GT3 Questions

[tony9645]

Hi All

Just taken delivery of a 1997 GT3 a couple of novice questions

I have two petrol caps and a switch under the steering column, only the passenger side opens is there a fault on the drivers side? or is it cosmetic on a GT3


No spare tyre was supplied, does a GT3 not come with one of those red things you suse as a temp, if so do you recommend a kit for dealing with punctures etc

Many thanks in advance

[cnh1990]

After the 97 year even V8 have only one filler and the ffiller lap is secured on one side. Might be that you have one of those. If you take off the tank cover under the rear quarter windows (plastic piece with carpet)you can see if you even have filler neck going to the tank.

In the USA the spare tire is part of the crash protection in a frontal crash. Good idea to get if you ask me.

Calvin

[kmaier]

According to my service notes, the single filler flap was implemented on the 1998 MY V8 and the 1997 GT3 in October (97).

As for the spare tire, also heard that it helps with front impact protection, but assumes you have kept the tire pressure up :-).

In the US, you can get a simple kit which allows a "plug" to be inserted in case of a flat. Not exactly a great concept on high performance (aka very expensive) tires, but I guess it beats walking. I carry a plug kit along with a CO2 inflator (from my cycling world). You can also get a sealant/inflator can which has some goop inside. This will plug the hole from inside and inflate the tire at the same time, but the inside of the wheel gets messy.

Hope this helps.....

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[adrianmugridge]

Tony

I have a 97 GT3 and when I first got it I asked the very same questions ! The answers are :

Only the passenger side filler opens ( if you look at the wires coming off the swith under the dash, only one side is wired up ! )

You don't get a spare wheel.

Adrian
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk

[sanj]

cnh1990 said:

In the USA the spare tire is part of the crash protection in a frontal crash.

Actually it is *not* a part of the crash protection, it merely had to be there when the car was crash tested.

Cheers,
Sanj

[armynick]

I had to get a Lotus issued spare wheel from a breakers yard. You should find that the weight actually keeps the front end down quite nicely improving the handling slightly.

[superdave]

tony9645 said:

Hi All Just taken delivery of a 1997 GT3 a couple of novice questions I have two petrol caps and a switch under the steering column, only the passenger side opens is there a fault on the drivers side? or is it cosmetic on a GT3 No spare tyre was supplied, does a GT3 not come with one of those red things you suse as a temp, if so do you recommend a kit for dealing with punctures etc Many thanks in advance

Adrian is right on this one. Only one filler car and no spare on UK cars.

If you're looking for a spare try a scrap yard as Lotus want over £200+VAT for the spare and tyre assembly.
It's a 5 stud with a PCD of 108. I think only the Renault Espace V6 (has to be this model) and the Vauxhall Calton? has this model. Don't use the Omega as they have a PCD of 110.

Cheers,


Dave Walters