Citroen Trans Replacement

[MRDANGERUS]

I'm wondering how many C35-s broke the case and/or developed an internal cracks due to a shock overloading.
What is the typical failure mode and area affected?
The case can be reinforced by adding some ribs, but internals?

Please chime in and post some pictures.

[deloreanz]

I have an 84 Turbo Esprit with the Citroen tranny being discussed and I've always wondered about swapping rear hubs, drive shafts, etc to use the later Renault tranny with outboard brakes. Surely this isn't cheap but with the Esprit being so similar over multiple years I was curious if anyone's tried this conversion?

I think I'd rather spend a little (or a lot) more doing this and not have to deal with the hassle of inboard brakes, and know that I can tune the engine for more power knowing the tranny can handle it.

[lotusespritse]

Originally Posted by deloreanz

I have an 84 Turbo Esprit with the Citroen tranny being discussed and I've always wondered about swapping rear hubs, drive shafts, etc to use the later Renault tranny with outboard brakes. Surely this isn't cheap but with the Esprit being so similar over multiple years I was curious if anyone's tried this conversion?

I think I'd rather spend a little (or a lot) more doing this and not have to deal with the hassle of inboard brakes, and know that I can tune the engine for more power knowing the tranny can handle it.

It's shocking how many little things Lotus changed on the Esprit from year to year. Guy's webpage gives you a feel for that.

For a company with so little resources, they were constantly tweaking the car, so I bet it's a very long list of things you would have to change to make that swap.

Better just to send your box to someone like Harry Martens to get it renewed.

[MRDANGERUS]

It is quite puzzling why everybody talks about conversions instead of implementing countermeasures. If it is broken-fix it!
I guess it would be a simple job welding ribs to reinforce the casing.

[deloreanz]

My point was that for someone like myself who isn't a purist or going for Concours, I'd rather put money into an upgraded solution (renault box) instead of fixing an inferior one. For someone not looking for more power, the Citroen is fine, but for those who are its already at its limit. Combine that with the headache that is the inboard brakes when trying to work with the engine, I'd rather have the modern setup with more breathing room to up the boost among other tweaks.

My tranny is fine, just talking hypothetically if it ever breaks. I'd love to find some good shots of the renault-era frame and suspension for comparison with mine.

[sleekgt]

Originally Posted by deloreanz

My point was that for someone like myself who isn't a purist or going for Concours, I'd rather put money into an upgraded solution (renault box) instead of fixing an inferior one. [snip] I'd love to find some good shots of the renault-era frame and suspension for comparison with mine.

I have some photos at home that I can upload of a 89 (?) SE that took pictures at the shop while my 88 was convalescing there. Will upload tonight if possible.

FYI other considerations - your 84 uses a 5x120 bolt pattern -20mm offset wheels while the Renault-equipped cars used 5x108 positive offset wheels. At a minimum, you'd have to screw around with a rear wheel change too or at least some adapters.

[Esprit2]

Originally Posted by deloreanz

(Snip)... My tranny is fine, just talking hypothetically if it ever breaks. I'd love to find some good shots of the renault-era frame and suspension for comparison with mine.

I don't have the chassis pics you're asking for, but I can tell you that your existing chassis would work for the conversion. Just remove the transaxle, complete rear suspension, and the rear brakes and plumbing. Replace them with the parts from an SE or newer 4-cyl Esprit. In the process, you'll lose the mount for the muffler, so fabricate something for that.

The better, more cost effective solution is to sell your car and buy a later one with a Renault transaxle.

Regards,
Tim Engel

[deloreanz]

Originally Posted by Esprit2

I don't have the chassis pics you're asking for, but I can tell you that your existing chassis would work for the conversion. Just remove the transaxle, complete rear suspension, and the rear brakes and plumbing. Replace them with the parts from an SE or newer 4-cyl Esprit. In the process, you'll lose the mount for the muffler, so fabricate something for that.

The better, more cost effective solution is to sell your car and buy a later one with a Renault transaxle.

Regards,
Tim Engel

You seem to forget I am attached to this car after rebuilding it, and I prefer the g-body.

[MRDANGERUS]

My estimate for conversion from C35 to UN1 is $8-9K, assuming use of pre-owned parts. New brakes and clutch.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by MRDANGERUS

My estimate for conversion from C35 to UN1 is $8-9K, assuming use of pre-owned parts. New brakes and clutch.

Hardly worth it then - for a car that likely tops out at around $20K for a mint example.