Full-blown rebuild/restore of my DMC-12 DeLorean

Ashyukun wrote:

SVreX wrote: Wow. That chassis looks identical to the chassis of an Elite. I wonder if they share the same part number.

Assuming this is the Elite chassis, there are a number of similarities, but significant differences too. Honestly I like the Elite chassis better- it looks a lot more efficient from a weight standpoint given the number of flanged lightening holes in the center section and the use of tubing. It's a lot closer to what I'd like to see the DeLorean's frame look like. If I had a good way of making flanged holes, I'd be using it on the center section of the DeLorean's frame both for weight savings and accessibility.

That is most definitely not an OEM Elite chassis.

It is a custom chassis FOR an Elite. Enormous difference.

The OEM version has none of the flanged lightening holes, and has no tubing. Looks like, well, a Delorean.

Wouldn't it have more to do with an Europa/Esprit? Since they are both mid engine and use a Renault transaxle?

Robbie wrote: Get to work! Punch and Flare tool - summit

Interesting. Would need bigger than that though to be really useful for access- but nice to know that they are around as an option.

Carbon Fiber all the way. No rust issues at all and then you will loose some weight as well. Plus since you went that far might as well do the doors, hood, rear louvers and any other part that can unbolt from the body. Just have the main section left in S.S. Sell the rest off to someone restoring a beat up one and throw convention to the wind.

in for pictures

RossD wrote: Wouldn't it have more to do with an Europa/Esprit? Since they are both mid engine and use a Renault transaxle?

No, that's not much like a Europa chassis. The Europa uses the transmission as the rear subframe connector. There is no chassis component that ties one side to the other. The half shafts are the chassis.

brad131a4 wrote: Carbon Fiber all the way. No rust issues at all and then you will loose some weight as well. Plus since you went that far might as well do the doors, hood, rear louvers and any other part that can unbolt from the body. Just have the main section left in S.S. Sell the rest off to someone restoring a beat up one and throw convention to the wind.

Naw. There are some things I wouldn't mind doing (will look into newer wheels, or may have the stock ones refinished in a bit darker of a gray for example), but I love the stainless and won't be changing that anytime soon.

Honestly, as a frame material I can't say that I'd be particularly confident in using carbon fiber. Don't get me wrong, I know if done right that it can be quite strong- but you need ridiculously expensive professional-level equipment (autoclave, vacuum bag system) and likely VERY expensive molds to be able to do it truly right.

Looking more into that Elite chassis I found the link to, it seems that what they did might be worth looking into- it seems that they took a stock chassis, cleaned it up, and made improvement to it (the tube sections are new it seems). That seems a lot more doable- take the original frame and build a jig with the attach points and figure out what can be replaced with tubing and what has to stay the original sheet metal, and then do some lightening on the remaining sheet metal.

Well just a wild thought anyway. I have seen some of the Boeing autoclaves and you can park a semi in them. So doing a frame and associated parts could be done. If you had access to that equipment. Fixing the frame with selected tubing sounds very doable and quick without spending a fortune.

brad131a4 wrote: Well just a wild thought anyway. I have seen some of the Boeing autoclaves and you can park a semi in them. So doing a frame and associated parts could be done. If you had access to that equipment. Fixing the frame with selected tubing sounds very doable and quick without spending a fortune.

Oh, I know it's possible- I've worked around some similar equipment over the years and know that you can do amazing things with it. I also know that it's WAAAY out of the range of a hobbyist mechanic and even setting up a mold to be able to make a single piece would cost more than the entire car could be worth. It would certainly be cool to see, and I expect we will see more composite vehicles going forward- but for something that will be done almost entirely in my garage, sticking with metal definitely seems to make more sense.

Finally got some pictures taken now that the car is moved into the yard instead of the driveway (since the PAU is now mobile and drivable).

The car itself:

The car's current (mostly) original power plant:

Here's the damage that forced my hand on this:

The full album where I'll be putting pictures is here:

http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/Ashyukun/library/DMC-12%20Restomod

I also did some measuring today- the L67 should not have any problems fitting into the engine bay... with the possible exception of having to figure out a way to deal with the throttle body on the M90 basically pointing straight toward the front of the car (the same problem that comes with putting this engine into any non-transverse application). I've seen a number of people that have actually sawed off the throttle body attachment location and welded on tubing to make an elbow with the throttle body braked welded to the end to attach the throttle body. I'd prefer to not have to be doing that much custom work on the supercharger- not because I won't be doing PLENTY of custom stuff anyway, but because if anything happens to the engine I'd like to be able to easily swap in another one.

I saw a De Lorean on I-10 this weekend...it was lifted, dirty, and appeared to be on A/T tires.

petegossett wrote: I saw a De Lorean on I-10 this weekend...it was lifted, dirty, and appeared to be on A/T tires.

Was it this one?

In reply to Ashyukun:

No, this one was only lifted 3"-4" max, not much higher than stock. It also had some writing/graphics along the side, I think just below the belt line. I was doing ~80 westbound, and it was heading eastbound at 70+, so I only caught a glimpse as we passed by each other.

petegossett wrote: In reply to Ashyukun: No, this one was only lifted 3"-4" max, not much higher than stock. It also had some writing/graphics along the side, I think just below the belt line. I was doing ~80 westbound, and it was heading eastbound at 70+, so I only caught a glimpse as we passed by each other.

It's worth noting that compared to mine most are a few inches higher- mine is sitting on lowering springs in the front and adjustable coil-overs in the rear so is lowered down to the originally-intended stance vs. how they were actually delivered. The shocks and springs are one thing I don't need to change when I go over the car.

I was in Lexington on 3rth of the month and took a photo of this "one" i seen. Just read this thread and figured out who it was

In reply to Pbw:

Yup, that's definitely mine! Easy to tell even without clearly seeing the plate because of the wide stripe, darker fascia paint than stock, and the long (and in need of replacing, though I won't be until after the engine swap...) exhaust tips. That and I can tell that's the roof of the parking garage where I work.

So, with my injury things haven't really moved at all on this (especially since the Elky has to be done before anything major can be done). But, the engine that I plan to put into it has now been pulled and is sitting on my engine stand in the garage...

It's likely to continue to sit there for quite a while yet, but at least it's out of the Park Avenue and ready for when I can start working on the DeLorean.

YAY!

And super glad you're improving.

Pbw wrote:

That image makes me want one of those more than I did before.... who knew that was possible

Well, the next (very, very small...) step in this process has been made- the DeLorean's registration and insurance have now been cancelled, so I can't legally drive it on the roads until I renew them after doing all the work.

I'm hard at work trying to get the El Camino sold and out of the garage so I can rearrange it and get the DMC into the garage and this project started in earnest.