Doing Work on S3 HC

[madmezza]

Hi

I'm new to this board. Been reading through the topics and there's lots of good advice there!

I've recently acquired an '87 S3 HC turbo. Always wanted an Esprit since I was a kid (Lotus's are a family tradition!) - finally have one in the garage!

Now, I've always been told that these are specialist cars and you need to take it to a specialist garage to get any work done - but I'm sure things like oil/air filter changes, plug changes/HT replacement etc are not much different from any other car and I don't really want to pay

[jimmybondi]

Hi Madmezza,

You are looking for the original Lotus workshop manual and parts list.

I think both are mandatory. They were originally available in a black and a yellow plastic file binder. You could order re-prints at http://www.lotus-books.com

I happen to have a second workshop manual that I could offer you.

PM if you are interested.

Ciao,

JB

Hi

I'm new to this board.

Edited April 15, 2005 by jimmybondi

[WayneB]

Hello Mr. Madmezza!, Is the Turbo Esprit hard to work on? I work on all kinds of cars (for a living) and they all have there own idiosyncrasys! If you are a reasonably compitent mechanic you will be able to change oil/ filter, sparkplugs , ignition timing o.k. The more advanced stuff is cam belt changes and adjusting the valve clearances using shims. The engine being made from aluminium seems to pose a problem for some ham fisted mechanics who will strip every thread on the engine they lay a spanner too! Just take your time and get to know the car I find my wifes 98 Pontiac Transport van is harder to work on then my Esprit Wayne 83 Turbo(still no better at spelling)

Edited April 15, 2005 by WayneB

[Paul C]

Now, I've always been told that these are specialist cars and you need to take it to a specialist garage to get any work done - but I'm sure things like oil/air filter changes, plug changes/HT replacement etc are not much different from any other car and I don't really want to pay

[Guest Troy Halliday]

I am rebuilding my car and have found that most of the parts on the Esprit are quite simple. As mentioned earlier the Workshop manual and Parts manual are pretty much mandatory. You will use the parts manual to see how things go together as it gives you an exploded view of every part of the car. It list all the parts including bolts and nut sizes and the Lotus part numbers for ordeing replacement parts.

As with all cars there are easy bits and hard bits but there is always people on the forum to offer advice before you tackle any given job and I'm sure they will let yo know if it's the sort of job you can do yourself or if it's best takled by an expert.

Like any old car they have there problems but just about every job has been done before so there will always be someone to turn to. Certain things have been upgraded over the years by people to combat a particuler problem. Things like brake upgrades, suspension upgrades and clutch hose upgrades are very common. Some nutter even remove there doorhandles

In short don't worry to much, if you had bought a pre '85 Esprit then you GT6 knowledge would have come in handy as the Front uprights, balljoints and trunios are all of a GT6