Just bought a 1997 Esprit V8 - LotusTalk

SteelrzLotus · 04-09-2007, 12:17 PM

Hey Guys,

I just bought a 97 Esprit V8 with 40k miles, I am looking for some good ideas for mods to do on it. I was thinking of getting the ECU mod from Yohan, does anybody know about those, or does anybody have one of his ECU upgrades installed? What about injector upgrades, turbo upgrades, exhaust upgrades, etc. Or just any good upgrades in general for this car?

I was thinking about getting the Lambo door kit for it as well to open the doors up 90 degrees like the Lamborghini's that might be cool. Does anyone have experience with the Lambo door kit for an Esprit?

Any other advice from other Esprit owners of cool upgrades or general advice about the car?

Thanks,

Mike

babak · 04-09-2007, 12:21 PM

I would get to know the car and it's limitations in your hand first. Then consider upgrades. As to lambo doors if it floats your boat go for it, I wouldn't.

SteelrzLotus · 04-09-2007, 12:26 PM

Well, I drove it back from Southern California on Saturday, over 400 miles, so I am getting a pretty good feel for it already

mikelr · 04-09-2007, 12:30 PM

The ECU upgrade from Johan is a great place to start.
Finish off with a set of high flow cat's and straight pipes and that's all you will need.
Be easy on that trany, they are easy to break with sloppy shifts and lots of torque that the upgrades give you.

And last but not least, if you are planning on the Lambo door conversion please just sell the car, it doesn't deserve that kind of mistreatment.

SteelrzLotus · 04-09-2007, 12:35 PM

Ok, OK, no Lambo doors. Do you have the Yohan chip? I wanted to get more info on how that chip affects the engine life long term. I would imagine it wouldn't be a bad thing to do for the engine, but I would like to get some feedback from people that have used it.

Mike

mikelr · 04-09-2007, 12:45 PM

Mike,
I run a 4 cylinder Esprit so don't have the Johan ECU upgrade but my friend that has a 99' V8 does so I know what kind of improvement it makes to the car.
I would not be worried about the impact of engine longevity, even with the extra boost and duty on the motor , you will get more miles out of that engine than you will need.
Main thing with those motors is keeping up with timing belt maintenence. One slipped belt and bye, bye engine.

StallionX · 04-09-2007, 12:55 PM

Mike,

I have an Esprit V8,
Magnaflow cats
Johan Chip
Steel braided brake lines
Limited Slip Diff etc.

The Johan chip alone does not damage the engine.
I spoke to Johan at length and if you add the upgraded BOV's as well as the chip you may do some wear on the engine but likely nothing terribly serious, the chip alone accoring to Johan has no negative impact on the engine..
I do not believe you can add high flow cats besides the lotus ones with your exhaust setup, you may need to upgrade the piping to make it more similar to the center exist system for them to fit, I may be wrong.

Up to you if you want the LSD
If you add the Johan chip, and straight pipes you will be looking at 410-450HP and a VERY fast Esprit.. definitely worth it IMO. Just shift slow to 2nd gear then let her rip..

Has the car had it's liners upgraded?

BTW - lambo doors?!?!? is that a joke dude? just sell the car or burn it before you do something like that!

machine05elise · 04-09-2007, 01:11 PM

Hay,
Don't knock lambo door! you know how racerX they make my Green 1980's Dodge 4dr Aspin Super 225 inline 6, with a PepBoy's Wing and spinner hubcaps

Man the shorty's can't help but bust out watchin when I roll by....

That's how I roll.....

ritcci · 04-09-2007, 01:17 PM

No to lambo doors on a beautiful lotus espirit.

To my understanding the achilles heel is the gearbox. I would find the most reliable retrofit, replacement, upgrade whatever so you have piece of mind.

StallionX · 04-09-2007, 01:20 PM

upgrading to the derek bell gearbox is like 8-10k.. I would just take it easy on the shifting and you should be fine..

ritcci · 04-09-2007, 01:24 PM

wow thats lots of money.

Imolas54 · 04-09-2007, 01:36 PM

First thing i would do is update those taillgihts to the rounded units, and the exhaust valance to the center exit.

SteelrzLotus · 04-09-2007, 02:19 PM

I don't like the rounded tail lights and my exhaust is already center exit

SteelrzLotus · 04-09-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StallionX

Mike,

I have an Esprit V8,
Magnaflow cats
Johan Chip
Steel braided brake lines
Limited Slip Diff etc.

The Johan chip alone does not damage the engine.
I spoke to Johan at length and if you add the upgraded BOV's as well as the chip you may do some wear on the engine but likely nothing terribly serious, the chip alone accoring to Johan has no negative impact on the engine..
I do not believe you can add high flow cats besides the lotus ones with your exhaust setup, you may need to upgrade the piping to make it more similar to the center exist system for them to fit, I may be wrong.

Up to you if you want the LSD
If you add the Johan chip, and straight pipes you will be looking at 410-450HP and a VERY fast Esprit.. definitely worth it IMO. Just shift slow to 2nd gear then let her rip..

Has the car had it's liners upgraded?

BTW - lambo doors?!?!? is that a joke dude? just sell the car or burn it before you do something like that!

I would like to add some better flowing cats, or remove the cats all together, I just need to keep the California smog laws in Mind :-)

I am definatelty going to send my ECU to Yohan though, is the ECU pretty easy to take out and replace? Did you get the Red + High Torque upgrade for yours?

StallionX · 04-10-2007, 04:21 AM

The Red Race ECU came with the car.. but Johan's is better.. It's widely speculated that the last few years of production the Esprit was making 400HP+ stock with the ECU set up lotus was doing..

who did your center exit? the previous owner? that is good news.. in that case you can get some magnaflow's or something ans save money and the car sounds AWESOME and probably gets 10hp at least out of that.. oh and remove the muffler.. you'll thank me. car sounds incredible..

Yes it is pretty easy however contact Johan for specifics www.extremeesprit.com

StallionX · 04-10-2007, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritcci

wow thats lots of money.

not as much as a few 6k+ rebuilds!

SteelrzLotus · 04-10-2007, 09:35 AM

ya, here is a picture of the exhaust

JeffYoung · 04-10-2007, 09:40 AM

Have the piston liners be redone? If not, that is the first thing on your list.

ritcci · 04-10-2007, 09:44 AM

more pics please!!!!! interior..everything.

Viggen · 04-10-2007, 11:17 AM

So those of you who own a elise & esprite, what is your opinion of both cars?

Anyone have track experience with both cars? I know the elise handles better but how close are they?

I cannot decide which one to get however I am unfortunantly probably 2 years away from finally buying a Lotus.

04-09-2007, 12:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
SteelrzLotus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 47	Just bought a 1997 Esprit V8 Hey Guys, I just bought a 97 Esprit V8 with 40k miles, I am looking for some good ideas for mods to do on it. I was thinking of getting the ECU mod from Yohan, does anybody know about those, or does anybody have one of his ECU upgrades installed? What about injector upgrades, turbo upgrades, exhaust upgrades, etc. Or just any good upgrades in general for this car? I was thinking about getting the Lambo door kit for it as well to open the doors up 90 degrees like the Lamborghini's that might be cool. Does anyone have experience with the Lambo door kit for an Esprit? Any other advice from other Esprit owners of cool upgrades or general advice about the car? Thanks, Mike __________________ 1997 Lotus Esprit V8 - Performance Exhaust, Johan Chip, K&N 1969 Camaro SS - ZZ502 Big Block 1965 Shelby Cobra - 454 Big Block

04-09-2007, 12:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
babak Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 8,269 Images: 23	I would get to know the car and it's limitations in your hand first. Then consider upgrades. As to lambo doors if it floats your boat go for it, I wouldn't. __________________ Babak Club111 Central Plains Coordinator '05 Elise - Touring, HT, StarShield '99 Ducati 996 Bip '05 Freelander SE

04-09-2007, 12:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
SteelrzLotus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 47	Well, I drove it back from Southern California on Saturday, over 400 miles, so I am getting a pretty good feel for it already __________________ 1997 Lotus Esprit V8 - Performance Exhaust, Johan Chip, K&N 1969 Camaro SS - ZZ502 Big Block 1965 Shelby Cobra - 454 Big Block

04-09-2007, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
mikelr <[^,^]> Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Newburgh, New York Posts: 642	The ECU upgrade from Johan is a great place to start. Finish off with a set of high flow cat's and straight pipes and that's all you will need. Be easy on that trany, they are easy to break with sloppy shifts and lots of torque that the upgrades give you. And last but not least, if you are planning on the Lambo door conversion please just sell the car, it doesn't deserve that kind of mistreatment. __________________ 00' S1 Exige (7.14lbs/hp) 94' S4 Esprit 07' Ram Quad cab 3500 hauler

04-09-2007, 12:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
SteelrzLotus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 47	Ok, OK, no Lambo doors. Do you have the Yohan chip? I wanted to get more info on how that chip affects the engine life long term. I would imagine it wouldn't be a bad thing to do for the engine, but I would like to get some feedback from people that have used it. Mike __________________ 1997 Lotus Esprit V8 - Performance Exhaust, Johan Chip, K&N 1969 Camaro SS - ZZ502 Big Block 1965 Shelby Cobra - 454 Big Block

04-09-2007, 12:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
mikelr <[^,^]> Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Newburgh, New York Posts: 642	Mike, I run a 4 cylinder Esprit so don't have the Johan ECU upgrade but my friend that has a 99' V8 does so I know what kind of improvement it makes to the car. I would not be worried about the impact of engine longevity, even with the extra boost and duty on the motor , you will get more miles out of that engine than you will need. Main thing with those motors is keeping up with timing belt maintenence. One slipped belt and bye, bye engine. __________________ 00' S1 Exige (7.14lbs/hp) 94' S4 Esprit 07' Ram Quad cab 3500 hauler

04-09-2007, 12:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
StallionX BANNED Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 841	Mike, I have an Esprit V8, Magnaflow cats Johan Chip Steel braided brake lines Limited Slip Diff etc. The Johan chip alone does not damage the engine. I spoke to Johan at length and if you add the upgraded BOV's as well as the chip you may do some wear on the engine but likely nothing terribly serious, the chip alone accoring to Johan has no negative impact on the engine.. I do not believe you can add high flow cats besides the lotus ones with your exhaust setup, you may need to upgrade the piping to make it more similar to the center exist system for them to fit, I may be wrong. Up to you if you want the LSD If you add the Johan chip, and straight pipes you will be looking at 410-450HP and a VERY fast Esprit.. definitely worth it IMO. Just shift slow to 2nd gear then let her rip.. Has the car had it's liners upgraded? BTW - lambo doors?!?!? is that a joke dude? just sell the car or burn it before you do something like that!

04-09-2007, 01:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
machine05elise #88 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Yorba Linda Ca Posts: 534	Hay, Don't knock lambo door! you know how racerX they make my Green 1980's Dodge 4dr Aspin Super 225 inline 6, with a PepBoy's Wing and spinner hubcaps Man the shorty's can't help but bust out watchin when I roll by.... That's how I roll.....

04-09-2007, 01:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
ritcci Registered Uzi Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 558	No to lambo doors on a beautiful lotus espirit. To my understanding the achilles heel is the gearbox. I would find the most reliable retrofit, replacement, upgrade whatever so you have piece of mind. __________________ 05 Lotus Elise KG 76 Lancia Beta Scorpion yay!

04-09-2007, 01:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
StallionX BANNED Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 841	upgrading to the derek bell gearbox is like 8-10k.. I would just take it easy on the shifting and you should be fine..

04-09-2007, 01:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
ritcci Registered Uzi Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 558	wow thats lots of money. __________________ 05 Lotus Elise KG 76 Lancia Beta Scorpion yay!

04-09-2007, 01:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
Imolas54 ToYoTa dRiVeR Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,369	First thing i would do is update those taillgihts to the rounded units, and the exhaust valance to the center exit.

04-09-2007, 02:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
SteelrzLotus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 47	I don't like the rounded tail lights and my exhaust is already center exit __________________ 1997 Lotus Esprit V8 - Performance Exhaust, Johan Chip, K&N 1969 Camaro SS - ZZ502 Big Block 1965 Shelby Cobra - 454 Big Block

04-10-2007, 04:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
StallionX BANNED Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 841	The Red Race ECU came with the car.. but Johan's is better.. It's widely speculated that the last few years of production the Esprit was making 400HP+ stock with the ECU set up lotus was doing.. who did your center exit? the previous owner? that is good news.. in that case you can get some magnaflow's or something ans save money and the car sounds AWESOME and probably gets 10hp at least out of that.. oh and remove the muffler.. you'll thank me. car sounds incredible.. Yes it is pretty easy however contact Johan for specifics www.extremeesprit.com

04-10-2007, 09:35 AM	#17 (permalink)
SteelrzLotus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 47	ya, here is a picture of the exhaust Attached Images __________________ 1997 Lotus Esprit V8 - Performance Exhaust, Johan Chip, K&N 1969 Camaro SS - ZZ502 Big Block 1965 Shelby Cobra - 454 Big Block

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04-10-2007, 09:40 AM	#18 (permalink)
JeffYoung Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 837	Have the piston liners be redone? If not, that is the first thing on your list.

04-10-2007, 09:44 AM	#19 (permalink)
ritcci Registered Uzi Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 558	more pics please!!!!! interior..everything. __________________ 05 Lotus Elise KG 76 Lancia Beta Scorpion yay!

04-10-2007, 11:17 AM	#20 (permalink)
Viggen Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: on my couch Posts: 231	So those of you who own a elise & esprite, what is your opinion of both cars? Anyone have track experience with both cars? I know the elise handles better but how close are they? I cannot decide which one to get however I am unfortunantly probably 2 years away from finally buying a Lotus. __________________ Lotus shopping Elise or Esprit