Esprit S3 Turbo body kit on S3
Discussion
Hi all,
I'd like to put a S3 turbo body kit onto my S3, ok, it's not the correct thing to do, but I've dreamn't of owning a turbo but due to cost and the added turbo problems I'll mod my newly acquired S3.
I was whondering whether this is actually possible and whether it would take a lot of work to do, I can't see any reason why it couldn't be done. If it's going to involve a lot of extra holes etc. i'll keep the car as it is.
Many thanks in advance.
Brent.
I'd like to put a S3 turbo body kit onto my S3, ok, it's not the correct thing to do, but I've dreamn't of owning a turbo but due to cost and the added turbo problems I'll mod my newly acquired S3.
I was whondering whether this is actually possible and whether it would take a lot of work to do, I can't see any reason why it couldn't be done. If it's going to involve a lot of extra holes etc. i'll keep the car as it is.
Many thanks in advance.
Brent.
Its a strange world....
I have a S3 '87 Turbo HC and much prefer the unadulterated look of the S3.
If there was a simple way of having the performance of the turbo without all of the skirts, louvres and spoilers, then I would do it.
I think that the S2 represents the Esprit in its purest and most attractive form.
Regardless of the extra holes, you are going to have to spend an awful lot of money on having the car painted.
I would leave well alone. The Esprit is stunning enough without the extra bling.
Cheers
Pat
I have a S3 '87 Turbo HC and much prefer the unadulterated look of the S3.
If there was a simple way of having the performance of the turbo without all of the skirts, louvres and spoilers, then I would do it.
I think that the S2 represents the Esprit in its purest and most attractive form.
Regardless of the extra holes, you are going to have to spend an awful lot of money on having the car painted.
I would leave well alone. The Esprit is stunning enough without the extra bling.
Cheers
Pat
I'd have to disagree, I think the Esprit Turbo is awesome, but I understand your point of view. I'd like to get kit, it's not actually that expensive to buy, and the spraying has been arranged, it's now a matter whether the fitment is staight forward, and that's what I need to know.
Cheers.
>> Edited by CAM79 on Saturday 10th January 12:13
Cheers.
>> Edited by CAM79 on Saturday 10th January 12:13
I'm with Pat here 100%. 
The S3 Esprit is such a pure example of of Guigiaros design it would be a criminal to add a body kit.
If you can't be persuaded...
....on the grounds of origionality, consider the cost of the parts and then consider the drop in value of a non origional car. Wouldn't it be cheaper to p/x against the real deal? Running costs can't be that much more epsecaily given the cost of the project you're considering!
There's precious few of these great cars around so pleeeeeease don't do it!!!!!!!
>> Edited by melw on Saturday 10th January 13:03
The S3 Esprit is such a pure example of of Guigiaros design it would be a criminal to add a body kit.
If you can't be persuaded...
....on the grounds of origionality, consider the cost of the parts and then consider the drop in value of a non origional car. Wouldn't it be cheaper to p/x against the real deal? Running costs can't be that much more epsecaily given the cost of the project you're considering! There's precious few of these great cars around so pleeeeeease don't do it!!!!!!!
>> Edited by melw on Saturday 10th January 13:03
You should contact Paul c, he has an S3 with the turbo kit on it, and the car is for sale. Sell your S3 and buy Pauls its a good car with plenty of history, plus you dont have to worry about the turbo bits going wrong. You know it makes sense, no drilling of bodywork and worrying about position of holes and no painting required. Go On !!!!
Thanks Tony,
Brent, These guys echo the veiws of many on this list. There is a general lean towards originality, so suggestions of doing such a mod may well be met with a negative response. This is not a bad thing, i have seen some awful things done to Esprits (see that citroen thing on this forum!).
My next Esprit will be an SE. However,i do not like the standard wheels so will get Maybe Lotus gt3's for it at some time, also if it is high wing then i'll probably take this off (as many others do). This may well mean that in the future high wing esprits with original wheels will be worth more, i don't know.
The mods on my car were done by the previous owner.
I bought it BECAUSE of them (please see owners page). While some may say it will make it hard to sell, i say it depends on the buyer.
The buyer of my car particularly liked the turbo bits, i sold it TODAY (through AD on Lotus Esprit World).
PAUL C
Brent, These guys echo the veiws of many on this list. There is a general lean towards originality, so suggestions of doing such a mod may well be met with a negative response. This is not a bad thing, i have seen some awful things done to Esprits (see that citroen thing on this forum!).
My next Esprit will be an SE. However,i do not like the standard wheels so will get Maybe Lotus gt3's for it at some time, also if it is high wing then i'll probably take this off (as many others do). This may well mean that in the future high wing esprits with original wheels will be worth more, i don't know.
The mods on my car were done by the previous owner.
I bought it BECAUSE of them (please see owners page). While some may say it will make it hard to sell, i say it depends on the buyer.
The buyer of my car particularly liked the turbo bits, i sold it TODAY (through AD on Lotus Esprit World).
PAUL C
When I was nowt but a lad, the Turbo was a massive improvement in looks and I wanted one badly. Now with the benefit of hindsight...........I'm not bothered. A bit reminiscent of the shoulderpads and white stillettos of the eighties.
Aside from ruining the originality, how would the insurance be affected??
Aside from ruining the originality, how would the insurance be affected??
Don't look for anything wrong in something you like mate, all down to individual taste and how we want our cars to look for us (not everyone else).
I,for example like the pantera gt5 (all wings and arches),more than the gts (pure).
I like the early 911's (pure) more than the whale tails of the 80's (wings,wide bodies).
I liked my N/A S3 esprit with the turbo sills and louvre, but i'd prefer the SE without the high wing.
I love the G cars bbs wheels, but do not like the stevens OZ wheels...
Don't even get me started on lambo's...
Have never failed to contradict myself,mostly.
PAUL C
I,for example like the pantera gt5 (all wings and arches),more than the gts (pure).
I like the early 911's (pure) more than the whale tails of the 80's (wings,wide bodies).
I liked my N/A S3 esprit with the turbo sills and louvre, but i'd prefer the SE without the high wing.
I love the G cars bbs wheels, but do not like the stevens OZ wheels...
Don't even get me started on lambo's...
Have never failed to contradict myself,mostly.
PAUL C
What have I started?
Thank you for all your comments and I understand each point of view.
I have only had the car less than two weeks and have had little time to wash it let alone drive it, or mod it (especially as the alternator has just died! - I assume this is standard Lotus Ownership - and yes I will do all the work it needs), and to be honest at the age of 24 I feel lucky to own a Lotus Esprit, and in general own a Lotus Esprit at all.
All Lotus Esprit's in mind look great and to be honest if I had the money, and hopefully one day, I would love to own a S3 Turbo, or the new shape SE.
Sure, the S3 looks great as it is, I'm pleased with it don't get me wrong, but somewhere in my mind I wish it was a turbo and mainly due to it's looks, and hopefully with little money and being able to restore the car back to it's original condition if I part with it eventually, I can make it look like I'd like i'd like it to look - awesome!
Cheers,
Brent.
>> Edited by CAM79 on Sunday 11th January 00:56
Thank you for all your comments and I understand each point of view.
I have only had the car less than two weeks and have had little time to wash it let alone drive it, or mod it (especially as the alternator has just died! - I assume this is standard Lotus Ownership - and yes I will do all the work it needs), and to be honest at the age of 24 I feel lucky to own a Lotus Esprit, and in general own a Lotus Esprit at all.
All Lotus Esprit's in mind look great and to be honest if I had the money, and hopefully one day, I would love to own a S3 Turbo, or the new shape SE.
Sure, the S3 looks great as it is, I'm pleased with it don't get me wrong, but somewhere in my mind I wish it was a turbo and mainly due to it's looks, and hopefully with little money and being able to restore the car back to it's original condition if I part with it eventually, I can make it look like I'd like i'd like it to look - awesome!
Cheers,
Brent.
>> Edited by CAM79 on Sunday 11th January 00:56
Hi guys - just had to join in having just entered the world of the Esprit when I collected my new (to me) 1983 Esprit N/A from Paul.c yesterday. Like Paul I was attracted to this particular Esprit because of the louvred rear 'window' and air intake in the body-sills. I love the 'kick-*rse' styling of the Guigario turbo, but as it is my first Esprit I thought the N/A version would be more sensible. It's OK to be a purist but sometimes you just to have to let your heart rule your head.
Can't wait to take her out again today but it looks as if it is raining!!
Terry L
Can't wait to take her out again today but it looks as if it is raining!!
Terry L
I think that any mods you do to personalize your car is OK, however, if someday you want to revert to OEM, then make sure that it can be done without any major refitting problems. If you decide to update some of the original cheap and tacky trim (which does exist) or re-engineer the aspects of the car that should have had more engineering investment in them in the first place, or re-design the parts that were done originally in the interest of regulation, then I say go for it. My motto is if you modify anything, it has to be in the spirit and in harmony with the design, and the improvements MUST be of the best quality and visual appeal possible. I have found that such modifications will often maintain resale because they are an asset to the car, and people want that. As an example look at the old TVR Vixens.. when the old MG or TR6 is pulled out of them and replaced with a 302 Ford V8.. they fetch way more than the original car.
The Esprit is still a young car, and over time originality will be important, however, a very well done re-work does find interested people. That my opinion, I may be wrong...
The Esprit is still a young car, and over time originality will be important, however, a very well done re-work does find interested people. That my opinion, I may be wrong...
Terry, welcome to Esprit ownership. Paul, good luck on finding your next Esprit.
If anyone can help me to work out how the turbo kit (mainly the bottom skirts) are fitted to their car (without touching it!) it would be most appreciated as I haven't found anybody that can help.
Cheers.
If anyone can help me to work out how the turbo kit (mainly the bottom skirts) are fitted to their car (without touching it!) it would be most appreciated as I haven't found anybody that can help.
Cheers.
I think the whole original 'rounded profile' sills are removed,then the new sills fitted in place of them.
Do not think it is as simple as a 'bolt-on' job.
Call SJ sportscars, as they sell the part and must know whats involved. As for the louvre,find (if you can) a crashed turbo, and take the whole tailgate.
Then you will still have the original to swap over at any time.
Do not think it is as simple as a 'bolt-on' job.
Call SJ sportscars, as they sell the part and must know whats involved. As for the louvre,find (if you can) a crashed turbo, and take the whole tailgate.
Then you will still have the original to swap over at any time.
Just to conclude this modification...
I've spoken to SJ sports cars (great people, great advice, and could do this job for me), and have been told that the kit is mainly riveted and glued, therefore once it's on it's on! (i.e would be a bad idea to remove it - as I thought I could change it back to OEM if I sold the car). Also, the job isn't quite as straight forward as it looks, especially for someone who hasn't done it before. And on the last note, it's not worth messing around trying to put the louvres in, it's just better and less hastle to retrieve the boot from a less fortunate S3 turbo.
Definately has given me second thoughts...
I've spoken to SJ sports cars (great people, great advice, and could do this job for me), and have been told that the kit is mainly riveted and glued, therefore once it's on it's on! (i.e would be a bad idea to remove it - as I thought I could change it back to OEM if I sold the car). Also, the job isn't quite as straight forward as it looks, especially for someone who hasn't done it before. And on the last note, it's not worth messing around trying to put the louvres in, it's just better and less hastle to retrieve the boot from a less fortunate S3 turbo.
Definately has given me second thoughts...
CAM79 said:Good!
Definately has given me second thoughts...
Save the money and put it towards the cam belt changes, silencer, gear linkage, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. etc.
I've said it before, but the unmolested Giugiaro shape is the best looking Esprit by a country mile....
None of the tat and none of the turbo lag. You should be proud of it.
Pat.
"Save the money and put it towards the cam belt changes, silencer, gear linkage, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. etc."
- I didn't realise there's going to be that many problems! LOL - you missed 'Alternator' though, my first problem, not bad for a weeks ownership. Hopefully the weather will be nice on saturday - but I doubt it!
Cheers.
- I didn't realise there's going to be that many problems! LOL - you missed 'Alternator' though, my first problem, not bad for a weeks ownership. Hopefully the weather will be nice on saturday - but I doubt it!
Cheers.
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