Re: [DML] Engine Swap-Out

["cruznmd" <racuti1@xxxx>]

An excellent article!

I have one question for you. I have always been concerned about an 
increase in the weight bias. How much extra weight did you put back 
there? Any? 

I was told the Rover V-8 swap only adds 50 extra pounds. -If- I were 
to do an engine swap, I'd like to do it your way but I'd like to know 
how much extra weight there was first.

The fact that you did this WITHOUT being an experienced mechanic is 
incredible.

Rich
#5335


--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Me" <at88mph@xxxx> wrote:
> Marc,
> 
> Yep, I was the one who put a '94 Vortec 4.3 in my DeLorean. The 
cost was
> actually under $3k and I did all the work myself. I'd like to give 
everyone
> some info who is looking into doing a swap to a Chevy engine 
atleast. I've
> had the engine in there for about 3 years now and the only problems 
I've had
> is one bad alternator and one bad water pump which, of course, I 
was able to
> get locally for under $30 and with a lifetime warranty. The 
reason I
> chose the 4.3 is simple. It would fit without MAJOR changes to the 
engine
> compartment and is VERY reliable plus they are readily available at 
any
> junkyard for under $700. There is such a HUGE aftermarket for the 
Chevy
> that you can find all kinds of brackets. I didn't have to 
fabricate the
> alternator/AC brackets...Alan Grove components already makes a huge
> selection of them ($30 to $120). The only brackets I had to 
fabricate were
> the engine mounting brackets. Believe me, I would have loved to go 
with a
> V8, but I wanted to do this cost effectively and without putting a 
major
> strain on the stock auto tranny. Here is the big key to a DeLorean 
engine
> swap. If you go with over 230 hp (conservatively) you will end up 
having
> problems with the stock tranny. This is the weak point for a 
swap! Anyone
> thinking of a swap please take this into consideration before 
putting in an
> engine. It won't do you much good if you have 405 hp bolted up to 
a stock
> DeLorean tranny. However, I will be receiving on Wednesday, a 
Porsche 915
> tranny from a '72 Porsche 911. The reason I chose the 915 tranny 
is because
> of its size and fit for the DeLorean, the reason I chose a early 
model is
> there is no computer control. After extensive measuring, it will 
mount
> EXACTLY the same way to the Chevy engine(length wise) as my auto D 
does now
> so I won't have to refit anything to put in the tranny plus there 
will be
> ALOT of room towards the front of the car to worry about linkage. 
I will
> have to fabricate the linkage and also mounting brackets (which the 
only
> part that concerns me is the linkage) Also, there are alot of 
Porsche
> owners who want to put Chevy engines (and other types) into their 
Porsches
> so, using a Porsche tranny opens up alot of different engine 
possibilities.
> Look at www.kennedyeng.com or www.renegadehybrids.com for info. 
I'm going
> to have other problems with the tranny swap however, since mine is 
a auto
> but I don't think this will be a MAJOR setback. After pricing all 
the items
> needed for this swap, and taking into consideration that some 
problems will
> surely arise, the swap should cost me no more than $2,500 if that. 
(keep in
> mind, with that figure, I'll have to get pedals, shifter, etc since 
I don't
> have a 5 speed already; so with a 5 speed it would probably be alot 
less)
> Well worth the fact that, if the 915's are as good as everyone says 
they
> are, I'll have a bullet proof tranny and a durable proven motor 
that I can
> start building on. When I started my swap, alot of people told me 
it
> wouldn't be feasible/cost effective to put a Chevy engine in the
> DeLorean...well, truth be told, it was EXTREMELY easy to put the 
Chevy
> engine in there. In fact, if I would have known how easy it was, I 
would
> have done it a LONG time ago. My issue was that the DeLorean was 
always
> giving me problems and I just wanted a fun car to drive. Every 
week though
> it seemed something was wrong with it or something would break 
then, I'd
> have to wait for a few days for parts and pay out the $$$. Now, I 
know alot
> of people will defend the DeLorean and say "How can you say that? 
I've never
> had a problem out of mine!!?!" Well, good...that may be true for 
you but it
> wasn't the case for me and that's why I went for the swap. Also, I 
was no
> experienced mechanic by any means at the time I did my swap but I 
was able
> to make it work and its worked well. After I completed the engine 
swap, I
> decided to convert my '95 T/A to a 6 speed instead of an auto. 
Looking
> back, I'd say that was a harder swap than the D engine swap.
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Marc Levy" <malevy_nj@xxxx>
> To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 9:47 AM
> Subject: Re: [DML] Engine Swap-Out
> 
> 
> > I disagree with the statement below.
> >
> > $5K to get a extra 70HP out of a 20+ year old engine
> > is a awful lot of money. My conversion will be
> > between 260-300HP, and (best I can tell at this point)
> > will be about the same cost. When I am done, I will
> > have a modern technology engine with higher output and
> > better fuel economy than the PRV. More importantly,
> > the ability to go to any junkyard or auto part store
> > to get parts for the engine.
> >
> > I can guess that some may think "Yea, but your project
> > is not done!" True, and in the end if it even works I
> > may blow my target price.. However, I believe the
> > documented Chevy V6 conversions have been under the
> > $5k price point. This may have been Duke?
> >
> > See:
> > http://www.geocities.com/deloreanvortec/swap1.html
> >
> >
> > --- Louie Golden <louie@xxxx> wrote:
> > <SNIP>
> > > So before you go ripping out your PRV, consider
> > > DMC-Houston's power mods. Their exhaust system alone
> > > gives about 20 hp, and their stage 3 enhancements
> > > give 70 hp. I don't think you could get 70 extra hp
> > > in a DeLo any cheaper than their $5k upgrade. Plus
> > > you're keeping your car pretty much original... and
> > > it wouldn't be hard to return it that way.
> > ><SNIP>
> >