Silly idea about V8 Gearbox

[BusaNostra]

Oh well, like to announce that I bought a 1999 Lotus Yellow metallic Esprit V8 !!!
I now have 3 Lotuses. I don't know why I bought it. I guess shit happens.

Here is my silly gearbox idea. I learned from you guys the V8 gearbox being a porcelain.
First of all, here is my question... is the bell housing of the 4 cylinder Esprit will bolt to the V8 block bolt pattern?

Years ago I saved my ZF Ford Pantera transaxle (gearbox). I have a 4 cyl Esprit turbo transmission too that I would like to cut (bellhousing)and weld to the ZF Ford pantera Transaxle. I compared the 4 cyl. tranny vs the Ford Pantera and they are very close in width, length and height. I know my previous Pantera tranny can handle 560hp. What do you think?

Yes! I know, I have to solve the main shaft and the half shaft....but that's later on. One thing at the time.

Give me some feedback!

[Dr.Hess]

You could sell that rock crusher and be pretty far along the way to a Quaife, couldn't you?

Dr.Hess

[karmavore]

Really??

Isn't the Quaife $15K and only sequential non-synchro mesh? Seems too prupose built for a street car.

Lucas.

[busanostra]

Dr. Hess...I supposed I can sell my ZF Ford Pantera and 4 Cyl. Lotus Esprit tranny....but how much do you think I can get ?...Peanut!
A long way to pay $15K Quaife!!

[Dr.Hess]

I thought those Pantera boxes were worth quite a bit. A good used Esprit box should go for three large, at least, I would think. Maybe more, I dunno.

Dr.Hess

[greezmunky]

why not just have someone fab up an adapter plate to mate the ZF to the esprit motor? Those trannys are popular with countach / diablo kit car builders and there are plenty of places that can fab it up.

[lotusse89]

BusaNostra said:

Oh well, like to announce that I bought a 1999 Lotus Yellow metallic Esprit V8 !!! I now have 3 Lotuses. I don't know why I bought it. I guess shit happens. Here is my silly gearbox idea. I learned from you guys the V8 gearbox being a porcelain. First of all, here is my question... is the bell housing of the 4 cylinder Esprit will bolt to the V8 block bolt pattern? Years ago I saved my ZF Ford Pantera transaxle (gearbox). I have a 4 cyl Esprit turbo transmission too that I would like to cut (bellhousing)and weld to the ZF Ford pantera Transaxle. I compared the 4 cyl. tranny vs the Ford Pantera and they are very close in width, length and height. I know my previous Pantera tranny can handle 560hp. What do you think? Yes! I know, I have to solve the main shaft and the half shaft....but that's later on. One thing at the time. Give me some feedback!

Why don't you not worry about hersay, and drive the thing the way it was meant to be driven? That means, not like a Mustang.

Yes it is possible to break an Esprit transaxel, is it going to happen to you? Doubtful, unless you drive like an ass. The odds are still low as long as you have some mechanical sympathy. I have a good friend with a 4cy Esprit X180-R making more torque and Hp than the Esprit V8, and he only drives very hard on the racetrack. He's broken the rivets on a clutch, but the gears and synchros look brand new.

Point is theres's no reason for you to believe that your '99 V8 transmission will break, unless you try to break it.

Travis
Vulcan Grey 89SE
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/

[busanostra]

Lotuse98...that's a nice advice. I will consider driving until I get bored.

Problem is, I will be etchy one of this day do something drastic. Pretty sure I won't be happy for just 350. I know shit happens.

Geeee I have my 1300cc Hayabusa engine planted to my Westfield 7...turbocharged or course and few squirt of cool aid (NOS) and developed 372hp
www.mjmturbos.com/images/busalive2.avi
so here you go.....this is me, bored easy!

[rob.e]

Travis is right. See how you get on first before you pull it to pieces.. I have 80k miles on my 1998 V8-GT. No gearbox problems and i drive it hard, but i don't do burnouts or drag racing (although it got an absolute pasting at vmax7.. lol!)

If you DO swap the box, the zf would be a nice project. Just remember though - one GOOD thing about the renault trans is that its very light...

[MikeyRide]

My mechanic had a V8 in for a crown wheel and pinion replacement. Naturally, the owner was just "driving along". He sent the ECU off to Lotus, who told him the car had recorded in excess of 200 standing starts! A standing start is basically a clutch drop at 3000+ rpm IIRC.

So, they're not that bad.