SHABAZ PASHA
Who needs Mr. Fusion when you have a boosted K24 tuned for ethanol mounted in the back?
The DeLorean DMC-12 is widely recognized, mainly due to a famous movie franchise. However, despite its iconic status, some may falsely believe that DeLoreans are high-performance vehicles. In reality, the original rear-mounted V6 engine produced a modest 130 horsepower. While not exceptionally slow, the sleek appearance of the car often misled expectations of its speed.
Addressing this performance gap is a remarkable modification showcased in a YouTube video by HondaPro Jason, featuring John Thompson’s DeLorean. In a nod to Honda enthusiasts, the stock six-cylinder engine has been replaced with a K24 Honda four-cylinder. This upgrade alone surpasses the capabilities of the original 2.8-liter engine. What makes it even more impressive is the addition of a turbocharger, and the engine is tuned to operate on E85 fuel. The video reveals that this modified DeLorean now boasts 400 horsepower on regular pump gas, and the power output increases to 450 horsepower when fueled with E85.
Furthermore, the engine swap did not significantly increase the weight at the rear of the car. It’s important to note that the DeLorean is a true rear-engined vehicle, with the engine positioned mostly behind the axle. To transmit the power to the ground, a six-speed manual transmission from a Porsche 911 is employed. The suspension has been enhanced with coilovers and poly bushings, and the custom mounts for the engine and transmission ensure a tidy fit in the engine bay.
The engine compartment appears remarkably tidy under the cover, and according to the video, the process involved minimal modifications to the car, almost like a bolt-in installation. Surprisingly, the original air conditioning system of the DeLorean was retained throughout the process. The test drive featured in the video showcases the car as an incredibly entertaining machine, with uncontrollable laughter accompanying the turbo’s boost and revving sounds. However, the driver does admit that the car feels a bit “sketchy” at higher speeds.
In a realm dominated by LS and 2JZ swaps, opting for a boosted K24 seems like an excellent choice for creating a genuinely enjoyable DeLorean. At the very least, it offers quick performance and an appealing sound. And, as the video suggests, there’s nothing amiss with that.
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