Table of contents for Spring 2024 in EV Builder Guide

Onwards and Upwards! What a Single Event Can Show Us IN many ways SEMA is the annual pulse check of the aftermarket automotive industry. Exciting new products, mind-blowing builds, and major automotive personalities can all provide insight on the state and trajectory of the industry. Over the past few years, the convertedEV presence at the event has grown significantly. This year; in the “Future Tech” zone, more than 15 exhibitors showcased parts, tools and educational offerings that catered to this emerging technology. Additionally, over 60 electric swapped vehicles were on display, ranging from European sports cars such as a Jaguar E-Types and Porsche 911s, to American classics such as Ford F-lOOs and Chevy Camaros, all of which had been converted to push some serious current instead of burning gasoline. Not…

REVOLUTIONIZING MOBILITY AUSTIN, Texas, recently hosted the last 2023 edition of Electrify Expo, a landmark event in North America's electric vehicle landscape. Held at the iconic Circuit of the Americas, this festival marked its third year with more than 20,000 demo rides. Visitors experienced a diverse range of electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-scooters, reflecting the growing appeal of electric mobility. From major automotive brands to innovative startups, the event was a showcase of the latest advancements in electric vehicles and sustainable technology—and more than ever, converted-to-EV classic were well represented. The festival plays a crucial role in overcoming a major hurdle in EV adoption – providing firsthand experiences through meaningful demonstrations and test rides. Major Highlights OEMs Top automotive manufacturers like BMVy Ford, Lexus, and Porsche took center stage at…

IN the heart of Colorado's iconic Pikes Peak, history was etched anew on June 25, 2023, as racing wonder Lucy Block took the wheel of the Sierra Echo EV Block Edition, a masterpiece powered by Hypercraft, at the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. This electrifying debut marked a milestone in the transformation of classic cars into electric ones, and it captured the essence of a family legacy, the spirit of innovation, and the power of giving back. The Echo EV Block Edition shows Sierra's relentless pursuit of excellence.! Sources HypercraftUSA.com Sierra-Cars.com The Echo EV Block Edition shows Sierra's relentless pursuit of excellence. Born from the team's extensive chassis engineering and racing experience, this electric racer was designed to redefine speed and agility. From the ground up, it was built to…

EV Manufacturers Directory holleyhighvoltage.com Fellten.com besen-group.com cascadiamotion.com revoltsystems.com torquetrends.com curtisinstruments.com go-ev.com orionbms.com 057tech.com evcomponents.com aemelectronics.com/articles/performance-ev-controls Want to see your site mentioned here? Reach out to chamilton@engaged.media Legacy EV 602-518-3233 legacyev.com Wyld Garage 602-769-3798 www.intothewyld.com Gateway Bronco 314-302-6988 www.gatewaybronco.com Impatient Creations 205-664-1447 impatientcreationsinc.com Old Town Auto 360-560-7435 otacustoms.com JellyBean Autocrafters 604-427-4167 jellybeanautocrafters.com Future Electrics 306-370-8058 futureelectrics.ca EVOD Industries 760-737-0046 evodindustries.com Washougal Custom Classics 360-607-9082 facebook.com/washougalcustomclassics…

THE AFTERMARKET EV SPACE IS GROWING AT A breakneck pace, with new and improved products coming to the market virtually every month. Take a look at our picks for this spring, and stay tuned for even more groundbreaking developments. 1 Danfoss HD220+ M+C+T The Danfoss HD220 is a robust and high-powered PMAC [permanent magnet AC] electric motor engineered for heavyduty, high-torque applications. Formerly known as the UQM HD220, this dynamic system includes the motor; controller, and a two-speed pneumatic Eaton transmission, providing versatile performance in various settings—from school buses to mining equipment and consumer vehicles. With a nominal voltage of 360V, input voltage range of 250-440V, and a peak torque of 1,748 lb-ft, the HD220 delivers exceptional power with a peak output of 295hp/220kW and a maximum speed of 4,800 rpm.…

Builds Straight from Our EV Community I pave spent my life teaching students about materials, processes, and engineering and design. I have also tried to learn about fabrication methods and remain open to gaining knowledge from as many sources as I can find when the interest strikes me. As a technology teacher, my appreciation for innovation and the opportunity to electrify a classic muscle car intersected at the right moment after a one-year deployment with my National Guard unit left me with the occasional “free time,” when I happened to fall down the rabbit hole of EV conversions. The White Zombie and John, “Plasmaboy” Wayland, NEDRA and John Metric, Zombie 222 and Mitch Medford, and EV West and Michael Bream were initially my idols, then mentors, and finally friends during…

WHAT happens when you take a 1930 Ford Model A to SEMA and give it an electric heart? LegacyEV and Fellten showed the world in a dazzling four-day transformation-they rolled in with a classic, and rolled out with the future. Their mission was to enter the show with a roaring gas engine and leave it with the hum of an electric motor. The original 348ci Big-Block ICE engine and T-5 manual transmission were shown the door. In their place, the team installed a Zonic 180 electric motor and a Torque Trends TorqueBox reduction gearbox. But the star of the show was the Fellten 55 kWh universal battery pack – a powerhouse that snugly fits under the hood of most classic cars yet was installed here in the back of the…

AS cooler months descend upon us, so do tacky wool sweaters. If you've had the opportunity to wear one for an ugly sweater party, you may have also experienced becoming a conduit for unexpected static shock as you grabbed the serving spoon in the punch bowl. While unpleasant, this phenomenon can teach us a great deal about electric vehicle safety systems that can keep builders or repairers working on them safer from electric shock. What is Potential Equalization? When you felt that jolt of electricity passing through your hand and onto the metal serving spoon, you were experiencing a “potential equalization” across two different materials. You—and the thing you touched—were at two different electric potentials, or “voltages.” When you and that spoon got close enough together the shock you felt…

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OW, we have all heard the stereotypes about the kind of people who go into careers in automotive service and repair, right? It is a frustrating misconception that working with our hands is somehow not a worthy career. But even with the EV industry predicting that it will create 200,000 jobs in the US by 2030 and a growing number of EVs on the road, high-paying, high-quality careers as EV technicians are sitting vacant. So, how can we best prepare for the hockey stick-shaped growth curve of the EV industry and the jobs needed to support it? It has been described as hockey stick-shape because excitement and press around the addition of alternative fuel to the auto industry has blown up, but funding and actually putting pens to…

TECH 12V AND ANCILLARY SYSTEMS IN HV VEHICLES ELECTRIC motors do not need to be running when the vehicle is stopped, and they generate significantly less heat than their internal-combustionengine (ICE) counterparts. Most vehicles using ICEs rely on a serpentine or accessory belt to convert this idle energy to charge a 12V battery via an alternator, spin an A/C compressor, and run a power-steering pump. Furthermore, hot engine coolant is used to heat the cab via a heater core, and the negative pressure at the intake may be used to assist power braking or control other auxiliary functions. When we convert a vehicle to an electric powertrain, we lose all these passive functions of the engine. How do we retain these creature comforts in a converted vehicle? Read on to find…

STILL OUTAGAZ! IN the world of custom car enthusiasts, few stories capture the spirit of innovation and personal expression as vividly as that of Bucky Howard and his Tesla Model 3, affectionately named OUTAGAZ. Featured over a year ago in EV Builder's Guide, Bucky's journey from a gas-guzzling past to an electric, Technicolor future is not just about modifying a car; it's about redefining how cool an electric vehicle can be. Bucky's story is steeped in the neon-lit backdrop of Las Vegas. His upbringing, influenced by his father's renowned status in the gaming industry and his mother's artistic prowess as a professional dancei; shaped his unique perspective on life and automobiles. This blend of spectacle and creativity is vividly reflected in every facet of his Model 3, turning the car…

I MAGINE a world where a classic Ferrari purrs absolutely silently. Sounds like heresy, right? Well, hold onto your gated gear knob because Gas Monkey Garage, in cahoots with Legacy EV, decided to turn this wild thought into reality. Meet the “Testa,” a car that looks like it came straight out of a retrofuturistic comic book. It's what happens when oldschool cool crashes headfirst into the electric revolution. Gas Monkey Garage, the wizards of car transformations, joined forces with Legacy EV, the conversion vehicle gurus. Their mission? To electrify a Ferrari Testarossa in just 40 days with a budget of $350,000. You read that right—turning a roaring beast into a purring cat without losing its claws. The story of the Testa begins with Richard Rawlings, the maverick behind Gas Monkey…

OWNER NAME: JAMIESON G. DURETTE ■ Location: Bel Air, MD ■ Year, Make, Model: 1968 Chevy el Camino ■ Vehicle Name: Baby ■ Amount of Time to Build: Three years to get it on the road, but it has been upgraded, modified, and repaired in the time since. ■ Cost to Build: $40,000 ■ Occupation: Technology teacher in Harford County public schools MOTOR & DRIVETRAIN ■ Motor Swap Performed By: Jamieson G. DuRette ■ Motor Drive Unit Year, Make, Model: Brushed DC Netgain Warp9 tandem coupled to Netgain TransWarp9 ■ Power: kW/hp In low power mode, (1000 A/288 V) 288 kW/221 hp (measured); in “Boost” mode (2000 A/350 V) 700 kW/800 hp (estimated) ■ Torque: Nm/lb-ft: In low power mode, 473 Ib-ft; in “Boost” mode, over 800 Ib-ft (it exceeded…

AN automotive revolution is taking place in the heart of Temecula, California. Bill Cardoso, chief executive officer of Creative Electron and Scorpion EV who earned a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering, has breathed new life into an iconic sports car, transforming it into a silent predator of the twisty roads and tracks. Meet the Silver Scorpion, a 2022 Scorpion EV Scorpion 600. This beast seamlessly merges the timeless design of a Cobra with the cutting-edge technology of a Tesla powertrain. The genesis of the Silver Scorpion arose during the COVID-19 lockdown as a passion project between Cardoso and his 6-yearold daughter Being sensitive to loud noises, his daughter could not join him in the exhilarating drives offered by traditional sports cars. Determined to bridge the gap between his love…

EV ROYALTY WITH their roots firmly planted in Silverstone, a place synonymous with racing heritage and technical innovation. Lunaz is set to export its vision globally. AS we drive into the outskirts of Silverstone, UK, home to the iconic British racetrack, a different kind of engineering marvel unfolds at Lunaz. Founded in 2018 by David Lorenz and later joined by Jon Hilton, former Renault F1 technical director, Lunaz has embarked on a pioneering journey. Here, the past is not just preserved; it's reinvigorated with the pulse of the future. Our visit to Lunaz's headquarters immediately reveals a seamless blend of tradition and innovation. The facility, absolutely buzzing with action, is where automotive history is lovingly preserved and transformed. Classic cars like Rolls Royce, Bentley, and jaguar; each a symbol of…

EVZILLA: THE ELECTRIC SKYLINE GTR IN Albuquerque, New Mexico, car enthusiasts Eric and Amanda Dotson have made a mark in the automotive world with their groundbreaking project—EVzilla. As the owners of Evolved Imports and SQC Tuning, the Dotsons are known for pushing the limits of performance in the car modification scene. Now, their most recent project, EVzilla, a reimagined 1990 Nissan Skyline GTR, stands as a testament to the Dotsons’ dedication and passion for their craft. Born out of Eric's early foray into the automotive world, where he put himself through college working on car audio systems, the journey evolved into a deep exploration of performance enhancements. In 1999, Eric delved into tuning with his first turbocharged Honda, marking the inception of his love for pushing the boundaries of conventional…

A DEFENDER'S QUIET REVOLUTION IN the sun-dappled Bristol, UK, development workshop, a superb 1993 Arrow Red and Santorini Black Defender sits quietly. This isn't a preamble to another of its rugged adventures over rocky terrains; instead, we are here to discover its journey into an utterly new frontier-electrification. To the Land Rover purists and adventurers, the Defender's hearty diesel grunt or the V-8's rumble is music to the ears. But let's imagine it combining forces with the silent power of electric drive synonymous with unbridled exploration across both serene and unforgiving landscapes. In a world where progress often comes at the cost of nostalgia, a novel electric conversion system juxtaposes the cherished classic Defender with cutting-edge electric technology, heralding an unexpected alliance. Electrification, particularly within the sacred halls of classic…