Esprit V8 Gearbox

[PetrolTed]

Had this forwarded to me today from one of the discussion lists:

quote:I can`t remember which digest it was. but someone was talking about the 2nd gear on the V8`s being a pain in the arse and not being able to obtain 2nd in quick changing. Lotus are fully aware of this problem and advise not to upgrade power above the standard 350 B.H.P. Anyone with a problem, U.K. or abroad, then you should speak to a chap called Heathcliffe Robert-Shaw at Lotus H.Q. U.K. He is Customer Services Manager. Their engineers, Mark Critchley being Head of Engineering at Lotus has said to me that the Renault box is very dated and needs to be upgraded. Apparently it is effectively a Renault 25 gearbox just beefed up and is still made in a corner of the one of Renaults Factories in France. I have also heard of people having their gearboxes replaced on the V8`s even out of warranty. I had mine replaced after only a year of ownership from new, as I lost second altogether and reverse was nigh on impossible as well. For those who have been told it is the way they drive, ignore this by your Dealers. Lotus know of the problem and due to the gearbox being roughly £6,800 plus labour fitted, it is something you should take up directly with Heathcliffe at Lotus H.Q.