Wreck of 17158 - 4 cylinder turbo swap

[Gfrank]

Haven't shared to much of my restorations on here, anyone who has me on Facebook will have seen many photos. Felt like sharing today. Progress has been a bit slow as I've had a few other delorean's on the go, but with them out of the way I can really get going on one I'm building for me.

17158 at this point from what we see its one of the last few (of 8 8) Canadian spec cars. From the digging I've done it was wrecked sometime around 1985, it spent some time in a junkyard down the street from me, was then sold and has had mythical sighting from the local club floating around in back yards sense. One day last summer I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

I've wanted to do a motor swap for some time, with my other cars being pretty original and running, I couldn't bring myself to it. This car was missing a proper delorean engine - leaving me the door wide open. (Disclaimer at this point nothing has been done to the car that can't be unbolted. Only frame mods are a bolt in rear cross bar and 2 holes drilled in each rear tow hook. Any frame work I did I tried to keep vaugly original looking, yet stronger and thicker)

I was very much into small gm cars (most the jbody) in my younger days and still have a lot of parts kicking around, not to mention cheap and easy to get parts, the ecotec was high on my list (conveniently engineered by lotus I must ad) I wanted a cheap, simple swap, to at least double the hp, good on gas and turn key reliability. Also am not aware of any other 4 baggers so partially wanted to blaze that trail. I'll be running a S20g turbo, capable of around 500hp, have no intentions of pushing that, again want reliable) looking to put down around 300 at the wheels.

Lots more detailed photos on my fb if interested, I'll give the quick coles notes of photos on here.

Big thanks to josh s. Really went above and beyond helping (or I should say pretty much doing it all other then putting the bolts in) when it comes to mating the engine and trans 'hugs' lol


When I got it...
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[Gfrank]

Becoming a tub again. I'm not sure how much was wrecked in the crash, but it was bad, and I'm told the owner thought this was a good way to and I quote " cars heavy in the back, need to save weight"

Anyways, making a good frame and tub again ...

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[Gfrank]

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[Josh]

Can't wait to see this car come to life. You are a master with frame repair and especially fiberglass!

[Drive Stainless]

Man, I'm torn. I think I would have considered leaving the rear pontoon off and instead adding more steel framing to support the rear quarter panels and rear fascia! Just think of the access you would have had! Tell me it didn't cross your mind!

[Gfrank]

Man, I'm torn. I think I would have considered leaving the rear pontoon off and instead adding more steel framing to support the rear quarter panels and rear fascia! Just think of the access you would have had! Tell me it didn't cross your mind!

Indeed, had it have been only the pontoons I may have considered it seriously. The repair was terrible, and missing the firewall/window and mainly the 2 tub mounts on the spring perches, it had lost a lot of its structure. Flexed like crazy if you leaned on it

[Andrew]

Congrats on getting that long-dead DeLorean on the road to recovery!

From the photo of the car on the trailer, based upon the oil pan / lower crankcase it appears that the PRV which was in the car was sourced from a Volvo.

[Gfrank]

Congrats on getting that long-dead DeLorean on the road to recovery!

From the photo of the car on the trailer, based upon the oil pan / lower crankcase it appears that the PRV which was in the car was sourced from a Volvo.

Ya it was a rebuild Volvo, with some terrible motor mounts put in. Engine had gotten weather in over the years making it cores at best

[Gfrank]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g204/garys_blue_05/10058167-8EE7-4D70-AB3E-48A83AAE31F8_zpsaad6db4u.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/garys_blue_05/media/10058167-8EE7-4D70-AB3E-48A83AAE31F8_zpsaad6db4u.jpg.html)

[Henrik]

Very nice! So glad to see one more D owner joining our exclusive "Delorean engine swap" community! Also, extra kudos for applying it to a D that in a lot of people's mind may seem like it was too far beyond salvaging.

More updates please!

[Gfrank]

Thanks!

Sadly updates will be a bit slow for the next few months atleast. I am working on chassis components at home right now, but I'm in the middle of a garage reno at the cottage, which will make a spot to build this car, once I get a garage floor, this chassis should come together pretty quick and the pics can start flowing!

[toyotafreak88]

Props for such an ambitious and complete start to finish project, I'd love to have a 4 cylinder economical and powerful D. Good choice. I only wonder how it will sound!

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

[Gfrank]

5679956800

Finally got some time on her this weekend

[JBaker4981]

This restoration job looks amazing with the tub and framework! Looking forward to seeing this completed with your swap

[knightjp]

Reading through this thread, I'm not quite sure of what kind of engine it is... What kind of engine is that? You mentioned that it was a GM engine if I'm not mistaken.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

What kind of brake calipers are you running?

[Josh]

Engine is a 2.2 ecotec (L61) from a 02-06 cavalier / cobalt or similar.

The brakes are stock in the rear, but 99+ miata brakes up front.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Engine is a 2.2 ecotec (L61) from a 02-06 cavalier / cobalt or similar.

The brakes are stock in the rear, but 99+ miata brakes up front.


I am not sure if you can see those painted calipers while running the stock wheels, but they look very nice painted.

[Josh]

I am not sure if you can see those painted calipers while running the stock wheels, but they look very nice painted.

Mine are powdercoated all around, you have to be looking for them to notice with the delorean wheels. Oh well.

[Gfrank]

I am not sure if you can see those painted calipers while running the stock wheels, but they look very nice painted.

I doubt it, but the front calipers I’m buying come red, had to coat the rears with something, may aswell match :)

[Riley88]

I wanna do a frame off my esprit but dont have a garage at the moment ~_~ this guys resto so far is beautiful!

[vwdmc16]

Agreed! If you or anyone else wants so inspiration on a frame off resto, id recommend checking out this Irishman's incredible documentation of his Esprit restoration. It's incredible how many similar parts and construction methods were shared on our Deloreans. This guy doesnt have a garage either, he's doing this all in the attic of a bodyshop! sleeping over in a sleeping bag too!

Soup Motoring:

https://youtu.be/EXYzrvSHbJ8


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IS3IZfdzdnQ/maxresdefault.jpg

[Riley88]

Agreed! If you or anyone else wants so inspiration on a frame off resto, id recommend checking out this Irishman's incredible documentation of his Esprit restoration. It's incredible how many similar parts and construction methods were shared on our Deloreans. This guy doesnt have a garage either, he's doing this all in the attic of a bodyshop! sleeping over in a sleeping bag too!

Soup Motoring:

https://youtu.be/EXYzrvSHbJ8


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IS3IZfdzdnQ/maxresdefault.jpg

Been watching his channel alot actually since we both have s2's. Hes a cool guy had a short email chat with him. Love his editing also the way he does the stop animation when he shows how things come apart. Really a channel that deserves WAY more subs

[opethmike]

How do you like your S2? I had an 87 HCi Turbo for 2 years, as it was my 'poster' car growing up. Unfortunately, it was a "don't meet your heroes" scenario, as literally every time I drove the car something would go wrong, and it was always a hassle to fix. Hopefully your experience is going better than mine.

[ssdelorean]

When I got it...
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This pic on the trailer is cool. If a DMC were ever to be rat-rodded this is how you do it. No rear tub exposed engine.

[AZ-D]

Engine is a 2.2 ecotec (L61) from a 02-06 cavalier / cobalt or similar.

The brakes are stock in the rear, but 99+ miata brakes up front.




Out of curiosity, how much does that ecotec weigh compared to the PRV?

[Gfrank]

Out of curiosity, how much does that ecotec weigh compared to the PRV?

I never got a chance to weight it before I put it in. I’d like to compare chassis weights once i put the car together just out of curiosity. I wouldn’t put much faith in the numbers, but the internet would say about 75lb difference just in the long block.

[Riley88]

How do you like your S2? I had an 87 HCi Turbo for 2 years, as it was my 'poster' car growing up. Unfortunately, it was a "don't meet your heroes" scenario, as literally every time I drove the car something would go wrong, and it was always a hassle to fix. Hopefully your experience is going better than mine.
Little bit I've driven her has been so fun! But I have removed the Citroen gearbox to put a fresh clutch in, have installed a new overflow tank and am going to remove the 907 engine to rebuild some parts on her and replace the water pump. I am going to buy new fuel tanks as mine have rust in them. I found a guy who makes custom stainless steel tanks in England for the series two even though they were a low production car. I went through lotus prepared by Claudius and had them recondition and make Thier new radiator for me as well. The original doesn't do shit for cooling as it is tiny. The new radiator sitting in my small living room was taken from a V8 esprit twin turbo and is double the size of the stock easily. Was in la for work actually and went there to meet the father and son they are really nice. I was going to go to dmc Huntington Beach to visit good ol Cameron and Danny botkin but I called and Danny said they were closing early but it's all good. The esprit is a very fun car, but like the delorean I don't beat the shit out of the car like my Miata. They are driven carefully and when I drive them I keep my head on a swivel because I trust my own driving but not the driving of others tbh.

[opethmike]

I would highly advise taking the engine and transmission out separately, if the transmission isn't still out. The placement of the motor makes it awkward to pull them as one lump. Ask me how I know :)

Adjust the valves while the motor is out. Horrible job to do with it in the car.

[Riley88]

I would highly advise taking the engine and transmission out separately, if the transmission isn't still out. The placement of the motor makes it awkward to pull them as one lump. Ask me how I know :)

Adjust the valves while the motor is out. Horrible job to do with it in the car.
Transmission was removed by itself first actually. Decided to do the motor after I pulled the transmission because I'd like to touch base up the frame regardless and didn't realize what horse crap it is trying to change a water pump out with the engine in lol.

[opethmike]

Yeah dude, water pump in situ is obscene.

[Timeless]

Updates?

[Gfrank]

I wish I could say differently but I’m afraid I’ve been pounding on a couple other project cars and mine always seems to get pushed to the side
Not to say I haven’t moved forward, cooling system is pretty much finished, rear suspension is done other the axels, I’ve started tinkering on the front, it’s not to far off. Progress is better then none. Chassis finished and body on forsure this summer
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[john 05141]

As oldtimers are likely no longer welcome on European roads in the near future an economic environmentally friendly engines would be the option. If that would be the deal that would allow my Delorean on the road, I would take it immediately. Better than rediculous taxes with very limited mileage or not roadlegal anymore.

This is interesting

[Riley88]

How this project coming along?

[Josh]

How this project coming along?

yeah gary get off your lazy ass and get this thing moving!

I think hes wrenching on other cars, he has so many projects its hard to keep up.