Yep, I've never done this before. Wait, noones done this before. So, yes I'm a little clueless on swapping a V8 into an electric car.

 

Good point, so pressurizing the engine compartments with fans would be bad because it would force air into the passenger compartment. But creating a vacuum would also be bad because it would suck rainwater and dirt into the engine compartment. So what do you think about pressurizing the engine compartment and using a cowl style hood modification to vent the air?

 

Manually calibrate the IC throttle. No traction control on iC. I think the Tesla will provide more power to the rear wheels when the front spin. Which could be interesting. Ultimately I think neither system is really going to have a problem if it's easier to push the car forward. Im hoping to have 3 settings for the IC throttle. First provides even throttle. Second provides more throttle to ICE, allowing to charge batteries as Tesla will think it's going down a hill and apply generative braking. Third will be ICE off mode which will just cruise on electric. This is the mode that it will use most of the time.

I do suppose theres the possibility of them working against each other. Like if I put the ice in drive and the electric in reverse! Lol

I'm planning on integrating the shifter at some point so both systems get the same commands at the same time.

 

How do you intend to have air flowing across the radiator if you pressurize the compartment? The air has to be able to leave the compartment to move across the heat exchangers. Once again - you can't "vent" the engine compartment at the cowl -- when moving, you always have higher pressure at the cowl/base of the windshield than inside the engine compartment. You're going to have to move stuff that can't handle the heat.

 

Yes I plan on moving as much as I can, but if I can keep it fairly cool, that will minimize what I have to move. Couldn't the fans and forced air from the grill overcome the outside pressure at the hood? Especially with a modified hood? Their has to be a way to make that work. Directing the air under the car towards the batteries also seems like a bad idea.

 

LOL - well, I'm sure you'll figure it out. One way or the other. Good luck.

 

This is happening right now on YouTube. Richrebuilds is doing a model S with LS power right now.

 

No, they can't, or that idea would have been used already. And it hasn't

 

Not really. He's removing the whole electrical system and going purely ICE.

 

No offense, but just because it hasn't been done, doesn't mean it can't be done. Right now I like the idea of pressurizing the engine compartment. This will really only matter at slow speeds where there's not much air flow or pressure. At higher speeds I think heat will dissipate much quicker. I'll use the radiator fans to pressurize the engine compartment.

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think you understand what you're being told. Not sure how you are planning to pressurize the engine compartment, but if you think you can use the radiator fan to force the air out at the rear of the hood by the windshield, it simply won't work. That is where the OEM's get the fresh air for the HVAC because it naturally forces air in, not out. You could potentially put a large fan there to force it out, but it would have to be the same size as your radiator fans at a minimum, which just isn't practical. Also, you mention that it will only need to be done at slow speeds, which is quite the opposite of reality. The faster you go, the higher the pressure at the base of the windshield, so the harder it will be to force air out of there. Also at higher speeds the heat will not just 'dissipate', it will get hotter due to the engine running faster.

None of this is new, I'll give you an example, back in the late 80's when the street rod trend of completely smoothing off a car from the 30's became the trend, people were using smooth hood sides, which looked cool, but had the side effect of not letting the hot air leave the engine compartment. If air cannot leave, then air cannot come in, that's the way it works, so cars started overheating no matter how big of fan(s) were used. Swapping back to the original louvered hood sides would fix the issue. So likely what you are going to need to do is figure out a way to vent the engine compartment through the inner wheel well area since you don't want to go under the car because of the batteries being there.

 

It's pretty obvious you are STILL quite clueless about how things work. You are imagining an impossible scenario, and are ignoring advice from VERY knowledgeable people here. I bet you have never done a swap. You have a lot to learn, and the only way that happens is by heeding the advice of those who know more than you on the subject at hand, which in this case is EVERYONE here but you.

 

OK, you win. It just wasn't making sense to me. I guess the wheelwells are the way to go. Thanx for the walk through. The model s wheelwells are pretty well sealed. There would be an opening at the cv axle. The other opening is to the fender area. Any ideas?
​​

 

I'm listening, and I appreciate the input. It simply didn't make sense to me at first, and while I think my solution is still plausible, clearly its not practical.
I rarely put anyone's opinion above mine, if it doesn't make sense to me.
It appears that's a philosophy you don't share.
For the record, I've rebuilt 7 Teslas and replaced a few motors ranging from 73 mustang to Civic VX

 

Bleh, those Tesla owners are full of air. They don't save the environment because they charge up off a grid powered by coal, oil and natural gas. Until electric cars are capable of recharging in atleast 5 minutes and not costing me a 40 minute - 1 Hr delay per recharge on a road trip, I won't be in one. Currently, if one wants to 'go green', A humble hybrid vehicle is the best way to do it.

 

"Replacing" engines is not swapping engines, where you put in something different than was there before.
I put those opinions above mine that come from a source more knowledgeable than myself on the subject at hand, even if they might not initially make sense.
And knowing how to rebuild a Tesla doesn't scratch the surface of re-engineering its drivetrain.
Look how long it took to convince you to not force air out the base of the windshield, something that is common sense to anyone who's been around cars for more than 10 years....

 

Agreed. Keep in mind it's not just the charging time, it's also the time to get to the charger.
That being said Teslas are great performance cars, back that up with some traditional muscle and I think you've got something.

 

Why so angry? My guess is you don't feel very confident about yourself and project it onto others. I can do this. I will do this. I certainly don't need your approval. As a matter of fact your disapproval will make it even more fun to do. Thanx for that.
For the others who might be interested,, I'll address your technical points. .
Initially I intend for the ICE and EV systems to stay seperate and only share an accelerator pedal and a shifter control. I don't I don't think either system will mind less resistance when accelerating.
​​​​

 

Can anyone get me physical dimensions of the LS4 drivetrain? It appears the block is the same size as a vortec, but It would be nice to get a tape measure on one.

All assistance is appreciated.

 

Not angry in the least. I just think you're in way over your head. You don't know enough about this stuff to realize that