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 To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx 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 Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/