Other Cars (British & British-Inspired)
a place to discuss all our other favorite cars, especially the modified and/or V8 ones
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Hi Im looking for info on adaptor for chevrolet to 1979 lotus esprit transaxle.Any help appreciated. I plan on builing a high rev low torque engine so that i can use the stock transaxle.
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mgb260 Jim Nichols Sequim,WA (2463 posts) Registered: 02/29/2008 08:29PM Main British Car: 1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8 |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Best way would be to swap to Audi transaxle, then Kennedy has an adapter to Chevrolet. Here is a thread for Audi engine and transaxle swap: [www.motorgeek.com]
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Thak you for the reply Jim. I have seen that thread,there is alot of retooling for the axles,shift linkage etc...I have seen a chevrolet adaptor for the stock box on ebay but that was before I had the car and havent come back across it. I see the car Wayne Collins did using the 4.3 gm v6(which is the same as small block chevy) but havent seen a build thread or what trans he used. Being new on here I havent figured how to navigate on here much at all, I actually couldnt refind this post after I first posted it.
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DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
I'm with Jim,
Do the audi swap. It fixes a lot of issues. The big one is the Citroen trans axle. It is a very strong unit. The problem is it's being spun backwards in these cars so it's strength is compromised severely. It's also becoming very rare so if you break it you'll have to remortgage the farm to fix one. Number two is the 1/2 shafts. They are perfectly happy up to around 250ftlbs of torque. After that the U joints fail and the wheels fall off. Which isn't that big of a deal because you don't have brakes anymore either. The Audi swap is a very reasonable modification that along with the suspension upgrade makes the S1/2/3 Esprit's much more reliable. See mom, I used Esprit and reliable in the same sentence! Cheers Fred |
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WedgeWorks1 Mike Perkins Ellicott City, Maryland (460 posts) Registered: 07/06/2008 08:07AM Main British Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 3.5 Litre Rover V8 |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Another option is a Porsche Boxster transaxle. The Renault box is horrible and even the V8 esprits are designed to keep from destroying the transaxle. I have a friend doing a lotus v8 esprit he is throwing away the engine and tranny doing a Chevy with a different transaxle on the exotic side.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/2014 09:58PM by WedgeWorks1. |
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roverman Art Gertz Winchester, CA. (3188 posts) Registered: 04/24/2009 11:02AM Main British Car: 74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
I like the Boxter "S" six speed. ebay, about $1,500 outright. 930 size cv's, so aftermarket buggy axles work,(many lengths/good prices). Co-ax cable shift. What's not to like ? roverman.
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Thank you for all the replys. The more I hear, the more i research. I know of the Kennedy company and the company renegade that does the porshe to chevy adaptors. I Have to do some budgeting, I have the money to do this but I dont wanna be into it 20 grand without really knowing how user friendly the car will be. Im a Corvette guy so Im used to being able to get in put the A/C on and drive the three hours to Atlantic city for the weekend with no issues. Ill look into the porshe transaxles a little more, I guess the axle being the upper susspension link makes me nervous about changing and getting wrong.
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DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Do the upper link mod.
That way the trans is no longer a stressed suspension component. |
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
The upper link mod.?.. Is this a kit that someone offers or do I have to dig up used parts from a turbo esprit from 81-87. Or is this something else to fabricate?
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DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Kits show up sporadically with parts from god knows where.
The turbo suspension will get the job done as well but retains the inboard brakes that will be problematic with a trans swap. Some have used the later jag xj6 (88.5 and up I think) hubs and outboard brakes with custom control arms. The best bet is probably the 87 and later chassis. It has better brakes, heavier suspension components all around, it's stiffer and more adjustable. Cheers Fred |
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Just saw an episode of "Overhaulin" a show here in the U.S. They used a porshe transaxle with a new Elise engine. The full episode was viewable on youtube,they dont get to specific but an inspirational episode to watch.
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Forgot to mention "Overhaulin" did thier swap on a Lotus Europa..
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Quick update. So it looks like ive picked up an 84 esprit rolling chassis,this solves the upper link problem from the s2(I also did find that Lotus by Claudius in the UK has an upper link kit for s2 esprits with the axles) Since I dont plan on starting this till november, I have time to find suitable transaxle,leaning towards the porsche units now since here in the US they seem to be more available.Very big price differance in thses units. The boxster unit seems to be reasonable at around $1500 but not sure if that will work straight forward or if it needs to be flipped or ring gear reversed, so searching that area now.
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
At this point thinking of spending the money and getting a complete setup From Renegade. So my issue will be moving the brakes outboard, Ive been looking at the xj6 hubs and carriers on ebay, seems it would be cheaper to buy a whole car and have all the pieces, a few in my area on craigslist for about 1000 dollars.
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Richard/SIA Richard Brengman No. Nevada (400 posts) Registered: 01/17/2014 07:47PM Main British Car: 1969 Triumph GT6+ 225" Buick V6 |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
XJ6 hubs and carriers = Pick and Pull, around $100.00 or less.
DOZENS of XJ6's in the salvage yards. Engine, build a 302 Chevy, lots of RPM potential not so much torque. Even cheaper, just build a 283. |
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Thanks Rich, I have a 283 complete and at this point buying an aftermarket aluminum block with 4 inch bore, the small journal 283 crank can be made to work in this block. the 4 inch bore also lets me use aluminum heads so should be about 320 pounds complete. I have some parts corvette cars laying around and think I can make c4 or c5 hubs and brakes to work.
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Richard/SIA Richard Brengman No. Nevada (400 posts) Registered: 01/17/2014 07:47PM Main British Car: 1969 Triumph GT6+ 225" Buick V6 |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
If you are a 'Vette guy have you considered 'Vette hubs and carriers?
You might also look at Fiero, similar but lighter. Wish I could afford an aluminum block, I think the bore on that is going to want 327/350 pistons so you do end up with a 302 using the 283 crank. Let it breath and it will really sing. |
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roverman Art Gertz Winchester, CA. (3188 posts) Registered: 04/24/2009 11:02AM Main British Car: 74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
Eddie, "aftermarket aluminum block" = $3k ? When LS motors are so plentiful/cheap ? Did you know the Rover 4.6L v8 is 281" ? They start around $300+. The Boxster "S", six speed, is the best. Good Luck, roverman.
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eddie lotus nj eddie rolando Vernon NJ (14 posts) Registered: 03/01/2014 03:25PM Main British Car: 1979 Lotus Esprit 907 4 cyl |
Re: chevrolet v8 or v6 to lotus esprit
I have looked into the buick/rover engines, the wieght of these are perfect, still an option. The aluminum chevrolet block is the big nut of the whole thing if I go with it(closer to 4 thoasand where Im looking). Im very comfortable with the old style chevys, As far as the LS goes the whole what to wire and what to buy as far as computer gets confusing to me.The LS is also wider. The ls1 is 420 lbs, renegade is also suggesting using the LS,A complete crate LS3 is 6800 dollars, stiil an option.
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