[DML] New(ish) DeLorean Owner, North of the Border - Hello!

["mr.pants@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <mr.pants@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello everyone...

My name is Ed, and I've been lurking 'round the list for many months 
now, thought I'd finally chime in.  I purchased my 1982 D (11594) last 
November from a nice guy in Michigan, and brought it back to enjoy a new 
life of fine driving here in Toronto, Canada.  I've long yearned for a 
DeLorean, and it's great to finally have one.  I've owned many different 
cars in the past, from Audis, to Maseratis, to Porsches, but the DMC-12 
is one I've been most happy to add to "the stable".  Sure, it's not a 
particularly fast car, and sure, it gets a lot of attention (good and 
bad), but basically... I just like the car.  I like it's styling, it's 
ride, the stainless.... but I'm sure I don't have to defend my purchase 
here...!

The car was in pretty good shape when I bought it, but it did need some 
work to make it "perfect" (to me, at least).  This list, its archives 
and its members are all a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate the help 
and advice I've received from many of you I've contacted privately.  I 
have had nothing but good experiences from the parts suppliers like 
DMCH, PJ Grady and Special-T, as well as list members who have sold me 
parts and offered sage advice.

I just finished up refreshing the front-end: bushings, control arms, 
ball joints, tie rod ends, steering mounts, and the steering column 
bushing (I NEVER want to do THAT again!)...  Anyway, the car now drives 
great, is tight & stable, and needs nothing mechanically and will likely 
see its way down to Josh in Ohio in the future for a fascia re-paint & 
re-align (doesn't line up nice and flush to the fender panel).  I do 
have a few concerns and questions that I hope can be answered in the 
mean-time:

1.  How does one remove the vertical panel at the back of the parcel 
shelf?  I would like to install 6" speakers back there (in the panel, 
facing forward), but was wondering how to remove it and if there is any 
room/depth for speakers?  I'd probably be buying a new panel and cutting 
that, to leave my original in tact if I want to revert to stock later.  
I really don't want to mess with removing the stock rear speakers, not 
to mention I can't find 4x10's I like.  I could always stick some 6x9's 
in a box, but there's already so little space back there, and I'd like 
to keep it all looking clean.

2. How "grippy" should the brakes be, specifically the rears?  I 
installed new rear calipers (purchased from eBay) -- along with new 
rotors, pads, pins, reservoir/fluid, master cylinder & front calipers 
from DMCH & PJG -- but I seem to be only braking mostly with my fronts.  
I should be able to lock up the wheels in hard braking, right?  In fact, 
with the car on jackstands, the rear brakes barely hold the rotors from 
spinning under even mild acceleration in 1st gear.  I'm thinking I have 
bad calipers, and will put the old ones back to verify this, since I 
recall far better braking before I swapped all the stuff.  (Pedal fells 
good, system is bled properlly.)  I also just wanted to know what 
everyone thought about the stock brake system.  Seems a little weak in 
my opinion.  Anybody upgrade the calipers & if so, what have you used?  
Vented rotors up front?

3. If there are any other Toronto & surrounding area listers out there, 
I'd like to know if you can recommend any mechanics or garages.  My 
Porsche mechanics who did my front-end work are OK, but they took a LONG 
time due to unfamiliarity with the car (I loaned them the manuals, which 
helped).  Most basic items I can do myself but for the "tough-stuff" 
it'd be nice to have a knowledgeable wrench in there.

Lastly, if anyone is in the Toronto area, please feel free to look me 
up; I'm in the registry -- any are welcome to drop in & I can offer 
fantastic coffee, refreshing beer, or a driveway & tools to do some 
basic work & talk shop...

Thanks in advance...
- ed

1982  DMC-12 (11594)
1986.5  928S
1990  CoupeQuattro 20V




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