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First off, sorry if this is in the wrong sub, it’s been 15+ years since I’ve been active here and not sure where this fits since it’s more than just motors/drivetrain. I have a Ford 5.0L Z that I got running, but never reliably, and am now looking to turn attention back to it since there’s a lot of good work on it (photos attached). What I am thinking to do is go electric and could use some feedback and thoughts from those who have either done this or thought about it. My desires: - Minimal hacking to subframe/body, keeping it longitudinal mount with the existing rear end (R200 3.7 CLSD) or swapping to a transverse setup only if there was something obvious/simple. - Target 50-65 kWh of battery and 225 kW or more (300hp to 450hp would be the sweet spot). - Try and keep the build under $20k and weight added under +200lbs vs current setup (Ford V8, T5, gas tank) - 120mph top speed or more These are the options that seem to be coming up highest on my list for motors: 1. Use the Lexus GS450H transmission. My understanding is this is 225 kW rated and can be bought for about $1500. Downside is the weight of the transmission is 250lbs+ and the gearing is a 2.29:1 with a 10,300rpm max. With my setup that would be around a 92mph top speed. This setup would also require welding MG1 and some other complexities. 2. Use a Cascadia Motion IM-225DX-D and Torque Trends 1.9:1 reducer. This setup would get 225 kW and a 128mph top speed, but the motor is $14k MSRP and the gear box another $4k. I’ve found a wholesale motor/inverter for $5k but it wouldn’t be warranted. This setup seems objectively better than the Lexus setup but is a minimum $9k to just get going period. Any thoughts for motors? For batteries: I am thinking either to go with: 1. VW ID4 12S modules with 9 of them which is about 400 volts total and 61.2 kWh. The modules are relatively cheap around $750/ea but they are LG Chem cells and those packs have always been surrounded with the possibility of recall and fire. I am not sure how to do the BMS at all, and the interactions with the VCU/inverter so that’s another issue. 2. Kore Power modules which are available in a 4S configuration. I would do 26 or so of them with chiller plates. Downside is cost close to $16k for the batteries, benefit is that there are integrations already for these packs and they’re meant to be used for kits. 3. Do something with Tesla packs or other… Any thoughts on batteries? Thanks for the input!

With my stock suspension I went with a 16x7 wheel with 0 offset. With that setup I was able to run a 225/50-16 tire and have it clear the suspension and the fender. Stock size tire is a 195/70-14. A 205/60-15 would be the standard +1 to maintain the same tire diameter as the stock and thus not screw up your speedometer. If you stay with 15" the best size combination for a stock wheelwell is 225/55-15 on a wheel with a 0 offset.

Well, I'm very old member here. 15 years ago? Braap..dude with mice issue and subie..another guy with Porsche and testing..that caused strife..the other guy that tossed a beehive in his brothers friends car (I like that dude..had eyeball mostly in picture) Another guy that was older? And got the turbo flywheel from. A kid local that I lent my snow tires too. A guy that had the sublime Z who and delivered for pepperidge farms. Hope he kept family together. I suck at names and only braaap I remember. Also..R200 is not strong enough 🤔😂 Y'all enforce spelling nazism👍😜 Many engineers. SO! Why ami back? Finest sight for Z information. My 83zx, 95k had sat for 12 years atleast while I was a father and husband first. My boy, now 19, inquired about my poor zx. I told him "you can buy it at cost of bringing it back to life and upgrades". Btw..I did not follow braaps advice and "pull into garage, remove radiator cap, pull car out and drive in a proper RWD car. I own 2 heavily restored 91&96 integras with serious modifications. Some of old chaps were old. I hope still alive. I will use search option. Btw, obx sucks. Did modifications to quaife lsd for both my wrong cars and still unsatisfactory. My British replacements are magnificent at 35% more cost. Though hybridZ write up was awesome!

I remember you, welcome back! Yes, unfortunately forums have really died off with the rise of social media. BRAAP is largely absent now, the Porsche guy is probably Mike Kelly, who sold his Z and has also left the site. The guy with the Sublime Z is likely Big Phil who hasn't been on here in ages, but is still somewhat active on his YouTube channel. I don't know the other people.

Welcome back, I think you unfortunately find things have gotten quiet around here. Face book groups, scammers and short attention spans are the new norm. I came back here after a 10 year absence as I missed the old times too. Still lots of great info to be found, just not the level of new content we remember.

sold to fellow Hybrid member. thanks