1982 DeLorean DMC-12 from North America - Comments

Well, when I bought it from a fellow last year, it had some very bad body damage, and the engine was blown. The damage was from him and his neighbor backing out at the same time and wrecking, or so he says. The engine apparently over-heated and was destroyed, this being AFTER the body damage, which I find strange.

When I bought this car, it was a wreck.. i longed for one and this seemed to be the opportune moment for the project I always wanted, so I took it. I never got to drive this car with the original engine in it, I took his word on it being slow. After I got it back from some specialists in Detroit for the body work, I took the engine from my wrecked Aurora, the 4.0L Northstar V-8 and installed it. However, this was NOT an easy task. First, out came the original engine, which was caked in old oil and water and all sorts of junk. Then the transmission was removed. The car without engine and transmission was sent to a welding specialist and with the measurments, mounts and brackets was fitted for the V-8. Once back to my shop, in goes the Aurora engine, transversly mounted, which was a hard one. Then after that, I replaced EVERYTHING, belts, alternator, brakes, and such.

It was an interesting feat, but it all worked out and the ride now is extremely rewarding. However, just for comparison purposes, I really would have liked to drive the original car. As it is, with the V-8, THIS THING IS FAST! At the track I got a time of 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which in my opinion is fast.

The handling is very precise for an old car, and I do not see where people are getting that this car "wanders"...it does not. It drives straight, however it feels very heavy when trying to park.

On the inside, everything is in working order, the leather isn't bad, and some of the lights in the dash are no longer lit. That is my next project.

The exterior is also very good, once I got it fixed. Its interesting though, because the new rear panel is much shinier and not at all faded like the original ones. Does anyone know of any product that can shine this up?? I really am afraid to use anything powerful because I'm not sure of what it would do.

Now, I do feel bad for ruining the originality of this beauty, but given the circumstances, I saw no reason to find an original replacement engine, when I had another that would fit sitting in my driveway!

I am debating whether or not I actually believe him. The only reason I can think of why I wouldn't, is because well, he stuffed a V8 in one, but I guess with enough money it is possible.

How much did you pay for the car to begin with, and how much did the total end cost end up to be, these are not being asked to nag or anything, I am just wondering because I feat like this must not have been cheap.

I payed the man 9 grand for the car and the body damage was almost 2 grand and I payed the welding person around 250 dollars... so in all around 12,000 dollars... not bad for an exotic type thing.

I've seen video of a Delorean/Lotus V8 conversion, and seen Delorean/Buick Grand National 3.8 V6 and Delorean/GM Vortec V6 conversion with my own eyes... so I'd imagine that a Northstar conversion would be doable, with enough time and money.

VERY impressive conversion. That does not sound like an easy one at all. My hats off to you.

I would love to see pictures of the job in process and finished result.

To clean the stainless steel, I would try Collinite 850 metal wax.

http://www.superiorcarcare.net/collinite-metal-wax--850.html

Collinite makes fantastic products that not many people know about, but those that do usually swear by it (myself included). They are actually marine products. I do not have a DeLorean, so never tired this cleaner/wax on one, but based on my experience with this product and what you want to do, it seems like just the ticket to me.

As with anything of this nature, of course try a small inconspicuous area first to see if you like the results. But I think you will.

Maybe you could even try the product on the small area as I suggested, then power up the flux capacitor, and travel into the future to see how it holds up over time before you use it on the whole car. I am sure you could get the D-12 up to 88 MPH in nothing flat with the Northstar.

Sorry, I could not resist...