jeff_hooper

With prices on nearly new supercars - modern Astons, Porsches 997 etc. dropping through the floor any thoughts on Esprit V8 residuals? If I was looking now I don't think I'd pay 15-20k for a 10 year old Esprit v8 when I could get a 5 year old Aston or 997 porker for

Why? Engine oil is different to gear box oil - engine oil has to do several jobs, despite mileage. Moisture from cold starts/short runs, contaminants - coke, acids etc from the combustion process.. These contaminants should be removed regularly due to there corrosive effect within the engine so age matters rather than mileage. Hence the oil change as you lay the car up rather than when you put it back on the road. Gear box wise, The main demands on the oil is from the shear loads between the working parts. If it hasn't done the mileage how does it become old with age and need changing? Its effectively a sealed system no contaminants involved. I can't totally disagree with the 'better safe than sorry' principal, on the other hand I don't believe in burning money when it can't be justified, just on the vague odd chance. Opinions please? Jeff H

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I just used a cheap universal clutch alignment kit available from most car accessory shops, there nothing special about aligning the Lotus clutch. Jeff H

Hi, I don't under what you mean by the 'stop n go action' unless this is refering to the slightly higher 1st ratio? Which I only noticed when moving of gently as its a little more difficult. Quicker starts I don't notice any difference and I guess I wouldn't notice if I was really agressive as well... except for the flailing drive shaft noises!! I am also interested by your saying the box is generating more heat? How have you become aware of this yourself please? And why? I can't see that the different style of cut on 1st gear would make the difference? So is it the Quaife Diff that is generating much more heat? As far as extra noise there is additional noise but only in first gear.. If you drive slowly in 1st alternating between accelerating gently and slowing (with the window open so you can hear better) its obvious its the straight cut 1st gear meshing (the extra noise is one reason manufacturers stopped using straight cut gear on everyday road cars)... If you have this noise or similair in other gears then that doesn't seem right to me... Other than the slightly higher 1st gear ratio and the straight cut gear noise in 1st I couldn't tell any difference from a standard box to the one I have now. Jeff H Ps. GTO Engineering did my box for me two years ago and its been fine.

I get a fluttering or 'pfutting' noise on accelaration too, especially when engine is cold. It mostly goes away when good and hot. I've put it down to a couple of broken exhaust manifold studs at the rear of both cylinder heads - a typical problem I understand... Jeff H

Have a look on the concurrent GTO contact thread there is a link to there new website and look at the UN1 upgrade page - there is a mention about he need for diff size bearing. I found Kevin very helpfull and a spot on guy when I dealt with him I'd expect all to become clear when you get hold of him. Jeff

Thanks Dave, that's great information fills in my lack or understanding and takes this little project forward for me many thanks. Can anyone say if its okay or not to just leave the original oil temp connection from the sump plug sensor to the ECU to be disconnected? Jeff

I've always liked an Oil Temperature gauge. It gives a much more realistic indication of genuine internal engine operating temperature. I remember years ago, being amazed how little Oil Temp you can have even though the Water Temp gauge has come up to a fully hot reading. I find it works very well for me at keeping my right foot from getting to heavy, too early on the loud pedal. I have an Lotus OEM Oil Temperature gauge (S4 type) that I want to fit in the dash in place of the clock - pre facelift dash. I though it would just be a matter of wiring it up taking an additional wire from the oil temp sensor in the sump plug. Didn't work for some reason... My guess is the the sender is of the wrong type/rating to work with this gauge? I seem to recall reading that whilst the oil sensor feeds info direct to the ECU that information isn't used by the ECU for anything, in fact I think early V8's didn't have the sensor fitted - I may be wrong on these points. If this is right then I could simply disable the wire to the ECU and replace the sender with a type that will work with the S4 gauge? Does anyone have any input on this or any suggestions for alternative options to get this type of oil temperature gauge working? Jeff Ps. Speaking of loud pedals I used to have an MG Metro (took it from 12 months old through 100,000 miles and into a scrap yard over 20 years later). That had a stick located between and slightly in front of the front seats - you could depress one of the pedals and move the stick about quiet easily. On most cars its called a gear lever and is part of the acceleration process. On my Metro however it seemed to be some sort of engine volume control - when I moved the stick about that's the only thing that ever happened! No change in acceleration just a change in engine volume.

Dare I suggest we all have our own sado-masochistic traits - being Lotus owners that is....! Definition of a true sado-masochistic relationship, The slave says, 'Beat me Beat' to which the Master says in a cruel voice, 'NO'... Lotus owner turns key, instructing car to work properly, car refuses to work properly... Jeff

What sort of money are we talking about with the Zircotec work please Mike?

Rumour was Metro 6R4 rally car spec...

Daniel, what are the mods? Just Sports Cats or anything else. Jeff

It's not the wobbly mirrors you want to worry about... Its the water in the oil in your engine, the broken 5th gears in your gear box, the chewed up first motion drive shaft, the slipping clutch, the sticky waste gates and the rusted out fuel tanks..... That you want to worry about.....!!! Sorry, just jealous that its wobble mirrors that you spend your time on as its about 10th on my priority list..... Honestly, if it wasn't for its F1 legacy 'Lotus' as a viable business would never have got beyond the 1980's.... Its the first car I've owned that I don't give a damn for stuff such as poor operating electric windows and poor door opening and closing - I'm spending all my time chase after all the serious faults that affect performance and just keep the pile of c..p road legal! It's a great hobby for someone with lots of spare time... I run 5 cars and I'm semi-retired and the Lotus need 4 times more effort and money that any of my others cars and that's after 3 1/2 years ownership experience.. I'm really not convinced the pleasure is worth the excessive effort. The performance is outstanding when it works fine. But your just waiting for the next fault.... Jeff H Ps. Most fun as a daily driver VW Golf GTI Mk2. Bought in 1992 - still fun to drive, cheap to run, totally reliable.