A Change of Heart - This Twin-Turbo Tesla Ditched the EV for Gasoline and Big Tires to Take on Sick Week!
Even though some of the EV models that have come out in recent years have made for some quick times, there’s a clear divide from most enthusiasts about whether they like them or not.
But in the case in this Tesla, enthusiasts get the mix of the modern EV styling combined with horsepower fueled by E-85 instead of batteries. And for 2025, owner Greg Ward and builder Chris Doane are hoping to take it to the street and track on Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive.
The first drag-and-drive of 2025, Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, is just a couple weeks away! Combine winter temps with great tracks (and traction), and you get a truly awesome experience! Four tracks, two states and five days of beautiful views and quick runs! For more details on Sick Week, CLICK HERE!
Greg has immersed himself in cars and cars for over 30 years, getting his racing start in dirt track when he was 15 years young. After taking a break, he decided drag racing would be his next scene, and got talked into checking out the drag-and-drive landscape.
A benchracing conversation with Chris led to taking this Tesla in a different direction. “We really wanted build something different,” said Chris. Enter one 2015 Tesla Model S, which Greg discovered on Copart.
Although the Tesla was originally acquired for a different reason, the Model S ended up being the subject of Greg’s newest ride. “We didn’t build it to run a certain class,” Chris said. “We just wanted to build it to run faster than a stock Tesla.”
To get started, the stock chassis and floor was relieved of its duties, and replaced with a mild steel tube chassis and roll cage, built to 25.4 SFI specs for as quick as 7.50-second elapsed times.
With no batteries and electric motor to move the Tesla, Greg decided to go big cubic inches for power, with 565 cubic inches of big block Chevrolet.
Based on a Dart Machine block, the mill sports an Eagle crankshaft and connecting rods, with Mahle pistons, Comp Cams valvetrain and an Ultra Ram EFI intake. A final 8.8:1 compression ratio works well with a pair of GT45 turbochargers and pump E-85 fuel for street and strip duty.
Backing the twin-turbo mill is a FTI Performance Turbo 400 with a FTI converter, connected to a Chassis Engineering 9-inch rear end. Chassis Engineering was also tapped for the 4-link rear suspension, with Afco struts and shocks at all four corners with Weld Racing Magnum wheels and Hoosier rubber, sized 31-inch tall x 18.5-inches wide at the back.
Although they went backwards in technology on the engine and transmission by some standards, Chris kept some of the Tesla’s functions, including the power door handles, windows and mirrors. Inside, the redone interior features a Haltech ECU, along with a Motion Raceworks Operator shifter and steering wheel.
After participating on the 2024 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive in Sick Ward, Greg and Chris are wanting to add the on-track element to things this time around.
“We want to run as many events as possible, including Sick Week,” said Chris. “It is a great way to enjoy racing without having to chase that win. You can choose to be competitive or just enjoy the ride.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Chris Doane.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com