Corvette motor in 85!!!!

[hiddenxartxryu]

Ok, now that I have your attention. There is a guy I know through the family and he is about to kick the can. He offered to sell me his (non running) 85 turbo Esprit. This thing has only 7,000 miles on it, and he said he brought it in for an oil change, and they forgot to put oil in it, and it made the motor tap, but it was fixed once he put oil in it. Simple. But then he took the top half of the motor off to rebuild it, then he came sick. this was done indoors and is climate protected. He told me 5 grand. this car is VERY clean, the interior is BEAUTIFUL and everyhting was kept georgous. Now for the real questions. I know his story of the vehicle checks out...and I am a quite a skilled mechanic.

IS it worth fixing this motor?
I have a motor form my old corvette project i abandoned(thanks to new orleans flood) Its a 350 carb. motor. is it AT ALL possible to slap that bitch in it? I have put a 350 in an rx-7, a Supra, and a 280Z. If its not possible...What are my choices? is the vehicle worth it? Im VERY new to lotus. I also figured if i put a v8 in it... it wouldnt break as much due to chevy reliability... I also have an extra turbo rotary motor and a 2JZ form my supra... FILL ME IN GUYS!!!!

[Feffman]

Vette motor may be a bit much for the frame. Some people have stuffed the Rover (buick) V8 in them with success. Take a look at www.LotusPBC.com for the Rover V8 install.

Best bet is rebuild the Esprit engine. Parts for the Esprit engine are readily available from Jeff at JAE Parts (www.JAEParts.com)

Mark Pfeffer

[hiddenxartxryu]

Ok, ill do some research on it. hmm... Any known headaches on these cars? honestly, what can brake so much on them? i put a grand down...and im picking it up soon.

[hiddenxartxryu]

i cant find the V-8 install... please send me a more accurate link.

[tallbloke]

any joy either rebuilding the lotus motor or putting the v8 in?

I would have put a rebuilt 4pot back in with some choice mods myself, surprising the power that can be had out of them with the right work. they sound great with a good exhaust and always drop jaws when i say it is a 2.2L 4 cylinder with the acceleration/handling it has. my opinion obviously

cheers

[hiddenxartxryu]

I have yet to decide. i have a wicked 383 i made out of that 350 i had, but im in debate to sell this baby or not. what do yall think its worth? its cosmetically perfect.

[vipaut]

it is not easy to change the engine because of the matching and NVH except through some platform testing.