- Eric and Amanda Dotson converted a 1990 Nissan Skyline GTR into an 800 AWHP electric vehicle named “Evzilla,” using a Tesla P90D dual motor setup.
- With over 25 years of experience, Eric began in car audio and expanded to tuning hundreds of cars through his shop, Evolved Imports, specializing in JDM classic EV swaps.
- The Evzilla has won awards like Best Performance and Best EV Conversion at Electrify Showoff in Phoenix, AZ, supported by a dedicated and welcoming EV community.
A legend is reborn in the sun-soaked streets of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Eric and Amanda Dotson have taken the classic 1990 Nissan Skyline GTR, affectionately dubbed “Godzilla,” and infused it with the technology of electric vehicle (EV) conversions.
With over 2 decades in the car community and a vision to merge classic performance with modern technology, they have created “Evzilla”, an 800 AWHP all-wheel-drive beast powered by a Tesla P90D dual motor setup. Their story, supported by a dedicated community and driven by a passion for innovation, showcases the future of car modifications through their company, Evolved Imports.
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Eric Dotson was introduced to the car scene in the late 90s, a time when neon lights and turbocharged imports ruled the streets. “I started building imports in the late 90s and early 2000s,” Eric recalls. “I had my turbo Integra at the premiere of the original Fast and the Furious on opening night at our local theater.” This love for high-performance cars laid the foundation for what would become an awesome automotive story, one I’m excited to share.
Eric’s passion for cars can be traced back to his early days in car audio. “Honestly, I started in car audio at The Installers Institute school in Compton in 1996. I did car audio while I went to college and the local scene just exposed me to the performance side, and I have been doing it ever since!” Eric recalls. This exposure led him to tune cars for friends, which eventually blossomed into a side business in 2007. “That side gig expanded to my speed shop, tuning hundreds of cars every year,” he adds.
From Dodge Neon to Nissan Skyline GTR
“I have been building and modifying cars for 25+ years,” Eric mentioned his experience building and modifying cars. Eric started with a humble Dodge Neon, then graduated to a 1997 Acura Integra, which he built up in the early 2000s. “I did a whole front-end JDM swap on that thing and got up to 600hp before selling it for a family car (Acura MDX, lol),” he reminisces.
His passion for car modification, supported by his wife Amanda, led them to acquire a 1973 Datsun 240Z in 2010. “We thought Dotson-Datsun was too funny not to pursue,” Eric and Amanda laughs. This build included an LS1 huge turbo setup, which was later swapped out for a manual 2JZ turbo setup making 770hp for more street fun. Their projects also include a restomod 1976 VW Bus and, of course, the 1990 Skyline GTR (EV) Evzilla.
Fast forward to June 2023, when Eric bought a 1990 Nissan Skyline GTR as a rolling shell with the audacious intent to customize it with an EV conversion. The idea was clear: to merge the iconic performance of the GTR with the futuristic power of electric propulsion. “I wanted to do something unheard of, not done yet,” Eric explains. “Making the Electrified Godzilla… Evzilla, and keeping it in line with the spirit of the GTR R32 by doing an AWD dual motor EV swap felt perfect.”
Unleashing 800 AWHP with Tesla P90D Dual Motor Setup, Backed by a Passionate Car Community
Under the hood lies a Tesla Model S P90D dual motor setup with Ludicrous mode, powered by sixteen Gen2 5.3kWh Tesla battery modules from a Model S P85. This setup delivers an astonishing 800 AWHP (All-Wheel Horsepower), ensuring that the Evzilla is as fierce on the road as its nickname suggests.
Eric’s vision was supported by a community of friends and experts. “I have been in the car community for 20+ years, and a lot of people were excited to give back to our build,” he says. Names like Arthur Fischer, Brian Wilson, and Michelle Campos played pivotal roles in bringing this dream to life. It’s a project that has garnered respect and admiration.
Eric’s dedicated serious time into research, which played a crucial role in the build. “I did a ton of research and I wanted brands that had proven performance, after-market support and availability. So the Tesla motors and batteries really fit a lot of what I needed,” he explains.
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His love for Frankenstein cars, those wild and crazy motor swaps, drove the project forward. His previous builds, like a 600 WHP turbo Acura Integra and a 1973 Datsun 240Z with a 2JZ Supra motor making 800 WHP, showcase his talents and relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries. “The idea of cutting-edge hot-rodding and performance, seeing hypercar technology, and loving Frankenstein cars inspires me,” Eric shares.
The R32 Skyline GTR Evzilla is a combination of innovation and nostalgia, with a design that pays homage to the classic modded vehicles of the 1990s. The exterior features a Jun body kit, FRP fenders, hood, and trunk for weight savings, all painted in a striking Toyota Voodoo Blue. Inside, Recaro SP1 seats and JDM Confetti upholstery create a seamless blend of past, present, and future.
The car rides on Volk Racing TE37 wheels wrapped in Hankook RS3 tires (255/40/17R), and it stops on a dime thanks to a Brembo big brake kit. The chassis is supported by Öhlins coilovers with custom Evo spec springs in the rear to accommodate the extra battery weight.
In addition to its performance, the Evzilla features impressive features like LED tail lights, underglow, and LED battery highlights in the battery boxes. The interior is equipped with a Momo steering wheel, Alpine audio head unit, and JL Audio speakers, an amplifier, and a subwoofer, providing a premium audio experience to match the Skyline GTR R32’s powerful performance.
Eric and Amanda Dotson’s Award-Winning Nissan Skyline GTR EV Conversion
Building the Evzilla was not without its challenges. “The dual motor swap in this kind of vehicle just hasn’t been done,” Eric notes. Custom driveshafts and a few last-minute road trips were necessary to make the build a reality in time for SEMAfest. Yet, these hurdles only added to the thrill and satisfaction of the project.
The Nissan Skyline GTR has not only turned heads but also won awards, including Best of Show presented by Yokohama Tire in Electrify Showoff Driven by Yokohama Tire in Denver (CO), Best Coupe in Long Beach (CA), and Best Performance and Best EV Conversion presented by POR 15 at Electrify Showoff Driven by Yokohama Tire in Phoenix, AZ. It’s a testament to Eric’s philosophy that “if the car doesn’t scare you a little, you’re not having fun.”
Throughout the automotive journey, the Dotsons have found inspiration and support in their community. “The EV community just wants to see you succeed,” Eric says. The camaraderie and encouragement from friends and fellow enthusiasts have been a driving force behind the project. “My community here in New Mexico and the EV community I discovered have been incredible,” Eric shares.
Driving a 9-Second Godzilla
“I made a ton of new friends (the guys at Revolt Systems and Legacy EV) and found that the folks in this community are supportive and welcoming. Running a tuning shop, you get to experience the competitiveness first hand, at the track and on the streets. The EV community just wants to see you succeed.” And at the heart of it all is Amanda Dotson, whose unwavering support has been crucial. “None of this could have happened without my wife,” Eric rubs it in. “Including this article (LOL).”
The reaction that Evzilla gets wherever it goes is phenomenal. “I have always pushed the envelope; I am not a car purist by any means, so getting to talk to people about the build, or the nostalgia, or even how much they dislike it, haha, is awesome,” Eric shares. “Also, it’s a lot of fun to drive! The experience is wild, and that is a lot considering I have drag-raced cars in the 9-second class. I would equate it to riding a dragon…or maybe a Godzilla?!”
EV Conversions and JDM Classics
Eric reflects on the build’s origins, “This build started as a ‘if you build it, they will come’ type of thing. I have been in the automotive performance industry for a few decades and I love innovation. I built Evzilla to showcase what I can do and what is possible. Evolved Imports started to build JDM classic EV swaps.”
The story of Eric and Amanda Dotson’s 1990 Nissan Skyline GTR, now Evzilla, is a story of embracing change, pushing boundaries, and redefining what’s possible in the world of automotive performance and customization. As Eric fittingly puts it, “I truly believe that EV conversions are the next best builds for speed and fun.”
For more information on Electrify Showoff Driven by Yokohama Tire, visit www.electrifyexpo.com/showoff and follow on social media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube.
2024 Electrify Expo Schedule
| Date | Location |
| March 16-17 | Orlando, FL (new location for 2024) |
| May 4-5 | Phoenix, AZ (new location for 2024) |
| May 31-June 2 | Long Beach, CA |
| July 13-14 | Denver, CO (new location for 2024) |
| August 24-25 | San Francisco, CA |
| September 14-15 | Seattle, WA |
| October 12-13 | Long Island, NY |
| November 8-10 | Austin, TX |
OWNER/VEHICLE DETAILS
Owner: Eric & Amanda Dotson
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA
Instagram links: evolved_imports, sqctuning, littlelunathebus
Vehicle: 1990 Nissan Skyline GTR R32
Horsepower: 800 AWHP (596.56 kW)
Club/Team: NM_Swagger
ELECTRIFY SHOWOFF AWARDS
| Show | Category |
| Electrify Showoff Denver, CO 2024 | Best of Show presented by Yokohama Tire |
| Electrify Showoff Long Beach, CA 2024 | Best Coupe |
| Electrify Showoff Phoenix, AZ 2024 | Best Performance, Best EV Conversion presented by POR 15 |
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
| Category | Description |
| Performance Electronics | EV Controls T2C, Dilithium BMS System and Charger Controller, AEM CD5 Dash, AEM CCU |
| Powertrain | Tesla P90D Dual Motor Setup with Ludicrous Mode, 16 Gen2 5.3kWh Tesla Battery Modules (P85) |
| Wheels & Tires | Volk Racing TE37 Wheels, Hankook RS3 255/40/17R Tires |
| Brakes | Brembo Big Brake Kit |
| Chassis & Suspension | Ohlins Coilovers with Custom EV Spec Springs in Rear for Extra Battery Weight |
| Exterior | Jun Body Kit, FRP Fenders, Hood, Trunk for Weight Savings, Painted Toyota Voodoo Blue |
| Lighting | LED Tail Lights, Underglow, LED Battery Highlights in Battery Boxes |
| Interior | Recaro SP1 Seats, JDM Confetti Upholstery, Momo Steering Wheel |
| Audio & Multimedia | Alpine Head Unit, JL Audio Speakers, Amplifier, and Subwoofer |
| Sponsors | Next Level Paint, EV Racing, Butler Recycling, SQC Tuning, SRD Mechanical |
| Shops & Mechanics | SQC Tuning, SRD Mechanical, House of Covers, Next Level Paint |
1990 Nissan Skyline GTR R32 Photo Gallery
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IMAGES: ELECTRIFY EXPO
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