LEW Uprated Renault UN1-26 Article: Scoop??

[karmavore]

Does anyone know what the deal is on this upgrade????

www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EModifications/Gearbox.html

I'm about to have my box off to replace the clutch, but if some new goodies are in the pike maybe I'll wait.

Luke.

>>> Edited by karmavore on Friday 2nd July 16:24

[Lotusacbc]

I read that article the other day and was curious about it as well. I wondered how it would complement or oppose the Quaife Limited Slip upgrade

[benfell100]

OK chaps, listen up, go to this site and Mr Derrick Bell will talk you through what is involved in the UN1 upgrade. It aint cheap but the parts are made by Quaife and are top quality, I've seen them at Castle Combe. Derricks a top bloke too and knows his stuff. I think the first Esprit to get the upgrade was in Germany (a racer) and I've yet to hear any critisisms.
Also Derricks Lola T70 replica (he built it himself) uses the same gearbox with almost identicle parts
Dom
www.bell-performance.co.uk/

[kmaier]

The upgrade shown is from Derek Bell in the UK. His website is: www.bell-performance.co.uk/

There is one basic problem with the standard upgrade kit Derek offers, the input shaft spline on the upgraded input shaft is for a single plate Ford spline and would require a new clutch setup for the Esprit.

Not sure if Derek is making this setup available for a standard spline but I would suspect if enough owners want it that's an option. Earlier emails swapped with Derek was that the Quaife ATB diff should fit in without problems, but he had not installed one yet.

I would also be looking at the changed gear ratios (1st/2nd). Are they a good idea for the Esprit? Also note that the straight-cut 1st gear setup will be noisier than the stock cross cut.

As I am yanking my box as well (once all of the parts and tools come in) I already have a Quaife unit which will be going in. I am planning to look into a heavier input shaft which would replace the 2-piece and mainly have an uprated material and sizing where possible. I don't really have a problem with stock gearing and am not looking to change that.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[rob.e]

There's a guy in the uk with a sport 350 who's got a broken box (wil). I believe he will be the first to get the bell upgrade in an esprit. I expect kato will have an update on LEW once its done

[Lotusacbc]

You know something, I dont think I ever found out what the gears were on an Esprit.

What are the gears on an Se, S4 and S4s? The same?

[karmavore]

How much does it cost?

[karmavore]

I don't want to change out my clutch, etc (especially since I just bought one) but I'd be in on a Group Buy for kit that had Renault clutch shaft.

..but only if this allows me to do burnouts and doughnuts, etc... :-)

Luke.

[rob.e]

karmavore said:

How much does it cost?

There are prices for the uprated shaft on derek bell's site (see the link in dom and kev's posts). That is based on a spline that suits a ford (which is what most of the lola/gt40 guys use) I expect that derek will be working something out for the esprits soon too.