Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit - Jalopnik Comments

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

econobiker — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:26:55 EDT

Lotus/Audi V-8 vs. Fiero/Caddilac V-8?

Which would win?

econobiker

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Mazda Eric has his own radio show — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:27:39 EDT

wait, where did it go?

Mazda Eric has his own radio show

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

LuciferV8 — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:51:31 EDT

There's the engine it should have had all along.

LuciferV8

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

40Valve — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:50:14 EDT

Nice...a 4.2 from an ol' A8. Sounds & looks so much more impressive here. I wonder how fuel efficient the 4.2 will be in a lighter chassis. I can only squeeze out 17.5 MPG in my S6 b/c it's a Quattro piggy.

40Valve

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

CEman — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:27:20 EDT

"I'm not worthy!"
@brownie:

My feeling as well. Total Wayne and Garth here.
"We are not worthy"

Now, this is a new form of PCH eh?

I am glad I did not read this yesterday. When I was AT WORK! The boss would not have been very accommodating to spending an hour reading this.
Now SWMBO, she is a forgiving sole...

CEman

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

silex006 — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:51:57 EDT

@Citroen_SM:

Yeah, he made a contribution to mankind!

silex006

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Citroen_SM — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:44:09 EDT

I just read the entire post, and it took me well over an hour - the guy truly is a skilled madman, I wish I was more like him. This is his first ever engine swap, and he isn't even a mechanic - electrical engineer.

But what an excellent example of how much work it takes to do something like this. I'm tired and dehydrated just reading the process of how it was done.

Props to Hilly - he should be made an honorary starred member of Jalopnik for that kind of effort.

Citroen_SM

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

X-Zambian — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:11:14 EDT

Splendid job. I join the chorus of respectful hand clapping.
Editors, send the guy some apparel in recongintion of this beast.
And the write up was rather fun too. I just loved the "low injury risk washer" half way down page 5.

X-Zambian

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Bumblebee — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:57:37 EDT

Here's a great quote when he's talking about making heat shields to fit around the exhaust manifolds:

"I thought I was being clever and instead of getting normal soft alloy sheet (which I figured would break in next to no time) I got 6082T6 stuff. Flippin eck is this stuff an arse to bend, mucho whacking with bits of wood and hammer eventually got it to a shape I was happy with."

Hee hee hee

Bumblebee

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Turboner — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:42:56 EDT

I wonder how much this guy would want in exchange for making me a 2.7T version...

Turboner

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

thomas124 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:24:26 EDT

My favorite car growing up (born in '77) was the Lotus Esprit. I even drove the hell out of the Esprit on the Test Drive I game on my Apple IIC. My dad gave me crap, being a high level Ford engineer/manager, for loving a "Lymie car". Then they dropped in the V-8 and I lost interest. Now-a-days, I'll take a V-8 over any 4-cyliner pile! Thanks dad, youi set me straight!

PS - the Lotus Esprit is still pretty cool. Especially the one in Octopussy.

thomas124

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

fiat22turbo — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:02:30 EDT

First, the weight is in the middle of the car, so the weight balance isn't affected as much as say in a front or rear engined car. Even then there are suspension tweaks that can be made to help alleviate some of those issues along with some changes in driving style.

Second, if you read the entire story on the car you'd see that he upgraded the front suspension correcting some of the issues with the car. The issue is probably with the ancient front suspension design, not the steering rack (the racks came from front engined cars, how could it be worse with a mid-engined car?)

In the end, you to figure an all aluminum V8 versus a cast iron block/aluminum head 4-cylinder aren't too far off from each other in weight. Less of a difference with a turbo 4-cylinder. Honestly, the base chassis of the cars didn't change that much through the years.

fiat22turbo

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Buzz Killington — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:22:57 EDT

DO WANT.

But this leaves a couple of questions, mostly around the suspension and handling. The Esprit had almost perfect balance; I wonder how this engine effects the weight distribution. Also, the steering... it was totally unpowered and sort of delicate, so I would think that trying to turn the wheel while not moving could easily snap something (I had an '86 Esprit, and the dealer told me to avoid turning the wheel while not rolling... this thing has got to be heavier, thus increasing the chance of damage).

And finally, what kind of upgrades did he make to the suspension?

Buzz Killington

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

HoubaHouba! — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:01:43 EDT

I'm
Not
Worthy.

HoubaHouba!

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

graverobber- My Yugo Nova! — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:24:59 EDT

@fiat22turbo: The frames in the Europa and Esprit were very similar:

Europa:

And Esprit:

The bigger question is; from where did they keep getting the Triumph Herald/Sprtfire/et al front suspension bits well into the 1990s?

graverobber- My Yugo Nova!

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

wonkydonky — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:20:58 EDT

Wow, I'm used to looking at VR6 swaps into 92 GTIs.

This is probably the best swap I've seen for both donor engine and recipient car. -Sweet.

wonkydonky

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

fiat22turbo — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:23:20 EDT

@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.

fiat22turbo

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Maymar is convinced M.C. Escher engineered his car — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:14:36 EDT

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

Maymar is convinced M.C. Escher engineered his car

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

nirad — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:07:59 EDT

now how do I make my S4 sound like that?

nirad

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

MikeHerbst — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:04:44 EDT

Aw crap. I think I just came.

MikeHerbst

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

CharlzR — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:39:49 EDT

@Duffman: I am not Max...

CharlzR

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

voodoojoo — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:32:42 EDT

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

voodoojoo

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Ω ß®ªғғ — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:17:59 EDT

@IamZardoz: How about this one then?

Ω ß®ªғғ

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

ChristianGM — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:15:57 EDT

*Starts Crying*

ChristianGM

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Schm, lord of Torques! — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:09:59 EDT

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

Schm, lord of Torques!

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

IamZardoz — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:59:48 EDT

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

IamZardoz

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

RoninianHoon — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:39:54 EDT

My dragon loves the interracial mix in this beast.

RoninianHoon

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Zarba — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:28:58 EDT

That car is pimp.

Zarba

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

mydogisdexter — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:27:37 EDT

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.

mydogisdexter

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Duffman — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:19:03 EDT

@CharlzR: Is that you Max?

Duffman

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

pupils — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:16:46 EDT

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.

pupils

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

workingonyourinvoice — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:05:29 EDT

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

workingonyourinvoice

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

boognish — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:04:02 EDT

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?

boognish

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

elwood — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:01:20 EDT

@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.

elwood

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

poxpopulus — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:59:38 EDT

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.

poxpopulus

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

fiat22turbo — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:56:33 EDT

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?

fiat22turbo

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

brownie — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:54:25 EDT

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!)

brownie

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Bad Juju — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:53:28 EDT

@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.

Bad Juju

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:52:33 EDT

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

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Lost_in_the_valley — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:45:29 EDT

That is awesome. What a machine.

Lost_in_the_valley

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

CARBONFIBER — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:43:41 EDT

* 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.

CARBONFIBER

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

jpech — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:41:41 EDT

@CharlzR: Easy there Max.

jpech

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

OldeEnglishD misses Polar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:38:44 EDT

That guy should be running GM

OldeEnglishD misses Polar

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

bzr — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:36:39 EDT

The Audi V8: The new Chevy small-block.

For people who are allergic to pushrods.

bzr

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Bad Juju — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:36:28 EDT

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.

Bad Juju

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

muleshoe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:33:16 EDT

Now thats how you make a Dog Hunt

muleshoe

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

cyanics — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:29:53 EDT

i have a new hero.

cyanics

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Dr. Spaceman, Esq. — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:28:08 EDT

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

Dr. Spaceman, Esq.

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

piththeelder — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:26:56 EDT

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

piththeelder

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

mattEGTx — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:24:27 EDT

Yikes. It's like an Esprit GLH.

mattEGTx

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

mwood10 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:23:33 EDT

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

mwood10

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Skydiver — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:19:30 EDT

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

Skydiver

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

smalleyxb122 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:16:21 EDT

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

Personal Esprit preference aside: Hellz yeah!

smalleyxb122

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Maxichamp — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:16:07 EDT

Bravo! Brought a tear to my eye.

Maxichamp

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Morphine — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:15:04 EDT

Someone poured beer in my gin!

Morphine

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

lascauxcaveman — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:13:44 EDT

Gawwwd to the dayyyymn!

lascauxcaveman

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

smsolo1 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:12:33 EDT

udaman!

smsolo1

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Elhigh — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:01:56 EDT

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.

Elhigh

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

elwood — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:59:49 EDT

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

elwood

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

deathbob — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:57:47 EDT

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

deathbob

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:56:56 EDT

!!!!!

!!!!!!!

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

NovaloadMissesPolar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:53:43 EDT

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

NovaloadMissesPolar

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

readplays — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:53:35 EDT

In Soviet Union Lada transplants YOU!!!

readplays

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

UDMan — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:51:35 EDT

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!

UDMan

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

CharlzR — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:50:37 EDT

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.

CharlzR

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

ArtVandelay32 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:50:03 EDT

Good lordy. Me wants one.

ArtVandelay32

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

///Mink — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:50:02 EDT

Oh my God...me want.

///Mink

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

j6r — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:47:32 EDT

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

j6r