Some advice please
Discussion
Just got a 1990 Esprit the other week.
I have read most of the advice etc in the various web sites but was looking for any additional help. I want to ensure I look after the car the best I can so any advice is welcome.
I have been driving the car from home to work which is only about 5 k's but in city traffic. I have been taking it easy giving it the occasional squirt.
Couple of quick questions;
The turbo doesnt seem to be kicking in early like it did when I first got it. I know about resetting the ECM but I have not done it, is this to be expected when easy driving ?.
When slowing down coming up to traffic lights I have not been changing down gears and just putting it in neutral and braking. Is this the right thing to do.?
Should I be giving the car a harder run from time to time. If so whats best to do ?.
Anyone know where to get the big rear wing in Aussie and how much does it obstruct the rear view ?
Any comments and general advice welcomed.
I have read most of the advice etc in the various web sites but was looking for any additional help. I want to ensure I look after the car the best I can so any advice is welcome.
I have been driving the car from home to work which is only about 5 k's but in city traffic. I have been taking it easy giving it the occasional squirt.
Couple of quick questions;
The turbo doesnt seem to be kicking in early like it did when I first got it. I know about resetting the ECM but I have not done it, is this to be expected when easy driving ?.
When slowing down coming up to traffic lights I have not been changing down gears and just putting it in neutral and braking. Is this the right thing to do.?
Should I be giving the car a harder run from time to time. If so whats best to do ?.
Anyone know where to get the big rear wing in Aussie and how much does it obstruct the rear view ?
Any comments and general advice welcomed.
1.
You are doing just fine.
Are you letting the car warm up?
2.
My car use to do that when it gets cold out.But I would not really worry about it.
Unless the power of the car has gone way down.
3.
Yes, you are easier on the car than most people. Unlike me I drive like a lunatic!!!!
4.
Yes give it a hard ride. You might find the car performes a little bit better. I use to drive 8 miles every mornning and the car would start to idle ruf by the 5th or 6th day. But If I took it out on a nice long and hard drive, the car was nice and smooth again.
5.
Sorry can't answer the last one.
I hope you enjoy your car.
You are doing just fine.
Are you letting the car warm up?
2.
My car use to do that when it gets cold out.But I would not really worry about it.
Unless the power of the car has gone way down.
3.
Yes, you are easier on the car than most people. Unlike me I drive like a lunatic!!!!
4.
Yes give it a hard ride. You might find the car performes a little bit better. I use to drive 8 miles every mornning and the car would start to idle ruf by the 5th or 6th day. But If I took it out on a nice long and hard drive, the car was nice and smooth again.
5.
Sorry can't answer the last one.
I hope you enjoy your car.
As one professional driver once said, "Brakes are for stopping, transmissions are for accelerating". With 40,000 miles on my '89, I still need, no new clutch, no new syncros and no new brakes. Yes, I take it to 145 mph at times, that's where my guts run out. With your driving style, I put 100,000 miles on my Europa again with no new clutch, no new syncros and no new brakes, not even pads and I think it's the same type transmission I had then. As your reading has told you, if you want to spend $$$, race type driving will allow you to do it. Auto crossing cost me two sets of wheel bearings, in 5 years.
Change to all synthetic oils.
If you want a race car, take off the muffler as I did. My turbo doesn't come in till about 2700 rpm. Maybe the blowoff valve would improve the turbo lag and acceleration time.
Do your leather at least twice a year.
If you don't have a lip spoiler, get one. I have just the, "L" shaped one and it is great, aerodynamically perfect, and no fear of pulling it off on a curb. I have the X180R wing mounted on the rear lip where race cars put it. It hides the lights of rear cars but just look above it and below it. Aerodynamically it is perfect.
Finally, keep reading the forums.
Change to all synthetic oils.
If you want a race car, take off the muffler as I did. My turbo doesn't come in till about 2700 rpm. Maybe the blowoff valve would improve the turbo lag and acceleration time.
Do your leather at least twice a year.
If you don't have a lip spoiler, get one. I have just the, "L" shaped one and it is great, aerodynamically perfect, and no fear of pulling it off on a curb. I have the X180R wing mounted on the rear lip where race cars put it. It hides the lights of rear cars but just look above it and below it. Aerodynamically it is perfect.
Finally, keep reading the forums.
Jason...definitely take the car for a longer run...at least once every 2 weeks or more if you can.....it doesnt need to be driven hard, but you should, after letting it warm through properly (10 minutes before kicking the turbo in is a good idea but can get very tedious!) do at least 30-40 miles. I would recommend you run each gear through the rev range (not into redline) to ensure you arent flatspotting the engine....
other than that sounds like you're doing fine!
cheers
Night
other than that sounds like you're doing fine!
cheers
Night
I am in Melbourne.
Thanks for the advice, in answer to some questions.
yes I let it warm up and let it run for a minute or so after a drive before turning engine off.
I am attempting to find somewhere to get the Leatherique, anyone know of anyone is Ozzie, would any leather shop have it ?.
I went for a slightly longer drive the other day, I couldnt help but give it a little but it really wants to go faster than sit on a 120k's. I think my speedo is reading high, need to find a speedo check.
I am having a few problems with the RHS speaker, it might be on the way out. Anyone know which speakers to use and where to get them from ??.
Jas
cheers
Thanks for the advice, in answer to some questions.
yes I let it warm up and let it run for a minute or so after a drive before turning engine off.
I am attempting to find somewhere to get the Leatherique, anyone know of anyone is Ozzie, would any leather shop have it ?.
I went for a slightly longer drive the other day, I couldnt help but give it a little but it really wants to go faster than sit on a 120k's. I think my speedo is reading high, need to find a speedo check.
I am having a few problems with the RHS speaker, it might be on the way out. Anyone know which speakers to use and where to get them from ??.
Jas
cheers
I am in Perth.
Try Hines Motors in Nedlands, Perth, WA. You should find them in the phone book. They have a warehouse full of Lotus parts. Also GP motors in Johnson St in Carlton, I think, in Melb. They specialise in Lotus. Both of these might be able to help you with a wing.
Most likely there is nothing wrong with your speedo. You can't feel the speed in these cars so you have to be careful not to get fined.
You can fit any kind of music system that you want to the car. I fitted Kenwood stuff to my previous Esprit and my current one has Alpine.
Try Hines Motors in Nedlands, Perth, WA. You should find them in the phone book. They have a warehouse full of Lotus parts. Also GP motors in Johnson St in Carlton, I think, in Melb. They specialise in Lotus. Both of these might be able to help you with a wing.
Most likely there is nothing wrong with your speedo. You can't feel the speed in these cars so you have to be careful not to get fined.
You can fit any kind of music system that you want to the car. I fitted Kenwood stuff to my previous Esprit and my current one has Alpine.
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