1996 V8 engine can fit on '93 SE?
Discussion
You'd be looking at a LOT of modifications to put that engine in. If you got it at a crazy price, you are probably best to turn around and sell it at a profit, unless you just want to do it as a project for the fun of it.
Keep in mind though, you will pretty much be destroying the resale value of your car too.
Keep in mind though, you will pretty much be destroying the resale value of your car too.
A good used v8 goes for £4000 to £5000.. (euro 6000-7500) check out:
www.lotusespritworld.com/Sale/parts.html
I'd suggest either sell it on for a profit, or find an esprit project that requires an engine. Taking out a fully working engine out of your SE makes no sense.
www.lotusespritworld.com/Sale/parts.html
I'd suggest either sell it on for a profit, or find an esprit project that requires an engine. Taking out a fully working engine out of your SE makes no sense.
lotusguy said:Not as bad as you might think. The total weight difference between a '95 S4s and a '97 V8 was 98lbs according to the scales at Car&Driver. At least 20 of that was in the wheels and tires.
Keep the SE, chip it and maybe find a Sport chargecooler. The weight penalty of the V8 far surpasses any slight HP gains IMHO.
I agree with the sentiment though - either fool with what you have or just buy an Esprit V8.
Firstly, from my research into this, yes it can be done as the mounting points for both engines are the same. The clearance for the transmission is also not an issue.
You *may* however have a problem clearing the exhaust channelling to the CATs with the stock V8TT layout.
The rear chassis triangle was modified on V8 cars to allow for this, the SE/S4/S4S/GT3 have the normal rear shape.
You will also need the gearbox bell housing and either a new gearbox with modified ratios or to change the ratios in the SE box. However, it is preferred you use the V8 box as its casing is uprated from the older SE ones to be stronger. This may also require you to change the gear selection translator at both ends, which will also involve swapping the side the selector cabling runs down...
You will also need to change o few of the panels inside and around the engine bay, but you probably know that already.
As for doing it in the first place, I see no problem if the car means enough to you. As for value, these cars are not exactly going to get back as much as they were once worth, and it all depends on how you view the life of you car.
SOme people will find your car more attractive a proposition for purchase (if the work can be seen to be done properly) and others will prefer a stock version which has no improvement/modification.
When the new Esprit is launched, if it is a good car, it will adversely effect all current Esprit values anyway, which are not the best of supercars in terms of holding value.
B
N
You *may* however have a problem clearing the exhaust channelling to the CATs with the stock V8TT layout.
The rear chassis triangle was modified on V8 cars to allow for this, the SE/S4/S4S/GT3 have the normal rear shape.
You will also need the gearbox bell housing and either a new gearbox with modified ratios or to change the ratios in the SE box. However, it is preferred you use the V8 box as its casing is uprated from the older SE ones to be stronger. This may also require you to change the gear selection translator at both ends, which will also involve swapping the side the selector cabling runs down...
You will also need to change o few of the panels inside and around the engine bay, but you probably know that already.
As for doing it in the first place, I see no problem if the car means enough to you. As for value, these cars are not exactly going to get back as much as they were once worth, and it all depends on how you view the life of you car.
SOme people will find your car more attractive a proposition for purchase (if the work can be seen to be done properly) and others will prefer a stock version which has no improvement/modification.
When the new Esprit is launched, if it is a good car, it will adversely effect all current Esprit values anyway, which are not the best of supercars in terms of holding value.
B
NNJGSX96 said:I believe the sport chargecooler was stock on the S4s. It's larger but not dramatically so.
The Sport Chargecooler is better than the usual that came on the SE? What anout that on my S4? If it is better, how much better, how much do they cost, and what is the availability?
mlupis said:
Wish to say thank's to all of you for the reply's, but particurally THANK YOU "ye olde esprit"!!!
Other opinion will be welcomed!
Hi,
Usually in this world, with enough determination, know-how and money, virtually anything is possible.
Hopefully, the big THANK-YOU to Ye Olde Esprit was for his detailed explanation and not because he told you what you wanted to hear. Fact is, the very learned concensus is that doing this engine swap is not adviseable.
In addition to all the work and fabrication involved, one fundamental issue has not yet been addressed, namely upsetting the very delicate balance of the car. It would be a shame to lose the finely tuned handling for the sake of a few more HP and/or bragging rights, afterall, it is the handling which Lotus is famous for.
While they share the same name and are very similar, the V8 and the SE are totally different animals. Different brakes, links, shocks, springs, tracks, steering racks, bushes, wheels and tires. Each was assigned their particular parts in order that a specific handling package was achieved. Alter any of these components, including power and weight distribution, and you have a car which will not handle as well as it did originally.
If you are a better suspension engineer than Lotus whole Suspension Department, or trust that blind luck will follow you and give you a car that is as good or better than what you started with, then proceed by all means.
But I still believe that you are best served by reselling the engine at a profit, as some have suggested, and using those funds to enhance the basic design you already have.
I may be wrong, but I just cannot see how the anomoly you wish to create will be in any way better than what you now have. I certainly wouldn't want it, nor do I think there's any innovation in spoiling a good design. I suspect there are many who feel the same way. Please give this a lot of thought before deciding how you'll proceed. Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Thursday 19th February 19:57
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