Re: [DML] Re: Modified Deloreans

[MPolzin@xxxx]

Robert,
I agree, I think the idea of a tubular frame under the Delorean is a great
idea. The whole fact that it can be done it very reassuring for the future
of these cars. I certainly don't want to knock what Pierce Design has done
because it is a great thing and a super product, however it isn't the most
cost effective and the reality is that most cars that have frame trouble
will never see one of these replacements just because of the cost involved -
they end up parted out. I guess I was just some what surprised just how
feasible this option would be considering the amount of discussion what has
gone on about it. Perhaps those involved in the discussion just didn't have
the contacts with the right people. It is certainly something I plan to
investigate further with him.

On the other subject of modifying a D for some HP, I was also some what
leery about having an engine that huge up front because the goal of this
project, IF it does become a reality is to keep the great looks of the car
in tact and give the car the horse power to back up those good looks. I do
not want something grotesque hanging out of the hood. But lets face it, my
cousins mini-van has more horses than a stock Delorean, a sad but true fact.

Cars become "fun" to drive around 200 HP (depending on size and weight
ofcourse) and are considered performance in the 300 HP range rolling off the
assembly lines in mass quantity. When you get into the 400 or 500 range this
is where the street legal street racers sit... this would be the goal. Funny
cars generate in excess of 1000 HP.. not the goal at all. Could it be done,
yes, Tad (my mechanic) has built 1800 HP engines which are just ridiculously
expensive. But there are a number of Cobras, Vettes, and such out there that
put out this kind of HP with a pretty reasonable set up.

To be honest, I have to wonder if a mid-mounted engine wouldn't be more
effective over the rear or forward mount. Although it would require that the
interior of the car be modified a bit to remove the cargo area, I'm not sure
that I would mind considering I don't play golf anyhow :) It would also
alleviate the steering problems without creating all of the front end
issues.This project is still in the investigation stages, so engine
placement is still up in the air as are engine choice, etc.

If this project gets off the ground I will certainly put together a web site
and document the process.

Take care,
Mike
VIN 4761

----- Original Message -----
From: "therealdmcvegas" <DMCVegas@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 1:06 AM
Subject: [DML] Re: Modified Deloreans


> The idea of a tube frame chassis in my opinion is a great one. And it's
one that
> I've asked about before. A boxed chassis though isn't something that I'd
even
> consider. If you were going to truly insert a powerplant into the car that
would
> create that much torsional flex on the car, I would rather reccomend
installing
> a "cradle" of two more tube rails running underneath the seats, and then
> connecting to the center backbone of the chassis. And of course you'll
need to
> figure in on cutting the body, and making room in the cockpit in install
the
> required roll cage.
>
> If you really want to run a front mounted engine, you can do it. But IMHO,
the
> front end is way too shallow to truly house any large motor. If you put a
hood
> scoop on the bonnet to try and cover up the intake, it would probably end
up
> being higher than the roof! But if you used the tubular chassis with the
cradle,
> I see no reason why you couldn't just run the drivetrain inside of the
backbone
> itself. If you're looking to have an engine up front just simply to keep
the front
> end on the ground, I'd rather look into getting a set of wheelie bars to
install
> on the back end, or other alternatives
>
> As for a drivetrain, I am obviously biased. I myself wouldn't touch and GM
> powerplant with a 10' cattleprod. For about $3.5 you can buy a brand new
> Ford Lightning 351C w/GT40 heads. Or for a bit more cash, and if you
> REALLY want to break the 500 BHP barrier (quite excessive just to simply
> have a powerful D), you could pick up a brand new HEMI crate engine direct
> from Mopar. Slap one of these up to a Quaife 6-Speed transaxle, and you'll
be
> good to go.
>
> Now if you want to do this to your car, there isn't anything to stop you.
It is after
> all your car, and you can indeed do what you want. Just be aware that it
will
> become a bit of a money pit after a while, and if you chose to sell it,
your
> options will be severly limited. But, I will make one suggestion to you.
>
> If you really want to build a DeLorean dragster, and are willing to
fabricate so
> many things from scratch, then why bother modding an existing D? I'd say
to
> hell with it all, and just build a funny car with a DeLorean body shell.
Instant
> dragster, with that unique body shape that you're looking for. And since
this
> kind of racing is dangerous, and accidents do happen, that is one thing
that
> you want to be aware of. A regular D has a very low center of gravity, so
> rollovers are not common at all. But when you start running this powerful
a car
> with the threat of lifing wheels and losing control, you're going to
increase the
> flip-ovwer factor. And there is no way in hell I'd want to be caught in
one if it
> flipped upside down doing 150mph+ on a racetrack. If it caught on fire,
how
> quickly do you think a rescue crew could wedge the car up to try and pull
you
> out? Or could they smash the windscreen out with that long slope, and
short
> height? Especially if you put all the weight into the front of the car,
and it tilts
> forward.
>
> So in the end, you can do what you want, but I'd reccomend to either build
it
> completly from scratch, or move on to something else.
>
> -Robert
> vin 6585 "X" <---------Ears still ringing from a day at the dragstrip.
>
> --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, MPolzin@xxxx wrote:
> <SNIP>
> > Has anyone actually attemped to do such a thing yet? Mounting the engine
> up
> > front would certainly do away with the front end issues (lack of
steering
> > because your tires are off the ground) and putting some real HP into a
D.
> > Are there any 500+ HP Deloreans out there? I am seriously considering
> > undertaking this project, and would be interested in feedback.
> >
> > Mike
> > VIN 4761
>
>
>
> To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
> moderators@xxxx
>
> For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see
www.dmcnews.com
>
> To search the archives or view files, log in at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>