BritishV8 Forum

Hi Im looking for info on adaptor for chevrolet to 1979 lotus esprit transaxle.Any help appreciated. I plan on builing a high rev low torque engine so that i can use the stock transaxle.

Best way would be to swap to Audi transaxle, then Kennedy has an adapter to Chevrolet. Here is a thread for Audi engine and transaxle swap:                  http://www.motorgeek.com/viewtopic.php?t=9648

Thak you for the reply Jim. I have seen that thread,there is alot of retooling for the axles,shift linkage etc...I have seen a chevrolet adaptor for the stock box on ebay but that was before I had the car and havent come back across it. I see the car Wayne Collins did using the 4.3 gm v6(which is the same as small block chevy) but havent seen a build thread or what trans he used. Being new on here I havent figured how to navigate on here much at all, I actually couldnt refind this post after I first posted it.

I'm with Jim,
Do the audi swap.
It fixes a lot of issues.
The big one is the Citroen trans axle. It is a very strong unit. The problem is it's being spun backwards in these cars so it's strength is compromised severely. It's also becoming very rare so if you break it you'll have to remortgage the farm to fix one.
Number two is the 1/2 shafts. They are perfectly happy up to around 250ftlbs of torque. After that the U joints fail and the wheels fall off.
Which isn't that big of a deal because you don't have brakes anymore either.
The Audi swap is a very reasonable modification that along with the suspension upgrade makes the S1/2/3 Esprit's much more reliable.
See mom, I used Esprit and reliable in the same sentence!
Cheers
Fred

Another option is a Porsche Boxster transaxle. The Renault box is horrible and even the V8 esprits are designed to keep from destroying the transaxle. I have a friend doing a lotus v8 esprit he is throwing away the engine and tranny doing a Chevy with a different transaxle on the exotic side.

I like the Boxter "S" six speed. ebay, about $1,500 outright. 930 size cv's, so aftermarket buggy axles work,(many lengths/good prices). Co-ax cable shift. What's not to like ?  roverman.

Thank you for all the replys. The more I hear, the more i research. I know of the Kennedy company and the company renegade that does the porshe to chevy adaptors. I Have to do some budgeting, I have the money to do this but I dont wanna be into it 20 grand without really knowing how user friendly the car will be. Im a Corvette guy so Im used to being able to get in put the A/C on and drive the three hours to Atlantic city for the weekend with no issues. Ill look into the porshe transaxles a little more, I guess the axle being the upper susspension link makes me nervous about changing and getting wrong.

Do the upper link mod.
That way the trans is no longer a stressed suspension component.

The upper link mod.?.. Is this a kit that someone offers or do I have to dig up used parts from a turbo esprit from 81-87. Or is this something else to fabricate?

Kits show up sporadically with parts from god knows where.
The turbo suspension will get the job done as well but retains the inboard brakes that will be problematic with a trans swap.
Some have used the later jag xj6 (88.5 and up I think) hubs and outboard brakes with custom control arms.
The best bet is probably the 87 and later chassis. It has better brakes, heavier suspension components all around, it's stiffer and more adjustable.

Cheers
Fred

Just saw an episode of "Overhaulin"  a show here in the U.S. They used a porshe transaxle with a new Elise engine. The full episode was viewable on youtube,they dont get to specific but an inspirational episode to watch.

Forgot to mention "Overhaulin" did thier swap on a Lotus Europa..

Quick update. So it looks like ive picked up an 84 esprit rolling chassis,this solves the upper link problem from the s2(I also did find that Lotus by Claudius in the UK has an upper link kit for s2 esprits with the axles) Since I dont plan on starting this till november, I have time to find suitable transaxle,leaning towards the porsche units now since here in the US they seem to be more available.Very big price differance in thses units. The boxster unit seems to be reasonable at around $1500 but not sure if that will work straight forward or if it needs to be flipped or ring gear reversed, so searching that area now.

The Boxster is mid engine so no ring gear flipping or inverting the tranny should be required.

At this point thinking of spending the money and getting a complete setup From Renegade. So my issue will be moving the brakes outboard, Ive been looking at the xj6 hubs and carriers on ebay, seems it would be cheaper to buy a whole car and have all the pieces, a few in my area on craigslist for about 1000 dollars.

XJ6 hubs and carriers = Pick and Pull, around $100.00 or less.
DOZENS of XJ6's in the salvage yards.

Engine, build a 302 Chevy, lots of RPM potential not so much torque.
Even cheaper, just build a 283.

Thanks Rich, I have a 283 complete and at this point buying an aftermarket aluminum block with 4 inch bore, the small journal  283 crank can be made to work in this block. the 4 inch bore also lets me use aluminum heads so should be about 320 pounds complete. I have some parts corvette cars laying around and think I can make c4 or c5 hubs and brakes to work.

If you are a 'Vette guy have you considered 'Vette hubs and carriers?
You might also look at Fiero, similar but lighter.

Wish I could afford an aluminum block, I think the bore on that is going to want 327/350 pistons so you do end up with a 302 using the 283 crank.
Let it breath and it will really sing.

Eddie, "aftermarket aluminum block" = $3k ? When LS motors are so plentiful/cheap ?  Did you know the Rover 4.6L v8 is 281" ? They start around $300+. The Boxster "S", six speed, is the best.  Good Luck, roverman.

I have looked into the buick/rover engines, the wieght of these are perfect, still an option.  The aluminum chevrolet block is the big nut of the whole thing if I go with it(closer to 4 thoasand where Im looking). Im very comfortable with the old style chevys, As far as the LS goes the whole what to wire and what to buy as far as computer gets confusing to me.The LS is also wider. The ls1 is 420 lbs, renegade is also suggesting using the LS,A complete crate LS3 is 6800 dollars, stiil an option.

This is the 84 frame that will be used for the build.

So Ive been busy with other things the last few months, but finaly had a little time the last week to have worked on an adaptor plate that will mate an old style chevrolet block to the Lotus/Citroen transaxle. I was going to go the big expense and change everything but for now will keep it low budget with plans of doing another car next winter.
                The Adaptor took alot of time and measureing over and over. With the help of a racecar engine plate the small block side of adaptor was easy. I made a centering tool  that helped align the bell housing I bought off ebay.(my transaxle is still in the gold car)  The mdf wood template is good for now to make rough measurements and fitment to the chassis. Ill make an eighth inch template from steel that will be dead on accurate so machine shop can cut the final product. I cant get the thickness of the plate till I take my transaxle out for final measurements.
              Ill use an automatic flexplate with ring gear from chevrolet (153 tooth ring gear) for the starter and ill make an adaptor to mount the lotus flywheel and clutch the proper distance.This is the simple way.
               Im going to make 2 of everything including mounts. Im also going to try to take alot of pics and videos. I posted a video titled Lotus Esprit body removal just to show where the body is bolted to the frame.
              Im up to rough fitting to see what will fit and what I need to plan to change. Just going to leave a few pics for now.

Is that an iron block V8? If so it would be very heavy in the back of an Esprit. I think some of the more recent GM V8 engines have had alloy blocks.

The iron block and heads are just for the mock up, Ill be using a world products aluminum block,and trick flow aluminum heads.