DPI Spec 1 Review

[sdg3205]

I'm not sure how many folks here remember, but I had a nightmare situation (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?9563-Broke-O2-Sensor-threads-in-crossover) with my stock exhaust. Long story short, it wasn't going to come apart properly, the 02 sensor was being held in place with JB weld, coat hangers and picture wire and half the cat was clogged with the other half.

Back in December, Josh posted that he had three used Spec 1 systems for sale. Given my exhaust was a big pile of poop and the Canadian dollar was in the crapper I figured it was time to bite the bullet or risk my 02 sensor shoot out of the crossover somewhere far from home. A low mile, used system would have to be the cost effective answer. It was the right choice. No, it was the best choice. Now, I can't speak for other owners who have upgraded to a Spec 1 system, but its like driving a whole new car. Maybe it was my bad cat, or my semi-accurate mixture from the smashed up 02 sensor, but it sounds and drives like a beast! I am absolutely thrilled. Beyond thrilled. It's the same feeling I had when I got the car restored and on the road six years ago, I'm LOOKING for excuses to drive it again. "Oh what's that? We need a new pen?! I'll go to Staples!"

The system arrived and might as well have been new. I think it had less than 2000 miles on it. Josh included all the nuts, bolts and hardware except for the heat shield (which he is sending out). I re-used the rubber mounting brackets from my factory exhaust (well, one of them anyway, the second one rusted itself to the factory muffler but Toby sent up a used one).

What should have been a quick job ended up taking 3 and a half months. I decided while I was in there to re-finish all the covers, scrub the block and tranny with brake clean, change some seals, swap in a Remy starter and address some frame epoxy issues around the engine cradle. I also added the Hervey style ground bus to the transmission, cleaned all my grounds, addressed a problem with low voltage at the fuel pump and ran new lead and jump lead battery cables (at some point a PO cut and spliced BLACK cables onto the red leads. WTF?!), found my washer pump was seized and swapped it out and the list goes on. It was the first time I could often walk over to my own parts inventory and pull out a part I needed. After working on 5 cars I have a lot of parts. Throw in my beautiful 7 month old daughter and time has a way of stretching on and on. I spent a lot of time tweaking the fuel mixture and chasing what was apparently a long standing issue with the three enrichment plugs on the butterfly assembly. Eventually I got it just right.

So yeah, the Spec 1 is absolutely killer. Highly recommend. I'm not sure if Josh has any used systems left, but if you were ever on the fence, do it.

[Mark D]

Awesome review, I'm glad to hear you've got your car back on the road and you're enjoying it that much. It sounds like you got bit by the 'while you're in there' bug, but that's usually a good way of finding issues to fix before they turn into something worse. That battery wiring situation sounds pretty scary.

I've been lusting after a Spec 1 exhaust for several years now... I've watched a few youtube videos to compare to the stock sound but it's tough to compare without hearing one in person. Hopefully I get a chance at DCS this year.

I've posted before wondering about approximate HP gain on the exhaust but I have yet to see any numbers posted... I'm sure given your prior situation with the cat and 02 sensor issues that there is a noticeable difference.

[Delorean Industries]

Thank you for the kind words. Used SPEC I systems usually only become available as an owner upgrades to the next level. We have divorced our headers from our systems and now purchase separately for twin turbo build upgrades. This way we can sell the complete SPEC I system as it is removed. On average two systems are going to be available a month from here on out.

[Drive Stainless]

Thank you for the kind words. Used SPEC I systems usually only become available as an owner upgrades to the next level. We have divorced our headers from our systems and now purchase separately for twin turbo build upgrades. This way we can sell the complete SPEC I system as it is removed. On average two systems are going to be available a month from here on out.


Josh, do you sell a bolt-on twin turbo system?

[Delorean Industries]

No. Recently people have shown to be too retarded to handle it. We sell systems for install to select shops around the world or offer in house install.

[DMCVegas]

No. Recently people have shown to be too retarded to handle it. We sell systems for install to select shops around the world or offer in house install.

See now, I respect that. You have a kit, or rather and upgrade package that is available, and it turns out that because of the difficulty levels involved it's way too advanced for a normal shadetree to install. So you in turn restrict the sale of it rather than continue it's sale with an indifferent "buyer beware" attitude when people get in over their heads. Thus you sacrificed profit in order to prevent future problems for yourself and owners all together. I think that is the responsible thing to do.

Even with all of the Island and BAE kits that are still floating around, I seriously doubt that the majority of those were installed by casual owners. They had to have been done by professional garages too.

[Delorean Industries]

I will reword the above to be more politically correct as my terminology could have been better. Substitute retarded with Arrogant stupidity. People think because they own tools that they can do anything. Unfortunately that is half of the battle.

[Drive Stainless]

I hate that. Now I feel like Vivian in the first part of this scene.

http://youtu.be/Nu3x5SZrMHo

Big mistake, Josh Bengston! Big mistake!!!

[Delorean Industries]

The product is so sophisticated that it would require me to give an amount of tech support that exceeds a reasonable level. My system is comprised of over 700 individual parts requiring integration into the dmc-12 platform. There are no facilities in the states that I have deemed acceptable to take this on. Feel free to stop by and see just how complicated it is. There are two cars at my PHX location with one complete and one going together. There are 13 cars in Ohio going together with four up and running. The various stages of assembly clearly show the scope involved.

[DMCVegas]

I will reword the above to be more politically correct as my terminology could have been better. Substitute retarded with Arrogant stupidity. People think because they own tools that they can do anything. Unfortunately that is half of the battle.

The interesting thing is that "Retard" isn't politically incorrect. It's actually another in the long line of "Politically Correct" names that we've given to people with developmental disabilities that have merely fallen out of fashion. It's actually a scientific term adapted into medical terminology, and not an epitaph created specifically and exclusively to demean.

While there have been other epitaphs such as "geek", "window licker", or the common "mongoloid", people were outraged at those and we settled on Idiot to describe mentally handicapped people. And so people were happy for a time, until they weren't, so we needed a new one. So we created "Trainable". And so people were happy for a time, until they weren't, so we needed a new one. So we created "Retard". Perfectly fine word. The opposite of "Advanced", and used commonly even today when talking about ignition timing.

And so people were happy for a time, until they weren't, so we needed a new one. Now we have "Intellectually Challenged". Which isn't scientific at all, and completely misses the mark.

Intellect has to do with accrued reasoning, wisdom, and a capacity for knowledge. I've seen plenty of people with downs syndrome who are capable of being employed to perform autonomous jobs, and people who are "normal" that can't even make a decision for themselves without their friends and family telling them what to think. The difference has to do with upbringing, and not a bonus chromosome.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5IQnQhzMSI

If I put Rossini's l barbiere di Siviglia and you scream "Looney Tunes!", then you are indeed intellectually challenged. BUT a challenge is something you can overcome. There is no Flowers for Algernon cure for being retarded.

Calling someone retarded may be scientifically inaccurate, but that's about it.

[Josh]

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4062/4633595222_30f90dc385.jpg

[DMCVegas]

https://45.media.tumblr.com/d46c9a6c84dc5abe6936d227aea1a909/tumblr_mi6ypaeLYV1qcmdxao1_500.gif

[sdg3205]

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4062/4633595222_30f90dc385.jpg

Lol!

[Delorean Industries]

I just answered a question and politically corrected myself. Not sure what happened.

[DMCVegas]

Conversations with me in person are much more fun.

http://imgfave-chat-herokuapp-com.global.ssl.fastly.net/image_cache/132803139566416.jpg

[sdg3205]

Conversations with me in person are much more fun.

http://imgfave-chat-herokuapp-com.global.ssl.fastly.net/image_cache/132803139566416.jpg

Rob, you're recycling memes. I expect more from you.

[davidc89]

Rob, you're recycling memes. I expect more from you.

The Daves agree...

[Chris 16409]

Bringing us back on topic:

After I installed my Spec 1 system several years ago, I have never looked back! It totally makes the car so much more fun to drive. It's the best way to add a little performance to the car. Worth every penny. Just adds a bit of complication to CA Smog testing.

[DMCVegas]

Rob, you're recycling memes. I expect more from you.

https://media.giphy.com/media/zl90VwUT8eBGg/giphy-facebook_s.jpg



Bringing us back on topic:

After I installed my Spec 1 system several years ago, I have never looked back! It totally makes the car so much more fun to drive. It's the best way to add a little performance to the car. Worth every penny. Just adds a bit of complication to CA Smog testing.

Exactly how in the world would that have added a complication to an emissions test?

[Chris 16409]

Exactly how in the world would that have added a complication to an emissions test?

In CA if the exhaust system is not stock, techitions who are familiar with how a DeLorean exhuast is supposed to look, they will fail you. Cars must pass a visual inspection too. I was failed once because my thermotime switch was unplugged (I use a solid state relay to power the cold start valve). It's really unfortunate 30 year old cars on CA still require an Emmisions test.

[DMCVegas]

Are you missing a catalytic convertor? Or is your's on the non-approved aftermarket list?

I believe that it's a requirement to have the stock catalyst it was equipped with from the factory to remain in place for at least 8 years before you can remove it. You must still reinstall one in it's place of course, but California does allow for the modification of exhaust systems as long as the factory-equipped emissions equipment remains in place. Failing you just because an aftermarket system is installed without verification of the catalytic convertor doesn't seem right.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/aftermktcat.htm

[kobachi]

What is the HP increase of the DPI Spec 1? Comparable to the ~20HP gain claimed by DMC-H Stage 1?

[David T]

It is not all about raw HP. The Stage I from DMCH also increases the torque and that's where the fun factor really is. And the sound. I can't speak to the DPI version having never seen or driven one.

[sdg3205]

I think (like mine) a lot DeLoreans are driving around on melted cats, literally strangling the output of exhaust gases and power.

Going to a new, less restrictive exhaust makes a substantial difference.

[kobachi]

It is not all about raw HP. The Stage I from DMCH also increases the torque and that's where the fun factor really is. And the sound. I can't speak to the DPI version having never seen or driven one.

Thanks David. Is there reason to believe that the SPEC I would not also bring a torque increase?

[Chris Burns]

This is a video I made of my friends new DPI Spec 1 exhaust when he first had it installed by a local mechanic.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iybJx2Ln7ec

It sounds great and roughly adds 20 more hp. If you go this route make sure your ceramic coat the exhaust system. It's extra money but you won't regret it!!:)

[kobachi]

make sure your ceramic coat the exhaust system. It's extra money but you won't regret it!!:)

What's the purpose of the ceramic coating?

[Chris Burns]

Helps the exhaust last longer, look prettier longer, and helps keep engine heat down. Especially around important engine components such as the starter.

[Delorean Industries]

Owners typically see an increase of 17-21 hp and 20-30 ft lbs of torque with our system. This is completely dependant on over all engine condition etc. Ceramic coating is now a direct option offered by us as well.


Exhaust system complete
https://deloreanindustries.com/spec-i-exhaust/

Ceramic coating add on
https://deloreanindustries.com/delorean-spec-i-ceramic-coat-add-on/

[David T]

As I understand the DPI upgrade, it is similar to the DMC Stage I so results should be similar. As I said, not having seen the DPI one or driven one I can't comment on it. My comment was only to offer that it is not all about HP. How it feels, sounds and what it costs are part of your decision making process. And as DPI points out, don't expect a tired, worn out motor to suddenly be rejuvenated, you should only do the upgrade on a healthy motor and a car that is in reasonably good general shape. Now, if you overheated a good motor then that might be a good time to consider doing this kind of upgrade since you have to pull the heads anyway. Whichever you choose it gives a noticeable increase in performance. Not as much as a turbo but a good bit more than a stock motor.