Man who created the first ever V8-powered Tesla revealed what happened to the EV-turned-gas-guzzler
- This YouTuber turned his Tesla Model S into a gas car
- He used a Chevy V8
- He plans to modify the car even more
Published on Dec 17, 2024 at 1:17 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Dec 17, 2024 at 7:30 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
This guy created a Chevy V8-powered Tesla Model S, which he calls the ICE-T, as in, Internal Combustion Engined Tesla.
It took him about two years to complete this project, but it was worth it.
The car is nearly as fast as the Model S Plaid.
But a lot louder, and possibly more fun.
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The story behind the V8-powered ICE-T, Internal Combustion Engined Tesla Model S
Rich Benoit and the rest of the team behind the Rich Rebuilds YouTube channel took on this challenge and managed to complete the car after nearly two years of work.
Under the hood of the V8-powered Tesla Model S, you’ll find a Chevy-sourced 426-horsepower 6.2-liter LS3 V8 from a wrecked 2011 Camaro SS.
This isn’t the first gas-powered Tesla in the world, another YouTuber also converted his Tesla and put a gasoline engine in it, but there aren’t that many out there.
Part of the reason why that’s the case is an EV is not meant to accommodate a gas engine and all the bits and bobs that come with it.
Fortunately, Rich managed to fit the Chevy V8 without a problem, even though he did have to cut a seam down 70 percent of the length of the car to make way for a driveshaft.
Rich says the Ice-T isn’t going anywhere, and he actually plans on making it even more like a ‘proper’ gas car.
An answer to electromods
It’s rare to find an electric car that’s been transformed into a gas-powered car but, by contrast, ICEs turned into EVs are quite common.
They’re called electromods, and they’re everywhere.
It’s been done with Porsche 911s, Ford Broncos, and even classic Rolls-Royces.
A while back, Hollywood actor Jason Momoa revealed his electric 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II to the world.
The main advantage is you get to keep the car alive, because a modern electric motor is easier and cheaper to run, and more reliable, than a 100-year-old engine.
But there are a couple of downsides.
First, these mods tend to make the car a lot more expensive to build or buy.
Second, a gas engine generally has more character, for example EVs are obviously completely silent.
This brings us on to the third and perhaps biggest downside, because it’s one thing if you get rid of a relatively common engine out of truck and replace it an with an electric unit, for example.
But, when it comes to cars like the 911, the internal combustion engine sort of defines the car, doesn’t it?