1982 Turbo Esprit

[lotuswurzel]

Hi I have just become a proud owner of a 1982 Lotus Esprit Turbo. I have wanted this car for many and gazed at it sat in my mates driveway. It belonged to his father who after many years of promises has finally sold it to me for a very reasonable £.

My question is this. I would like to make good use of this on a daily basis but have read horror stories of it being a little unreliable and forever needing a set of spanners with it. The engine is stripped as it dropped a valve but have acquired another V good head. I have been a Jap fan and found the engines to be bullet proof when serviced regularly and was wondering whether to put the 2.5 V6 twin Turbo Galant lump in it.

LW

[GKP]

Neglect kills them, not use. Of course they'll require regular maintenance (most cars of that era do) but once you've cured all of the previous owner's misdemeanours and got the car back to a useable state, there's no reason why it wouldn't be reliable car.

While you've got the engine out to fix the valve issue, pull both fuel tanks and inspect for rust. Replace/treat as necessary. Have the radiator re-cored and assess the oil cooler and a/c rad. Replace every rubber pipe including hose clips, both coolng and fuel.

There are other websites and Lotus forums where you'll find a lot more model specific advice with lots of users able to give enthusiastic and knowledgeable help. Doing a Google search for 'Lotus forums' might be of some use to you.



(You'll notice how I haven't commented on your engine conversion thoughts...)

[lotuswurzel]

Thanks for the reply, and yes I noticed no reply ;-) I must admit the car is totally original and the thought chopping a V6 in it seems a big waste of beautiful (tired Tatty) stock car. Mmmm I shall ponder some more.

[Dodgey_Rog]

Have to agree with the above, once you work through all the niggles and problems and look after it, it should be a peach. They HAVE to be turned over regularly, the slightest bit of neglect and you'll start to incur some costs.

You got any pictures? What colour combo is it?

[lotuswurzel]

Hi Ok so ive got the gearbox out Citroen c35 which has a chewed crown wheel (Doh) fortunately the car came with a good spare gearbox but my question is? does anyone know if they are still available (CWheel that is) and what i can do to the good box in order to avoid it happening again?

[lotuswurzel]

Sorry another question to throw out there, The pistons and liners removed from the engine have done less that 500 miles, with the exception of the knackered piston would it be safe to use the others????