Lotus Excel - Auto to Manual

[beezer]

Hi there after a bit of advice.

Looking at a 1988 Lotus Excel SA with auto box.

A couple of questions:

- what is the SA gearbox/change like?
- how easy is it to convert it to manual gearbox?(as the Supra gearbox should be relatively easy to
source?).

Thanks

[marshalla]

SAs are pretty rare - and getting rarer. It might be worth preserving it. Even with the auto-box it's still a pretty quick car, and quite a refined tourer/commuter. If the auto is set up properly (e.g. http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=33... ), the change and kick down are pretty smooth and effective.

If you do want to convert, I'd recommend having a chat with the guys at LotusBits. They've converted a few over the years and have a stock of all the bits needed to do the job properly. Remember that you'll probably need to change the diff & prop shaft as well because of different lengths of the boxes and the different final drive ratio used in the manual. (and then there's the chassis differences, pedal box, hydraulic clutch, change of rev limiter...)

Edited by marshalla on Monday 10th October 16:54

Edited by marshalla on Monday 10th October 16:58

[brman]

marshalla said:

SAs are pretty rare - and getting rarer. It might be worth preserving it. Even with the auto-box it's still a pretty quick car, and quite a refined tourer/commuter.

If you do want to convert, I'd recommend having a chat with the guys a LotusBits. They've converted a few over the years and have a stock of all the bits needed to do the job properly. Remember that you'll probably need to change the diff & prop shaft as well because of different lengths of the boxes and the different final drive ratio used in the manual.

I think there might be a reason the SA is rare
To be fair I haven't actually driven one but personally think an auto goes against what the excel was good at. (a brilliant handling 4 seater with just about enough power to make it fun). Each to his own though.

If I was converting an auto I would be seriously tempted to change both the engine and box so I could fit a better engine. You probably would not need to change the diff then either?
But then perhaps I am biased by having to deal with the problems an old 912 engine can have.........

[marshalla]

Yeah - they didn't build many SAs.

12000 miles year since I got my SE. No major problems with the 912 - but there are times I wish I had an auto box (mainly sitting in Friday night traffic).

[brman]

marshalla said:

Yeah - they didn't build many SAs.

12000 miles year since I got my SE. No major problems with the 912 - but there are times I wish I had an auto box (mainly sitting in Friday night traffic).

Don't know what mileage I did in mine (pre SE) but I did commute in it.
Issues relating to gearbox/clutch/engine that I think are not unusual....
- heavy clutch leading to cracking of the bulkhead (not helped by a new clutch)
- drain down of the oil pump causing it to take excessive time to bring the oil pressure up on starting
- broken oil pump ring (not connected with the above)
- oil surge when used on track causing low oil pressure in corners
- progression jets needed tweeking to prevent a lean spot
- cracked exhaust manifold
- worn bores and burning of oil. Ok, this could happen to any car but mine had only done 80 odd thousand miles. At least it wasn't an SE with nikasil liners.....
- the usual otter switch problems.

The rest of the running gear on that car was fairly reliable but I always though the engine had more than its fair share of flaws.

Having said all that, I would jump at the chance of owning one again!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Completely irrelevant....


.....but before the days of mass computer usage, what's the chances of naming a car the same a 2 x (future) spreadsheets?

That's it...sorry

[brman]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Completely irrelevant....


.....but before the days of mass computer usage, what's the chances of naming a car the same a 2 x (future) spreadsheets?

That's it...sorry

[beezer]

Thanks for the information guys

What autobox was fitted in the Excel? - was it fitted in any other cars?

I must confess that a manual Lotus is what I'm used to but am curious what an Auto actually drives like?

Having an Esprit Turbo the Excel seems like a fitting garage mate - they are aging well!!