That looks great!

But, yes you are sick and you have a problem.

 

totally. I did look at the last gen esprit, but the repair prices sent me running away. 15k for a tranny? no thanks

 

If you ever see Art's garage, then you'll understand why repair costs are a mute point. His garage looks like an add for freaking Snap-on. You could literally drop food on the food, pick it up and eat without worry.

 

pics or ban!

 

Don't think I have any pics of the garage per se. I do have a couple with the cars in it! SO WHAT I have a problem!!!! I like my problem! Repair costs can be quite a chunk, but I am quite a capable mechanic after building my RX7, I am not afraid of any other car now! I've installed 20+ motors in 3rd gens and counting, I installed and helped build a 94 mustang with a stroked 347 and a 16psi ATI procharger supercharger( 557whp) 603lb/ft! So the Lotus has been a fun project. Had the car for 7 days and had to put a new oil pump on the engine, which is run by the timing belt!!!! OH CRAP can you say major interference head!!! Put the timing belt on found timing marks and got it back on no problem! $85 with shipping for the belt. Local shop wanted $883 for the work! Took me less than 6 hours! REwired the whole engine harness for later Esprit S4s management computer....Started on the first turn of the key! $100 or so for junkyard ecm and associated electrical connectors bits! Luckily in the late 80's early 90's GM owned Lotus so the whole ignition system and engine management system is easy to obtain GM standard parts. For example the TPS I just replaced was $22 at Oreilly's and they had it on the shelf!!! REally it's not that bad for the Stevens esprit's, they are fairly easy to work on, easy to modify and can be had for very little money comparitively! I got mine for less than $15K(alot less than that). New chips are $350 or so and there are about 15 levels of tune you can choose. The chassis is outdated and flexible but you certainly don't buy one of these for the track when you can get a 3rd gen for the same money and make 100more HP at the wheels with a computer and exhaust!!!!!
Let's see..I'll have to get on my other laptop and post pictures of the garage.
Art

 

Here you go, not quite as clean Kyle describes, but this spring when I install my new black/white checkered VCT I'll post more!
Art

 

very nice lotus! that is one of the turbo 4's right?

 

Blah, those pics don't do the garage justice.

 

The Lotus is the Turbo 4! I just installed my custom tuned chip and will be visiting the Dyno soon, I'm expecting somewhere around 300 at the wheels(considering it started with 220!)I have installed a ball bearing T4 turbo, downpipe, exhaust, bigger intercooler(water cooled) larger injectors(all 6 are blueprinted and flowed), full custom interior redye to black, with custom retrimmed leather seats), custom built Work wheels to fit the Lotus. some other fun bits like suspension and stuff but I'll post some pics when she comes back from paint!

 

ever consider one of the v8 ones?

 

Art:

You need a set of Esprit S4 or Esprit V8 wheels to really complete the look.

Feff
www.MVPTrackTime.com

 

Oh he has some new rims. IIRC, they are some Work wheels. I have the pics at home if he doesn't post them.

 

Feff,
Didn't want to try to seem like I was trying to make the car something it's not! I bought some custom Work Meisters for it....Soon to have 1" spacers and new 13" Brembo brakes too!!!!!!
Art


18X9.5 rear 18X8 front

 

I'll post up pics of the new Calipers I got!!! Some Porsche 930 used ones from a friend.....FREE!!!!! Same disc size as the Pettit racing Outlaw kit, and I just so happen to have a spare pair...So now all I need is a bracket and hats!
Art

 

brakes! Tommy Likey, Tommy want wingy!
12.75" rotors, 1.25" thick, 11 inch radial mount Porsche calipers!(by Brembo)=FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

**** cant beat the price!

 

tell me about it! Will post progress pics.
Art

 

please do!

 

I'll have to take the old brakes off and use the aluminum hat for a hub template, then I can just have the guy machine a bigger hat for the rotors! This thing will stop on a dime and give 9 1/2 cents change!

 

i always lusted after the v8 TT ones, but yours is just sick looking.

 

Now you see why he's only allowed a few track days a year.

 

no kidding! thats a lot of coin

 

I'm limited now since I am usually spending time putting engine's in someones car! I also like the V8TT but the body is the same on the 4 cyl. models after 89 and can be had for less than 20K if you know what to look for. The 4 cyl. engines are very stout. Forged Mahle aluminum pistons, all alum. block and liners(nikasil coated), forged steel rods and crank and also an integrated bottom end girdle fitted in between the cast oil pan and the block! With an SE version, as mine is now, you can put in a $350 chip and make 350hp which is where the V8 is rated from the factory, now a chip in the V8 will net about 450hp, the V8's have cast pistons and no intercooler! so they don't like the extra power for very long. You can add intercoolers for about $4000 which will enhance your reliability tremendously, the V8 doesn't offer me the level of worry free time i'd prefer. I'd be worried constantly about blowing a $35000 engine! NO ONE makes replacement parts but Lotus and they are expensive. A rebuilt 4 cylinder capable of 450hp is less than $3K and that's new liners, JE forged aluminum pistons, Pauter rods, everything magnafluxed and shot peened! I can make the body look almost exactly like the V8, make the same HP and have spent 10's of thousands less!
Art

 

so nobody makes high-po parts for the v8?

 

Sure, there are many places that do, the parts are much more expensive than the 4 cyl. parts. ECM chips(ecu) are $800 or more, turbos are about $2K each. Just a lot more expensive. You can find V8's for less than 40K so they aren't outrageously priced, considering you can't find a 93 or later Supra for less than $30K right now, you get a lot of Exotic for your money and the V8's sound awesome with a high flow exhaust and you decat them! Problem is the gearbox, as anything over 400lb/ft will potentially munch the box into a nice paperweight! The gearbox is also cable shifted with translators front and rear, quite a slow untactile shift(same as on the 4 cyl.) NOthing like the FD box, which I hear complaints about often but really nothing to complain about after driving my Esprit for a year. Stiff clutch, manual steering(no power steering), and a slushy gearbox.
Art