New to the Board and probably gonna be trouble!
Discussion
Hi All,
My name is Sean and I live in Los Angeles.
I just got a '77 Eprit a couple days ago (woo hoo!).
I've always loved the look of the Esprit and wanted one. Admittedly, that James Bond flick was my introduction (of course).
Anyway, the car is sort of odd to me and I'll probably be having all the typical newbie...you've heard 'em all... sort of questions for the first couple months, so I apologize for that.
Ok, well... Let me tell you about my car.
First, it's not stock. I was upgraded to a 2.2L and has some other engine mod's (ignition, Dellorto's...etc). I was too busy drooling on the look of the car to actually be paying attention to the seller's rant on the 19k that went into the motor. Fortunately he's a friend of mine.
The body has some custom work done to it... 'glass bumpers/skirts from some special model and such. The car seems to be lowered as well (can you believe that?!).
It has fuel cells, halon system, 3 fan system and some other goodies.
The car was my friend's project and he started by building the motor and re-building the tranny. He quit before finishing the 'glass and interior (in which a mouse died before the car was covered for over a year...peeyeeew!)
Anyway, the car is far from stock at this point and one question I have is "How close to stock now do I need to keep this car or can I just cut/bolt/fit whatever I want to it?"
I am particularly interested in motor conversions. I've done a few front engine conversions including Landcruiser/GM-V8 and Rover/ Gm-V8. I own a machine shop so I'm just wondering since I'm pretty frightened of the idea of a Lotus mechanic.
Ok, Ok... I know I'll get beat up here by the purists, but I have to ask. I haven't measured it yet, but it looks like an all aluminum hi-rev 327 would drop right in there (I know...tranny goes south after 2 blocks).
I'd like to here your opinons on this from the standpoint that you are talking to someone who can fabricate.
Another option I am wondering about is dropping a turbo motor in this car? Does anyone know if the S4 chargecooler motors will fit the Renaut tranny, or must you aquire a Citroen? Again... just exploring here.
I good friend has a X180-R, and basically he just rolls his eyes at this sort of stuff, but when this little 4 goes south down the road, I'd like to know as much as possible about possible replacements.
Worry not, I'm not going to pull a perfectly good motor with under 5k miles on it, I'll just drive it until I get my first multi-thousand dollar repair estimate.
The last option is of course, that I learn to rebuild the engine and tranny myself. Looking at this motor, it doesn't look so hard. At least you can fit a Q-tip in there (unlike my Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo).
After the Nissan, the space shuttle looks like a lawnmower engine.
Speaking of the 300zx... I do enjoy the power, which is another reason I would like to investigate V8 or turbo power down the road. I haven't driven my S1 much yet, but man, the 300 will walk all over it (and it's no boat in the turns either).
Don't get me wrong, I know I'm comparing apples and oranges and sportscars to exotics, but I just mention it so you know what I'm used to driving. If one has to go, it'll be adios to the asian machine.
Ok, well I guess I've said enough.
It will be good to meet all of you and read your opinions. I hope that eventually I will be able to be a benefit to the board.
Cheers!
Sean
My name is Sean and I live in Los Angeles.
I just got a '77 Eprit a couple days ago (woo hoo!).
I've always loved the look of the Esprit and wanted one. Admittedly, that James Bond flick was my introduction (of course).
Anyway, the car is sort of odd to me and I'll probably be having all the typical newbie...you've heard 'em all... sort of questions for the first couple months, so I apologize for that.
Ok, well... Let me tell you about my car.
First, it's not stock. I was upgraded to a 2.2L and has some other engine mod's (ignition, Dellorto's...etc). I was too busy drooling on the look of the car to actually be paying attention to the seller's rant on the 19k that went into the motor. Fortunately he's a friend of mine.
The body has some custom work done to it... 'glass bumpers/skirts from some special model and such. The car seems to be lowered as well (can you believe that?!).
It has fuel cells, halon system, 3 fan system and some other goodies.
The car was my friend's project and he started by building the motor and re-building the tranny. He quit before finishing the 'glass and interior (in which a mouse died before the car was covered for over a year...peeyeeew!)
Anyway, the car is far from stock at this point and one question I have is "How close to stock now do I need to keep this car or can I just cut/bolt/fit whatever I want to it?"
I am particularly interested in motor conversions. I've done a few front engine conversions including Landcruiser/GM-V8 and Rover/ Gm-V8. I own a machine shop so I'm just wondering since I'm pretty frightened of the idea of a Lotus mechanic.
Ok, Ok... I know I'll get beat up here by the purists, but I have to ask. I haven't measured it yet, but it looks like an all aluminum hi-rev 327 would drop right in there (I know...tranny goes south after 2 blocks).
I'd like to here your opinons on this from the standpoint that you are talking to someone who can fabricate.
Another option I am wondering about is dropping a turbo motor in this car? Does anyone know if the S4 chargecooler motors will fit the Renaut tranny, or must you aquire a Citroen? Again... just exploring here.
I good friend has a X180-R, and basically he just rolls his eyes at this sort of stuff, but when this little 4 goes south down the road, I'd like to know as much as possible about possible replacements.
Worry not, I'm not going to pull a perfectly good motor with under 5k miles on it, I'll just drive it until I get my first multi-thousand dollar repair estimate.
The last option is of course, that I learn to rebuild the engine and tranny myself. Looking at this motor, it doesn't look so hard. At least you can fit a Q-tip in there (unlike my Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo).
After the Nissan, the space shuttle looks like a lawnmower engine.
Speaking of the 300zx... I do enjoy the power, which is another reason I would like to investigate V8 or turbo power down the road. I haven't driven my S1 much yet, but man, the 300 will walk all over it (and it's no boat in the turns either).
Don't get me wrong, I know I'm comparing apples and oranges and sportscars to exotics, but I just mention it so you know what I'm used to driving. If one has to go, it'll be adios to the asian machine.
Ok, well I guess I've said enough.
It will be good to meet all of you and read your opinions. I hope that eventually I will be able to be a benefit to the board.
Cheers!
Sean
Hi my name is guy Nice to see another lotus owner in L.A.
my dad had a '77 and we put in a rotary , and at 300hp the car flew. But it took alot of work to make it fit. I have seen 350's put in, and i have seen GNX engines put in. Ya the tranny sucks! My lotus mechanic has done most of these conversions. He also put's landrover V8 in and storkes them to almost 280inches. But the car are not smog legal. The trans well the best way he could figure is use a VW box.
Take it to a porsche racing company and have them install new gears and new posi. Why not just use A porsche tranny?
Well the inboard brakes do not work on the one side of the porsche tranny.
You can fit a new turbo motor in.
You need to find out what he did to the engine.
Wher in L.A are you form?
I am in northridge. There are alot of thing you can do to the engine. Dave bean does alot of hopup for the older cars.
You can hope up the suspension, and the brakes in your car.
I under stand that you can use anyting of the newer cars suspension wise and for brakes I converted to willwood 4 pot caliper up front.
my dad had a '77 and we put in a rotary , and at 300hp the car flew. But it took alot of work to make it fit. I have seen 350's put in, and i have seen GNX engines put in. Ya the tranny sucks! My lotus mechanic has done most of these conversions. He also put's landrover V8 in and storkes them to almost 280inches. But the car are not smog legal. The trans well the best way he could figure is use a VW box.
Take it to a porsche racing company and have them install new gears and new posi. Why not just use A porsche tranny?
Well the inboard brakes do not work on the one side of the porsche tranny.
You can fit a new turbo motor in.
You need to find out what he did to the engine.
Wher in L.A are you form?
I am in northridge. There are alot of thing you can do to the engine. Dave bean does alot of hopup for the older cars.
You can hope up the suspension, and the brakes in your car.
I under stand that you can use anyting of the newer cars suspension wise and for brakes I converted to willwood 4 pot caliper up front.
Thanks Guy!
It would be great if you could help me out by emailing me the numbers and locations of parts and mechanics local to the Los Angeles area.
I was just quoted over 500 dollars for carpet from the UK (which I will do if no local source can be found). Still wondering if a '87 carpet set would fit in the '77. Does anyone know the answer or care to take a guess?
I'm also wondering what the weight of the complete (less tranny) 907 engine is?
Guy, you say the turbo motor will fit, but do you know if it bolts right up to the renault tranny...what about the main shaft? I would assume a different exaust must be used, but do you need to add a ECU as well to install the turbo motor?
Are there any parts to make a renault transmission stronger? What normally breaks on these?.. (I'm now thinking about the possibility of making extra beefy parts for whatever the weak tranny link is in my shop). Do these Renault transmissions usually "grenade" when they go bad, or is it common to only have to replace a couple parts?
Oh, so many questions...so little time :-)
Regards
Sean
It would be great if you could help me out by emailing me the numbers and locations of parts and mechanics local to the Los Angeles area.
I was just quoted over 500 dollars for carpet from the UK (which I will do if no local source can be found). Still wondering if a '87 carpet set would fit in the '77. Does anyone know the answer or care to take a guess?
I'm also wondering what the weight of the complete (less tranny) 907 engine is?
Guy, you say the turbo motor will fit, but do you know if it bolts right up to the renault tranny...what about the main shaft? I would assume a different exaust must be used, but do you need to add a ECU as well to install the turbo motor?
Are there any parts to make a renault transmission stronger? What normally breaks on these?.. (I'm now thinking about the possibility of making extra beefy parts for whatever the weak tranny link is in my shop). Do these Renault transmissions usually "grenade" when they go bad, or is it common to only have to replace a couple parts?
Oh, so many questions...so little time :-)
Regards
Sean
The man you want to talk yo is Claudius at :
www.lotuspbc.com
He has done every conversion that I listed.
I do not now the weight of the old 907.
Yes because you and I share the same trans.
Yes you will need a difrent exaust.
If you want fuel injection you need the ECU,else you can run
carbs with a turbo as long as you jet them right.
You would do well putting in a different trans in.
Well lets put it like this, Claudius told me if I loose the trans
I am in deep shit.
He is putting together a new trans but but it is not tested.
The #2 gear is the first to go.
I have heard both gradually breaking down to a complete stop.
www.lotuspbc.com
He has done every conversion that I listed.
I do not now the weight of the old 907.
Yes because you and I share the same trans.
Yes you will need a difrent exaust.
If you want fuel injection you need the ECU,else you can run
carbs with a turbo as long as you jet them right.
You would do well putting in a different trans in.
Well lets put it like this, Claudius told me if I loose the trans
I am in deep shit.
He is putting together a new trans but but it is not tested.
The #2 gear is the first to go.
I have heard both gradually breaking down to a complete stop.
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