Which source can I trust?
Discussion
The figures are correct for both instances depending on the driver for a stock Esprit. I have seen 4 cyl. tweeked Esprit's that are as fast as a stock V8. Our cars are lighter. There is a trick to overide the boost and limiter protections of the 4 cyl. Esprit's. If you use this technique during a contest of speed don't come crying to me that something broke. At a stop with the car speed at 0, rev the engine past 5K rpm and hold for a few seconds. On the next full throttle acceleration the boost restrictions will be removed for 30 or so seconds up to the 1+bar or there abouts. 30 seconds is enough for you to do the deed. Watch your 2nd gear so it is fully seated before unleashing full turbo boost. Some test drivers are aware of this technique others do not and pull away under normal power conditions. Also colder intake air as opposed to hot summer air as has a hand in the times.
Calvin
Calvin
Konman,
Are you looking to drive this car for your pleasure or just to impress others? Loti owners drive for the love of the marque and not to "play" speed racer. Please don't give us a bad name if your intentions are to rip up the streets... that's what race tracks are for. Getting your fun without hurting others.
Robert
Edit... Please do not take offense to this post however your posts seemed to be obsessed with speed.
Speed kills and I've buryied to many friends from this.
>> Edited by SwedishSurgeon on Friday 1st November 05:17
Are you looking to drive this car for your pleasure or just to impress others? Loti owners drive for the love of the marque and not to "play" speed racer. Please don't give us a bad name if your intentions are to rip up the streets... that's what race tracks are for. Getting your fun without hurting others.
Robert
Edit... Please do not take offense to this post however your posts seemed to be obsessed with speed.
Speed kills and I've buryied to many friends from this.
>> Edited by SwedishSurgeon on Friday 1st November 05:17
Hehe, I new someone had to comment my question sooner or later.
I'm far to old to race against stupid teenagers and be dangerous, not only to my self, but to the people on and near the streets.
I'm truly not the type of person who is quick to take offence, I just find it strange that some people see a racemaniac in every man who talks about performance.
But I agree with you completely about the good/bad reputation aspect, it's sad that some can't understand what Lotus is and stands for. As a Daimler och BMW owner I've seen the obvious difference between two brands, and the way people look at you as a driver.
Mikael
I'm far to old to race against stupid teenagers and be dangerous, not only to my self, but to the people on and near the streets.
I'm truly not the type of person who is quick to take offence, I just find it strange that some people see a racemaniac in every man who talks about performance.
But I agree with you completely about the good/bad reputation aspect, it's sad that some can't understand what Lotus is and stands for. As a Daimler och BMW owner I've seen the obvious difference between two brands, and the way people look at you as a driver.
Mikael
While speed is a great amplifier of damage and injury when things go terribly wrong. Many other things bother me a great deal. All would agree that most accidents are caused by inattentive driving and failure to yield. On our organized club drives we do exceed the posted speed limit, except these roads are fairly deserted. We sent a driver and navigator ahead and we are all on radios, with conditions and curve instruction called out much like one see in a pro rally event. I have not raced or used excessive speed in a residential area as I have young children myself or in heavy traffic. I of course am guilty of driving fast at times under certain conditions as most Lotus owners have done. I feel our cars at 100mph roughly 2/3 of it's ability is very safe than the pieces of junk going down the road at 80mph somewhere in it's 80-90% rating when they were in pristine shape. I think most of the long term Lotus owners I have met also higher degree of driving skill or above average. With many being very skilled. The accident rate for new Esprit owners are high in the 1st year if one has not had any type of high performance car experience (By that I mean an exotic and not something like a 5.0 Mustang). The accident rate does improve after the 2nd year of dring the Esprit. So just be aware when near the edge, many times there is very little warning when the performance envelope has been exceeded and it would take a person with superior driving skill to recover an Esprit out of control.
Calvin
Calvin
Damn it Calvin... must you always be right? Of course you are! I get people all of the time who see this car and MUST play with me. To me, the biggest gratifacation is I lay back and don't fight. To me, that wins the game... passive not agressive! My late mother used to say " kill them with kindness"... if you don't put up their stupid fight for power, they lose all of the way around. I will not endanger other peoples lives because of these idiots on the streets.
Robert Grener
'87 Turbo Esprit hci
Robert Grener
'87 Turbo Esprit hci
Mikeal,
I didn't know your age when I posted my first reply so I greatly appoligize, and welcome you as a Lotus owner. May your Lotus journey be a fun and safe one! Upon your pervious post it's good to know there are people out there like yourself keeping our marque alive and a healthy one! If I can assist with any problems, I'm just an email away. Please consider my car an '87 G so my experience with later models is very limited.
That's where Calvin will come in and help as he knows the Stevens Esprit quite well from reading his posts.
I didn't know your age when I posted my first reply so I greatly appoligize, and welcome you as a Lotus owner. May your Lotus journey be a fun and safe one! Upon your pervious post it's good to know there are people out there like yourself keeping our marque alive and a healthy one! If I can assist with any problems, I'm just an email away. Please consider my car an '87 G so my experience with later models is very limited.
That's where Calvin will come in and help as he knows the Stevens Esprit quite well from reading his posts.
Robert,
You know what really scares me. It's those darn pieces of junk going down the road at 70-80mph and their wheels are vibrating or hopping all over the place. One of these days I'm going to near one when the ball joints comes apart or the wheel falls off. That will be a test of my driving skill trying to avoid that guy. Been learning a little about G cars from Jim. I don't know if you remeber him, he was the driver of the pristine Black 85 (1st place LOG 22 in the G car class)at the gas station we were fueling up and said our good byes when leaving LOG. We yanked the engine and after that my job was to run new cables up the tunnel. we ran new throttle, speedo and shift cables. Had to take apart the console for that what a pain. Although his car lacks some punch in certain power bands he can hand with the best of us. Oh, we never even get near the edge. At least that is what I tell myself. He has the last model of carb equiped Esprit's and I count myself amoung the spoiled. When I do a performace up grade I just re-chip. Oh my gosh Jim has to balance carbs, re-jet, mess with advance, etc. So much easier just to put in a remapped chip and let the brains meter the fuel, turbo functions, and control spark. I must admit it is a fast car. I had always wanted a G car when younger but opted for more power and the Delco system. I need to win the Lotto so I can get myself one and maybe either a D sports racer or Spec Ford to have fun on the weekend.
Regards,
Calvin
You know what really scares me. It's those darn pieces of junk going down the road at 70-80mph and their wheels are vibrating or hopping all over the place. One of these days I'm going to near one when the ball joints comes apart or the wheel falls off. That will be a test of my driving skill trying to avoid that guy. Been learning a little about G cars from Jim. I don't know if you remeber him, he was the driver of the pristine Black 85 (1st place LOG 22 in the G car class)at the gas station we were fueling up and said our good byes when leaving LOG. We yanked the engine and after that my job was to run new cables up the tunnel. we ran new throttle, speedo and shift cables. Had to take apart the console for that what a pain. Although his car lacks some punch in certain power bands he can hand with the best of us. Oh, we never even get near the edge. At least that is what I tell myself. He has the last model of carb equiped Esprit's and I count myself amoung the spoiled. When I do a performace up grade I just re-chip. Oh my gosh Jim has to balance carbs, re-jet, mess with advance, etc. So much easier just to put in a remapped chip and let the brains meter the fuel, turbo functions, and control spark. I must admit it is a fast car. I had always wanted a G car when younger but opted for more power and the Delco system. I need to win the Lotto so I can get myself one and maybe either a D sports racer or Spec Ford to have fun on the weekend.
Regards,
Calvin
Oh Calvin...
Once again you are correct. I see cars coming into the shop which just got a fresh inspection sticker only to find loose tie rod ends and/or bad ball joints!!!
Then I see failure stickers like one I had the other day... they said there was slop in the right rear wheel bearing on a Volvo 240. The rear wheel bearing on a 240 cannot get slop as they are a one peice bearing that must be pressed on the axle. When they go bad, they make noise but the wheel isn't going to fly off. I don't know much about Mass. inspection laws or what the inspectors are liable for, but as a former New York State inspector, if someone was hurt or in an accident because I failed to notice the part causing the problem, I could be held personally responsiable.
The laws need to be changed... get true techs doing inspections, and take a much stiffer test to get your license.I wasn't knick named the inspector from HELL for nothing! I'm so glad I don't have to do that anymore!!!
Robert
Once again you are correct. I see cars coming into the shop which just got a fresh inspection sticker only to find loose tie rod ends and/or bad ball joints!!!
Then I see failure stickers like one I had the other day... they said there was slop in the right rear wheel bearing on a Volvo 240. The rear wheel bearing on a 240 cannot get slop as they are a one peice bearing that must be pressed on the axle. When they go bad, they make noise but the wheel isn't going to fly off. I don't know much about Mass. inspection laws or what the inspectors are liable for, but as a former New York State inspector, if someone was hurt or in an accident because I failed to notice the part causing the problem, I could be held personally responsiable.
The laws need to be changed... get true techs doing inspections, and take a much stiffer test to get your license.I wasn't knick named the inspector from HELL for nothing! I'm so glad I don't have to do that anymore!!!
Robert
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