Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Hello everybody. I am actively looking to purchase a Delica L300. Still havnt found my dream vehicle. Am a little concerned about some of their inherant trates. I am a licenced aircraft mechanic, so doing my own maintenance is not a concern. Was wondering if anyone has a list of common problems with the Delica so I can decide if this is the correct vehicle for me. My main concern is the top end speed. The info I have researched online seems to point out that Top speeds "without effecting fuel economy or doing detremental engine damage is around 90- 100 KPH" Was wondering if you can replace the rear dif gears?
Any info would be much apreciated.
Cheers
Wayne

An L300 that is in good shape has no trouble doing highway speeds... unless you are going up a mountain pass in which case you will likely be down closer to 80. Just don't expect to be able to bomb around at 130kph all the time, they are not that sort of vehicle.
If you want more speed or more power the L400 has both.

Just drove from Victoria to Silverstar Mtn. and back and was driving 110km on the flats and 120 on the down slopes. Only mod Ive done is larger exhaust. It would be nice to have a bit more oomph at the starting gate and up the Coqe but one tank of go juice got me home.(edit: I mean one tank each way)

wlovesy wrote:Hello everybody. I am actively looking to purchase a Delica L300. Still havnt found my dream vehicle. Am a little concerned about some of their inherant trates. I am a licenced aircraft mechanic, so doing my own maintenance is not a concern. Was wondering if anyone has a list of common problems with the Delica so I can decide if this is the correct vehicle for me. My main concern is the top end speed. The info I have researched online seems to point out that Top speeds "without effecting fuel economy or doing detremental engine damage is around 90- 100 KPH" Was wondering if you can replace the rear dif gears?
Any info would be much apreciated.
Cheers
Wayne

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Many of us have taken our Delicas on road trips with a comfortable cruise speed of 100 to 110 klicks. For me this includes I-5 down to Portland, Highway 97 north of Cache Creek, and Highway 16 from Prince George to Prince Rupert. Please read the various trip reports.

Speed on hills is limited by engine horsepower and available cooling, as anybody who has driven the Coquihalla in the summer can attest. Maybe they don't have hills like that in Japan? Gear ratios have nothing to do with it.

Gumdrop feels strained above 110, and is flat out at 135 (don't ask... ). I've never driven far enough at such speeds to evaluate fuel consumption.

...laura

The 300 isn't a race car, but it also won't stop for anything. I've taken mine on a 10,000 km road trip Calgary -> Vancouver -> Inuvik -> Calgary without issues. (Trip log posted in Member trips, page 3.)

It will cruise at 110 for hours as long as you don't have a strong headwind or more than a moderate hill. Ya, 90 is better for fuel economy. Sit back, enjoy the view, and remember that the journey is what it is all about.

They don't really have any specific weakness (except power!). On the wiki you will find a list of maintenance items that should be done to a deli fresh off the boat. But hey, if you buy any 15-year-old vehicle, there are a few things you should take care of.

Thank you all for your replies on my post.
I am still actively searching for my dream Delica. Has anyone imported one themselves from japan? If so, any info on all the hoops to jump through there and here.
cheers
Wayne

"..common problems with the Delica so I can decide if this is the correct vehicle for me"

I have a delica which i purchased from a previous owner who imported himself.

What do you intend to do with it? It's underpowered & not really designed for highway cruising. It is ideally suited of trails & offroads.

I'm not a mechanic myself but due to the it's design, a hoist would very useful for maintainence.

Buy locally.

It's cheaper right now as there are a lot for sale and you can pick what you want in person.

A necessary modification would be to install a pyro/EGT gauge to monitor the temps. so you don't overheat the engine. This is a must if you plan on lots of highway driving.

Automatic's have a better highway cruising speed in stock form compared to 5-spd's.

90 km/hr is the sweet spot for highway driving + fuel economy.

Also you have to 'roll up' to highway speeds and when you pass (if you can).

Don't expect to be cruising on highway and then stomping on the pedal to overtake someone.

A 2.25" exhaust, pyro gauge, intercooler and propane injection can boost the peformance from stock considerably but like every mod, they cost $.

There is a search function on this site (upper right corner) that is your friend.

All of your questions have been asked and answered many times over.

Welcome to the board and delica's.

The best way to get into a Delica is to drive a few yourself as they come in different trim/flavour configurations.

jfarsang wrote:There is a search function on this site (upper right corner) that is your friend.

Welcome. Keep in mind that the search function cannot find anything less than 4 characters long. So a search for "EGT" will fail, even though there is tons of info out there.

A pyro might cost $300 installed, but if it saves a cracked head, it's pretty cheap. I highly recommend one.

Erebus wrote:Keep in mind that the search function cannot find anything less than 4 characters long. So a search for "EGT" will fail, even though there is tons of info out there.

You can however search for egt* and get the desired results :)

loki wrote:

Erebus wrote:Keep in mind that the search function cannot find anything less than 4 characters long. So a search for "EGT" will fail, even though there is tons of info out there.

You can however search for egt* and get the desired results :)

I did not know that. Thank you! I just tried it on a 2-letter search and that fails. Have to use Google advanced for that (search was UV). But hey, 3-letter is great.

"I am actively looking to purchase a Delica L300. Still havnt found my dream vehicle."

Depending on what you want your "dream vehicle" for; i.e. van for (e.g. highway cruising, camping/fishing, etc) you might want to consider the L400 (I have a L300) either in the SWB or LWB versions.

You might also want to consider the "process" or method:

1) buy locally (private)
2) import directly
3) import using broker
4) buy from a local dealer
5) buy from local dealer with Full Service
6) etc.

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/11056318

take a look at this LHD beastie, never seen that b4 just an idea of what I found just doing a random seach. I have an L400, better suited to my needs and tastes. Very peppy and lots of low-end power.

euphea wrote:http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/11056318

take a look at this LHD beastie, never seen that b4 just an idea of what I found just doing a random seach. I have an L400, better suited to my needs and tastes. Very peppy and lots of low-end power.

that one is posted on our for sale section as well.