Can I ask a stupid question..?
Discussion
First, I've only had my 89 Non SE for a few days, so I'm still getting used to the car. Not rushing into anything. That being said, I have an appointment set with a local shop here in MD to recondition the car later this month. They are gonna replace all fluids, sprak plugs, alignment/balancing, brake pads/rotors etc etc.
Now, since it's gonna be in the shop as such, I was wondering why not put in a new ECU and/or chip while I'm at it? Given my lack of experience with the Esprit, what would you suggest for the ECU/Chip combo? (I'm in the US and it's an 89 Non SE)
Thanks.
Kap.
Now, since it's gonna be in the shop as such, I was wondering why not put in a new ECU and/or chip while I'm at it? Given my lack of experience with the Esprit, what would you suggest for the ECU/Chip combo? (I'm in the US and it's an 89 Non SE)
Thanks.
Kap.
There are no stupid questions, only stupid...
The 89 non-SE has a different ECM than the SE's do and the vast majority of the chips out there are not compatible. I think there is someone in Europe who does make a chip for the non-SE, but I don't know who. So, unless you want to replace the ECM with a SE type and rewire all the plugs, you are kinda stuck. Without the charge cooler, I don't know how much boost you could safely get anyway. I am sure a little more, but you know, it gets a little expensive cranking boost until the motor goes boom, then backing down one notch.
Dr.Hess
89 non-SE
The 89 non-SE has a different ECM than the SE's do and the vast majority of the chips out there are not compatible. I think there is someone in Europe who does make a chip for the non-SE, but I don't know who. So, unless you want to replace the ECM with a SE type and rewire all the plugs, you are kinda stuck. Without the charge cooler, I don't know how much boost you could safely get anyway. I am sure a little more, but you know, it gets a little expensive cranking boost until the motor goes boom, then backing down one notch.
Dr.Hess
89 non-SE
The only stupid question is one that remains unasked!
I'm only a few months ahead of you in Esprit ownership ('89 non-SE also). My thoughts on upgraded ECU / chips are these:
1. The car's stock performance probably far exceeds my own capabilities as a driver. I'm no slowpoke, just being realistic.
2. An increase in performance (thrill-factor) often brings a tradeoff in reliability ($-factor), and the Esprit places more emphasis on performance to begin with. That's what makes a Lotus a Lotus.
3. Be sure your tires are not unsafe due to age, see
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=27841&f=17&h=8&hw=tires for a lively discussion and size and brand recommendations for the '89 model.
4. My personal priority on upgrades goes to the brakes; the stock Celica brakes seem to be right at the edge of their performance envelope on a street-driven Esprit, and well outside their safety zone on the track where braking is harder and much more frequent. I recommend stop-fast goodies ahead of go-fast goodies.
5. Best of luck, please share your experience here so all can benefit!
Best regards,
Tom
'89 Esprit FI
I'm only a few months ahead of you in Esprit ownership ('89 non-SE also). My thoughts on upgraded ECU / chips are these:
1. The car's stock performance probably far exceeds my own capabilities as a driver. I'm no slowpoke, just being realistic.
2. An increase in performance (thrill-factor) often brings a tradeoff in reliability ($-factor), and the Esprit places more emphasis on performance to begin with. That's what makes a Lotus a Lotus.
3. Be sure your tires are not unsafe due to age, see
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=27841&f=17&h=8&hw=tires for a lively discussion and size and brand recommendations for the '89 model.
4. My personal priority on upgrades goes to the brakes; the stock Celica brakes seem to be right at the edge of their performance envelope on a street-driven Esprit, and well outside their safety zone on the track where braking is harder and much more frequent. I recommend stop-fast goodies ahead of go-fast goodies.
5. Best of luck, please share your experience here so all can benefit!
Best regards,
Tom
'89 Esprit FI
And I'm with Tom on the performance thing. I built my Europa Special (Webers, Isky cams, port, polish, etc.) and went from unreliable to really unreliable, or maybe it was from really unrealiable to really, really unreliable. Anyway, I am happy with the performance I have. Not to say what I have shouldn't be optimized, air filter, plugs, etc., but I don't feel a need to crank the boost. Oh, and I am building a 7 to beat on, but I am building it to be beat on. 160HP 20v 4AGE, T50, Supra LSD diff, etc.
Dr.Hess
89 non-SE
Dr.Hess
89 non-SE
Okay..I guess you all ARE right. I should bite off my speed bug and enjoy the car for what it is.
BTW on the issue of tires, the car did come with some really nice 5 spoke 17" Mas Italy President wheels front and back. The tires are BF Goodrich right now with about 50% tread life remaining. (On a diferent note, does anyone know the correct tire pressure for these with the Esprit?)
Thanks.
Kap.
>> Edited by kapone on Tuesday 20th July 22:55
BTW on the issue of tires, the car did come with some really nice 5 spoke 17" Mas Italy President wheels front and back. The tires are BF Goodrich right now with about 50% tread life remaining. (On a diferent note, does anyone know the correct tire pressure for these with the Esprit?)
Thanks.
Kap.
>> Edited by kapone on Tuesday 20th July 22:55
I do hope the shop is a Lotus shop. And if not, I hope you have the Service notes.
The biggest improvement I did with my '89 non-SE was install the lip spoiler for the SE. You can do it yourself but the improvement in high speed traction is noticeable. Previously, over 60 MPH the steering started to get light. I put in the No. 15 chip for the non-SE. Higher boost, but it still only comes in over 2500 RPM. You can get it from Marcus or Sanj.
I want to put in four pot brakes but am debating about the 11 inch disk for my 15 inch wheels or wait for larger rims and get the 12 inch disk. Comment from anyone?
I still have the Red hose here in Louisiana. I took out parts of the bottom pan to improve ventilation in the engine bay. No problems. Please read my earlier posting about bleeding the clutch hose.
I have needed to replace the ECU box but at $80 from Autozone, no big deal.
lotusman
'89 non-SE
The biggest improvement I did with my '89 non-SE was install the lip spoiler for the SE. You can do it yourself but the improvement in high speed traction is noticeable. Previously, over 60 MPH the steering started to get light. I put in the No. 15 chip for the non-SE. Higher boost, but it still only comes in over 2500 RPM. You can get it from Marcus or Sanj.
I want to put in four pot brakes but am debating about the 11 inch disk for my 15 inch wheels or wait for larger rims and get the 12 inch disk. Comment from anyone?
I still have the Red hose here in Louisiana. I took out parts of the bottom pan to improve ventilation in the engine bay. No problems. Please read my earlier posting about bleeding the clutch hose.
I have needed to replace the ECU box but at $80 from Autozone, no big deal.
lotusman
'89 non-SE
I would suggest getting the pads and rotors from anybody but the Lotus dealer. Their prices will be insane and you can get the exact same thing from the other ususal sources. The first time I ever got all new brakes (not rotors) it cost $ 1,214.44 total installed at Lotus dealer prices.
Hi,
As you admittedly have only had the car a couple of days, why don't you get used to it in stock form before jumping on the Go Fast BandWagon?
A stock Esprit's abilities exceed those of maybe 90% of the Owners out there, and at least at this point, that includes you as well.
With a 'new' car, you are not yet aware of what potential maintenance headaches may be lurking in the shadows, keep your money in reserve until you are very comfortable with the car's reliability. There'll be plenty of time to bally up with your shekels at the Go Fast Store once you have a better understanding of how to best set the car up to meet your needs.
And, something which seems missing from your shopping list, the greatest Go Fast investment you can makes is: www.skipbarber.com/drivingschool/default.asp?sel=faq
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
As you admittedly have only had the car a couple of days, why don't you get used to it in stock form before jumping on the Go Fast BandWagon?
A stock Esprit's abilities exceed those of maybe 90% of the Owners out there, and at least at this point, that includes you as well.
With a 'new' car, you are not yet aware of what potential maintenance headaches may be lurking in the shadows, keep your money in reserve until you are very comfortable with the car's reliability. There'll be plenty of time to bally up with your shekels at the Go Fast Store once you have a better understanding of how to best set the car up to meet your needs.
And, something which seems missing from your shopping list, the greatest Go Fast investment you can makes is: www.skipbarber.com/drivingschool/default.asp?sel=faq
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE Jim: You're right. My only thought was that, since it's gonna be in the Lotus shop for quite a bit of work, this may not be a bad time to get some things done. But, I agree, "need for speed" has to be curbed for a while
and interestingly..I do have a 2-day driving session at Lime Rock park later this year. (It was a birthday gift..)
>> Edited by kapone on Wednesday 21st July 17:08
and interestingly..I do have a 2-day driving session at Lime Rock park later this year. (It was a birthday gift..
) >> Edited by kapone on Wednesday 21st July 17:08
Good plan getting driving experience on the track before modding the Esprit. Its one thing I always promised myself but never got round to and really should have. It will give you an insight into the breakaway point and may well save a prang on the road. Also a good idea is to do it in the wet. When all that 'welly' kicks in it gets ever so much more dicey, especially in the bendy bits.
Enjoy your new motor
Dom
('Welly', English slang for fast acceleration/putting ones foot down etc.
Enjoy your new motor
Dom
('Welly', English slang for fast acceleration/putting ones foot down etc.
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