Electric vehicles often dominate in drag racing. Full power from the word “Go” and the precision of electric motors results in neck-spraining straight-line sprints and heart rate elevating 0-60 mph dashes. When we discuss EV performance, the Tesla Model S Plaid is one of the most notable models in the sporty EV segment. And the new Model 3 Performance isn’t far behind, with an affordable price and a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.9 seconds.
Even though it is a ludicrous machine capable of outrunning supercars, what if that performance wasn’t enough? Several upgrades can be made to electric vehicles to improve performance.
EVs are now a part of daily life, which means tuners naturally want in on that action. That’s why we’re exploring this new avenue of car tuning. This article will only focus on technology specifically designed for electric vehicles and that is available to the public.
Basic Bolt Ons
It should come as no surprise that the aftermarket support for electric vehicles is incomparable to the aftermarket as a whole. While small, enough suppliers and parts manufacturers produce appealing products to improve electric vehicle performance. The easiest modifications that can be made to an electric vehicle to increase performance would be better and larger brakes, upgraded suspension, aerodynamic elements, and better tires. These components would allow for better braking, better body control, better road-holding, and, as a bonus, improved visual appeal.
Brakes
Let’s start with brakes. Typically, the solution for better brakes is bigger ones, and carbon ceramic brakes would be best when bigger ones are not feasible. High-performance electric vehicles like the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT rely on large, lightweight carbon ceramic brakes. Still, an aftermarket set of carbon ceramic brakes would come at a hefty cost. Beyond the rotors, brake lines, brake cooling ducts, and high-performance brake pads would be essential components to improve braking performance further.
Suspension
Suspension systems for electric vehicles are easy to acquire, with certain brands and manufacturers catering exclusively to electric vehicles. A notable example is Unplugged Performance, which had previously worked on Joe Rogan’s Tesla Model S Plaid. This company offers an array of bolt-on components specifically for Teslas. As far as suspension goes, there is no limit, with the main deciding factor being how much of the vehicle’s original suspension an owner would want to be replaced, which can include the control arms, trailing arms, camber arms, coilovers, and bushings.
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Aerodynamic parts
Parts designed for aerodynamic performance would not be limited to suppliers catering exclusively to electric vehicles. As such, the selection available for an EV is less restrictive than other components we’ve discussed and will discuss. Important aspects of a vehicle that would benefit from aftermarket aero-enhancing parts would include front splitters, diffusers, canards, and rear spoilers.
Tires
Performance-focused electric vehicles are usually equipped with competent standard tires. Still, a wider and more capable tire will be one of the easiest components that can be changed to impact vehicle performance significantly. It’s important to note that electric vehicles have different tires compared to standard ICE vehicles because of the specific needs and characteristics of an electric vehicle, such as its weight and torque output.
While tires may differ, wider tires are better as they provide more surface area, which increases grip. Some tires to consider include the Michelin Pilot Sport EV, Pirelli P Zero MS, and the Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires. Also, aftermarket wheels, especially lighter wheels, would be another aspect to look at as it means that a vehicle has less unsprung mass, which results in better fuel economy, handling, better braking, and improved acceleration.
Just keep in mind that EVs tend to chow through tires more rapidly than their gas-powered counterparts.
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More Than Skin Deep
This section will discuss a performance modification option that is a step above simple bolt-on components. After adorning an electric vehicle with some basic go-faster parts, the next step for added performance is tuning, specifically, an EV’s electronic control unit. An aftermarket solution would be the way to go.
Parts suppliers like AEM Electronics offer stand-alone electric vehicle control units like its VCU 300 product, which is designed for high-performance electric vehicles and motorsport applications that allow for the creation of a customized torque management strategy and can accommodate up to four inverters/motors. An aftermarket solution like this will cost roughly $4,000 to $5,500, depending on the supplier and type of aftermarket ECU.
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Typically, tuning an electric vehicle’s ECU means tuning its electric motor software, adjusting the vehicle power delivery protocols, and adjusting its regenerative braking systems and software. Changing these aspects of an EV’s ECU results in improved performance, which could mean better acceleration abilities, higher top speeds, improved energy recovery during regenerative braking, and allows for thermal management system adjustment to maintain optimal operating temperatures for a modified EV setup.
Other aftermarket solutions focus on specific aspects of an electric vehicle’s operation. DTE Systems offers a tuning solution called the PedalBox, a tuning system that improves throttle response and changes the characteristics of the accelerator pedal to offer better acceleration. It’s important to remember that the easy part is buying the components; the hard part is finding someone capable of tuning these components and electric vehicles without introducing any unwanted risks and issues. Improper tuning could result in an electric vehicle’s battery and motor systems being damaged, while at the very least, it would void the vehicle’s warranty.
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Uprooting Powertrains
This is where our modification efforts become extreme. If improved aerodynamics, brakes, upgraded suspension, a tuned ECU, and a handful of other components have not satiated our search for greater performance, the next step would be modifying the electric motors and the vehicle battery.
Let’s assume that before purchasing an aftermarket electric motor, someone able to do the work is already onboard; the next step is to find an aftermarket solution. There are a handful of options available. Stealth EV, a supplier of premium EV parts, offers the public a selection of electric motors. One of the most notable offerings is the Stealth Drive electric motor, designed to offer the highest continuous output in its class and has a maximum power rating of 469 hp. Other aftermarket electric motors include the ones offered by Cascadia Motion.
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Hypercraft is a Utah-based company specializing in electric vehicle propulsion and technology. One of this company’s most noteworthy offerings is a series of complete electric powertrains, some exclusively for motorsport applications, while others are for road use. The most powerful offering from Hypercraft is its S1000Di dual motor powertrain, which includes an inverter, vehicle control unit, radiator, water pump, cables, and wiring harness.
Aside from batteries, Hypercraft also offers a modular EV battery pack dubbed the HyperPack, available in three sizes. The largest and highest capacity offering among the three is the HyperPack Max battery, which has a capacity of 19.4 kWh in its “power” configuration and has a built-in battery management system that will lend itself well to any tuning ambitions.
Tuning and modifying an internal combustion engine vehicle is hard; tuning and modifying an EV is a whole other ball game that would require deep pockets and extensive knowledge of the inner workings of electric vehicles. That’s why these products mentioned above are aimed more at the EV restomod scene than a person with a 2014 Model S looking for a bit more get up and go.
Sources: Unplugged Performance, Hypercraft, AEM Electronics
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