Table of contents for Issue 01 - Fall 2022 in EV Builder Guide

So,I guess I'm not the only one who's super intrigued by the electric vehicle revolution. I am a gas burner through and through, but the thought of more power with less waste has a really nice ring to it. My name is Chris Hamilton, and I am the lead editor for this book along with a few others. EV conversions fascinate me, and the new OEM EV releases are nothing less than amazing. I am a long-time automotive journalist who is a believer in alternative lifestyles for the general population, I customize, modify and modernize anything on four wheels, and I am really interested to know what interested you as well. Let's chat! With an ever-changing automotive industry comes a journalistic responsibility to evolve with the environment. Lately, one major…

I N a scene dominated by LS engine swaps, the custom truck community has very few attention-commanding motor upgrades, though the triedand-true 350 or something along the lines of an LT mill are readily available and reliable. Of course, builders can find other alternatives to these selections, but many have disregarded one particular path as a legitimate source for power and torque—electric! That's right. It is possible to build and drive a truck without a gas-guzzling engine underneath the hood. All we needed was for someone to come out and prove to us that assembling the parts and fabricating the install is feasible, even though the entire process may still sound as foreign as building a spacecraft. But have no fear! Wait to cast any and all doubts until after you take…

T HE Holley High Voltage Experience debuted at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California. The location proved especially fitting given its proximity to California's capital, Sacramento, where the state's laws are passed. As most everyone knows, California is especially stringent when it comes to emissions laws, but EV swaps offer additional hope to California performance enthusiasts. Since EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, they are exempt from smog testing, meaning that it's now possible to EV swap your ride and have it exempted from future tests. Sights and Sounds Teslas dominated the first-ever event from a numbers standpoint, but that was to be expected considering Northern California is Tesla's home turf. Unlike events featuring internal combustion engines, Holley's High Voltage Experience was relatively quiet. Between the occasional gusts of wind, one could hear…

W E'VE seen it, we've talked about it, and now we've decided to dive deep into the world of electric motor swapped restomods for you to see what it's really all about. Are they as good as they say they are? Is the reliability truly there? How hard is it to comprehend, and how expensive is it to get into? Are there any entry level upgrades, or does everything require an unlimited budget? These are the questions we've been asking ourselves and the ones we're out to get answers to. New Times, New Title But we re not going to take someone else's word for it. We're going to live it ourselves! With the help of our partners at Legacy EV, we are officially launching a new title under the Engaged…

General Motors has announced that it will be introducing various EV components for different industries, including the automotive aftermarket. Among the most exciting are the Electric Connect and Cruise eCrate motor package, aimed at making the changeover to electric propulsion much easier for owners of internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, Examples, such as the 72 El Camino developed in collaboration with Lingenfelter, are aimed at showcasing GM's dedication to electrifying classic vehicles with advanced electric drivetrains.…

U NLIKE internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the vast majority of EVs on the road today do not have a multi-speed transmission. Almost every OEM electric vehicle currently produced, including Teslas, BMWs, Rivians, and the Ford Mach E, use a single speed transmission that provides gear reduction from the EV motor(s) to the driveline or axle. The fact that EVs can operate effectively with a simple single-speed transmission is a sign of an extremely capable and efficient electric powerplant. Electric motors provide consistent torque throughout a massive RPM band, all in a small and power-dense package. Gear reduction uses mechanical advantage to trade speed for torque. An electrical motor may spin at 8,000 rpm and put out 200 Ib-ft of torque without gear reduction. However, if you mate that motor to a…

W HAT if we said someone is swapping out the combustion engine in an old classic farm truck for a new fully electric Tesla Model S motor. Pretty cool, but you've heard that one before, right? That's what Mikey Rolleri and the crew at Savage to Salvage in Boca Raton, Florida, thought when they were planning their next big build. So, when someone mentioned adding a second Tesla Model S motor in the front, brainpower overtook horsepower and the excitement built up faster than the price tag, which is a factor to consider when taking on a project like this. With this particular classic Chevy truck, money doesn't exist. Only the absolute best will be considered, and Mikey better be able to do epic burnouts when it's complete. On top of…

We are Live FINALLY, we have our own EV retrofitting and modifying publication. So, indeed, we are live! If you're reading this guide, there's a 99% chance I'm preaching to the, ahem, converted. EVs in general have faced a significant, yet unfounded, backlash over the years, But the EV revolution has tremendously changed the game in the last 24 months, with substantial EV adoption worldwide. That said, die-hard motorheads did not initially show the same excitement for anything powered by electrons. But witnessing the sheer number of fantastic conversions introduced at the last SEMA Show, there is no doubt enthusiasts and, consequently, the aftermarket world, are finally embracing retrofitting and EV modifications overall. To the naysayers attempting to prove to the world that EVs in general and retrofitted classic cars…

Race-Prepped Mini Cooper SE to Hit Hillclimb Circuit “RACING Mimi Evo" is a Mini Cooper SE that has been prepped for Romanian hillclimb competitions (Campionatul National de Viteză în Coastăj in the 2022 season. With a stripped interior; roll cage, KW coilover suspension, and Mini Challenge wheels with slicks, the lightweight racing machine makes maximum use of its stock 184-horsepower motor. Stopping power comes from a Brembo John Cooper Works brake setup, which has been additionally fitted with a hydro handbrake. The EV monster will have made its debut by the time you see this at the Trofeul Râşnov hillclimb event.…

I F you are coming from the world of ubiquitous LS engine swaps, turbo boost, and ignition timing, all the electric vehicle jargon being thrown around recently might leave your head spinning. This confusion is completely understandable as electric powertrains are a completely different beast than their fire-breathing counterparts. However, regardless of your background, the intoxicating torque delivery of electric motors should be an option for all of us, no matter how much some of us cling to the smell and price of gasoline. Let us take the headscratching out of the equation for you and break down some common EV terms and acronyms. KW kW stands for kilowatts and is a measure of total power available in an EV, To convert from kilowatts to horsepower simply multiply kilowatts by 1.34. Many…

W ITH gasoline prices sharply rising with no plateau in sight, some truck owners may opt to keep their vehicle with the least ideal MPG rating parked at home until the pain at the pump starts to subside. While we all keep an eye on the fluctuating rates at the gas station, it's only natural to wonder how things are on the other side of the fence. In theory, electric vehicles sound so easy to use—just plug it in, charge it up and go, right? Well, for the most part, that's the general gist of how they operate, with a few differences here and there. Drivers who are fine with cruising around in cars that might not exactly be considered "lookers" [with the exception of a few Tesla and Rivian models],…

F you've been paying attention, it's no secret that we are stepping into the electrical vehicle age. Gas isn't in the past just yet, but electric vehicles are here now—and they're here to stay. Nearly every major auto manufacturer has plans to increase EV production and, in some cases, phase out internal combustion powertrains altogether As of the end of 2021, 55 EV models were for sale in the U.S., and based on current major automaker plans more than 100 EV models will be available by the end of 2024. 10% OFF CERTIFICATION COURSE WITH CODE "evbuildersguide SCAN ME DGT5 On the aftermarket side, the industry shows more interest than ever before in preserving the cars we cherish, but with the addition of electric powertrains. Nearly a dozen EV conversions…