[DML] Re: Engine Swap-Out (Rice Burners)

["therealdmcvegas" <DMCVegas@xxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Jim Strickland <ihaveanaccount@xxxx> 
wrote:
<SNIP>
> I don't see how the rover v8 is the most logical engine 
replacement. 
> Considering that the Delorean has English electrics and suspension,
> german fuel injection, italian design, french/swedish engine, built 
in
> Ireland with an American Founder, I think the most logical engine is
> Japanese.

I'm not basing the engine choice on any type of "herritage", or 
anything like that. Imposing that kind of a restriction to either 
keep heritage, or to purposfuly be diverse is actually counter 
productive to the cause at hand.

I'm basing the choice on the fact that it's a commonly used motor in 
Europe for aftermarket engine swaps, and kit car building. Most 
notably, the Rover V8 is usually bolted up to the same Renault UN1 
transaxle that the DeLorean uses. So when it comes to tuning the 
engine, troubleshooting issues with the drivetrain (read: input 
shaft), and even unique/custom installations, a great deal of the 
footwork has already been done for the entire drive train, and not 
just the motor.

Japanese motors are fine, and they do indeed have their place in the 
automotive world. But they are not somthing that I would consider for 
an engine swap, or custom kit car. If I were going to need a I-4 
powerplant, I'd simply stick with a Volvo. Don't get me wrong, 
compact cars are nice. When fuel economy, and close city driving is 
concerned, I like compacts (although I am more partial to Korean 
cars, as opposed to Japanese). They are efficient, practical, and 
entirely foriegn to me. Sure they can be tuned, but why put all the 
extra effort into a 4-6 cylinder motor that offers virtually no after 
market support for custom installations both physicly, and for engine 
management (convert from OBD-II to some custom engine management 
system), and have helluva high costs when it comes to pricing out 
blocks and components (I prefer old fashioned type wrenching, and 
still visit the junkyards when looking for parts)? No thanks. Raw 
power and final output, balanced with installation compatability and 
cost are more important factors to me in a project like this, rather 
than achiving some ideal power=>displacement ratio.

While I was never that deep into it as many people in sport compact 
cars are now. I have been thru that "ricer" phase, and have realized 
just how damn goofy both my car looked, and how I did for doing that 
stupid stuff to it (wheel covers, amber foglights, neon license plate 
frame, fake cell phone antenna, steering wheel cover, windshield 
vinyl stickers, etc...). Now I know how my father felt when looking 
back on those checked pants, and leisure suits he wore back in the 
70's...

So yes, I've been there, and done that. So I can criticise. 
Fortunetly, my DeLorean somewhat "saved" me. When it came time to 
start "modifying" the exhaust, and the cold air intakes, I compared 
prices, and thought of saving my cash to buy a D sooner. Needless to 
say, the DeLorean won out.

So yes, I have respect for true tuners. The guys who truly do put 
their wrenches where their mouths are, and crease some true hell on 
wheels import dragsters. But dudes who simply stop at stickers and 
colored wiring harness sheaths? No, love there. Taking inspriation 
from the office "demotivational posters", my feelings can easily be 
summed up: "Incompetence: When You Earnestly Believe You Can 
Compensate For A Lack Of Skill By Doubling Your Efforts, There's No 
End To What You Can't Do."

No everyone is able to turn their Hondas into bad ass drag racers. 
And there isn't anything wrong with that. But atleast stop pretending 
that your car is somthing it isn't since it still has a stock motor.
-Robert
vin 6585 "X"