We’re all for beautiful classic vehicles seeing a new lease on life, particularly when they’re given modern safety improvements, electric power or just returned to production for the next generation of buyers to collect and enjoy.
What’s a little tougher to understand is when an old vehicle that looks essentially like a box and was designed for utilitarian purposes gets brought back to life as an EV. Well, that’s what Chevrolet decided to do at the 2020 SEMA360.
At this event, they’re showing off a 1977 K5 Blazer with its motor replaced with an electric powertrain derived from the Chevrolet Bolt. The Blazer’s 6.5L V8, 3-speed automatic transmission, fuel system and exhaust were all removed. In its place is a Bolt EV electric motor and a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic with 200hp and 360Nm of torque. The Blazer retains its all-wheel drive capabilities.
Chevrolet say this is to demonstrate a new ‘Electric Connect and Cruise’ package the company plans to sell under their Chevrolet Performance division. The aim is to allow custom car modders to drop in an electric powertrain the way they’d do engine swaps through their existing powertrains.
We think this is a pretty good demonstration of what’s possible. Should these really take off, there’d be a viable way to keep older classic cars running in less polluting form.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
At 2020 SEMA360, Chevrolet will showcase a 1977 K5 Blazer converted to all-electric propulsion. The K5 Blazer-E is a functional proof of concept of the upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise package Chevrolet Performance plans to sell in the second half of 2021.
During the virtual event, Chevrolet Performance will survey SEMA members interested in building their own electric projects to help finalize Chevrolet’s initial eCrate offering.
Building the K5 Blazer-E
Chevrolet first previewed the eCrate conversion concept with the Chevrolet eCOPO Camaro in 2018, followed by the Chevrolet E-10 in 2019. Learnings from those vehicles helped inform Chevrolet’s Electric Connect and Cruise strategy.
The new Chevrolet K5 Blazer-E retains as much of the stock Blazer as possible and approximately 90 percent of the new parts installed for the eCrate package are factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV.
To convert the 1977 K5 Blazer, the team first removed from the Blazer the original 175-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V-8, three-speed automatic, fuel system and exhaust. Then, the team installed a Bolt EV electric motor, delivering 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The rest of the Blazer drivetrain remains untouched, including the transfer case, driveshaft and axles.
Power is supplied by a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack with 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy installed in the cargo area. Using production controllers and wiring harnesses preserves many Bolt EV features, including shock protection, battery heating and cooling, battery-overcharge protection and even regenerative braking.
The aftermarket components include an electric power steering kit, an electric pump providing vacuum to the stock brake system, and an electronic controller to drive inputs to the vintage Blazer gauges – such as displaying the battery’s state of charge on the original fuel gauge.
eCrate Installer Certification Program
To prepare for the eCrate launch, Chevrolet Performance is certifying Electric Connect and Cruise installers. Participating Chevrolet dealers and aftermarket companies will receive the training, tools and equipment needed to work with high-voltage systems and charging stations to service customers’ vehicles.
Lingenfelter Performance Engineering in Brighton, Michigan will be the first company to pilot the training and certification program. This experience will help inform the certification process for future installers.
The 60-kWh Electric Connect and Cruise package, expected to be available in the second half of 2021, includes:
- 60-kWh battery pack
- 200-horsepower electric motor
- DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor
- DC-to-DC power converter to power low-voltage systems
- Wiring harnesses, controllers and water pumps for battery heating and cooling
Chevrolet Performance is also evaluating additional eCrate packages with higher-performance options and new battery configurations to fit a wider range of aftermarket applications. Longer term, the team will work to integrate GM’s modular Ultium battery system technologies.
