Re: [DML] Re: New Delorean production....

["Tom Niemczewski" <dmctom@xxxxxxxxx>]

Speaking about the frame I have a question to the people who have actually 
seen or compared the DeLorean frame and a Lotus frame. Does Lotus have 
equally poor engineered suspension as the DeLorean?? I have my frame 
completely stripped at the moment and while looking at all the components 
only one thing comes to my mind "What were they thinking?"
The rear suspension is OK... I would expect more of it, but it is ok. 
Nothing more though.
The front suspension is a $^#^% mistake to say the least ;)
The bad things are:
Rear:
TABs
TABs mounting on both sides
Shock mounting on the bottom - the mount should be turned 90 degrees
Thin and weak hub carrier
No adjustments except for toe

Front:
Pretty much everything....
Upper control arm - should be stronger
Lower control arm  - should be stronger A-arm
Sway bar that controls caster and toe
Spring putting load on the lower control arm and the entire weight of the 
car on the lower ball joint
No adjustments except for toe

This design would be poor for one of those tiny matchbox sized European city 
cars but the DeLorean was suppose to be a sports car! The Esprit is 
definitely a sports car and I wonder how good the suspension is.

BTW, I am redesigning the frame and pretty much the entire suspension on my 
car. My frame is beyond repair as it turns out that the previous owner has 
wrecked the car pretty bad. I am building a new stainless steel frame from 
scratch! It should be interesting... I can't wait to drive the car on that 
new frame and suspension. Oh, my frame will still use much of the same parts 
as the original - ball joint, bushings, bolts, etc.


Tom Niemczewski
vin 6149 (in Poland!)
Google earth: 52°25'17.30"N 21° 1'58.00"E
dmctom@xxxxxxxxx
www.deloreana.com




> --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, mike.griese@... wrote:
>>
>> The Esprit does not have an identical frame.  They share the
>> center backbone and trailing link suspension layout, but
>> the front suspension mounts and engine cradle are completely
>> different.  There is a lot more torsional rigidity in the Esprit
>> frame than in the DeLorean, which is the main issue with
>> adding significantly more horsepower.  The DeLorean would
>> flex too much, compromising handling.
>>
>> The reason you can't buy a new Esprit is because it couldn't pass
>> crash testing anymore.  The car had been brought in on waivers
>> since the late 80's and Lotus finally couldn't get them renewed.
>>
>> --
>> Mike



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