Chevrolet Performance eCrate package (400v/200hp)

" only available through approved installation centers."

This won't sell; people will just buy a crashed EV for 1/10th the cost and salvage the motor and battery. This is more of an insult than a product. It reeks of "you're not qualified to work on our premium electrons until you pay $10k and pass our one-day eCourse"

I watch a couple of great YouTube channels that do these types of EV conversions. In Wales/UK: https://www.youtube.com/@ElectricClassicCars In Utah: https://www.youtube.com/@electricsupercar In California: https://www.youtube.com/@EVWest (seems dormant right now though)

American automakers - good engineering, good designers but politicians i.e protecting the jobs & Wall Street short-term thinking get in the way.

though GM seems to be the only american automaker that hasn't really given up on EVs

Cool idea for vintage cars that were unremarkable when it came to driving characteristics or where only the frame and/or body survived with no drivetrain and hard to source donors.

For anyone looking to do an electric conversion. Chevy have a "crate motor" package based on one of their electric motors.

I was excited about this idea until I found out it's $27k

A “crate” motor you can’t install yourself.

But they keep the 4-speed transmission? For what purpose?

I wouldn't be excited when their cars comes with a spy package that sells every information when your are in it.

It won't take years for they to think that they can pry in private conversations in the car for whatever purpose they want

" only available through approved installation centers."

American automakers - good engineering, good designers but politicians i.e protecting the jobs & Wall Street short-term thinking get in the way.

though GM seems to be the only american automaker that hasn't really given up on EVs

Cool idea for vintage cars that were unremarkable when it came to driving characteristics or where only the frame and/or body survived with no drivetrain and hard to source donors.

First thought was this should make for some fun resto-mods.

But they keep the 4-speed transmission? For what purpose?

For anyone looking to do an electric conversion. Chevy have a "crate motor" package based on one of their electric motors.

This is a straightforward way of electric conversion. You plug in the motor in the place where torque is expected and let the rest do its job.

Gearboxes in EV conversions are usually locked in the highest gear with clutch and lever removed.

Presumably so it's an easier conversion - you replace the motor but don't have to replace the rest of the drivetrain, and maybe you want the gearstick inside for the look of the thing (although I imagine you likely wouldn't have to use it most of the time).

Probably to interface with existing cars by replacing the engine, retaining everything after, including the existing transmission, differential(s), and suspension.

It says:

"The current eCrate kit requires a GM 4-speed automatic transmission with an external mode switch (e.g., 4L60, 4L65, 4L70, 4L75 Transmissions). This helps to make the eCrate conversion easier for vehicles that already have a conventional driveline, plus it provides extra torque in lower gears and extra speed with overdrive. We are working on bringing a direct drive variant option to our eCrate portfolio."

Reduction ratios, greater comparability due to interfacing links, attachment points, just a few guesses. Most ev conversions I've seen keep the gearbox.

Would you happen to have a link to that?

... that's what the link is talking about?

A “crate” motor you can’t install yourself.

Can't believe I had to scroll for this. Trust the OEMs to do something very close to what enthusiasts might want, then immediately torpedo it with "but we won't sell it to you."

This level of conversion isn't exactly trivial but it also isn't rocket surgery for the kind of person who pulls an engine out for rebuild on a classic car project.

I wouldn't be excited when their cars comes with a spy package that sells every information when your are in it.

It won't take years for they to think that they can pry in private conversations in the car for whatever purpose they want

Your comment seems off topic. I think the conversion package is great and should come with all the available cars. If we really care about ecology (but apparently we don't)

You wouldn’t want a newer gas car then. Pretty much anything these days has the ability to track you or disable you remotely.

Got OnStar? https://www.onstar.com/features/location-sharing

I was excited about this idea until I found out it's $27k

I didn’t have any context, so I went shopping and it looks like you’re right https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/category/ENG.html

Which is a bit wild to me because I looked into adding a supercharger to my 2010 Camaro last month and it was 7-9k DIY.

This package is for people who already have money to burn. It's intended for classic car restorations, which is so a money burn hobby. A full classic car restoration can exceed 100k if you're having it done professionally.

I’ll be honest 200hp doesn’t exactly blow up my skirt

I get this is a pretty nice product that they won't sell in huge volume, but that is really steep, was expecting something <20k

yesterday post here about Tesla-fied Mustang - $40K of parts https://electrek.co/2026/05/02/tesla-1966-mustang-ev-convers...

Buying motors and batteries from Aliexpress you can probably get under $15K-$10K even ( and that is probably BOM of Chinese car manufacturers for such the engine and batteries), yet having it as a US factory package $27K doesn't look that bad for me.

First thought was this should make for some fun resto-mods.

If I had infinite time and money, I would do this to a DeLorean.

This is a straightforward way of electric conversion. You plug in the motor in the place where torque is expected and let the rest do its job.

Gearboxes in EV conversions are usually locked in the highest gear with clutch and lever removed.

How much friction loss do you get going through a transmission compared to direct drive?

Your comment seems off topic. I think the conversion package is great and should come with all the available cars. If we really care about ecology (but apparently we don't)

Can't believe I had to scroll for this. Trust the OEMs to do something very close to what enthusiasts might want, then immediately torpedo it with "but we won't sell it to you."

This level of conversion isn't exactly trivial but it also isn't rocket surgery for the kind of person who pulls an engine out for rebuild on a classic car project.

I didn’t have any context, so I went shopping and it looks like you’re right https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/category/ENG.html

Which is a bit wild to me because I looked into adding a supercharger to my 2010 Camaro last month and it was 7-9k DIY.

Probably to interface with existing cars by replacing the engine, retaining everything after, including the existing transmission, differential(s), and suspension.

You wouldn’t want a newer gas car then. Pretty much anything these days has the ability to track you or disable you remotely.

Got OnStar? https://www.onstar.com/features/location-sharing

> or disable you remotely.

I thought the kids were calling it “unalived”.

yesterday post here about Tesla-fied Mustang - $40K of parts https://electrek.co/2026/05/02/tesla-1966-mustang-ev-convers...

If I had infinite time and money, I would do this to a DeLorean.

Where is your sense of adventure? If you do it to a DeLorean, you might wind up with infinite time. Plus, pretty much every local car show I've been to has a handful of DeLoreans that I'd assume the owners are probably over maintaining. Actually, scratch that, let's go into a 3D printing business for DeLorean replacement parts to get the money thing down.

> or disable you remotely.

I thought the kids were calling it “unalived”.

Reduction ratios, greater comparability due to interfacing links, attachment points, just a few guesses. Most ev conversions I've seen keep the gearbox.

It says:

I’ll be honest 200hp doesn’t exactly blow up my skirt

But the extra torque might sizzle your drizzle

Would you happen to have a link to that?

... that's what the link is talking about?

They are the submitter ;]

I get this is a pretty nice product that they won't sell in huge volume, but that is really steep, was expecting something <20k

It includes a 66 kWh battery. This might be a strategy for offloading all the Bolt EV batteries they had to refurbish.

How much friction loss do you get going through a transmission compared to direct drive?

I'm not sure a direct drive is possible with EV conversions. You still need to match effective RPM range with diffs. And replacing transmission with a simpler specialized diff would cost much, much more than just using the existing transmission in place.

Negligible. Roll the windows up if you want that range back.

I still think it's dumb and they should package it to replace the transmission and stuff all the batteries where the engine would go.

It would be "easy" to make the motor replace the bellhousing and midsection of a 4L80 and then simply provide the same output so you can stick whatever tailhousing you want on it. Put shifter on the side in the same spot, etc, etc. Could've packaged the batteries to fit in the same place as a SBC longblock.

I can't really come up with a "good" reason they did it the way they did. Like either replace the engine so it can work with "any" transmission that can handle the torque (i.e. most of them) or replace the transmission too. Don't replace the engine and then mandate a particular trans. The only reason I can see to do that is if it's some sort of wink and nod deal where they know that it's easy to make it work with other transmissions but they're not touting it as compatible to cover their asses.

But the extra torque might sizzle your drizzle

266 lb/ft? Nah. Maybe for a go kart.

They are the submitter ;]

It includes a 66 kWh battery. This might be a strategy for offloading all the Bolt EV batteries they had to refurbish.

Negligible. Roll the windows up if you want that range back.

I still think it's dumb and they should package it to replace the transmission and stuff all the batteries where the engine would go.

266 lb/ft? Nah. Maybe for a go kart.

Electric motors don’t have torque curves. It’s all available right away. As a kid I remember reading in Wired about an electric car scene in California where they had to learn things the hard way and one guy’s maiden voyage ended still in his driveway with the backend split in two.

This is essentially the "area under the curve" argument. But it's been polluted to absurdum by Internet fanboys with an agenda so now everyone thinks EVs are some magical thing that don't abide by the laws of physics.

No amount of fanboy screeching is going to change the fact that it's only 200hp. Compared to a bone stock 70s/80s car that made 200-250hp from the factory this will 200hp EV will be a riot. But at $20k that's not what it's being compared against. The 500+HP LS crate motor and transmission combo (i.e. what this is being cross shopped against) are going to make more than that from ~2500rpm on up.

If you graph power available at a given output RPM with an electric motor you get a line. With an ICE you get an upward and then tapering off curve. When you add transmission gears to the ICE it's a series of essentially overlapping saw teeth except on the first gear where it goes all the way down to whatever power you make at 1500-2000rpm (so like a little under 100hp for a ~500hp engine, probably like 30hp for an ICE that makes ~200hp stock).

Basically even with a flat curve there comes a point where the taller curve is so much taller it still wins.

When comparing to cars of about the same horsepower the EVis gonna win every time, because flat curve. Even if comparing to a more powerful ICE car where the areas are approx. equal you don't have to pull back to shift (even CVTs "shift", it's for longevity reasons) and the ICE is probably not geared deep enough for best initial acceleration (though for "modern" power levels both cars have more than enough to roast the tires) the EV is still probably better.

And as an side I think it's dumb that they make you replace the transmission. There are tons and tons and tons of cars out there that either still have the original transmission or someone swapped an SBC into them in 19-whatever. Being able to just replace the engine would make the swap a ton more accessible because you don't have to also add transmission mounting, controls, driveshaft, etc. to the list. Most older transmissions can handle "muh EV torque" just fine. It's the shifting under torque they don't like.

Basically this is cool but I think it's too expensive for the specs it has.

Edit: Not calling you a stupid fanboy, just saying you've been mislead by them.

Basically even with a flat curve there comes a point where the taller curve is so much taller it still wins.

Basically this is cool but I think it's too expensive for the specs it has.

Edit: Not calling you a stupid fanboy, just saying you've been mislead by them.

There will be torque multiplication by the transmission in 1st through 2nd so it won't be as much of a dog as you think. Race car, no. But it'll hold it's own in modern traffic unlike a lot of older cars.

Out of curiosity I looked up the ratios for the mentioned 4L60 transmission: 1st is 3.059:1, 2nd is 1.625:1, 3rd is direct drive at 1.00:1 and 4th is overdrive at 0.696:1. Then you'll have the ratio in your rear differential, whatever that happens to be.

My high school car was a 1975 Impala with the 350 cubic inch small block V8. Because of the Malaise Era emissions laws, it only produced 145hp but still had decent torque at 250ft·lb. It had a huge amount of space under the hood so perhaps this could fit both the motor and battery in there? (F/R weight balance being ignored)

Your point about people comparing this against the LS crate motor is correct IMO. This will be an expensive low-volume kit until (if!) economies of scale kick in. Only bought by people who want something different to show off to their friends at the weekend car shows.

> Edit: Not calling you a stupid fanboy, just saying you've been mislead by them.

No worries at all and I should have been clearer that I wasn't saying it was just as good, more that it wasn't "Oh well, 200hp" like a ICE engine. I also think raw horsepower is overrated in street driving. As a single data point, a couple of weeks ago I got to run three laps in a GTR "Godzilla" at Loudon on the interior track. It was a blast but after I'd come down off the high I realized that 585hp did not feel wildly different from the ~400hp in my Camaro. And I rarely get to use much of that (other than some of those lovely overly long onramps around here).

> Edit: Not calling you a stupid fanboy, just saying you've been mislead by them.

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Performance Parts LT Engines LS/LSX Engines Small Block Engines Big Block Engines eCrate All Crate Engines Engine & Transmission Packages Racing Engines Transmissions Components Vehicle Upgrades All Parts Where To Buy Owner's SupporteCrate 400v/200hp

View of the Engine Inside an Old School Chevy Automobile with the Hood Up. The First-Ever Chevrolet Performance eCrate package

Introducing the first-ever Chevrolet Performance battery and motor system designed with electric vehicle conversions in mind. Our new eCrate system offers builders a comprehensive kit that includes all of the primary elements for converting most conventional combustion engine vehicles into fully electric propulsion.

Up to

400v/200 hp

Horsepower

Up to

266 lb-ft / 360

Nm TorqueOur system’s production-based components include a 66 kWh lithium-ion pack and 400-volt electric drive motor that is designed to connect directly to a GM 4-speed automatic transmission with an external mode switch. Chevrolet Performance’s eCrate system is only available through approved installation centers.

Discover the full eCrate package

Bring your classic project to the modern age — learn more about what’s included with the Chevrolet Performance eCrate 400 Volt Automotive Drive Motor and 66 kWh Lithium-Ion Single Battery Pack.

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eCrate Consumer FAQs

Package Details

Q. Is the eCrate street legal?

Q. What are the horsepower and torque of the eCrate?

a. The eCrate motor generates 200 hp/150 kW and 266 lb.-ft./360 Nm of torque.

Q. Do I need a transmission?

a. The current eCrate kit requires a GM 4-speed automatic transmission with an external mode switch (e.g., 4L60, 4L65, 4L70, 4L75 Transmissions). This helps to make the eCrate conversion easier for vehicles that already have a conventional driveline, plus it provides extra torque in lower gears and extra speed with overdrive. We are working on bringing a direct drive variant option to our eCrate portfolio.

Q. What is included in the optional installation kit for transmission?

a. Low Stall Torque Converter, Transmission Control Module Kit, Flex Plate, Hardware (select bolts).

Q. Can I use a manual transmission?

a. A conversion kit for manual transmissions is not yet available.

Q. Can I increase horsepower?

a. The first-ever Chevy eCrate conversion kit has a locked system that does not allow you to increase horsepower at this time.

Battery Specs

Q. What is the size of the battery in the eCrate package?

a. Battery dimensions below:

Height at front: 7.3 in. (185 mm)
Height at rear: 13.7 in. (347 mm)
Overall width: 50.2 in. (1276 mm)
Overall length: 71.1 in. (1807 mm)
Weight: 947 lb. (430 kg)

Q. What is the battery chemistry?

a. Nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium ion

Q. What is the weight of the battery?

a. 947 lbs.

Q. What is the battery range?

a. Battery range will vary depending on your vehicle’s weight, your drive style, temperature, terrain, battery age, loading, use, and maintenance.

Q. What is the voltage?

a. 400V

Q. What are my charging options?

a. Charging options below:

Level 1 Charger (120V): eCrate will charge 1% in one hour*
Level 2 Charger (240V): eCrate will charge 10% in one hour*
Level 3 DC Fast Charger (480V): eCrate will charge 75% in one hour*

A Level 1 charger comes with the eCrate package, and a Level 2 charger can be purchased. eCrate is capable of charging on all Level 3 public charging options/stations.

A Level 2 charger requires professional installation.

Level 3 charge times will vary based on initial battery state of charge.

*Actual charge times will vary based on battery condition, output of charger, vehicle settings and battery temperature. See the eCrate User Manuals for your vehicle and charger for additional details & limitations.

Purchase Details

Q. How do I buy the Chevrolet Performance eCrate package?

a. eCrate packages must be purchased through an Authorized Installer. The kit and battery will be shipped directly to your Authorized Installer for installation.

Q. Where can I find an Authorized Installer?

Q. When can I buy the eCrate package?

a. You must buy the eCrate through an Authorized Installer.

Q. What is included in the eCrate package?

Additional Assistance

Q. What do I do if I have more questions about the eCrate?

a. Email us at ecratesales@gm.com with question(s) including your complete contact information, and we’ll get back to you.

Q. Where can I learn more about the eCrate package?

eCrate Installer FAQs

Getting Started

Q. I’m an Authorized Installer. How do I buy the eCrate package?

a. You can order the Chevrolet Performance eCrate kit part numbers from a local GM Dealership. The kit and battery will be shipped directly to your facility.

Package Details

Q: What is the size of the battery in the eCrate package? a. Battery dimensions below:

Height at front: 7.3 in. (185 mm)
Height at rear: 13.7 in. (347 mm)
Overall width: 50.2 in. (1276 mm)
Overall length 71.1 in. (1807 mm)
Weight: 947 lb. (430 kg)

Q. What are the horsepower and torque of the eCrate?

a. The eCrate motor generates 200 hp/150 kW and 266 lb.-ft./360 Nm of torque.

Q. Why are there three kit numbers?

a. We offer two wheelbase kits — a long and a short — plus an optional installation kit for transmission.

Q. Is the eCrate street-legal?

Q. What is included in the eCrate package?

Additional Assistance

Q. I’m an Authorized Installer. What if I need support with installation?

a. During pilot builds, Chevrolet Performance will be in close contact with you. Following that process, you can contact our Powertrain Call Center for any further questions or support regarding your builds.

Q. Where can I learn more about the eCrate package?

Q. What do I do if I have more questions about the eCrate?

a. Email us at ecratesales@gm.com with question(s) including your complete contact information, and we’ll get back to you.

How to purchase an eCrate

eCrate is sold exclusively through Chevrolet Performance approved installers. You can reach out now and purchase an eCrate through Lingenfelter at (260) 724-2552 or www.Lingenfelter.com. Stay tuned for additional installers.

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Chevrolet Performance eCrate package (400v/200hp)

Discussion

Discussion

Discover the full eCrate package

Package Details

Q. Is the eCrate street legal?

Q. What are the horsepower and torque of the eCrate?

Q. Do I need a transmission?

Q. What is included in the optional installation kit for transmission?

Q. Can I use a manual transmission?

Q. Can I increase horsepower?

Battery Specs

Q. What is the size of the battery in the eCrate package?

Q. What is the battery chemistry?

Q. What is the weight of the battery?

Q. What is the battery range?

Q. What is the voltage?

Q. What are my charging options?

Purchase Details

Q. How do I buy the Chevrolet Performance eCrate package?

Q. Where can I find an Authorized Installer?

Q. When can I buy the eCrate package?

Q. What is included in the eCrate package?

Additional Assistance

Q. What do I do if I have more questions about the eCrate?

Q. Where can I learn more about the eCrate package?

Getting Started

Q. I’m an Authorized Installer. How do I buy the eCrate package?

Package Details

Q: What is the size of the battery in the eCrate package? a. Battery dimensions below:

Q. What are the horsepower and torque of the eCrate?

Q. Why are there three kit numbers?

Q. Is the eCrate street-legal?

Q. What is included in the eCrate package?

Additional Assistance

Q. I’m an Authorized Installer. What if I need support with installation?

Q. Where can I learn more about the eCrate package?

Q. What do I do if I have more questions about the eCrate?

How to purchase an eCrate