Fw: [DML] Rob Grady's new shocks

["Chris Parnham" <chrisparnham@xxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: <senatorpack@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 5:54 PM
Subject: Re: [DML] Rob Grady's new shocks


>
>
> Dear DML,
>
> I just wanted you to know what a fantastic experience I had in New
York
> last week. I was at PJ Grady DeLorean, Long Island, NY AKA...DeLorean
Heaven
> (read on).
> I wanted to share with you my thoughts on how well Rob Grady's famous
> Green DeLorean, sounds as well as handles. And some of the new products
and
> kits that he is offering to the DeLorean market.
>
> First a little background. I was impressed with Rob and his family &
> staff when I first meet them in the early 1990s. At that time and for some
> time, I wanted to buy a DeLorean, but I had no clue what to look for when
> buying a car.
> After many disappointing encounters with butchered DeLoreans and some
> intimidating people within the DeLorean circle, I made an appointment to
meet
> with Rob Grady. I found out through word of mouth (at a DOA event) that
Rob
> was the only original full service DeLorean dealership still in operation.
> When I arrived at his shop, my jaw was on the floor! Years of people
telling
> me that parts and service were not available, DeLoreans were not a good
car,
> all of the myths and misnomers about the DeLorean were squelched the
instant
> I arrived in... DeLorean Heaven!
>
> Rob took the time from his busy schedule to show me his facility,
meet
> his staff, drive and explain the working of a DeLorean. I was not only
very
> impressed with Rob and his staff, but also how busy they were. (and still
> are).
> As Rob and I drove around and talked, I explained to him that his car
> was the first well tuned and cared for DeLorean I drove. How the other
> DeLoreans were (many were neglected) and how I thought they were a little
> faster and better handling (as most of us do).
> Rob told me that he was working on his personal DeLorean, the Green
> DeLorean. He went on to say he was developing a simple kit that he wanted
to
> offer to increase the handling and performance of the car. Rob was working
on
> a Rear and Front spring lowering kit in his green DeLorean for prototype
> testing at that time. (early 1990s)
>
> Last week, Rob showed me the New Front suspension Spring Kit and
> Front and Rear Shock Kit custom made for the DeLorean. Rob further
explained
> that only the front spring height needed correction, (only the front was
> raised at the factory) and the rear spring kit he was developing was a
little
> too low for his taste.
> Rob explained how they were made, the geometry of the set up and how
> well it improves the ride and handling of the car. The engineering and the
> manufacturing of the shocks and springs comes from one of the best
> manufacturers of shocks and springs. Definitely high quality and lots of
> attention to detail.
> For testing purposes, Rob had several (1/2 a dozen or so) DeLoreans
> fitted across the country with prototype shocks and springs. Rob wanted
the
> testing of the kit to include different climates and road conditions. The
> shocks and springs went through a one year testing period across the
United
> States with no reported problems. The settings and specifications for the
> shocks were finalized, and the green light was given to start production.
>
> As a former motocross racer I know the importance of a good shocks
and
> springs. I noticed how well they were made, and after doing some reading I
> knew what to look for in the springs and shocks and these definitely have
> them. I could see that these new springs could take a beating with no
> problem. I also like the fact that the shocks are totally rebuildable.
>
> The new exhaust kit for the DeLorean makes impressive performance
and
> sounds with the custom exhaust manifolds, and free flow muffler (sounds
like
> a Porsche 930 turbo). The engine has more pep and a confident throaty
sound
> from the car. Again high quality and serious attention to detail.
> The new free flow exhaust at highway speeds around town and while
> shifting, definitely kept me well informed what the engine was doing and
how
> well the engine was performing. When we were driving enthusiastically the
new
> free flow exhaust sounded just right and didn't seem obnoxious or too
loud.
> As the Rpm's were climbing in the DeLorean the exhaust hung right in
there,
> the exhaust note climbing to just the right pitch of a well made European
> car. (I remember Rob's exhaust design and prototype for the DeLorean back
in
> 1995.) At this point I was ready for a serious drive with the new
components.
>
> When I was offered to drive the Green DeLorean with the new shocks,
front
> springs and exhaust kit, I jumped at the chance. However, I wanted a ride
in
> his beautiful Lotus Esprit s4S first. We decided to start with the Lotus
and
> finish up the day with the Green DeLorean. I have been in some older
1970s
> Esprit S2 and 1980s and pre 1993 (before GM) Lotus Esprits S3 before, so I
am
> familiar with older Esprit's performance and handling.
> The Lotus Esprit s4S has unbelievable performance with handling to
> match. The handling in the Lotus feels very sophisticated and
exceptionally
> engineered. I can understand why John DeLorean chose Lotus to develop the
> DeLorean. I paid particular attention to the ride and comfort as well as
the
> lack of "sway" of the Lotus in the curves.
>
> The way the car stayed flat, not leaning or rolling into the curves,
> proves that Lotus cars are one of the worlds best engineered sports cars
> around. I am proud Lotus engineered the DeLorean. The Lotus begged to be
> pushed (fast) in the long stretches of road, it also wanted and did eat up
> the curves in the road. Again the lack of body roll was amazing thanks to
> factory research and development. Something the DeLorean really didn't
> have...or did it?
>
> This weekend was the second time in 5 years that I had my jaw drop to
the
> floor in a DeLorean! (This is where it gets exciting.)
>
> We put the Lotus away and the Green DeLorean was waiting for us. Rob
had
> the Rear and Front spring prototypes replaced with the New Front spring
kit
> he is now offering and stock rear springs. Rob drove first and I was in
the
> passenger seat.
>
> As we went into some S type curves, my first thought was how much of a
> vast improvement the car handles from the stock set up. The DeLorean felt
> light on its feet while driving. Rob took the car and went into tight
curves
> at 45 to 50 and the car stayed almost perfectly flat! Totally Impressive!
> The stock DeLoreans mild understeer was not evident to me in the Green
> DeLorean. Rob's new suspension has very much improved the stock ride and
> handling to a more acceptable sports car level. The Green DeLorean has
become
> a First Class Tuned Performance DeLorean.
>
> Rob let me drive and seriously get into the turns and curves. I could
> immediately feel more control in the Green DeLorean over the stock
DeLorean
> front suspension. The stock DeLoreans seem to sway and roll in sharp
curves
> and turns (the underseer) and generally feels heavy, or overweight.
> As I drove, I thought of the Lotus Esprit characteristics and how the
> Green DeLorean are similar. They have more similarities than differences.
> The way the new DeLorean suspension is set up and constructed, it feels
well
> made like the Lotus. Someone driving a DeLorean for the first time would
> think, this supercar has excellent handling!
>
> Sincerely,
> Mike Pack
> VIN 3713
>
>
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