Artie

Sparky, Thanks for the encouragement! The engine was just out if you recall for my rebuild, less than a year ago, so everything else is in top shape. I have been talking with Vulcan Grey and he has done it in situ also, my thoughts exactly on putting the head and everything back on and knowing I won't have to reinstall the entire assembly is a nice feeling!

Thanks Andy for the tips on the mounts, sounds like a good idea to have some mobility. The water pump was replaced less than 2500 miles ago when I had the entire engine rebuilt. Everything down to the oil pump was replaced or refurbished so all of those components should be sound. Also, I replaced the timing belt and tensioner at the same time, so I believe I shouldn't need to replace them. All seals are brand new as well as hoses and belts so the head gasket and studs should be the things I need to replace at this point!

Okay, anyone other than Andy( ) got any tips or advice, that'd be great! Just kidding Andy! I agree with you on the haste and waste. I spoke at great length with Travis Andrews (Vulcan Grey) and it is relatively uncomplicated to do in situ. I have some extra hands to help, but will definitely take my time and be very careful so I get it done right. I will assess the situation as I disassmeble the stuff, I plan to take out the boot floor for better access and will take the hatch off as well. Jeez, what a pain! Artie

Well boys! It's time to start disassembling the top end of the new engine already! I have blown the head gasket at cylinder 4 somehow and now will learn how to take off the head and reinstall it in situ! I will document the process and also plan on doing some sort of upgrading of the block head studs hopefully, I will also look into O-ringing the head to hopefully pinch the head gasket around the liners and seal them better. I am somewhat frustrated after a long year last year and almost $11K invested into the motor build I did, but there's not much I can do except learn from my mistakes and make the thing better. If ANYONE has any advice, experiences, tips and ideas to make the job easier and what has been tried and not tried, I'd love your feedback! I am in no hurry so I will be meticulous and document every bolt and stud and possibly get the bigger turbo built that I want in the mean time! Watch for pictures and disassembly soon! Artie

I didn't see any difference between my original turbo and the SE turbo when I changed mine over to SE Specs. I've been playing with turbo cars for a decade and know how to spot differences. My suspicion is that Lotus just designated differences in the models of car they were for by the part number. The Non SE had a mechanical boost limit to 9.5psi, when I put on the SE turbo I had, it boosted to about 16psi at WOT and backed down to 14.7(1bar)

Jonathan, from a person who has undertaken like projects on other marques, I assure you that I know what you are going thru! It would be great if one could just bolt it all on and drive, but then, if that were the case, there'd be ALOT more of them around! You go at the pace you need! You've taken meticulous care so far, it would be a shame to hasten it and make silly mistakes! I'm patient, and I am pretty sure the rest of us are....As for you chap, I think you are getting impatient! As I would if it were my project! Brilliant work Mate! Keep it coming!

Yeah! That's kind of my philosophy on the whole thing too! Now that I've refilled the bank account, I can start playing "cars" again! Lol! So....If I date 2 20 year olds is that like dating a 40 year old! Hmmm. All the women my age seem OLD!

Ah, the caveat of driving something so strikingly AWESOME! Keep it up Jonathan! I'm salivating for more pics of the painted car!!!

Cheers Jim! Good to be back and posting! I got my new oil cooler today, I'll be fabbing a bracket this weekend, hoping to put her back in action by Sunday! Maybe I'll get a little video up to show! Artie

Thanks a ton all! My divorce has taken a toll on me emotionally and on my motivation to work on the car! It also drained a substantial amount of cash from my personal "play" account! LOL! The arm, good memory John, is as good as ever, and have been working out quite feverishly to burn off my aggression and "piss"! I'll be upgrading my oil cooler this weekend so I'll post up some technical stuff on that and maybe some more pics of the bike and car together! This sailboat has steadied a course, I've missed being on here as of late and the comaraderie was missed even more! Thanks for the welcome back!

Dana, Well, it looks like you've stumbled into a veritable gold mine of expertise! John Welch is one of, if not the best man stateside to attend to your beloved car! John has been modifying and building Esprits for quite some time... You may check out his website to further ease your conscience on your selection of experts. I think John can more than adequately handle the task you have set before him!!! http://www.wcengineering.com/

Well Mates, it's been a very arduous year this last year! I've had many personal ups and downs, my engine rebuild notwithstanding! I wanted you all to know I'm back and my Lottie is up and running and hopefully will hit the dyno soon for some decent numbers. I have recently added to my stable with a 2 wheeled form of transportation and that has occupied a good deal of my time this late summer, but now I'll focus on uncovering the Lottie and driving her for some nice brisk autumn days and hopefully some mild winter days ahead.... For those of you who don't care that I was absent for the last 6 months or so, disregard this memo and look for some updates in the Stevens technical section! Warm Regards to all, Artie

......Til the next year!

Chaps, I'm suspecting that our new friend David is looking for more performance above what the stock ecu will handle. Those of us who have highly modified cars of different origin, and they are turbo charged, there is only so much that can be done within the stock ecu/chipped upgrades. I too am looking into this very option, as the new engine is begging for more boost but I can't control the fuel and timing the way I'd like too to maximize the power delivery. Artie

Tease!

Thanks Mates! Hopefully picking up the Esprit tomorrow night from paint and also get my full arm cast off tomorrow! Looking up every day! I'll keep everyone posted!

Thanks guys! I am healing well, the car will be back sometime this week so I have high spirits for the upcoming weekend! artie

Travis, The ski came off and karate chopped me right on the elbow! I have had elbow spurs for some time but what a perfect set of circumstances for the fall to happen and my arm to be in the position it was for the ski to hit me in the right spot!!! Haven't tried snowboarding...yet! Yeah, that moron was asking for it! He had been injecting Esciline(sp) directly into his arms for years. Body builders used to do it the day of a show to even out muscles that were not symmetrical, but usually temporarily, not regularly!!

Well Mates, you all may have noticed a lengthy absence on the board by me. I went skiing about a month ago and had a rather unfortunate fall! I managed to tear my tricep right off the elbow. I have been somewhat depressed due to my not being able do much of anything. I lift weights 4 or 5 days per week and have been for 15 years. Now I can't do hardly anything! This injury has really also delayed any real time with the esprit(and have needed to drive her alot to get miles on to get her broken in!) Anyways, thought you all might want to see what to avoid! Before 1 week after surgery

Marky! Wow, beautiful work mate! Just stunning! I can't wait to see her running! I want to hear those dual SSBOV's in a video matey! I love my one, two must sound awesome!

John, Thanks mate! I'm just frustrated that I can't do a lot. I dropped her off at the body shop to have the front bumper resprayed and a crack repaired. I'll have her back by Friday and I'll have my cast off by then and should be able to drive alot more!!!!!! Videos on the road then! Mangel, thanks mate! I couldn't agree more!

Yup! The engine just sounds so sweet, I had to share again!

wow Mark! The intercoolers look fabulous! I'm very impressed! Top notch mate. Can't wait to see it running again

I need to get some fly bys but here is a little teaser of the engine running. I have about 750 miles to go before i will crank up the boost! Sorry I've been a little scarce, I tore my triceps tendon skiing and had surgery....Tough trying to drive the Lotus with out my right arm to shift with! enjoy!

Doyle, There are several options available. If the 88 in fact has the toyota brakes, Lotus Prepared by Claudius has a superb set of big 6 pot brakes that I believe would fit under the stock wheels( You may check on that though). I believe I paid around 1700 USD, which I thought was quite reasonable. The big brake kit I put on my RX7 was 2300 and although it had slightly bigger rotors, the LPBC kit was more complete and performs excellently! IMHO! He also sells a 4 pot kit for a little less but imho the 6 pot kit is light years better and looks a treat too! Artie