We spotted this LS4 Delorean on Regular Car Reviews’ Youtube channel and, of course, we just had to get some more information on it.
We got in contact with the the owner, Josh Schattenkirk, and learned how this build came to be. He came across the car on Facebook (of all places), messaged the owner, and bought it sight unseen in April 2013. “It was all downhill from there,” Josh says.
He has always had a passion for cars and, being an engineer by trade, claims he can’t keep his hands off any project for long. The car was in terrible shape when he purchased it, so the first mission for him was a complete restoration. After the restoration, he decided to start his LS swap, but quickly learned this wasn’t the “average” car project he’s used to.
“I couldn’t go to the store and buy mounts, or swap headers, or wiring harnesses, etc. You have to make everything yourself. The whole project involves an additional step- design. Nothing bolts together; you need to design it to.” Josh says.
After setting himself many unreasonable deadlines, he completed the swap over the course of just one winter. Josh chose the LS4 because of the price, availability, and aluminum block. Weight was very important in this case, seeing as how all of the weight of the engine was going to be behind the rear axles.
The Delorean is still using the stock Renault UN1 transmission, which was moved forward and adapted to mate to the LS. Josh added a few custom parts, mostly limited to the engine bay, including coolant piping, radiator fans and shroud, alternator brackets and tensioner, headers, an intake, shifter linkage, and a personally designed flywheel. The clutch consists of a 350z pressure plate and a kevlar lined Delorean clutch.
Josh claims no project of his is ever complete. Next, he plans to upgrade the brakes, install a cam, and re-do the car’s interior.