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Lotus Esprit S3 NA LC (1986)
Owner: Clarkeson Yesterday, 08:26 PM |
Lotus Esprit Turbo (1988)
Owner: MrDangerUS 18 May 2012 - 06:10 PM |
Lotus Eclat 521 (1979)
Owner: johnpwalsh 17 May 2012 - 05:13 PM |
Lotus Esprit Turbo (1983)
Owner: Lex Templar 08 May 2012 - 02:32 PM |
Lotus Esprit S1 (1976-1977) (1978)
Owner: xisab 03 May 2012 - 07:35 AM |
- Vehicle Owner: MrDangerUS
- Date Added: 29 December 2010 - 05:55 AM
- Date Updated: 18 May 2012 - 06:10 PM
- Color: Calypso Red, paint code A23
- Views: 10,240
- Price: --
- Odometer: 24,649 Miles
My CAR:1988 X180 Esprit Turbo.
One of 387 Stevens cars EVER BUILT with Bosch K-Jetronic Lambda C.I.S. injection, Citroen C35 transaxle and inboard rear brakes. CR= 8.1:1.
Extra equipment: SE' wing, SE' wheels, 225/50-15 FRT and 255/50-16 RR w/60mm TUW spacers. New leather interior, new brakes, bushes, clutch & related components.
In 1989 car was taken to Republic of Panama by its first owner. In 2006, car was re-imported to USA. I bought it in October 2010 from its 3-rd owner. In the past, I had modified US cars and Porsches, but this Lotus is a total game changer and a first Lotus in my stable.
In June 2011, I have finished fixing the “usual” Lotus problems: lights, connectors, pumps, relays, window motors, etc. At that time, all systems were operational. When I discovered evidence of questionable maintenance, I disassembled several vehicle systems. Half way trough, I decided to pull ahead future modifications. So far, I have improved styling, reliability, wind noise,cabin accoustics.
In early 2012, I decided to turn this car into a "Ghost Rider". This project, name code "Rx300",includes several performance enhancements to the air flow & fuel delivery system. Projected start in winter 2012. Some Lotus owners are of the opinion, that Bosch CIS injected cars would not respond well to performance modifications without converting it to EFI. I decided to prove them wrong. Re-engineering 86-88 CIS cars can be more fun than challenge! The key to success rests in Simultaneous Systems Integration. Porsche, BMW, Audi, VW, Mercedes racers have been successful in tuning their Bosch CIS injected engines. No reason why 86-88 CIS Esprits should be different. Just check this site: 345hp with 4 cylinders!
http://people.physics.anu.edu.au/~amh110/group_a_volvo_specs.htm
The key elements are: air flow and AFR management. On CIS cars, it can be achieved by manipulation of the Warm Control Pressure at the fuel metering head via mechanical or digital regulator. My objective is modest, only 300HP. I don’t plan tearing into the engine. I am fully aware of Citroen transmission limitations. I'm planning for CWP Cryo-treatment, replacing sloppy bearings w/SKF parts and fitting ATB LSD. Or... I may implement Jan Hoel's elegant solution: Renault UN-1 w/inboard brakes conversion and Holloway shaft kit. Take look: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=179165288761382&set=pu.178516808826230&type=1
Beefing up UN1 may cost as much as 3-4K. perhaps a better solution would be buying a new Audi Avant box or getting a Cayman "S" box from a wrecker, which is already configured for cable shift. http://www.advancedautomotion.com/product_info.php?cPath=69_52_143&products_id=29
Boxes used in the Cayman "S" Getrag rates conservatively at 380Nm, which is about 280 ft-lbs of torque. For road use, not drag racing, I might get away with 400 ft-lbs. They're modern technology; shift lightly and quicker than the UN-1 and one could use/adapt a Porsche Boxster shifter.
Bosch CIS car owners please follow this thread: http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/index.php/topic/42060-bosch-k-jetronic-cis-car-owners-unite/page__gopid__356862#entry356862
http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/41947-bosch-k-jetronic-cis-tuning-86hc-87hc-88-x180-esprit/page__st__40
7-5-11 Update
Have investigated application of the digital WUR (revised version, w/o stepper motor) in fuel mapping, and AFR control. Tuning Bosch CIS Esprit with this device is feasible, if 14AB ignition amplifier is replaced w/Pertronix or Lumenition pick-up. This device enables implementation of bigger turbos, air flow improvements, chargecooler addition, etc., on 86-88 Esprits.
August 03, 2011. Auxiliary heat/splash shields for header/underbelly and left & right rear wheel wells were fabricated. Turbo, the flange and remote wastegate bypass/extension have been sprayed w/high temp VHT ceramic paint and wrapped with Turbo Wrap tape.
Sept 01,11. After experiencing "sudden death", it took a while to figure out what was wrong.
1. The primary pump seized - rebuilt.
2. Pressure accumulator failed (dripping fuel)- replaced.
3. Pertronix pick-up lost earth and burned up. Replaced w/LU-142A updated version w/internal grounding strap.
Have re-torqued all fasteners, flushed fuel tanks and added in-line Earl's pre-filter to protect my new pumps. Simultaneously, I started work on intake manifold plenum spacer, CAI, engine bay heat reduction, etc.
Usually, seemingly simple projects create a “domino effect”-other systems have to be torn into.
27 Sept,11. Fitted 220A alternator and 4 GA wiring. Front and rear diffusers-work in progress. Fabricating components to install 4-pot calipers at the front.3 x 10"SPAL frt radiator fans installed.
Oct 29. Fitted frt 4 pot Hi-Spec calipers and 285mm rotors-frt. wheels.
Nov 02, 2011. Green dot cam pulleys installed.
Nov 24, 2011 Added SpeedBleeder valves to front brake calipers and s/steel SpeedBleeder to the clutch slave cylinder enabling one person bleeding. OE stock 3/4" clutch Master Cyl was replaced w/ 5/8"dia Wilwood part to lower the pedal effort. It makes a HUGE difference!
Dec 05, 11. Working on remote oil filter and stat plate installation. Major PITA to unscrew oil hoses fittings.
Dec 16, 11.I found 9.5"x5.5" oil coolers which fit perfectly (@ frt of frt wheels),= improved oil cooling, (pre-SE cars have only one cooler).There is plenty of room to fit small 5.5" SPAL puller fans on top!
Dec 19, "Dry fit" the front diffuser @radiator fans and acquire parts for oil cooler upgrade
Jan 03, 2012. I found a perfect replacement for the FUGLY OE square exterior mirrors! Donor car: Honda S2000.
Jan 11. Working on front radiator diffuser, need to start welding it together.
Jan 23. Pulled out the binnacle, cleaning gauge lenses. LED T5 bulbs work fine inside the switches. Not for gauges-they can't be dimmed. Renewed headlight pod module.
Feb 6. Pulled out CIS injectors for cleaning. They are short type, 65mm tip to tip. I'm going to back-flush them, see: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1395779
Mar 10.Injectors and WUR cleaned and flow checked.
Mar 15. Added 5/8" coolant bypass from the rear of cyl.head to the water pump (return spigot from the heater matrix) to improve cyl#3,#4 cooling.
Mar 22. Applied FatMat sound deadener to the eng.compartment bulkhead. I'd like to make the cabin as quiet as possible. Next, I will add 3/4" floor deadener mat from www.FatMat.com or www.b-quiet.com/compare.html
Apr 4.Fitted a remote oil filter adapter plate w/aux oil temperature sender,Purolator P-30001 filter, AN-10 hoses.
APR 15. Fitted crankcase oil mist separator(oil catch can) and replaced shift linkage bushings. Run wiring along the tunnel for AEM Tru-Boost Gauge/Controller PN#30-4350.
APR 18. Eng.oil: Synt Royal Purple 20W/50 mixed with 1 Qt of Lucas HD Engine Treatment + 8oz ZDDP + 10oz LUBEGARD BIO/TECH engine motor oil additive PN#30902. It is a truly slick stuff!
APR 29. Installed Intake Plenum volumetric expander (1" thick) and support/stay.
May 5. Fitted 3" alloy turbo intake CAI duct.
May 18. Installed AEM TRU-BOOST PN#30-4350, Gauge-Type Electronic Turbo Boost Controller, still fiddling with fittings, though.
_____________________________
"No other man-made device since the shields and lances of the ancient knights, forfills a mans ego like an automobile"
Sir William Rootes
"LOTUS is a rare Cult Movement"
True Lotus Enthusiast,(by Jimmy '99 Esprit V8)
"A true Lotus enthusiast is one that no matter how many people talk about his car looks, uncomfortability, rareness, performance or reliability, he is inspired by it's exhilarating handling, execution and feeling; they are passionate by its elegant design and sharp cuts to pin point perfection. Their Esprit makes them feel rich, superior, proud and unique; they feel confident and are optimistic about the potentials of their Esprit. They don't get tired of admiring it; they look at it every time with a grin on their faces at every glimpse at this excellent machine and see it as their million dollar price; and yes, they are proud to be one of only ten thousand owners worldwide and far less than fifty thousand to even own one. They are proud to be part of the distinguished and honoured few. They stand to support everything Lotus, including its comrades of elite owners who also represent a legend of Formula 1, its seven championships and the legacy of an engineer who took his passion to the heart. Just like Colin Chapman's infatuation, Esprit owner's pride- drives them to exhibitions generating envy and desires by simply displaying their unequaled and prestige supreme machine on shows exposing maximum representation and to conquer ultimate admiration by the public. They are confident that their inimitable power machine is the ultimate eye candy for dreamers, an extreme eye magnet to automobile enthusiasts and the jealousy of those who own it's competitors- unlike them the Esprits' and the "Lotus" name are intriguing, uncommon and rarely heard of thus becoming a curiosity and a mystery.
A Lotus enthusiast is a believer; he believes that their exotic high performance machine can always live and will continue to live to give the "wow, look at that car!" effect that public utter when they see it driving on the road. If it goes down a thousand times, a thousand times will be brought to back life by it's owner; they simply fix it and move on. Lotus owners are believers, a proud and zealous few who are part of and exclusive team... we are a family among owners, Band of Brothers, arrogant to our competitors but humble to the public... we are proud...
Proud to say "I am a Lotus Esprit Owner".
Clarkeson
19 May 2012 - 08:33 PM |
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