500+ bhp Esprit version?

[wombat_fl]

I have a neighbor that says he used to have an over 500 bhp 4-cylinder Esprit back in England. It is supposedly a specially modified edition done by a race designer. Can anyone confirm this on a 4(!)-cylinder model?

[madmike]

Might be possible. I think the X180R race cars were in this HP range. So if he re-created that...they use essentially the same engines after all.

[unity1]

Bee Enn is working or rather has a 450bhp 2.2 4 pot using works and custom parts which hes putting in a GT3. Was going to put it in an SE but decided to use a late GT3 for the better switch gear and weight etc.

[Rik A]

There are lies, damned lies and statistics.
And then there are Horsepower claims.
Works race Esprit 4 cyl was about 430 Hp.

[rlearp]

Not impossible by any means. The fellow from England that replied to me with lots of good Esprit engine info had built some units running is a 4 cyl drag class that were making in excess of 550hp with the timeslips to prove it. Esprit engine, but not used in an Esprit.

Use a forged crank, forged pistons, I beam rods, o-ring the block and heads for some serious, i.e., 25+ lbs of boost, with heads modifications and I don't see any reason it shouldn't be possible. Bore and stroke the engine to as well for additional displacement. I think you'd certainly be using your own electronics, i.e., MoTec or similar but it is not impossible at all.

[Ye Olde Esprit]

unity1 said:

Bee Enn is working or rather has a 450bhp 2.2 4 pot using works and custom parts which hes putting in a GT3. Was going to put it in an SE but decided to use a late GT3 for the better switch gear and weight etc.

Steve,

450bhp is not the target for the 4 pot we have built. I'd need a larger more race orientated turbo to develop that.

Thought the engine is capable of it, I have gone for a more all round turbo design to give an extremely low lag envelope, and also give the drivetrain more chance of surviving general use.

The objective was to up the power and ability of the engine yet also create the most driveable package possible.

We are looking at a realistic figure of 380bhp.

BN