Bringing the SE into 2002

[sydneyse]

O.K had enough of antiquated technology! the Esprit handles great, looks fantastic.. goes o.k..... I've had enough of being blown away by Nissan Skylines, toyota supra's etc....

I'm ordering a new clutch (9.5"), pressure plate, flywheel (stainless steel) and most importantly an ADAPTER plate to connect the Lexus V8 (quad cam, 32 valve all alloy)to the renault gearbox.

easily available in Australia (www.carbontech.com.au)as they use the same motor/gearbox in a countach replica.

I am getting engine mounts made as soon as I get the motor.

As soon as I find a late model motor (plenty around) at the right price... in she goes.

I'll be posting my progress/documenting with a digital camera...

stay tuned...

Very interesting concept!!!

I have a Lexus coupe with the V8 engine and can confirm that it's an amazing unit. (you can't have it by the way)

I'm just wondering if this is the best plan of action. Why are you planning this project when you can simply buy a Lotus V8 twin turbo? There are also 4 cylinder models that are almost as fast (GT3 for example) but cheaper.

Good luck anyway
An interested bystander

[cnh1990]

You are just not racing the Supra's and Skylines the right way. Many of the cars can be beat if you exploit their weakness. From your screen name you must have an SE. What have you done to it so far?
Calvin

[rob.ellis]

Reeves - that sounds like a great project. I wish you the best of luck.

Is it a good idea to keep the renault gearbox however? Its already the weakest point of my car (esprit V8) and the reason that lotus restricted the output of the twin turbo v8 to 295lb ft torque.

Would it be an idea to take an engine and transmission from one supplier - eg. like the www.brandes-dschuedow.de/ lotus elise 2.7 twin turbo that uses audi parts?

Audi engines and transmissions are also used in a mid-mounted configuration by Farboud:
www.farboud.com/html/engine.htm

Just a thought..

>> Edited by rob.ellis on Thursday 7th November 15:11

[sydneyse]

In seriatum...
1) I'm not buying a v8 becuase the price is around $90K (aussie dollars- roughly $47.7 USD!! and my SE with only 21K miles was half that amount.. and I already spent my money on the year before on an M roadster). I can buy a lexus v8 and the adaptor plate, new clutch and a few other bits for approx USD1,700.00... BANG FOR THE BUCK!!

2)Calvin: My SE has a 3" exhaust from the turbo back, custom muffler and Apexi AVC-R EBC. Any mods to the 4cyl engine do not compete with a modded 6cyl engine.. no substitute for cubic inches.... especially as all the jap performance engines have variable cam timing, 7000rpm redlines (or higher), bigger turbus.... I need more cubes!!

3) Rob: fair point; though I thought I would employ the KISS principle first... using a proven lexus/renault combo. The clutch is bigger (9.5") and apparantly the guys at carbontech have the shift mechanism improved to the point they use a metal gate around the shifter... I know there is still the 2nd gear/input shaft issue.... I'll see if it lasts first...

>> Edited by sydneyse on Thursday 7th November 22:37