DeLorean Burns Time with LS4 Swap and 911 Transmission

Problem Solver

Anyone who grew up watching Back to the Future likely still has a small affinity for the DeLorean DMC-12 that doubled as a time machine in the movie. The car itself was properly ahead of its time, a brilliant idea that ultimately died a premature death due to its quality issues and complete lack of performance. Those problems can be quickly overcome with an infusion of LS power, however, which is exactly what Josh Schattenkirk has done with this one.

Photos: Josh Schattenkirk

Paltry Power

Much of the DeLorean's problem was the engine it came with - a 2.85-liter V6 developed by Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo. The small mill produced a paltry 130 horsepower and 153 pound-feet of torque, pretty much par for the course in the early 1980s. These days, LS swaps are actually quite common in the DMC-12, for obvious reasons.

Photos: Josh Schattenkirk

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Second Time Around

Schattenkirk LS-swapped his first DeLorean back in 2016, but recently completed work on another one. Because two stainless-steel-bodied, gullwing door-equipped DeLoreans are better than one, right? He went with an LS4 once again, which makes a perfect pair with the unique machine thanks to its light weight, small package, reliability, and power potential.

Photos: Josh Schattenkirk

>>Join the conversation about this LS4 swapped DeLorean right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!

Unique Combo

While many who complete this swap choose to stick with the factory Renault five-speed manual transmission, Schattenkirk has cooked up something a little extra special for his latest project. He's working on developing a kit that will allow him (and others) to mate the LS to a 996 Porsche 911 gearbox, which is a big step up from most manuals.

Photos: Josh Schattenkirk

>>Join the conversation about this LS4 swapped DeLorean right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!

Suspension Upgrades

With this infusion of superior mechanicals, it wouldn't make sense to leave the DeLorean's stock suspension in place. Thus, Schattenkirk has done some work there as well, adding KW coilovers at all four corners, adjustable upper control arms, billet aluminum lower control arms, new bushings, and front brakes from a Mazda Miata.

Photos: Josh Schattenkirk

>>Join the conversation about this LS4 swapped DeLorean right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!

Remarkable Achievement

The end result of all this work is a true thing of beauty. DeLorean wound up producing just over 8,500 of these cars between 1981-1983, and over 6,000 of them are still on the road. That's a remarkable feat given the epic failure the car proved to be on the marketplace, but it's enthusiasts like Schattenkirk that are keeping them alive.

Photos: Josh Schattenkirk

>>Join the conversation about this LS4 swapped DeLorean right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!

Honorable Work

So far, Schattenkirk has racked up over 7,500 trouble-free miles on his newest ride in a short period of time, a testament to why this swap is so popular. If nothing else, the LS is helping to keep these cool footnotes in history alive, which is honorable work, indeed.

Photos: Josh Schattenkirk

>>Join the conversation about this LS4 swapped DeLorean right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!

For help with service of your car, check out the how to section of LS1Tech.com