Lotus Sunbeam engine into an S4 Esprit

[nols]

Has anyone put a Lotus Sunbeam engine into an Esprit? I know the sump is different to miss the X-member in the Sunbeam but with an Esprit does this matter?

Will the Renault gearbox match up to the Sunbeam block/crank?

Any other differences? Such as water hose connections?

 

[Sparky]

Normally I hate people saying what I'm about to on a forum, but: Why?

[Advantage]

I'm presuming there's confusion over Esprit model labelling. (The S4 runs 264 bhp from a fuel injected, turbocharged engine. MY1993 onwards)

 

The Sunbeam has comparable engine performance figures to a late N/A S3 Esprit. (150-160bhp on carbs)

[qwerty123]

Do you want to know if the 'block' from a Sunbeam fits with all the ancills bolted on as per S4?

[nols]

Its just I can get hold of a Lotus Sunbeam engine and I need one urgently to fit in my Esprit, which I race after a blow up at the weekend. Its basically a Stevens shape chassis/Renault gearbox

[Sparky]

No, does not compute.

[Barrykearley]

But surely you want the most powerful engine you can lay your hands on

Save the cash and buy an engine to suit the car.......

If the sunbeam engines free or cheap - sell it on!!!!

Best of luck chap - and hope you get it running soon

[Advantage]

Douglas Valley have an S4S in for breaking. It'll be an expensive engine (£5k) and will probably give Bibs a migraine, but the damaged car is known on here.

[Barrykearley]

Bibs has already advised where to get a cheaper new old stock which would not give him a migraine.

Should also aid the avoidance of quote " weapons grade ass holes" !!! PMSL

[Advantage]

I was trying to be diplomatic!

[Chillidoggy]

May I suggest a 2007 2-litre Ford Mondeo TDCI engine? I have a 135,000 miler in my estate and despite my wife's best efforts, it's still going strong. It may be a bit down on power output, but it'll be guaranteed to finish every race. It's a nice, reliable unit, but it's a bit noisy and granted it smells worse than a petrol engine, but you pays your money , you takes your choices.

[ramjet]

If you race your esprit, I can't see that the Sunbeam engine is going to do you any favours on track?

[Barrykearley]

Hmmm the 2l tdci unit - does what it says on the tin - will burn old chip fat, tractor fuel, bit of kero or morrisons super diesel.... And perform to a degree.

It will surely get you from a-b

Back to basics lads - is that why you buy a lotus ? To be happy with mediocrity ???

Ummm I think possibly not

[Bibs]

Punky put a 3.0 V6 Duratec in his Esprit without much bother. Cheap engine, powerful, reliable. 

[steve930]

I'm guessing nic may be competing in a race series that has restrictions on engine size & power output, hence the need for the na engine.

During my racing days I many a time blew an engine and exhausted extreme options to have an engine ready for the next meeting..

[Barrykearley]

And that v6 conversion looks great as well.

Wouldn't fancy sticking an a series lump in there!!!

Gotta do what ones gotta do!!!!

[nols]

Yes I am limited by the race regs to a Lotus 2.2 L engine, I know the Sunbeam block etc wasn't as good as the Esprit block but its just that I can get my hands on a Sunbeam engine that has been built for race use, and to re-build mine with all the specialist steel components etc will take a month or two, so I was just trying to figure out if the Sunbeam engine would fit in an Esprit chassis and mate up with the Renault gearbox.

[Barrykearley]

Force that sunbeam engine in then Nic - now it'll be a real test of your driving.....

[top-plumber]

The sunbeam was the 907 engine wasn't it. Can't honestly see any big issues with it fitting in the car. Have no idea about the gearbox. The lads at lotus bits race sunbeams I'm sure they will know.

Wayne

[Zolder]

The sunbeam was the 907 engine wasn't it. Can't honestly see any big issues with it fitting in the car. Have no idea about the gearbox. The lads at lotus bits race sunbeams I'm sure they will know.

Wayne

They may be Sunbeam bodys but both rally cars are actually Excel Chassis underneath.

[Vanya]

Dont stop there, follow your dreams. How about a Coventry Climax engine?

[top-plumber]

Hey Zolder..... you sure about that one.

 

Sunbeam body on an excel chassis????