Tuesday 6th August 2002

200mph Extreme Esprit

Transmission locks up at 210mph!

---

[WilliamBall]

Given than the transmission is on the 'wheels' side of the clutch, how can 'quick reaction in engaging the clutch' disengage a locked transmission from the wheels? It can disconnect a locked engine from the transmission, or a locked engine from the wheels, or a locked transmission from the engine - but never a locked transmission from the wheels.
WB

[cnh1990]

Johan visits this site from time to time, but mostly he posts to the Turbo Esprit list as it is more V8 oriented. We shall have to ask him. I sure he has his hands full trying to put his car together. There are rumors of him going to a Porsche G50 tranny. In any case he will be in a rush to have his car completed by Sept 20-23 for the US Lotus Owners Gathering where a hundred or more of owners come together for a fun weekend each year.

[PetrolTed]

Nice to have a member of the 200mph club on here though Can anyone else claim membership?

[grahambell]

Apparently it is possible to uprate the Renault transaxle to cope with more power. Know of someone who has, or had, one in a GTD T70 replica powered by a 500bhp Chevy, and that used to get driven to track days, given some stick and then driven home again so it must have been reliable. Can try and find out more in anyone's interested.

[GUY JOHNSON]

Does anyone now what gathering Petrolted is talking about? Because I would like to go

[grahambell]

Hi Guy,

The original article mentions Bonneville salt flats so I'd guess it's the speed week they've been running there for many years now where speedfreaks get the chance to see just how fast they can get their car to go. So that means a trip to Utah in the USA.

[grahambell]

Hi Guy,

As the original article mentions Bonneville (Utah, USA) I'd guess it's the annual speed week they hold there which gives speedfreaks chance to find out just how fast their cars will go across the vast salt flats.

[GUY JOHNSON]

I am sorry I ment cnh1990 he said their is som sort of gathering in september, were is that?

[cnh1990]

Guy,
The USA Lotus Owners Gathering for this year is set for the weekend of Sept. 20-23 with track day on Monday. It is where the Lotus Owners in the USA get together every year in a different city. I think depending on where in the country it is held about 100-200 Lotus cars will be there. This year we expect a large turn out because it is in the middle of the country in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin amid the rolling dairy hills. In past years it has been held in Atlanta, New England, Canada, to name a few past locations. This is to be my first year attending as the other locations were to far away for me to attend (+1000 Mi.). This year it is less than 400 miles away so I will attend this years gathering.
Calvin 90 SE

[s.boffey]

Hi Graham

Could you try and find out anymore info on the uprated Renault gearbox. It seems a shame to have an engine capable of a lot of more power and not be able to use it.

Cheers

Stu