Autocrossed the DMC

[jmettee]

I took the DMC to an autocross today with another DMC owner & a couple co-workers. It was pretty interesting to push the DMC & see what it could do (or couldn't!). I knew it would do poorly, but with old tires needing replacement, it was a good way to finish them of & have a little fun with the car. It plows/understeers in the turns & the slightest weight transfer off the rear when in a turn will send the rear end on the loose. There is no drifting this car - it either sticks or slides all the way out. The body roll throws the car's weight heavily side-to-side in the slalom. It's really just hard to handle when you throw it around. Having no-name/crap tires & it being cold out didn't help anything either.

My setup is stock suspension except for PJ Grady front lowering springs & I also have DMC-CA cams. The other DMC owner didn't have as much trouble as me, but he also has better tires & the Eibach suspension. My troubles: in 6 runs, I lost it 3 times.

I suggest anyone wanting to see what the DMC is like when pushed to look for a local club doing an autocross. You definitely learn what this car is like.

Enjoy the pics, videos to follow.

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[jmettee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYmxIpCBsXg

[jmettee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRDXA42V6cY

[jmettee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da54jbhx19k

[Michael]

That was pretty damn cool to watch!! It was nice to finally see that sleek design being pushed to the limits. Nice camera work and pics too. Whoever was on the camera deserves a cookie.

[jmettee]

That was pretty damn cool to watch!! It was nice to finally see that sleek design being pushed to the limits. Nice camera work and pics too. Whoever was on the camera deserves a cookie.

My wife would appreciate that, but the original video is all 'Blair Witched'. Haha YouTube image stabilizer works well!

[awildermode]

Every time it comes 'near' the light posts, I have a minor heart attack.

[1batt4u]

Awesome!!

Love the way that thing moves, and most of all the way it sounds!!

I really need to get an exhaust kit really soon and need it to sound like that.

[ALEXAKOS]

Great footage Jason!
Finally someone put that classic to the test and gave us a visual.
The shocks difference is apparent!

[David T]

Great footage Jason!
Finally someone put that classic to the test and gave us a visual.
The shocks difference is apparent!

Having the right tires makes a BIG difference and also adjusting for proper air pressure. Even with that your assessment is correct, once you get near the limits of the rear it comes loose without much warning. The BIG disadvantage of a rear-engined car. That is the main reason you do not see it done often. Anyone remember "Unsafe At Any Speed"?

[pezzonovante88]

Thanks for posting. Like the others have said, it's nice to actually see the D being pushed in a reasonably well-shot video.
(The car sounds good, too. Do you still have the Flowmaster muffler?)

[JohnZ]

Poetry in motion!

[louielouie2000]

Seeing these pics makes me wonder more than ever how much a properly designed rear anti-roll bar would help the DeLorean's handling. For DeLoreans to be low, wide, reasonably stiffly sprung sports cars, they exhibit a comical amount of body roll during hard maneuvering.


Having the right tires makes a BIG difference and also adjusting for proper air pressure. Even with that your assessment is correct, once you get near the limits of the rear it comes loose without much warning. The BIG disadvantage of a rear-engined car. That is the main reason you do not see it done often. Anyone remember "Unsafe At Any Speed"?

This is why I get so strung out about folks downsizing their rear tire sizes for the sake of retaining matching brand name sidewalls. Oversteer on DeLoreans isn't progressive or correctable at all. When the car's rear breaks loose, it's done- there's no stopping the ends from swapping. It happened to me in one of my DeLoreans riding on 21st century tires. So newer rubber compounds & tread designs still don't compensate for downsizing your tire's contact patch.

[jmettee]

This is why I get so strung out about folks downsizing their rear tire sizes for the sake of retaining matching brand name sidewalls. Oversteer on DeLoreans isn't progressive or correctable at all. When the car's rear breaks loose, it's done- there's no stopping the ends from swapping. It happened to me in one of my DeLoreans riding on 21st century tires. So newer rubber compounds & tread designs still don't compensate for downsizing your tire's contact patch.

I have new tires to put on the car, so doing the autocross was an opportune time to abuse the old ones. In my search, the P235/60R15 is quickly dwindling & I only found 2-3 options. I searched P225/60R15 which is the only reasonable alternate & even that size is going extinct. I was not concentrating on maintaining the same model tire, but did want at least the same brand. So bottom line, there are VERY few options now for EITHER P235 or P225 in a 15" size for our cars. I feel when I next need tires in 5-7 years, I will be shopping for aftermarket rims.

[jmettee]

Thanks for posting. Like the others have said, it's nice to actually see the D being pushed in a reasonably well-shot video.
(The car sounds good, too. Do you still have the Flowmaster muffler?)

Yep, still have that Flowmaster.....& love it.

[pezzonovante88]

Yep, still have that Flowmaster.....& love it.

I should have looked at you signature lol!

[Farrar]

I love those running lights, Justin! Did you ever document the install?

[vwdmc16]

Seeing these pics makes me wonder more than ever how much a properly designed rear anti-roll bar would help the DeLorean's handling...
.


While a rear sway bar will reduce roll it will Cause the rear of the car to loose even more traction. Sway bars dont add grip to the axle they are on, they remove it. Stiffersprings and shock and a larger front bar is what is needed.

[Starglider]

Seeing these pics makes me wonder more than ever how much a properly designed rear anti-roll bar would help the DeLorean's handling.

I have one on mine but I haven't had a chance to test it yet. Will post how I get on when I do.

[jmettee]

I love those running lights, Justin! Did you ever document the install?

I didn't, but they are Philips Daylight 4 daytime running lamps. Really like them & they are bright for visibility. I know people see me coming now.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-12820WLEDX1-DayLight-Powered-Daytime/dp/B005DX6BRK

[Rich]

While a rear sway bar will reduce roll it will cause the rear of the car to loose even more traction. Sway bars don't add grip to the axle they are on, they remove it.

+ on the suspension theory here.

Anybody running an aftermarket rear bar care to comment? Data beats - or confirms - theory?

As a side note, IIRC the suspension on the Lotus Esprit and Esprit S2 of the era, to which a fair bit of the DeLorean setup is related, used only a front sway bar, no rear sway bar.

[Farrar]

As a side note, IIRC the suspension on the Lotus Esprit and Esprit S2 of the era, to which a fair bit of the DeLorean setup is related, used only a front sway bar, no rear sway bar.

Weren't those mid-engined vehicles, though? Weight bias would've been different...

Sorry to veer further off topic... :\

[vwdmc16]

yes the still had most of the weight in the rear but not nearly as bad as a D

[delornut]

+ on the suspension theory here.

Anybody running an aftermarket rear bar care to comment? Data beats - or confirms - theory?

As a side note, IIRC the suspension on the Lotus Esprit and Esprit S2 of the era, to which a fair bit of the DeLorean setup is related, used only a front sway bar, no rear sway bar.

Same goes for dialing out negative camber when the rear is lowered. Zero camber is not good for handling.

Bruce Benson