I have an old v8 laying around that’s not very useful to me. Is there a company that sells conversion kits that replace the alternator and starter with an EV motor? I can’t seem to find one.
Edit: like this:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/l8b/
Found one:
https://m.roadkillcustoms.com/e-charger-bolt-on-electronic-supercharger/
I think all Volvos and Rams have them currently? And GM used to use them.
For drive power?
An alternator can charge a battery and run accessories, but given 1 horsepower is roughly 730 watts, you really need some high voltage system to keep the magic smoke in.
Edit: maybe we’re talking different things. Honda used to integrate electric motors directly to engines in their early hybrids. Ford, iiiiif I recall, combine engine and electric power in the CVT transmission.
Both can use the EV motor as a massive alternator, but a standard alternator is simply too small, and attached to the engine too weakly, to generate the power of a hybrid.
https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/l8b/
Volvo and Ram are using this system currently. Probably 48v.
The echarger I found runs 100+hp but doesn’t seem to be in production yet.
And that’s a system that was engineered end-to-end.
Developing an add-on is far more difficult.
Look at the aftermarket supercharger options for most any vehicle. Far simpler than this, and yet there are very, very few, with very limited engine platforms supported.
There are tons of superchargers for nearly every engine platform, but especially the common ones.