Re: [DML] Engine Swap-Out

["Me" <at88mph@xxxx>]

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>
>