Re: engine swaps

[DMCVegas@xxxx]

I'm not trying to be a purist, or anything like that. So I will leave 
that out of this posting. But you will be disappointed with the 
DeLorean if you try to drag race it. The chassis isn't able to handle 
the extra tourque, and since the wieght is in the rear, the front end 
is more likely to come up. You will need to prepare for a long hard 
road ahead full on modifications that are not traditional, and VERY 
expensive!

If you REALLY want to, then of course no one is going to be able to 
stop you. After all, I've seen DeLoreans with Chevy, Buick, and Land 
Rover engines. I've seen DeLoreans converted into time machines, 4x4 
SUV's, trailers, and even a tow truck. What's one more, right?

Heed the warnings that lie ahead. If you really want an exotic car to 
drag, I would advise you to start looking at a Pantera with the Ford 
powerplant. The mounts are already in place, and you'll have room for 
extras. The PRV is a great engine, but a seriously neglected one when 
it comes to the world of aftermarket mods. The turbo charged 4-
bangers that Volvo put out IMO forced the PRV out of the way. You'll 
find more mods and accessories for B23 series engines than you ever 
will for the PRV family.

So, that's why you'll need to swap out the engine. Structurally, the 
car will not be torsionally strong enough with the gullwing doors.

If you want to make a DeLorean drag racer, I would construct a 
tubular, double Y, single backbone chassis in the same design as the 
current one. Use the Porsche tranny mounted to the engine of your 
choice. Construct the chassis to the mounts you will require for the 
drive train, and to accomodate the exhaust system. Be prepaired to 
modify the rear to accomodate the larger engine as well. You'll 
probably need to stretch the rear to go into the facia.

Another option could be to avoid using a DeLorean at all. I would 
follow the above steps (another option here is a double Y, double 
backbone chassis), but next, you could contruct the underbody from 
GRP. Plywood to form, and foam and fiberglass to complete the 
sandwich. The biggest thing of all will be the outside. Say goodbye 
to the gullwing doors. Hinge the canopy at the front for easy access 
to the engine, and to keep the car exotic. Just as DMC did for the 
prototype cars, and owners do for old CJ Jeeps, you could commission 
stainless steel skin for the outside of the car to go over the canopy.

I know this isn't totally DeLorean related. But I have also been 
thinking about the tubular chassis idea for my own stock car (I got 
the idea from when I found a web page where the owner had done the 
same thing for his Lotus). Keep the strength, but also reduce the 
overall wieght of the car. If any one has anything to add, please e-
mail me privately off of the list.

-Robert
vin 6585



--- In dmcnews@xxxx, monkeydemond@xxxx wrote:
> Hi, can a chevy 350 fit in a delo? the stock PRV engine doesn't 
have enought 
> power for me(i want to drag race). is it possible? and what would 
it take?
> 
> 
> Thanks
> 
> 
> Tom
> monkeydemond@xxxx 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]