Question about the car I am buying

[DR.IAN]

So, I have a funny question...that is probably stupid to ask. I am getting a great esprit next week. I know it is a turbo, and so does the owner. However, he is not a car buff and does not know the difference between carbs and fuel injection. So, he does not kow which it has. It won't hurt my feelings any if I show up and it has carbs, but how can I find out what it is? He says the rating on his car is around 230HP, and that once the service man told him the engine fuel was "clogged" and was streaming the gas instead of spraying it. Is there anything in the VIN or something obvious that would let him let me know. What is the performance and reliability difference between the carb and FI versions? Thanks guys!

[ErnestM]

Ian, I believe your car will have the Bosch fuel injection. I think that the big change between 88 and 89 was a change over from the Bosch system to the GM multi port fi. Your car should also have the Citroen gearbox as (i believe) the Renault was introduced in the 89 model year.

Unfortunately my knowledge is better on the S4 through V8 cars, so somebody else may have to correct me here - Jim, Calvin?

ErnestM

[DR.IAN]

I believe so too. It seems funny to me to have the carbs and FI in the same year, so I bet they made more of the FI that year. Anyone else?

[lotusguy]

DR.IAN said: I believe so too. It seems funny to me to have the carbs and FI in the same year, so I bet they made more of the FI that year. Anyone else?

Dr.Ian,

The '88 Esprit used the Bosche K-Jetronic fuel injection system on US import models only. Lotus did this in order to comply with the stricter emmissions requirements in the US market. The cars sold abroad were equipped with twin Dellorto 45M DHLA carburettors, which, bye the way, is an excellent set-up for this engine.

One note, the K-Jetronic system is not really considered to be true EFI (electronic fuel injection). The 'K' in K-Jetronic referring to the german word for constant as the injectors provide a constant flow of fuel to the engine.

The Bosche system, for all practical purposes, really only regulates the airflow as opposed to a true electronic fuel injection system which can vary the flow and duration of the injectors themselves in response to signals from the ECU, which, in turn, uses numerous sensors to monitor engine performance and make dynamic changes in 'real time'. Happy Motoring! Jim '85TE



>> Edited by lotusguy on Sunday 26th January 19:42

[cnh1990]

Yes the carb equipped cars are found in later models than the USA Delco EFI cars 89 and later. The Bosch injected cars (86-88 USA fed cars). So it is possible for the domestic and non USA cars to have carbs well into the 90's. Easy to tell if you have carbs in the car. I assume you took a look at the engine prior to purchase?
Calvin