Brilliant! He needs to start a company that makes parts for this swap. Think of all the Audi engined combinations that are possible...

Oh my God...me want.

Good lordy. Me wants one.

I've always had a woody for the Esprit. And this one is not The Spy Who Loved Me, its The Spy Who Pulled Down My Pants and Gave My Bare Ass the Vicious Spanking It So Desperately Needed.

Brilliant, and I applaud his ingenuity. However, how much time does he have on his hands? I would love to do a project like this (or even Ben's) but can't even begin to justify the time nor the expense.

Back on topic, this is truly brilliant though!

In Soviet Union Lada transplants YOU!!!

My god, that engine looks like some kind of dangerous armoured prehistoric beast sitting in the driveway--Do Not Touch! Danger, Danger, Danger!

:o

!!!!!

!!!!!!!

That's probably the coolest thing I've seen all year.

Excellent choice of engines. Not only is his Lotus more reliable, but it's significantly more powerful too.

Awesome engine sounds, Audi stalwartness, Lotus handling. What's not to like? Thousands of greasy hours making filthy, painful mechanic-love to a car that doesn't want it.

But I'd sure as heck pay to have someone else do it for me. I'd love to have a Laudus.

udaman!

Gawwwd to the dayyyymn!

Someone poured beer in my gin!

Bravo! Brought a tear to my eye.

It would have been better if he'd started with an '88.

Personal Esprit preference aside: Hellz yeah!

@elwood: Excellent sentence. Not only is it true, but it's also grammatically correct.

I'd happily drive a Pontiac Aztek if it sounded like that.

Yikes. It's like an Esprit GLH.

I wanted to complain about the destuction of the purity of the lightweight Lotus but then he unleashed that glorious engine note.

Ahh, so that was the V8 last nights PCH mentioned.

i have a new hero.

Now thats how you make a Dog Hunt

Manual tranny in the US is a bit of a showstopper if you're on a budget... Big V8 Audis with sticks are a bit thin on the ground here, though where there's a will there's a way.

The Audi V8: The new Chevy small-block.

For people who are allergic to pushrods.

That guy should be running GM

@CharlzR: Easy there Max.

* If Im gonna do a V8 transplant, and you wanna hear an orgasmic sound that'l wet the panties off anyone from here to infiniti, AND you want reliability, why not use an LS-x?

1,000-6000rpm it has an almost flat torque curve, and maintenance fees are on par with a honda scooter.

Parts galore, tuning possibilities are limitless.

We should thank this guy for building the original R8 :)

Is this not the same engine origin from the Porsche 928?

Mr.Avus Lotus, your car is ready sir.

That is awesome. What a machine.

Lotus got a big ole butt
I know I told you I'd be true
But Lotus got a big ole butt

So I'm leavin' you

Lotus got a big ole butt
I know I told you I'd be true
But Lotus got a big ole butt
So I'm leavin' you

@CARBONFIBER: Why not GMV8? The guy's in UK, for one thing..
No, the Audi V8 has no relation at all to the 928's V8.

Actually the Audi V8 has more in common with the VW 4cyl. I knew someone years ago cobbling together a turbo kit for an early 90's model, from a Golf kit.. one head works fine--the other being a mirror image not so much. I'm sure things have evolved a bit since then.

Oh, puh-LEASE... the ABZ 4.2 puts out a mere 300 horses. If you're going to go through all of this trouble, you should most certainly use the 4.2 from the RS4/R8. This project is a complete waste of time with anything less than 400hp.

(Just kidding! This is so f-ing awesome - I'm not worthy!)

Because finding a proper transaxle for an LS-x will mean that you get to pay the Porsche tax (and still end up with a 5-speed) or you get to go find an Audi transaxle. Well, now if you've got an Audi transaxle, why would you pay good money for an adapter to bolt a Chevy motor when more than likely you could get the entire drivetrain out of the Audi?

Besides in the UK, which would be easier to find? A LS-x, adapter plate/bellhousing, Porsche transaxle or an Audi V8/6-speed transaxle?

This thing did have a twin turbo V8 in it near the end of it run.@bd_juju:

This thing did have a (non-GM) twin turbo V8 in it near the end of it run. Quite a piece.

@brownie: If you're willing to swap an Audi engine into a Lotus Esprit, scoring the parts to add on some turbos can't be a daunting task.

Chapman is spinning in his grave at 11,000 RPM. Granted, the engine is a beaut... But i would imagine, it would throw off the balance of the car...Again, maybe because i am an ignorant slob, wouldn't an STI mill be better? Lighter? lower center of gravity? More in line with the Lotus ethos?

@Skydiver: Excellent compliment. Not only is it generous, but it's also completely accurate.

The 14-year-old in me is standing on his chair, applauding.

The 37-year-old in me is considering the crazy oversteer, and standing on his chair, applauding.

@CharlzR: Is that you Max?

Take a look through the MotorGeek thread linked above, this guy is a fucking fabrication madman.
I think the project was worth it just for the sound it makes.

That car is pimp.

My dragon loves the interracial mix in this beast.

Reminds me of a Pantera sortof. Great looking body, nice engine. No idea at all how it drives but it sounds nice.

Whatever the hell this guys on, i'll take two.

*Starts Crying*

@IamZardoz: How about this one then?

@bee zee arr: I'm going to sit here and pray until I sweat that you're right.

@Duffman: I am not Max...

Aw crap. I think I just came.

now how do I make my S4 sound like that?

I want him to mate a Europa with a VW 1.9 TDi next.

@boognish: Well, the later Esprit did come with V8's and the Audi is all aluminum....

Oh and a TDI in an extremely flimsy Europa would become a big pretzel in a hurry.