Mightymetro

I’m afraid I’m going to drop out of the group buy. It’s been over a year and with sporadic updates and lack of information I don’t have much confidence in sending over deposits etc. Maybe once everything is completed and proven I may just buy direct if and when they are available sorry if this affects peoples purchase price with numbers etc

My favourite spec. Looks gorgeous 😍

I just wondered if this is still going ahead? I’d like to plan when the car will be off the road so I can arrange the ECU flashing etc but it does seem a bit stop start

I was in exactly the same dilemma. I had had a 4 cylinder years previous and I narrowed it down to a 1997 onwards with the revised interior but with the bodykit so I had no other choice than to buy a V8. The engine was not a consideration at the time as it didn’t matter to me. I purchased my V8 about 4 years ago and the engine let go after 3 weeks. This was a failure of a rebuilt engine by an ex Lotus dealership where they had used too much sealant on the sump which had caused blockages of the oil galleries and complete engine failure rather than a design problem. I decided to upgrade and rebuilt the engine which cost around £20k. The figure is high but it included a new billet crank, forged pistons, forged rods, ARP studs + Mike etc so although I nearly had to remortgage the house it was my choice, I think it could have been done for around £12k standard. my engine was rebuilt by MikeS and now spends its time happily dealing with daily driving duties and also spirited weekend runs. It’s an absolutely great car which I use as much as possible. Having the confidence in the engine means a lot to me and it has proved to be extremely reliable. As has been said earlier, it is a rapid car but is sometimes disguised by how refined the V8 engine is. It sometimes doesn’t feel overly fast in isolation but if my wife is in her 981 boxster the Esprit absolutely leaves it for dead. Also if we are going out anywhere the esprit always feels such an occasion to use, even if it spent the day just driving to work and back. if your anytime around Yorkshire your more than welcome for a cup of tea and a chat and a run out in the car.

What a guy 👌🏻.

Hi Dave, I’d be really interested in having a ride out in your car. I’ve got the full Bilstein and Eibach set up and also the Lotac bushes and find the ride pretty crashy and unsubtle on anything but the smoothest roads. I don’t track the car (anymore 😂) and wouldn’t mind dealing a little bit of softness into the set up

I just burn through fossil fuel 🙈

can anyone with more knowledge than me take a look at the following and let me know your thoughts. I had my esprit set up last year and that is the Center gravity sheet and last month a ball joint dropped down 10mm so I’ve had it fixed and a local company has set the car back up. Thing is, they both seem to be different and there’s still a bit of red about on the parameters. just curious as if I should ask for it altering or if it’s fine for road set up

That would be great 👍🏻. Any excuse for a drive out I’m still not convinced on my set up with the full Lotac Polybushes and Bilsteins as it does seem a bit crashy. Waiting for Chris to sort his car out to compare........see you in 2025 😂😂

I have had mine zinc nickel plated. It’s what is used on JCB diggers I believe. Looks like a Matt grey drab colour but seems to be lasting 👍🏻

If you message me what you want I’ll hook it up and record the data you need

I’m not sure how good they would scan with the folds in them but I’ll make some enquiry’s 👍🏻

I’m pretty sure I have heard of this happening before on a couple of other engines ?

Thought I’d post what I came across last week. On purchasing a V8 engine the seller kindly added that he had some technical drawings that he received from Brian Angus at Lotus. the engine was supplied by Lotus as a test mule for a Lancia Kit car company that never materialised and there was potential of lotus selling the uprights too so I got quite a few A0 technical drawings with the purchase that I thought you all might be interested in . I’ll get more detailed pictures when I get chance to open them all up but what a piece of history. Also has some of the amendments on them and design changes and dates

But haven’t the original ECU’s had lots and lots of hours development to get them the best they can be, or is it because of the compromises of emissions, gearbox warranty etc.