Discussion
Hi,
What do you think on LT5 engine mounted in Corvette ZR1 ?
This engine was developed by LOTUS Engineering in England and made by Mercury Marine for GM.
LT5 characteristics : V8 - 5.7L - 32 valves - 16 injectors –
375hp 51mkg (1990 to 1992) – 405hp 53mkg (1993 to 1995). All alloy engine.
4 Over Head Cam - Cams drive by chain.
What do you think on LT5 engine mounted in Corvette ZR1 ?
This engine was developed by LOTUS Engineering in England and made by Mercury Marine for GM.
LT5 characteristics : V8 - 5.7L - 32 valves - 16 injectors –
375hp 51mkg (1990 to 1992) – 405hp 53mkg (1993 to 1995). All alloy engine.
4 Over Head Cam - Cams drive by chain.
It was a development of a 4.0 conversion of the 4pot slant four destined for the Etna concept. Later it was proposed for the Esprit, but they went for the turbo four instead. Then GM came along and Lotus propsed the engine for the ZR1 with a greater capacity. They suggested using it for the Esprit, but there was a market conflict of interest between Esprit and ZR1, so GM used it exclusively. In recent years, after the end of ZR1 production, Lotus borrowed the engine to develop for a year in the Elise GT car.
The original 4.0 forms the basis of experience on which Lotus developed the current 3.5L TT V8. That's just a brief summary of its story, it was a great motor even by todays standards.
Regards,
Nicholas
The original 4.0 forms the basis of experience on which Lotus developed the current 3.5L TT V8. That's just a brief summary of its story, it was a great motor even by todays standards.
Regards,
Nicholas
.
Take exception to the descrption 'junk'. Anyone who knows anything worth knowing about engines would know this is a great motor even by todays standards. And a ten year old design can hardly be described as 'outdated' unless the internal combustion engine itself is outdated.
As for parts, not difficult, easily available from the right specialists. As for the performance, tuneable to immense output, built solid as a rock, doesn't fail. And Lotus has engineered many engines etc, and they all are good performers in their different markets.
Edited to say:
Patrack, what else exactly do you want to know about this engine?
Nicholas
>> Edited by Ye Olde Esprit on Thursday 3rd April 20:06
As for parts, not difficult, easily available from the right specialists. As for the performance, tuneable to immense output, built solid as a rock, doesn't fail. And Lotus has engineered many engines etc, and they all are good performers in their different markets.
Edited to say:
Patrack, what else exactly do you want to know about this engine?
Nicholas
>> Edited by Ye Olde Esprit on Thursday 3rd April 20:06
No news? What do you want to hear? Do a search and see what you can find.
It's a good engine but expensive to modify/tune. Has plenty of power and light weight etc. Has 4 valves per cylinder etc. If you can get one in vgc then go for it otherwise take a look at an LS1, same, if not more power etc even if on 2 valves and loads of future potential. The LS1 will cost a lot less unless you've found a bargain!
It's a good engine but expensive to modify/tune. Has plenty of power and light weight etc. Has 4 valves per cylinder etc. If you can get one in vgc then go for it otherwise take a look at an LS1, same, if not more power etc even if on 2 valves and loads of future potential. The LS1 will cost a lot less unless you've found a bargain!
I've found site with a 1995 ZR-1 model. This ZR-1 is a 100% factory original stock low mileage car. I've got a book (it's 10 years or a little more) about Esprit turbo (pre-SE) and there's an interview with some chief engineer (or someone similar, I'll check that later) and there's a picture of that engine on his desk and he's saing a few word's about it. Needles to say this is very good book about great car. It's just mine two cent's in discussion.
http://corvetteforum.cardomain.com/id/speedemon
http://corvetteforum.cardomain.com/id/speedemon
On the subject of engines that never saw the light of day, there were rumours of an experimental V12 in the late seventies/early eighties. It was intended to go into a luxury 4 seater, dubbed the Lotus Elegance, that never got beyond the drawing board. Bloody good job to - Lotus is about sports cars, not executive barges!
Great story, or so I thought. At the Lotus Open Day last year there it was, on display, in the engineering centre. What a lump!
Great story, or so I thought. At the Lotus Open Day last year there it was, on display, in the engineering centre. What a lump!
hedgerley said: On the subject of engines that never saw the light of day, there were rumours of an experimental V12 in the late seventies/early eighties. It was intended to go into a luxury 4 seater, dubbed the Lotus Elegance, that never got beyond the drawing board. Bloody good job to - Lotus is about sports cars, not executive barges!
Great story, or so I thought. At the Lotus Open Day last year there it was, on display, in the engineering centre. What a lump!
Just goes to show, if Lotus had a generous sponsor, what they could build, would never be equalled...
...Maybe some day.
Nicholas
I'm assuming most of you in this thread are on the UK side of the pond. I have seen a 1981 (I think) Esprit with a 350 chevy powerplant in it. Looked kinda odd but I'm sure it flew. Over here It makes sense to try to shoehorn an american engine in the best handleing car in the world. Besides I can get parts for it anywhere. If I faced a 12k bill to rebuild my 95 S4 motor, you bet I might at least consider the options.
I have looked at purchasing an LT5 from the States for sticking in an Esprit.
The few new ones are a bit expensive, but a used one to rebuild looks like a fine idea someday.
Right now I'm sticking to my current plan of building a normally arpirated V8 from the Lotus 918 block since the fitting work is already sorted, so it's just the insides I need to design/build.
Nicholas
The few new ones are a bit expensive, but a used one to rebuild looks like a fine idea someday.
Right now I'm sticking to my current plan of building a normally arpirated V8 from the Lotus 918 block since the fitting work is already sorted, so it's just the insides I need to design/build.
Nicholas
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