Followers of big-block American iron might feel anxious about the impending shift to the electric realm. Unfortunately, your nostalgia could be deemed unattainable. Nevertheless, there's big news for anyone engaged in transforming their classic. Although this technology is still in its infancy, it seems to be getting some momentum. Ford taunts an electric crate-powertrain solution, which will be revealed at the upcoming 2021 SEMA show in November.

Ford Performance is here to help you build your will-o'-wisp dream ride. You had an assortment of engine options from the Blue Oval, whether you need a Fox Body Mustang street car's 5.0-liter Coyote V8 or a Godzilla drag build with a 7.3-liter V8. Until now, electricity was not an option. However, Ford's 'Eluminator,' an off-the-shelf electric motor, gives new meaning to the term "crate motor." The name is a play on its all-aluminum V8 crate engine, designated as Aluminator, but pretty obvious with the "E" prefix, derived from electric propulsion. CAD drawings show that the crate engine will measure 570mm or 22.4 inches in length. Suggesting that it should go into most project cars and trucks.

However, we are left to question power and torque figures, battery options, and, lastly, the price. People will also want to know if the electric crate motor can connect to standard transmissions available in the market. The smallest of the crate motor, Ford's Ecoboost 2.3 motor, is 90mm larger (or wider, if you are thinking about transverse applications). Eluminator's compact dimensions make it very versatile to fit in most of the applications.

Related: 10 Amazing Crate Engines You Can Buy Right Now

Put An E On It With Ford's E-Crate

Ford E-Crate Motor
Via: Ford

Ford's upcoming electric-crate motor could use Mustang Mach-E GT sourced mechanicals. That generates around 281 horsepower (210kW) and 317lb-ft (429Nm) of torque, spinning at 13,800 rpm, and has a gear ratio of 9.05:1. Ford Performance will be asking for around $3,900 for the motor. But there is a catch: it comes with both low and high voltage wiring harnesses and a vent tube. However, the traction inverter and control system, as well as the battery, are not included.

For comparison, a crate Coyote engine starts at $9,500, and a crate Godzilla starts at $7,000. Ford is likely to sell a battery pack and other parts that will allow you to put together a running vehicle. Unfortunately, this will also double the price. On the other hand, it won't cost much if you source parts from aftermarket manufacturers. If Chevrolet's Blazer-E restomod is the reference point, it may take more adjustments to make a transformation like this conceivable. This big EV SUV used electric power steering, an electrical brake booster, as well as an adapter to allow the gauge cluster and the Bolt powertrain to work together.

Performance EV concepts

wdmp-200519-01084-1629477060
Via: Ford

2020 was the year that electric muscle cars took all the limelight at SEMA, and even off-road vehicles were on rage. Electric cars may not sound like what we associate with "American muscle." Instead, we motorheads love the sounds of cranked-up exhaust, smoking rubber, high-octane gasoline, and the ower of many ponies underneath the hood. So although we long for the traditional sounds and sights of asphalt eating the rubber, an electric motor is likely the answer.

Its arch American rival, Chevrolet, has been ahead of Ford in the launch of eCrate motor, the bo-tie brand unveiled it last year. However, until now, this motor is not available for public procurement. So instead, GM took a retro approach and presented a stunning 1962 electric Blazer pickup at SEMA 2019. The E-10 is 100% Chevrolet inside and features GM's eCrate Motor concept. This is a modular electric propulsion unit that employs the Chevy Bolt electrical components.

The Chevrolet Electric Connect and Cruise ECrate kit features a 200-horsepower and 266 lb-ft electric motor and a 60-kWh battery pack. It includes a DC to AC power inverter for driving the electric motor and a DC-to-DC power convertor to low-voltage inverter systems. You can also use the wiring harnesses and water pumps to heat and cool. Electric performance is evolving very rapidly. Major brands are looking at electric drag specials. Examples include the Chevrolet eCOPO concept and the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400. Hot rod and restomod enthusiasts follow the drag racers wherever they go.

Related: Here's Why The Ferrari 308 GTE Is Our Favorite Electric Car Conversion

Future Is Bright

1977-chevrolet-k5-blazer-e_100767364_h
Via: Greencarreports

Conversion projects are a great way to learn more about electric drive systems. Custom high-performance parts are expensive, just like any other vehicle. EVs make up less than 2% of all new vehicle sales. This means you won't have the same economies of scale as with gasoline-powered powertrain components. For example, the Chevy small-block is over 60 years old and has sold more than 1 million units.

Global demand for EVs has been on the rise, and there are many more options. This applies to both new EVs and electric crate motor conversions. In the next ten years, everything will progress even quicker. Someday, electric motors will be cheaper than gasoline-fed powertrains. Hence, which vehicle is on your top-of-the-line electric crate motor wish list for conversion. Although we doubt anyone will ask you to remove the aging iron block in your Ford vehicle, this could be a solution for those who want to keep their cars running if fuel costs rise or regulations make it restrict for internal combustion engines to operate on roads.