A classic Fox-body Ford Mustang from the early 1990s has been converted to run on electricity, showcasing the potential of electrified classic cars while keeping elements of the original driving experience intact. The conversion, carried out by Georgia-based FuelTech and featured in a video by The Racing Channel, retains the vehicle’s manual gearbox, a feature not commonly associated with electric vehicles but one that adds to the car’s engagement and appeal for enthusiasts.
The Fox-body Mustang, built from 1978 to 1993 on Ford’s Fox platform, was a significant model in the Mustang lineage, following the downsized and underpowered second-generation model. While it was more popular than its predecessor, its performance, by today’s standards, was modest. Unless equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 or a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, most versions of the Fox-body Mustang required over 10 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph.
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Even the V8 models needed about 7.5 seconds, with later fuel-injected versions reducing the time to approximately six seconds. The electric conversion, in contrast, delivers a substantial performance boost, with an output of 500 horsepower and more than 700 pound-feet of torque, making it significantly quicker than its gasoline-powered counterpart.
One of the key achievements of this conversion is its weight balance. Electric conversions often result in vehicles gaining weight due to the added mass of battery packs, even as they shed heavy internal combustion components. However, this particular Mustang remains around 50 pounds lighter than its original specification, a notable feat. “The key points with this particular conversion… [are] the original manual gearbox, which you don’t have to use in an EV, but it still adds to the driving fun, and the fact that it isn’t any heavier than the original,” the video description states.
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The weight distribution is carefully maintained by splitting the battery pack between the front and rear sections of the vehicle. Some of the battery modules are placed under the hood alongside the drive unit, inverter, and other electronics, while the remaining ones are positioned at the rear. This layout ensures that the handling characteristics of the Mustang remain as close as possible to the original.
Unlike modern electric vehicles that rely on single-speed transmissions, this converted Mustang retains its manual gearbox, allowing for gear changes much like in a traditional gasoline-powered car. The conversion enables drivers to shift gears as they normally would, with the added ability to keep the car in second or third gear when desired, thanks to the abundant torque available from the electric motor. The manual transmission remains functional, with the motor’s RPM dropping as gears change, and even the slight judder from the clutch engagement is present, preserving the classic driving feel.
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While the stock transmission was never designed to handle the high torque output of an electric powertrain, the builders of this Mustang are committed to keeping a manual gearbox in place. It is expected that the original transmission will eventually require replacement with a stronger unit capable of handling the increased power.
For enthusiasts who appreciate the driving dynamics of a manual transmission, this approach offers a compelling alternative to conventional EV conversions, which often replace the entire drivetrain with direct-drive electric systems. This build preserves the car’s original driveshaft, differential, axles, and suspension components, making it a relatively straightforward conversion compared to more complex EV swaps that require extensive modifications.