My Esprit V8 project

[V8-ESPRITS3]

My Series 3 project before the modifications started……..


This will never do! Time to fit a V8!

[Choppa]

You'll be wanting to check this thread from Hilly to pick up some of the problems he encountered fitting an Audi V8 into an S3 Use the forum search to read the numerous other threads on his project. 

 

http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/6152-1981-s3-v8-conversion/#entry64384

 

That's a good looking S3, do the conversion "nicely" and you'll get loads of respect, and advise if you want it, from the people on here.

 

Oh and welcome!

[Loose Cannon]

That's a lovely looking untouched S3 to start with. Here's hoping the conversion is as near to invisible as possible....

[Bibs]

From the username & avatar I'm guessing this is a fait accompli. Looking forward to seeing more pics.

[V8-ESPRITS3]

You'll be wanting to check this thread from Hilly to pick up some of the problems he encountered fitting an Audi V8 into an S3 Use the forum search to read the numerous other threads on his project. 

 

http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/6152-1981-s3-v8-conversion/#entry64384

 

That's a good looking S3, do the conversion "nicely" and you'll get loads of respect, and advise if you want it, from the people on here.

 

Oh and welcome!

Thanks, yes have seen that thread already.

I have done a massive amount of mods already, just wanted to do a thread to show my project, the engine install was done over a year ago.

I have lost so many pics on my computer, so best for me to upload them, before they are lost forever.

That's a lovely looking untouched S3 to start with. Here's hoping the conversion is as near to invisible as possible....

I am sure to ruffle some feathers as this may not be what some people want to see, but it’s my car and my money, my blood, sweat and tears going into it, and if it would have been the dream car I always longed for it to be then would have been happy with it. But it fell short of being any thing like a supercar. They do say “don’t meet your hero’s” well I was very disappointed with the 4 pot engine, it really does not fit in with the look of the car.

From the username & avatar I'm guessing this is a fait accompli. Looking forward to seeing more pics.

yes engine fitted over a year ago, just wanted to post my own thread of my project which I hope to drive by the end of the month!

I have more picsc and updates soon. Thanks

My old series I that came with the rover v8 conversion parts, the engine was an old P6 lump, I was going to do some major upgrades but the s1 chassis, rear suspension. Drive shafts would never cope! So I pulled the engine out and sold the s1 and kept the conversion parts.

I brought the s3 with a cracked exhaust manifold, it had a really nice body and paint work, but it was a horrible driver, no problem I had big plans ahead……

my new engine, TVR 4.5 v8 built by Rovertec (V8 developments) stage 3 heads, cosworth pistons, etc, fitted in a ex hill climb car.

Gearbox adaptor

New Input shaft to fit the esprit gearbox to rover v8

Longer input shaft fitted in gearbox

Alternator is a tight fit, has to go down low

Front housing was way to close to bulkhead, so the cutting begins!

From under the car you can see how close it fits, you have to use a remote oil filter and a P6 crank pulley

Bulkhead done

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2014 by V8-ESPRITS3

[Vulcan Grey]

Nice Progress!

[V8-ESPRITS3]

Cosworth nice surprise bonus

TVR (Range rover) sump will not fit you need to use SD1 sump.

[Advantage]

Shame you had to chop the car about. The Irwin/PBB kit modded the engine (remote water pump and oil filter housing) to get around the clearance issues. Still, 'tis done now.

[V8-ESPRITS3]

I used the water pump bypass, poor pictures but that’s all I have. It still touched on the bulkhead lip, was just to tight to work with. I don’t see the problem? Remote oil filter was used.

[Trevsked]

Great stuff, keep the pics coming.

 

Trevor.

[V8-ESPRITS3]

Lightened steel flywheel and adaptor fitted

Original conversion kit used a modified P6 starter, it was huge and heavy, so I cut the gearbox bell housing to fit a normal V8 starter motor, have seen this done before so must be ok?

Its in at last

Nice porting on the heads

I fitted John Eales head stud kit (better than ARP) and billet rocker posts, also ported the inlet and gas flowed it to match the heads

[V8-ESPRITS3]

yes it is, and your Sarcasm wont change it back to the under powered car it was!

[V8-ESPRITS3]

Made the exhaust from scratch, TVR manifolds (reversed) and the rest all big bore stainless steel, had to redo it twice as It was very, very loud! So had to fit some extra baffles, may take them out latter after the MOT!

Lots more cutting………

look away if it makes you cry?

I may be a sinner in the eyes of some Lotus Purest!

Still need to finish the rear floor, but its taking shape

 

It works! and the sound of a V8 is Awesome!

[Daniel]

You're doing a great job there, but I have to take issue with your assessment of the original engine!!

 

I don't think Buddsy was being sarcastic, the 900 series is a corking piece of engineering.... as is the Rover V8 (I've built dozens of em).

 

But I think most Esprit fans would agree the revvy 4 cyl engine is more suited to the car than the lazy RV8..... nonetheless, opinions are like bellybuttons: we've all got one.

 

Try not to take the comments too personally, you're clearly doing an ace job...... even if it's wrong 

[V8-ESPRITS3]

Shame

 

 

 

There is no db limit for the MOT.

 

Buddsy

I didn`t know that? Ok then when the neighbours have warmed to the V8 thunder then I may take out the extra baffles!

[V8-ESPRITS3]

You're doing a great job there, but I have to take issue with your assessment of the original engine!!

 

I don't think Buddsy was being sarcastic, the 900 series is a corking piece of engineering.... as is the Rover V8 (I've built dozens of em).

 

But I think most Esprit fans would agree the revvy 4 cyl engine is more suited to the car than the lazy RV8..... nonetheless, opinions are like bellybuttons: we've all got one.

 

Try not to take the comments too personally, you're clearly doing an ace job...... even if it's wrong 

ok point taken, thanks, but I do love the V8 burble, and what it lacks in revs it makes up with torque.

I am used to much faster cars and 160bhp is pretty lame with a car that looks this good.

[Loose Cannon]

The non-turbo Lotus 4 feels very very slow these days. I've never been a fan of it personally, but then no alternative powerful engine I can think of suits the Esprit's  character. Certainly not a woffly old V8, which perversely would feel right at home in an Elite.

 

IMHO about the only engine that would sound right and not be too large would be something like the Alfa V6, but that seems a thirsty inefficient little lump too.

 

I understand now this thread is a done deal and the pics historical, so now just hoping all the above is hidden discreetly away under a carpeted cover to return it to the sophisticated 80s GT look.

[cbclotus]

Looks good .Lots of hard work on your part.Great looking car the s3.Mike se turbo.

[stephenwhyte]

I can't help feeling there's a lack of appreciation here when it comes to the choice of the V8. I currently own a Rover SD1 3500 Twin Plenum Vitesse and yes it is a big lazy brute but most of that is down to the weight of the car not the lack of power from the V8 itself. However I previously owned an MG RV8 which had the 3.9 V8 fitted at launch and it was a different beast altogether and was very quick with 0-60 of 5.5 secs so not exactly lacking in the power stakes. My point is that the project here has a TVR V8 fitted into a very lightweight fibreglass Lotus Esprit.........I wouldn't do it myself as originality for me wins every time, but trust me, this car is going to be a beast!

Edited July 15, 2014 by stephenwhyte

[cbclotus]

off topic .but did lotus develope the twin plenum.The one thing is it will sound great. I also think the 907 range of engines sound great too .Mike

Also should have said it will fly.Only seen a few Esprits with rover v8 engines fitted over the years. Also seem to remember lotus thinking about fitting a rover v8 in the seventies.Mike

[stephenwhyte]

Yes mike, the Twin Plenum system was developed by Lotus for Touring Car Homologation in 1985 for the '86 season.

[V8-ESPRITS3]

This was what I had to work with, she`s not seen many spanners or love….

[V8-ESPRITS3]

The non-turbo Lotus 4 feels very very slow these days. I've never been a fan of it personally, but then no alternative powerful engine I can think of suits the Esprit's  character. Certainly not a woffly old V8, which perversely would feel right at home in an Elite.

 

IMHO about the only engine that would sound right and not be too large would be something like the Alfa V6, but that seems a thirsty inefficient little lump too.

 

I understand now this thread is a done deal and the pics historical, so now just hoping all the above is hidden discreetly away under a carpeted cover to return it to the sophisticated 80s GT look.

Some more work on the boot floor, I don`t plan on hiding the engine, but I will have a carpet boot.

why is every one banging on about this engine being some old lazy boat anchor? do you guys think TVR`s are slow? 

I can't help feeling there's a lack of appreciation here when it comes to the choice of the V8. I currently own a Rover SD1 3500 Twin Plenum Vitesse and yes it is a big lazy brute but most of that is down to the weight of the car not the lack of power from the V8 itself. However I previously owned an MG RV8 which had the 3.9 V8 fitted at launch and it was a different beast altogether and was very quick with 0-60 of 5.5 secs so not exactly lacking in the power stakes. My point is that the project here has a TVR V8 fitted into a very lightweight fibreglass Lotus Esprit.........I wouldn't do it myself as originality for me wins every time, but trust me, this car is going to be a beast!

Horay! some one gets it! its been setup on a dyno and at 289bhp its going to be more fun than the 160bhp. Just hope the gearbox can cope!

Wheels brought on ebay, 17 inch, 9j rears and 8j fronts. 3 piece split rims made in japan from a Mercedes.

The offset for the fronts were perfect.

 

 

The hubs had to be re-drilled to correct PCD for the new wheels. The rears needed spacers.

Now have a much better choice in tyres, and no longer stuck with the sad 225 width rears.

 

But was not content with using the spacers, I didn`t like seeing them through the wheels.

Pulled the rears apart, and got some new outers made with image wheels.

That`s 11 ½ j wide! and now I have 315/35/17 rear tyres! again another ebay find, the chap I brought them from also has a Rover V8 esprit (twin turbo) and I got a full roll cage from him, I may need it!

Yes I am running air suspension, more on that latter………

[Trevsked]

Ooooh air suspension, look forward to hearing about that .

Trevor.

[CaptainBigleux]

great monster garage ! love it !