Battle of the DeLoreans: Automatic versus Manual! Which is better? 🥊

Is this Automatic Transmission DeLorean FASTER than a Manual Transmission DeLorean???

We all know that the automatic transmission DeLoreans can be a tad more sluggish compared to their manual transmission counterparts. But what happens when you equip an automatic DeLorean with a Stage-2 engine upgrade? Will it outperform a stock manual transmission car? Or at least catch up to one? What sort of bang for the buck does a Stage-2 upgrade provide an automatic versus a manual transmission? Two very different DeLorean owners with two very different perspectives -- we take both cars (with their owners) out for test drives and come back with the results!

Car #1: 1981 DeLorean -- Automatic transmission with a flat hood, Gen-1 Stage-2 Engine Upgrade with Don Steger's "crazy cam" setup -- making it a bit more aggressive.

Car #2: 1982 DeLorean -- Manual transmission -- bone stock except for the cold air intake! Disclaimer:
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[davidbublitz]

When I was a young man I tought myself to drive a manual so I can have more options and drive my dad's vehicles. Well I never went back to a automatic. Manuals are more fun and hands on and now my brain hurts when I drive a automatic.😁 Even switching from a long drive in my D to my daily is even weird because you sit so low. Have fun guys! I hate to think that probably in another 40 years our cars might have to go electric.

[hahahelaughshaha]

Makes me miss my stage two automatic 😞

[psbnighthawk]

I have a manual with a BAE turbo and the cold air intake tube. For a car that is 40 years old, the performance is just fine. Have a guy in the area club with an LS. Not my cup of tea. It's more about the presence than the performance for me. There's always rubber-neckers and people that want to talk and or want a picture. Recently added power steering, which is worth the money IMO.

[benvin]

Cool video!

Your car is seriously awesome.

[VegasShuffle]

Awesome video! It was great having Dave in there he’s hilarious, now a proud member of our Las Vegas group. I have a stage 1 automatic and absolutely love it. I’ve been thinking about a stage 2, but I’m going to hold out and go electric. Great video as always! When the track opens Up I’m going to take my automatic and run it against a manual and see what happens.

[AlexxMichael]

Great video. I love my automatic with DeLoreango exhaust. I just love driving automatic plus I m very tall so the little pedals in the manual are a nightmare for me since I cant change the size of my shoes ;-)

[zmance]

Would love to do a comparison with the stage II Auto with my island twin auto! :)

[isazasamuel]

No wonder the automatics are so slow! The parts were made in Just kidding! 2nd stage auto for me please. Great video DT! Keep them coming!

[silverwings]

Awsome Video! I wanna do cams in my 5-speed and a Stage 2 is definitely a great upgrade for the automatic..One day the Automatic car will be worth more because its unknown how many auto's have been converted to sticks?

[georgeecheveste]

Great video. I'm glad you made it.
The automatic sounds much louder than the manuel.
I'll just wait for the electric version

[nimaside]

The stage 2 has been around for like 20 years. I remember rumors for a stage 3 like 15 years ago. I wonder why they never completed that project.

[Roosterjello]

Manual here, , Carbed, Kjet Delete. No problems

[bluetuesday]

Don't need to watch... Manual all day, every day

[nkkollaw]

Stock engine definitely sounds A LOT better

[BigDaddy-dvwb]

Which company do I contact yo do the stage 2 upgrade?

[bigsarge]

Fascinating
Fascinating! What's your opinion on Stage III DMC's?

[jackharperd]

1:01 Please may we know the name of the Synthwave Track? 13:01

[argonaut]

I need to settle a trivia question. Anyone know the actual top speed of an original stock deloreon?