

[@waynerussell6401]

The $35400 Model 3SR is a real thing.

[@aikonomic]

@@Cre8Lounge Name one car that doesn't need servicing.

[@jackolivas4569]

then there is ove-engineering. DC is the simplest, though not the most efficient. some DC EVs are setting records.

[@StoicFighter]

So I have a old f250, was thinking about going electric but for 20,000 I can just put a more gas efficient motor and transmission in the thing and still have some money to play around with for other luxury’s.

[@mizravenkustoms]

Get an old Mercedes diesel And convert to vegetable oil - Like $500 - I need to do it myself because I’m financially dying with these gas prices

[@Tree_Cruiser]

For the love of God! buy a socket set you mad man!

[@jamesengland7461]

Right? Uses wrenches for almost everything, and then an impact in the end?

[@robinsonkaspar3395]

He blew his socket budget on the EV swap

[@SplitPersonalityBPD]

I dont even have any interest in owning a Tesla but I still watch these videos for some reason. lol

[@RedRepair]

Had s similar idea with a 68 firebird I owned , I contacted one of the companies you mentioned- I would be better of taking my body off and welding it to a Tesla

[@Durttay]

Thanks for the quick straightforward ev lesson

[@sirian52]

Thanks, Rich, for the words of wisdom. Many of us have the dream of a cool e-car but need a reality check.

[@bledlbledlbledl]

"And you want it to be completely TESLA POWERED" ??? Now that factory-made EVs are available, conversions are for people who already have access to cheap scrapped industrial electric motors and motor drives, and who have the time and energy to install the thing themselves

[@112428]

Yeah. For a daily driver, most people should just buy new. Personally I'm pricing out building my own 1970 Ford Mustang with an EV drivetrain for an eventual daily driver. But I also know it'll be like $60k when all is said and done using my own labor, and I'm literally starting from scratch (Dynacorn body) so it's more of a kit car anyway. I see it as a fun hobby for a couple years. Most people shouldn't attempt to build a kit car either. I'm a mechanical engineer who works for an automaker, and I'm studying electrical engineering on the side, so I'm qualified to do something like this.

[@matthewmeuleman3369]

@@112428 technically, engineers aren't qualified to perform the physical work outside of programming. In Australia you would have to be a licenced electrical mechanic to do the work, as Tesla's are a regulated voltage. Non electricians are only allowed to test for presence of voltage. A practicing electrical engineer is required to inspect the Install against documentation, then sign it off.

[@HamiltonMechanical]

toyota rav4 late 2000s has the electric power steering column. Works off electromagnets. Cool as hell lol. You turn the car on but not start it and you have power steering.

[@edism]

You mean it has a motor? lol, that's like saying a petrol engine works off sparks. I mean you're kinda right but come on lol

[@GeneralTischkicker]

Always dreamed about converting my trusty old Volvo 965 to an EV. Just realized it's never gonna happen, except when i win the lottery. So basically never.

[@ethanetn]

Volvo is going to focus on making EV's in the future so there might be hope for you

[@capedoryus]

Love the voice over. That's a nice effect that I don't see much on car videos. Kept my attention plus your dry sense of humor is great. Nice work.

[@mikeaguilar7648]

Sorry Rich, I have to correct you here. You can have AC, power brakes, and power steering using a 12 volt battery which can be charged by an alternator off a drive axle. You don't have to use the main battery pack to power those systems. 12 volt AC compressor, 12 volt vacuum pump (we in the racing industry use them because our lumpy idle and/or boost won't build vacuum), and 12 volt power steering pump.

[@Miata822]

I'm slowly planning an electric motorcycle build. I expect it to be A) Expensive and B) Not very good. In the mean time I ordered a real electric bike. Still, building one would be cool.

[@handyhippie6548]

it doesn't have to be expensive, or crappy. the batteries are the expensive part. i built an ebike that goes 35mph for around $300, with half of that going into upgrades on the bicycle itself, and i didn't buy a kit. a 5-8kw motor is around $3-400, a good controller about the same. if you use recovered cells from laptops, even the batteries can be cheap. it just means more labor on your part. i've got an old yamaha frame in my garage i've been eyeing, and i think i can convert it into a real screamer for less than a grand. double that, and i can build one that will have acceleration that will scare the crap out of me. check out the 50kw supermoto build by bomb squad, here on you tube. it's over the top, scary fast and expensive, but will give you some ideas. hell, look at the bikes they throw together in india, and asia on a shoestring budget. my work boots cost more than some of them.

[@PapaWheelie1]

I really want to build an electric motorcycle - the more mad max the better 50 mile range would be plenty but I want it to accelerate like a liter bike or harder

[@handyhippie6548]

@@PapaWheelie1 get you an enduro frame, cram a dc forklift motor and a 90v controller in it, shoehorn 90v, 50wh or so of lithium batteries on it, and presto! even furiosa will be checkin you out as you fly by in a blur. lol! good luck, i think you're gonna need it.

[@TyphoonVstrom]

I've looked at doing this several times. It just doesn't make sense financially.

[@PapaWheelie1]

Sideslip - yeah a beat up stunt bike can be had for $1500 all day or less

[@accidentaljester]

Don't ruin my dreams of an electric Porsche for me Rich. You make it sound like I'll drop $70K and I'll just be driving around a Maytag refrigerator. :D

[@danieljensen2626]

TLDR: Just by a model 3 if you care about budget at all.

[@gunner678]

Fascinating video and I guessed it would be cost prohibitive. I had a friend back in the 19 80s (I am ex military) who converted his old MGBGT to run on an old FV432 starter motor and a bank of 24 volt FV432 batteries ( FV432 is a British APC). This was in Germany with BAOR and the guy was a REME officer (electrical andmechanical engineering regiment). He had lots of help from his squaddies, a nice little project and it ran extremely well and could travel a good 200 km plus, so it was fine for commuting. But, it was hardly safe (driving around with a load of tank lead acid batteries on board etc) and these guys were highly trained mechanical engineers. All these things sound easy, until you look at the detail. Again, great video!

[@shrimpycorn]

I don't really care for beetles, but that one was mint. woulda been a crime to chop it up for this

[@unglaubiger5645]

Imagine how much fuel you could buy for the price of the conversion. It´s obviously not worth it.

[@GoldSrc_]

How much money you or the average person has already spent on fuel by now? it's probably a lot.

[@satibel]

​@@GoldSrc_ at a 30k conversion, and 150 bucks/mo, that's 16.6 years to save on fuel. you probably will trash the car before. Though it might make sense if you have a reliable vehicle that you're doing the conversion to, but it's probably break-even, unless you are doing the install yourself or with friends (aka free labor) plus you might save on maintenance down the line, a direct drive electric motor has few parts that can fail (mainly just bearings and batteries).

[@themodernadventurer4320]

Ungläubiger!!! One word: hybrid Im a v8 guy but recently rode in a pruis and was quite impressed. Would be awesome in city traffic, stand-alone electric is just garbage.

[@TIXLTIF]

you're not gonna take my Electric Delorian dream

[@satibel]

@@TIXLTIF this is one of the cases where it makes sense, if you want a specific car in electric.

[@phatpunxs64]

I love how you were using the grinder to remove the flammable gas tank...lol.

[@centralintelligenceagency9003]

3:38 So that's how Optimum Nutrition's pre-workout is made.

[@tigerseye73]

I did a VW beetle conversion back in 1979. Aircraft generator / motor ( 400 amps at 36 volts ). Lead acid batteries ( ugg ) 50 mile range at best. I built the electrics myself, as well as the fabrication work and chassis mods. I did it because I am a car crazy guy that has just enough skills and knowledge to be dangerous. The car was what I would today call, a terrible idea, but was a lot of fun for the sake of improvising solutions and overcoming obstacles. And I was able to do it on the cheap. I'm older now, and have thought about doing another EV conversion, but I'm wiser and not so gullible to think I could do better than Tesla or Nissan. Today, its just much more practical to buy a used EV and play with it, have fun. Used Leaf's can be found for as little as 4K. Same with Chevy Volts. Last thing I will say, don't lay scorn on that ICE powered car in your driveway. It still offers amenities and comfort that battery powered cars have yet to be able to achieve.

[@isaac3310]

I did it in high school with a $400 truck from a junk yard.. the process was difficult but totally worth it in the end.

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Is rich low key jealous of other’s conversions? But in all honestly you make good points

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

I now have much more respect for the asking price of a Tesla Model 3!

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@james braselton Huh?

[@shadowfire115]

Step 10: You realize buying a brand new Tesla is cheaper than conversation.

[@JosueHernandez-nu5cp]

yes but if your converting an older car for nostalgia/for the retro look its worth it :D

[@lukesmith3283]

Awesome video, truly enlightened me on this. Always wanted to convert my 2011 Mitsubishi Galant into an all electric video but it would be cheaper/more economical just to buy a Tesla. Question, in the future, will conversions be cheaper, 10,15,20 years down the line??

[@jamesipad204]

You forgot the cost of installing a changer at your home. A couple months ago, i had a client that just ordered a Tesla, and she needed a charger installed in her farm house that was built 70+ ago. It had a 60 amp service with a fuse board, electric dryer and stove, with nob and tube wiring. I recommend canceling her order.

[@manicmechanic448]

A 350 or most LS motors are a lot cheaper, and more fun too drive.

[@Hole_Motorsports]

manic mechanic and also still in the rat rod spirit

[@YEET-yh6qc]

But not as reliable or cheap to maintain and refuel.

[@manicmechanic448]

@@YEET-yh6qc bull shit! I daily drive a carbureted 75 Chevelle Laguna, and with the exception of fuel mileage, I can rely on it to go cross country. Any parts it might need I can buy for less than 100 bucks. Example: fuel pump $27. And I can get gas anywhere. I have yet to see a recharge station. And with an experimental build like that reliability is almost out the window. At least until you work out the bugs.

[@Hole_Motorsports]

YEET cheaper and easier to maintain, parts are available everywhere. Reliability is great as well people beat the shit out of those ls motors and they just keep going

[@manicmechanic448]

@@Hole_Motorsports I've never ran an LS. I'm referring to pre-tbi motors. And I won't. The oil pan would only be about 3 inches off the ground. And parts for are still cheaper than LS's.