Re-powering an Esprit ?

[Kiwi XTR2]

[quote=kylie]The V8 thing has been lingering on my mind for quite a while. Problem is I have fond memories of my current car and got it just how I want it for looks and the colour, so id be hard pressed to find a V8 thats still going to do it for me. I dont want to buy any V8, it has to be the right colour, model/spec etc, so I will see whats available when I am ready.[/quote]Kylie,

If your current car is "just right" is there anyway to give it a transplant ?

Are the V8 and Turbo Esprit's [b]VERY[/b] different underneath ?

It would be a lot of work but you do know exactly what you've got to begin with.

[kylie]

Yes you certainly could, although for my model esprit there would have to be significant modifications to enlarge the engine bay as its quite small - not to mention try mating everything up. It would be a major but do able. Simons already suggested a Lexus V8 lol, but the Toyota engine is really wide. Besides an early V8 is not that much more money, so might as well leave as is and move on. If I dont get a sale from this person, my car is up for grabs. If anyone is interested in it drop me an email.

[Kiwi XTR2]

kylie said:

. . . but the Toyota engine is really wide.

You could always go for one of those custom double Hayabusa V8's

Very compact
2600 cc
360 BHP
10,500 rpm

[kylie]

This topic has come up a few times on the Esprit forum and usually they get boooed off and told to do up a Civic instead

[Esprit]

Wow... so you've decided to let her go? what price are you looking for?

[jamieheasman]

Of course Lotus has already set a precedent for this and inserted a Rover V8 in the Guigaro (sp!) a long time ago. It fits quite nicely but you'd have to think about getting rid of that awful Renault transaxle. A Porker would probably fit.

Personally, I think a nice V6 would suit the Guigaro cars more. A nice Alfa would sound and look the part too and 250-300bhp is easily attainable without going forced induction. I think you could even used the transaxle too!

[kylie]

Yes it is a shame that these earlier cars are under powered. Although in their day the hp figures was relative to some other cars out here and in some models like mine it out paced most things when they introduced the turbo. On todays standards yes they are slow being a four pot and a shame how everyone wants to change them.

I bought my car, not for the speed, but for pure hobby enjoyment. Its a car for the real inthusiast whos willing to spend some time on it and keeping it maintained, not to mention the fun part of driving it on a regular basis.

I had a chat with a club member about where I want go in the future with Lotus ownership and boiled down to getting into an early V8 soon. The horrible result is that I can't accommodate both so ones gotta go. I have had this car for a while now and figured that if I try selling it in order to buy a later model, my car may not sell instantly, due to the small group of Lotus people out there who would buy it. So I will allow for this and hunt around for the right buyer.
I would be offering it for around $40K which is pretty much what they are worth in todays books. Its a lot of car for the money put it that way.

[crafty]

I live and work in Hong Kong. Second hand sports cars are quite cheap here - and usually low mileage. Lotus' dont hold their value well at all as most people here prefer Porsches/Ferraris. I know of one immaculate v8 for sale at www.carcity.com. This car has been for sale for ages.... I would expect the real price to be no more than 2/3 of what they are asking. if its still there. They may not have updated the website. in any case there are wuite a few Esprits here...

http://vincentmotors.com.hk also has them from time to time....but his are usually expensive.

There are a few places here worth advertising if you want to buy something.... and there are guys here who can arrange for delivery etc. I am not a dealer, just into cars, but would be happy to point anyone in the right direction if they wanted to go down this track, A lot of NZ and OZ dealers buy here, I guess that says something if they can make a buck out of it.

[kylie]

Hi thanks for the car sites, definately the way to go and probably the route I will end up taking. Have you got the direct link to that V8 car, couldn't find it.

[crafty]

Kylie,

I'll email you a few sites..... one of the better ones is in Chinese only - I have managed to work my way around it - I will send some screen shots to show you how to use the site.

GC

[lawrence1]

Before I found my Esprit, I looked several times at importing an older S3 and putting a V8 in it. There are several ideas that flowed through my head, Turbo V6's V8's such as Rover, Toyota and Chevrolet. The new Chev LS1 engine is very compact and would make a great repower. As for the gearbox, the Renault boxes are quite happy with the current power levels of standard 8's but if you want to tweek them you will have to strengthen them. I currently have a UN1-13 box from a Renault 21 Turbo which Im upgrading at the moment. This will hold at least 500/500 without too many dramas. I have a new 1-peice input shaft made and revised 1st and 2nd gears. Biggest bonus is the 3.44 diff. Although most of the Renault boxes use a 2-spider diff, this can be a weak link. A bit of machining and the 4-spider unit from a V6turbo or R30 will give a heavy duty 'box.

Gawd .. didnt I waffle on there ...

[jamieheasman]

Will you be improving the shift quality from 'mixing bowl full of cement' to something more positive too?

[lawrence1]

Yep - already have done. Its a very positive shift, and of course the shift quality eg: the "mixing bowl" is not in the gearbox itself, but the linkage. I used a Toyota Corolla shifter, coupled to Morse Cables with rod-end bearings. Fulcrums as well are bearing mounted so there is no 'mixing bowl' effect from rubber bushed actuators.