Tesla Model S Boosted to 1700 HP with Chevy Drag Race Engine

Key Takeaways

1. A Tesla Model S has been converted into a gasoline-powered drag racer featuring a 565 cid Big Block Chevy engine.
2. The conversion was part of Sick Week 2025, where the modified Tesla generates 1700 HP, initially intended for a different project.
3. Significant modifications were made to the Model S’s chassis to accommodate the drag race shifter and engine components.
4. The team added a twin-turbo kit, with potential for an additional 500 HP with the right sponsorship.
5. The modified Model S can achieve impressive 60-foot drag race times of around 8.4-8.5 seconds and is also street-driven.

It’s always an excitement when a Tesla electric vehicle is combined with a gasoline engine for any reason. A Tesla Model S converted into a smoke-spewing drag racer takes the fun to a whole new level.

Previous Conversions

To be fair, there has been a gas-powered version of the Model S before (or more accurately, a diesel one). Last year, an enthusiast added a generator in the trunk to travel 3500 miles on just 76 gallons of fuel.

New Project Unveiled

The latest act in the Teslas-on-gas comedy show is, however, a serious attempt, featuring a 565 cid Big Block Chevy engine conversion. During Sick Week 2025, Robert Freund’s modification team presented a turbocharged Tesla generating 1700 HP, which was originally intended for a different project. The plan was to install the 1020 HP electric powertrain from the Model S into a ’68 Mustang, but they had to scrap that idea and pondered what to do with the stripped-down Model S they had left. After a few drinks, they decided to transform the Tesla into a gasoline-powered drag racer.

Technical Specifications

The Big Block Chevy sourced from Dart was fitted with its relevant cylinder heads and an Eagle crankshaft, then connected to an FTI TH400 transmission. The team had to significantly modify the unusually wide chassis of the Model S to fit the drag race shifter, but they eventually made it work.

They also added a rather modest twin-turbo kit with 20 lbs of boost to elevate the power output to 1700 HP. With the right sponsorship to provide suitable turbochargers for the engine’s displacement, they believe they can extract an additional 500 HP from the Tesla.

Performance Achievements

Even in its current state, the modified Model S can achieve a commendable time in the 60-foot drag race of around 8.4-8.5 seconds, despite its relatively large and heavy frame. What’s even more impressive is that the turbocharged Tesla has been “street-driven a ton,” according to Freund, unlike typical race cars, and it has seemingly gained respect from both Tesla enthusiasts and traditional car lovers alike when displayed.

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