Driving AEM's Tesla-powered Mustang

[Hagerty]

Electric motor swaps are gaining mainstream popularity, and that's only going to increase with both Ford's Eluminator and GM's eCrate offerings to come. We even got the chance to drive Ford's Mustang Mach-E-powered F-100 pickup, and our story piqued some interest over at AEM Performance Electronics.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/driving-aems-tesla-powered-mustang/

[ATLpaul]

As a 2014 Mustang GT owner, I believe part of Mustang experience is sound and fury of the engine. May be not the fastest car out there, but it sounds like one. How do electric engine switch figures it can mimic that?

[Studenorton]

Those sound systems are getting better all the time...

[bblhed]

Good, maybe if the sound can only be heard inside the car it won't attract local law enforcement when someone is leaving a car show and has a license plate burn out.

[GeorgeWA]

I agree , There’s nothing better than the Sound&Fury of an internal combustion engine….Some auto makers have tried to pipe into the interior sound&fury but it sounds FAKE to me… my friend had a brand new 2001 Ferrari 360 Modena Spyder and it didn’t make a difference… whenever we went for a ride top up / top down we always preferred the aural scream of the flat-plane crankshaft engine along with the other mechanical sounds over the Hi-End Stereo he installed in the car..

[JGeske]

Playing cards on the brake calipers to make noises against the wheel spokes of course.

[corv3tte]

I signed in just to like this post !

[bblhed]

Just wondering about that sound and fury and how it's working out for you. When you are at a car event and someone unleashes that "Sound and Fury" how many people look disapprovingly, say words like idiot, fool, and at least one person says something sarcastic like "That guy is cool, I want to hang with him". This is usually followed, at events with a sound system, with the announcement that loud revving and burnouts will not be tolerated by the organizers or local police. Do you think that it is only other people that attract that kind of attention but people think your car is great? Guess again.

[LugNut]

If it were given to me, I'd sent the batteries to the hazardous waste dump and the car to the crusher. EVs are a fool's errand.

[jackellison2]

I totally agree. EV for me? nEVer!

[KSZ28GUY]

How much energy did it take to make the batteries? Was there really any benefit for the green cause? Give the sound and effects of a V8 any day.

[erne75]

Electric cars are not about saving the planet. It is about controlling its inhabitants...

[PRScott]

Out of the mouths of fools!

[GeorgeWA]

I think you’re going to see a lot of these type of internal combustion to Electric conversions

[sclin10]

That's because the government is forcing them down our throats.

[Studenorton]

The choice is simple when there isn't any choice.

[sclin10]

"Would you drive this e-swapped pony car?"
NO!

[GrantMac001]

Only if it was a gift.

[jackellison2]

Then I would trade it for a real car.

[Smokefoot55]

Stupid idea. EV's are fine as commuters for some people but I'm certainly not one of them. So what's up with putting an electric motor in a Mustang? So the owner can say "look at me-I have an EV Mustang". While onlookers would say "look at this idiot-he put an electric motor in a Mustang".

[limoguy]

Sometimes the reason is as simple as, "Because I wanted to see if I could."

[BWeston]

100 miles of range, still have to figure out HVAC challenges, instead of a 310 hp 4.6 liter V8, that has no HVAC challenges, and would easily get 300+ miles of range - in hot or cold weather...sounds like a not so brilliant step backward - and probably with a large price tag on top of it! No thanks - keep your "Testang" - plus the name sounds like a male health issue!!

[Gary_Bechtold]

Would I drive it? Sure. Would I own one, No way.

[jaysalserVW]

Ridiculous! Powering vehicles with batteries is not "saving the World". It requires many times over--MORE electricity to manufacture all parts, including the batteries, to power such vehicles. There is NO such thing as a Zero Emissions Vehicle--unless, by burying one's head in the proverbial sand, there is no accountability for all of the EXTRA outlay of electrical power (translate that as use of Fossil Fuels) needed to manufacture such vehicles. Why run stories which hype these vehicles when the foundational issues, which are so relevant, are ignored.

[hyperv6]

The problem is there is more to it than just saying they are saving the planet. You have to look at all the other things in play to understand what is going on. You still will not like it but it is coming and we had better be ready or they will take your fuel away for your classic next. 

This is why I say to be informed and get the true things in play and not the emotional issues. 

I used to say nothing but a V8 in my garage and look I have none now.  

Changes are coming and we all need to learn to deal with it rationally. 

[hyperv6]

I think some of you miss the point here. I work in the performance racing industry. Many of my vendors including even my company are all searching to find our place in the future. 

The folks who keep saying EV is just a fad are lying to them selves and everyone else as it is the real deal. The entire industry is scrambling to find a new place to fit in as the EV models will be coming in over the next 10-20 years. 

Those preparing now will survive but those who wait will most likely fail in a very tough market. 

Conversions are a thing now but I do not see them doing well. Most EV cars have to be build around the drive train and battery to make the best use of space. This is why most conversions are trucks as they use the bed for the batteries. 

The EV performance market will be targeting the new EV products once they arrive. 

Just a hint. when you see companies like AEM and Mahle start to dig into EV products it is time to pay attention. 

While it is just a way to drive to you this is how I make my living and I have a vested interest to what is going to happen. 

To me converting the cars is a mistake as all the new stuff will be EV but the noise smell and sound will become a rarity and most will wish they had it back. That is if the government does not label us terrorist for having a loud car like NY is. 

[Jstollf1]

I think you are off the mark, People that are in the classic car/racing hobby, are mostly in the late 40's and older. This demographic for the most part. barring some D-bags want nothing to do with EV conversions. Companies that market upgrades for new EV's models may have a Niche market, and that's about it.

[Air_and_Water]

And 10 years from now? How about 20?

Anyone saying they're a fad probably has ancestors who said the same thing when gas powered vehicles were replacing the horse. Sure, we older folks can drive gas cars until we die, but to ignore the upcoming wave of electric cars for a business is a death knell for said business. As for me I'd be happy to commute in an electric car and tinker with points and carburetors on the weekend.

[limoguy]

Currently (did you see that?) electric vehicles are a niche market. They will continue to be until they do a better job at what people buy vehicles for.

[Air_and_Water]

Look at electric vehicle sales as of 5 years ago compared to now. That's growth. This is disruptive technology and it's going to start taking bigger chunks of the sales charts. 5 years from now? It probably won't be half, but it won't be small enough to be ignored, either.

[pjhay301]

Exactly hyperv6! My garage has an AAR, an M6, and Solstice (heavy modified)- and all insured by Hagerty!
My current build, I've got a 68 Charger rust bucket getting a full resto right now. My issue...440, Hellcat, V10 Viper or you guessed it...electric motor swap??
Likely my finances...I'm thinking about the future of my cars. How do I pass the car down to my kids in 20-30 years...a car that's easy to drive, recharge, etc.

[jackellison2]

Say what?

[hyperv6]

You need to hope your kids and grand kids even care about the cars enough to preserve them. 

You go to a cruise in and it is like a nursing home. I am in my 50’s and I am the young guy. 

[83ragtop50]

You must not be attending the same cruise ins that I am.

[hyperv6]

Here in the mid west it is all old people at cruise in and car shows. 

We used to close the place down at 1AM. Today I am there by my self by 8:30 because it is getting dark and they can’t see to drive. 

[plank]

With an attitude like yours, I'm sure that you're there by yourself.

[hyperv6]

No attitude just the way it is. 

Most of the people my age even if they have a car they are doing other things. 

[MustangJim]

I try to go to as many cars and coffee events as I can during season. Great thing about c & c is the diversity of cars and the enthusiast that drive them. Many young people, sure....some drive Honda's with to much negative camber and other types of cars, but mustangs, camaros,etc.. also. Vintage also, but their vintage is not necessarily yours. Just saying, plenty of young enthusiast. Depends where you go.

[hyperv6]

See here the sport compact thing just never really caught on. Most younger people can’t afford the muscle cars anymore and can’t afford the new cars. 

It never helped the older guys never embraced the sport compacts. But the Compact people never did much to try to get along. Both sides were to blame. 

Besides our roads are not low car friendly here. I would love to lower my car about an 1.5" but I already have to watch the nose and the rear sway bar as they both can be a problem now. 

[MustangJim]

Thats a shame that sport compacts have not cought on in the mid west. There are some really nice builds and very knowledgeable young people. Not any different then us back in the day.. just different cars. Unfortunately to many of us ( some of my friends included) scoff at them rather then look and listen. 

[hyperv6]

Nice cars and nice people but this is the average crowd. 

[TonyT]

Like you, I am still involved with racing, at a semi-professional level. I also often wonder how liquid-fueled motorsports will have any relevance in the coming years, because it seems like fewer folks are getting involved in it as opposed to playing an simulated version on a screen. If someone can come up with an acceptable noise generator AND some tear-inducing fumes for a high performance EV, I would definitely look at getting involved with one.

[hyperv6]

Racing in general is struggling. The Empty seats and small fields are a sign of decline. 

I used to make my living on Camaro and Mustang parts but today it is Wrangler, truck and soon Bronco parts. People will change wheels and add lifts but most keep away from engines anymore. 

I can see younger people involved with EV racing. If cheap enough it could bring new people in as racing has priced itself out for most people. 

Most young drivers just are not car people outside Grand Theft Auto. 

[Oldroad1]

I'm guessing you didn't watch the Daytona 500 and see the sold out stands.

[hyperv6]

One race does not make a change. 

Note too that NASCAR has removed a number of stand at tracks to fill them up again. A number of seats went to a local track here in Ohio that replaced their old seats. 

The winter nationals still had many empty seats. 

The crowd will be down in Fontana next week. 

If the economy keep going tough here it will be very challenging to all series. 

Might note free ticket have been offered in recent times to fill seats. Even the Indy 500 has given away many seats to fill as many open seats they can. 

Covid did not help but the truth is the empty seats were showing up before Covid. 

If the Economy gets tight then the sponsorships will vanish. Many big names are gone already and some real deals can be had in NASCAR to get your name on a car. 

[Oldroad1]

Always the pessimist? Have you ever drank a half full glass of water? Fontana was sold out, by the way.

[limoguy]

It appears the gummint and the manufacturers have it all planned out. It's not a given that consumers are along for the ride.

[hyperv6]

When regulations and laws force mfgs to one thing you either walk or adapt. 

The real fear is the government’s will go after older cars. Recall cash for clunkers?

[RW68RSConv]

My company is involved with some special engineering projects with the major automakers which I can't discuss publicly (I know that sounds so douchey & stupid to even type that but in this case its true). My opinion from what I've seen - EV isn't a fad OR the future... it is a stepping stone. There are some very interesting technologies we are working on and being worked on by others. In history, EV's will be the "Compact Disc" of automotive history... Game changing but short lived. But, as Dennis Miller used to say: "That's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

[Javman]

A muscle car should sound like a muscle car, not a sewing machine.