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Is my idea sacrilegious?
#1
Hello All,

New to the forum so please be gentle.

As the rest of you, I've always wanted a Delorean, however, my idea is slightly different in that I don't really want to buy a 'mint' one or even one in brilliant condition; nor keep it completely original.

What I would like to do is buy a Delorean as a project and replace the engine with something more powerful. Obviously, if this means I have to do some other work (e.g. replace the interior) then so be it. My rationale? I want the externals/body to look like a Delorean (as everyone else, I love the design); I want a more powerful engine (to run and sound like in the movies) and I cannot justify spending what is required in making it a complete film replica.

Thoughts?
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#2
Welcome!

I don't think anyone would mind a project car being restored in the way you describe.

Bare in mind it is possible to upgrade the PRV to increase performance without dropping in another engine.

Nick H
DOC 650
Jaguar X-Type
Range Rover Sport SDV6 "Rufus" (Mrs H's motor)
DeLorean DMC 12 Vin#2862

My other hobby...
http://www.lccuk.org.uk/
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#3
Not at all, many people have carried out interesting engine swaps, mainly in the USA , look on DMCTALK.ORG for more info.

I'm not sure why folks mess around with the original engine to gain power, it is quite dated and I've seen very mixed results, with modern engines readily available, e.g. from scrap yards, offering better performance, economy and reliability it's a no brainer to ditch the PRV and go for something modern.

The best match for the car I have seen recently was the VW VR6 turbo conversion, same engine as you get in VW Passat etc... Looked really well suited to the car, fitted the engine bay really nicely and not ridiculously powerful.

Lots of v8 swaps state side, but that's a little dull IMHO and not necessarily the best match to the car.

I have my engine out at the moment and, although I'm sure it's a lot of work, an engine swap doesn't look too daunting.

J
www.classicdelorean.com
Colchester - Essex - UK
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#4
I must admit I find the power ( of a correctly set up engine) 'adequate' to miss-quote Rolls Royce.

The sound is easy to get right by replacing the entire exhaust system by a custom free-flow one, with the special noisy option, which is what I had one on my BTTF car. My wife said she could hear me coming home 2 streets away!

You would probably need a speaker system like this to be able to hear the music though!

Many folk have customised the interiors.
Chris Parnham

Ex RHD Auto's etc.etc

Main Car.. Kia E Niro 4+
Toyota Vitz 4X4 1999 (the smallest 4X4 by far!)
Toyota RAV4 EV 1999.
1970 Jago Jeep.

DOC Club Historian 
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#5
justanewbie Wrote:Thoughts?
You can't polish a turd, stick with the PRV.

When de-catted and properly setup, it's power is more than adequate to keep pace with today's traffic.
VIN# 04708, Grey interior, 5 speed, October 1981
DOC 649
ex DOC 562
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#6
Quote:When de-catted and properly setup, it's power is more than adequate to keep pace with today's traffic.
Mike is correct, on my last car that was running a Volvo engine (though looked stock) it Dynoe'd at (IIRC) 162 hp at the flywheel after a performance exhaust was fitted. This was more than enough for the standard brakes etc to cope with Shock
However if you wish you may find a car that has no engine and needs a lot of interior work (Some states in America are very harsh on the interiors and they get toasted) this may be a good project for what you suggest. MartinG is a good resource for turbo upgrades, I'm sure someone is running around with a 3l Omega engine in as well.
Chris
Membership Secretary DOC UK
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584
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#7
MikeWard Wrote:You can't polish a turd

LOL! Big Grin

They may be turd, but they definitely give you a special feeling 8)
http://www.deloreanhire.com
http://www.fusiontimetravel.co.uk

Ex 1981 DMC Delorean Time Machine owner.
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#8
OP

As above, it depends on personal preference. What kind of power levels do you want? I would say no more than 200hp at the PRV with stock brakes, suspension etc.

Me personally? I love my speed but I wouldn't do much more than a full decat and exhaust system, you'll only find yourself on the back of a low loader more frequently (unless spending stupid money of course) :wink:

I would focus more on getting the PRVs fueling perfect by someone who knows them well.
http://www.deloreanhire.com
http://www.fusiontimetravel.co.uk

Ex 1981 DMC Delorean Time Machine owner.
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#9
MikeWard Wrote:You can't polish a turd

No, but you can roll it in glitter! :wink:
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#10
As if by magic a car with a powerful engine swap has just been put up for sale: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?10454 ... -(Modified)-VIN-SCEDT26T0CD010410
Chris
Membership Secretary DOC UK
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584
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#11
andyd Wrote:
MikeWard Wrote:You can't polish a turd

No, but you can roll it in glitter! :wink:

LOL. That's what the stainless panels were to mimic right?
http://www.deloreanhire.com
http://www.fusiontimetravel.co.uk

Ex 1981 DMC Delorean Time Machine owner.
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#12
Thank you all for the responses.

Chris - the car that has come up for sale on DMC talk is interesting but realistically, that would be above £30k which is more than I can justify.

Just conducting a search and I have come across the following:

http://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/1981 ... c-3235.htm

I know very little about the Delorean so please tell me if this is a bag of manure?
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#13
justanewbie Wrote:Thank you all for the responses.

Chris - the car that has come up for sale on DMC talk is interesting but realistically, that would be above £30k which is more than I can justify.

Just conducting a search and I have come across the following:

http://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/1981 ... c-3235.htm

I know very little about the Delorean so please tell me if this is a bag of manure?

I would get some closer shots of the front section of the chassis, it's conveniently a less focused one in that area..

That is a bucket load of work, but as long as the bonnet isn't damaged, you may be ok with one of those aftermarket fibre glass front bumpers which resolve the eyebrows also.

Windscreens are still available here in the UK so that will be easy enough under insurance after a week or so of owning it :wink:

If you don't know much about Deloreans though, I would highly advise against this one. Either that or contact some specialists first and provide them the link so that they can assess it for you.
http://www.deloreanhire.com
http://www.fusiontimetravel.co.uk

Ex 1981 DMC Delorean Time Machine owner.
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#14
Non-PRV engine swaps are generally a bad idea unless you want to go over twice the power of the stock car. The PRV (original or close relatives) can be tuned fairly easily to 180ish HP NA, or turbo or supercharged up to 250-300 HP. K-Jet can be replaced by modern EFI if reliability is a problem. Modern engine swaps need a lot of custom design and fabrication, make the car much harder to service (for anyone but the builder) and reduce resale value. If you want 400 HP+ then an engine swap is the only way to go and there are a handful of really impressive V8 DeLoreans out there. Only a handful though because it is really expensive and time consuming to do a good job of this; as well as the engine and its associated wiring you'll have to replace the transmission, upgrade the brakes and probably the suspension. There are more failed / half-completed DeLorean engine swap projects than successful engine swapped cars.
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#15
^ He's bang on the money. Heck, if you can't justify $30k, how are you going to justify $40-50k by the time it's safe with all that power too?

Tune the PRV to 180, job done.
http://www.deloreanhire.com
http://www.fusiontimetravel.co.uk

Ex 1981 DMC Delorean Time Machine owner.
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