A Turbo Honda Engine Solves the DeLorean's Biggest Problem

Who needs Mr. Fusion when you have a boosted K24 tuned for ethanol mounted in the back?

DeLorean With Honda Engine Swap

Photo by: YouTube

Christopher Smith

By: Christopher Smith

Jan 2, 2024 at 5:45pm ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

You know the DeLorean DMC-12. Everybody knows it, thanks to a certain movie franchise. And because of that franchise, many people think DeLoreans are fast. In reality, the rear-mounted V6 engine only made 130 horsepower. It wasn't dangerously slow, but given the car's sleek shape, its performance didn't come close to matching its sporty looks.

This particular DeLorean solves that problem most satisfyingly, especially if you're a Honda fan. Owned by John Thompson and featured in a new YouTube video from HondaPro Jason, the six-pot is replaced by a K24 Honda four-cylinder. That alone would be an improvement over the original 2.8-liter engine, but this 2.4-liter four also gets a turbocharger and it's tuned to run on E85 fuel. According to the video, this DeLorean now has 400 hp when running pump gas. Switch to E85 and that increases to 450 hp.

DeLorean With Honda Engine Swap

Moreover, the engine swap didn't add gobs of weight to the back of the car. Lest we forget, the DeLorean is a proper rear-engined vehicle with the mill positioned largely behind the axle. As such, a six-speed manual transmission from a Porsche 911 is used to get that power to the ground. The suspension is upgraded with coilovers and poly bushings, and the powertrain sits neatly in the bay thanks to custom mounts for the engine and transmission.

What do you think?

View

Comments

It looks remarkably clean under the engine cover, and actually, the video claims it was largely a bolt-in process with minimal changes to the car. The DeLorean's original air conditioning system was even retained in the process, and based on the reactions we see in the video during a test drive, it's a very entertaining machine behind the wheel. Uncontrolled laughter accompanies the rush of boost from the turbo as the revs climb, though the driver does confess the car feels "sketchy" at speed.

In a world of LS and 2JZ swaps, a boosted K24 could be a primo choice for building a properly fun DeLorean. At the very least, it's quick and sounds good to boot. There's nothing wrong with that.

Is That A DeLorean?

1981 DeLorean Barn Find With 977 Miles Is Rust-Free And Has Original Tires

Great Scott! DeLorean BTTF RC Car Has Lights, Sounds, And Smoke

Source: HondaPro Jason / YouTube

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

Bugatti Restores One-Off Veyron With A Mirror-Like Aluminum Body

BMW Kept This Hatchback A Secret For Decades

Skoda Wants You To 3D Print Pieces Of Your Car At Home

The Gas BMW M3 Isn't Dead: Next-Gen Prototype Roars