The UGLY Truth Behind Electric Vehicle Conversions

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

In this episode we take a detailed look behind Tesla swaps and EV conversions in general.
Checkout Season Alpha of Roborace here bit.ly/V_YTSeasonAlpha
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Special thanks to Matt from www.stealthev.com and Sam www.polykup.com/
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Пікірлер: 2 400

  • @o0Avalon0o
    @o0Avalon0o5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @DFX2KX

    @DFX2KX

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @vandalpaulius

    @vandalpaulius

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @benjamn3618

    @benjamn3618

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Wren4123

    @Wren4123

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @theeoddments960

    @theeoddments960

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @ramarimcrae691
    @ramarimcrae6915 жыл бұрын

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

  • @boythee4193

    @boythee4193

    5 жыл бұрын

    lol that line really lashed out at me too

  • @timothynorman9170

    @timothynorman9170

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @harwoods11

    3 жыл бұрын

    Best comment I have read yet 😂😂😂😂🤣📖📖👍

  • @justincaprani7151

    @justincaprani7151

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @9unslin9er

    3 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @cscheatum
    @cscheatum3 жыл бұрын

    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

    @vogueisdeath2176

    3 жыл бұрын

    EV west?

  • @MrEvilTag

    @MrEvilTag

    3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @draven4464

    @draven4464

    3 жыл бұрын

    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

    @mycarolinaskies

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @vanderumd11

    3 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @hintzofcolorconcepts
    @hintzofcolorconcepts5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @DFX2KX

    @DFX2KX

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @KuraIthys

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @brandoncaldwell95

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @hintzofcolorconcepts

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @mikeaguilar7648

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Kittzz
    @Kittzz5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @blackericdenice

    @blackericdenice

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @blackericdenice

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @chokeizm

    @chokeizm

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @jnauttube

    5 жыл бұрын

    It should be titled, Stick to Internal Combustion.

  • @israelharold

    @israelharold

    5 жыл бұрын

    It should be titled, buy a base tesla model 3

  • @PureEpitaph
    @PureEpitaph5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @NFLYoungBoy223

    5 жыл бұрын

    Maxwell Rock are the electric buses faster?

  • @crazydrifter13

    @crazydrifter13

    5 жыл бұрын

    name the company already

  • @NFLYoungBoy223

    @NFLYoungBoy223

    5 жыл бұрын

    The Brown RAT awe

  • @NFLYoungBoy223

    @NFLYoungBoy223

    5 жыл бұрын

    The Brown RAT ohh okay

  • @hungrynapps

    @hungrynapps

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@jasenrock :O

  • @remichie
    @remichie5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @pavement66

    @pavement66

    4 жыл бұрын

    Give it a couple years...

  • @HoorayTV21

    @HoorayTV21

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @SweBeach2023

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @01blackhills

    3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @polishherowitoldpilecki5521

    @polishherowitoldpilecki5521

    3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @nickmudd
    @nickmudd5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @RagothGrituk

    @RagothGrituk

    5 жыл бұрын

    No fucking way 🤣

  • @RichRebuilds

    @RichRebuilds

    4 жыл бұрын

    yes, thats coming!

  • @anthonybha4510

    @anthonybha4510

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @giin97

    @giin97

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @daniellust4301

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @XaviarCraig
    @XaviarCraig5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @michihoffi69

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @sh0cktim3

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @michihoffi69

    @michihoffi69

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @sh0cktim3

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @dpeagles

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @chuchfever
    @chuchfever5 жыл бұрын

    Uncle Rich speaks- :Taking notes Intensifies:

  • @Kj16V
    @Kj16V4 жыл бұрын

    "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

    @giin97

    4 жыл бұрын

    Wait... That's a thing?

  • @giin97

    @giin97

    4 жыл бұрын

    @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

    @quantumleap4023

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @giin97

    @giin97

    4 жыл бұрын

    @Robert Slackware lol, that mental image is priceless.

  • @rogeliosilva1962

    @rogeliosilva1962

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @bobkul4868
    @bobkul48684 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @venzoah
    @venzoah5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @MiGujack3

    @MiGujack3

    5 жыл бұрын

    Because it is.

  • @MatthewBerginGarage

    @MatthewBerginGarage

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @internettoughguy

    @internettoughguy

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @eksine

    @eksine

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @venzoah

    @venzoah

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @bigrob029
    @bigrob0295 жыл бұрын

    Quality Rambling.

  • @AlecWatersMusic
    @AlecWatersMusic3 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @zellway
    @zellway5 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @jeodude
    @jeodude5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @TradeAlgoPremier

    @TradeAlgoPremier

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @jeodude

    @jeodude

    5 жыл бұрын

    BlueDrive Diagnostics 9:45 mark

  • @snoopu2601

    @snoopu2601

    5 жыл бұрын

    That's a good one 👍

  • @robertweekley5926

    @robertweekley5926

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @rgs4x
    @rgs4x5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Wouter-van-der-Molen

    @Wouter-van-der-Molen

    5 жыл бұрын

    or use up that combustion engine for a while :)

  • @bullet_tooth_tony

    @bullet_tooth_tony

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @DeerKoden

    @DeerKoden

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @calholli

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @philspaghet

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Zenobeus
    @Zenobeus4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for taking the time, excellent video

  • @beanbag345
    @beanbag3455 жыл бұрын

    Looked into conversions years ago and found similar results. Thanks for both upper and lower end examples!

  • @justinfowler2857
    @justinfowler28575 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @jonbell7296
    @jonbell72965 жыл бұрын

    Im converting tesla to an LS swap

  • @greynolds17

    @greynolds17

    5 жыл бұрын

    FWD would be easier....just sayin

  • @chrismofer

    @chrismofer

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@greynolds17 sideways LS

  • @philtmonx1446

    @philtmonx1446

    5 жыл бұрын

    Northstar driveline

  • @elesjuan

    @elesjuan

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @nopers2223322

    5 жыл бұрын

    Buick regal engine

  • @johnngaggin1243
    @johnngaggin12434 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @jowowetan
    @jowowetan4 жыл бұрын

    The cost breakdown is really mind blowing. Thanks, man - love your channel wholeheartedly.

  • @matttelz6014
    @matttelz60145 жыл бұрын

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

  • @RubenKelevra

    @RubenKelevra

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @gelisob

    @gelisob

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'm afraid that could get you stabbed

  • @pontuslaurell8178

    @pontuslaurell8178

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @pit_stop77

    @pit_stop77

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @chrissavage5966

    @chrissavage5966

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @luisaleman7935
    @luisaleman79355 жыл бұрын

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

  • @DavidJSmith-hl6kb

    @DavidJSmith-hl6kb

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @omardude39

    @omardude39

    4 жыл бұрын

    And therein lies the point of this entire video?

  • @jeremym8748

    @jeremym8748

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @Dotseoem

    4 жыл бұрын

    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..

  • @HandyDan
    @HandyDan4 жыл бұрын

    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...

  • @JGCSRT
    @JGCSRT4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @elrondmcbong467
    @elrondmcbong4675 жыл бұрын

    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

    @GrahamCStrouse

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @DanRossGraphics
    @DanRossGraphics5 жыл бұрын

    Really interesting sponsor! Thanks for uploading, Rich.

  • @davidcraft4909
    @davidcraft49092 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @fakexloser
    @fakexloser5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @badchefi

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @paftaf

    @paftaf

    4 жыл бұрын

    badchefi Actually it’s 2013+

  • @paftaf

    @paftaf

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @syedbasiljaved6201

    3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @dantedlane2

    @dantedlane2

    3 жыл бұрын

    Dude hook us up

  • @ksnax
    @ksnax5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @nuhali1819

    @nuhali1819

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @EarlBalentine

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @mrgrumpy5116

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @DobroPlayer12

    3 жыл бұрын

    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

    @ksnax

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @markdavis2475
    @markdavis24755 жыл бұрын

    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

    @xkitejunkie

    5 жыл бұрын

    And that Delorean was sweeeeet!

  • @vintageexcellence
    @vintageexcellence4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @daniel73minshall

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @caaande

    @caaande

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @McMukMuk

    @McMukMuk

    Жыл бұрын

    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

    @tgxperience

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @nightdevil6666
    @nightdevil66665 жыл бұрын

    Very informative video! Good shit! Well paced!

  • @mailmanx69
    @mailmanx695 жыл бұрын

    That was absolutely fascinating! Thank you!

  • @paulmiller591
    @paulmiller5915 жыл бұрын

    Wow Rich solid advice & highly informative cheers!

  • @pompeymonkey3271
    @pompeymonkey32715 жыл бұрын

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

  • @fyrrydr4g0n
    @fyrrydr4g0n4 жыл бұрын

    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!

  • @danielfoley8536
    @danielfoley85365 жыл бұрын

    Thanks rich for acknowledging the Nissan Leaf ! And I do have the range to get to all the faster chargers in my city.

  • @LostMyName15
    @LostMyName155 жыл бұрын

    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

    @VGScreens

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kmjquinlan

    @kmjquinlan

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @ae86hachi

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @peterdietrich1785
    @peterdietrich17855 жыл бұрын

    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)..

  • @ross2595
    @ross25952 жыл бұрын

    Superb video Rich! A lot of concrete information to work with. It's good to know that an EV conversion is an expensive mountain to climb. If I could get my programming fingers into the sensor data/code, I'm sure it would open up some possibilities. If the software was more open we could shut off sensors or hardcode values. Maybe some after market Tesla controller software is what's required.

  • @388gruardian
    @388gruardian5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @michael1234252

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @utubestalker.dotcom
    @utubestalker.dotcom3 жыл бұрын

    TIMESTAMPS: (COST) 0:39 Questions you want to ask yourself before walking into an EV conversion shop PROJECT #1: 2:02 Audi S5 3:43 Add-on motor/batteries 4:30 Fabrication/misc 7:32 AC/CANBUS + Labor PROJECT #2: 10:55 1972 VW Beetle 11:49 Motor 12:14 DC-DC converter/batteries/BMS/misc (DIY) 12:46 + Labor (no fabrication)

  • @Good-Enuff-Garage
    @Good-Enuff-Garage4 жыл бұрын

    great video, funny, informative, entertaining, well done mate, thank you so much for putting it together

  • @aaroncroft2788
    @aaroncroft2788 Жыл бұрын

    That was a great video. To the point, good information AND it watching you work on your rig was great!

  • @Ryukachoo
    @Ryukachoo5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @gelisob

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @Ryukachoo

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @ralphmenta249
    @ralphmenta2495 жыл бұрын

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

  • @frankrizzo7781
    @frankrizzo77812 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @DeanRendar
    @DeanRendar4 жыл бұрын

    your presentation style and content is top notch on the topic that makes me feel were already in the future but its up to individuals to progress it to results without corporations. keep it going.

  • @ttystikkrocks1042
    @ttystikkrocks10425 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Rich, for once again disillusioning me about electric cars! But I mean that in the most positive way possible: This video was, as usual, highly informative and I do like the budget breakdown of the cost of needed components and labor. You just cured me of wanting to convert my minivan to electric lol

  • @456volt
    @456volt5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @TheAefril

    5 жыл бұрын

    Well said Sam!

  • @aikonomic

    @aikonomic

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @calebharris292

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @calebharris292

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@garystorm799 working on it

  • @DFX2KX

    @DFX2KX

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @kiheirc3195
    @kiheirc31953 жыл бұрын

    Rich I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed your video, so well done funny and so informative. I ran into your video looking for an old video that puts a used forklift battery in a Mazda truck wish you well thanks

  • @sirian52
    @sirian525 жыл бұрын

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

  • @andraslibal
    @andraslibal5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @tommueller8780
    @tommueller87805 жыл бұрын

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

  • @harryconover289

    @harryconover289

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @mennovanlavieren3885

    @mennovanlavieren3885

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @vatomalo68

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @KrazyKrzysztof

    @KrazyKrzysztof

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @lukesmith3283
    @lukesmith32834 жыл бұрын

    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??

  • @capedoryus
    @capedoryus2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @SDMag619
    @SDMag6195 жыл бұрын

    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

    @badchefi

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @waterzonegt9179
    @waterzonegt91795 жыл бұрын

    Tbh I would buy that 305 but to far away😭

  • @greenhometony

    @greenhometony

    5 жыл бұрын

    Isn't it a 307??

  • @16driver16

    @16driver16

    5 жыл бұрын

    Same here

  • @SuperVstech

    @SuperVstech

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @PerformanceEV
    @PerformanceEV4 жыл бұрын

    Great video summing up the challenges in EV conversions, hopefully this will allow people to go into this sort of thing with their eyes open. Is it weird that it was actually all these challenges that made me want to do a conversion😁

  • @Danny_Lopez_
    @Danny_Lopez_2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @djwarren5081
    @djwarren50815 жыл бұрын

    I'm not sick of you rambling on Rich. I really enjoyed the video.

  • @lourocha
    @lourocha5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @robcerrato6528
    @robcerrato65283 жыл бұрын

    This was very helpful. Especially the VW Bug example at the end. Great vids, thank you!

  • @amazeddude1780
    @amazeddude1780 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @DynamicCash
    @DynamicCash5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @sterlingsilver5937

    5 жыл бұрын

    Watch your mouth young man. Lol! Jk

  • @JoeyRodz74

    @JoeyRodz74

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @thelastmemphian

    @thelastmemphian

    5 жыл бұрын

    Well you’ll be waiting for a long time

  • @tunespt
    @tunespt5 жыл бұрын

    The truth is hard, but yep, it's expensive, and the worst part... it won't get any cheaper, most componets you need, are already in the market. some for like 30 years (controlers, pwm, inverters, chargers, etc) and the quality ones, don't go down on price, batteries, for 10 years they don't lower the price. EV's are cool, yes, but I would need, alone, two cars... Nice video Rich!

  • @fernandoherranz4095
    @fernandoherranz409511 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @Tediz421
    @Tediz4215 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Rich, I've been curious about e-conversions since watching the Teslhonda video. That thing is gnarly fast, but the guy never got too much into the gnitty gritty about putting it together. Now I feel like I get the gist of it, more or less.

  • @gslinger65
    @gslinger653 жыл бұрын

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

  • @klassclown
    @klassclown5 жыл бұрын

    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!!

  • @saneauto
    @saneauto2 жыл бұрын

    Great video Rich. This reminds me of the many conversations I've had with customer prospects that have tried to talk me into replacing their automatic transmission with a manual or vice versa. They almost always freak out about the price and try to convince me that it should be cheaper than just rebuilding the factory transmission for their car. I guess if you don't know what ASE Master Certified is, it doesn't count as proof of knowledge..

  • @briangriffiths114
    @briangriffiths1144 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting and well explained, thank you.

  • @wires4auto
    @wires4auto5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @centralintelligenceagency9003
    @centralintelligenceagency90035 жыл бұрын

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

  • @s977382
    @s9773825 жыл бұрын

    Great video, Rich! Thanks for the reality check

  • @rcpmac
    @rcpmac3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, I needed that Dope Slap!

  • @randywilliams4325
    @randywilliams43255 жыл бұрын

    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

    @jaypee42

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @arturopacheco89

    5 жыл бұрын

    They had Ford Ranger EVs in 1999.

  • @joshuaupham5993
    @joshuaupham59935 жыл бұрын

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

  • @GrahamCStrouse

    @GrahamCStrouse

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @luisestebanr6311
    @luisestebanr63112 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Very infornative. Thanks!

  • @mygirlfriendismarcaline945
    @mygirlfriendismarcaline9453 жыл бұрын

    Imma try n do it with a chevy 85 S10, any tips? How can I benefit the most from fitting everything in the trunk?

  • @twinturbotaj
    @twinturbotaj5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @HamiltonMechanical
    @HamiltonMechanical5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @edism

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @RoyalIsmayilov
    @RoyalIsmayilov4 жыл бұрын

    Thank a lot you saved my money and time 🙌🏼

  • @TheDeelunatic
    @TheDeelunatic Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @SplitPersonalityBPD
    @SplitPersonalityBPD5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @mynameisntimportant9341
    @mynameisntimportant93415 жыл бұрын

    Buy an electric fork lift and salvage all the parts you need from it

  • @e36blur

    @e36blur

    5 жыл бұрын

    I work on these things all day they rip. Each battery weighs from 3000 lbs to 6000 lbs. Great for a yard truck

  • @weeral1

    @weeral1

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@e36blur holy shit.. that is a ton of weight

  • @chip43
    @chip435 жыл бұрын

    Do you have issues charging from charge stations on the road with your home conversion?

  • @Durttay
    @Durttay4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the quick straightforward ev lesson

  • @patrickdaxboeck4056
    @patrickdaxboeck40565 жыл бұрын

    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

    @TheBodgybrothers

    5 жыл бұрын

    "disco"

  • @mattfranks4335
    @mattfranks43355 жыл бұрын

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

  • @jkoorts

    @jkoorts

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @mattfranks4335

    @mattfranks4335

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@jkoorts They are if you got 70 grand .

  • @jkoorts

    @jkoorts

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @mattfranks4335

    @mattfranks4335

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @DFX2KX

    @DFX2KX

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @matthewsander5887
    @matthewsander58873 жыл бұрын

    Question, if you got 16 batteries couldn’t you divert the power from 4 of them to computer equipment? Also installing an oscillator and motion generators to keep the batteries charged for longer?

  • @WW-wf8tu
    @WW-wf8tu5 жыл бұрын

    Excellent. A lot of well thought out and researched costs to consider.

  • @Ralph2
    @Ralph25 жыл бұрын

    It's funny I don't want or even particularly like EV's, yet I find Rich's videos very interesting and watchable. Go figure.

  • @D4x4Bronc

    @D4x4Bronc

    4 жыл бұрын

    Rich is a good honest guy

  • @RedRepair
    @RedRepair5 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @csshep
    @csshep4 жыл бұрын

    Totally loved this video, thanks for the reality check Rich!

  • @stephenmiller4091
    @stephenmiller40913 жыл бұрын

    This was very informative. Thanks. I am thinking about converting my 92 ford probe to electric. It would only need 150 miles of travel. Not a racer. No need for AC,heater,or power windows. Only remote lock and radio. The idea was making the probe the daily summer driver instead of the V8 truck that cost $50 every fill up.

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