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1988 Lotus Esprit

Sale price: $25,000.00 make an offer

Car location: Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Sale type: Fixed price listing

Technical specifications, photos and description:

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1988 Lotus Esprit for sale

Current customer rating: current rating for this car(2.05) based on 81 votes
I purchase this Esprit from the previous owner in Atlanta, In July of 2014.  I have only put around 5000 miles on the car in my ownership, mostly because of the issues with the transaxle.  The previous owner had replaced the transaxle with a used unit, but I soon found out when i did the fluid change the ring gear and pinion had chipped teeth (known issues on these turbo cars).  I found a set of used gear, bought new synchro's and tried to rebuild it my self with all the correct Citroen C35 tools.  After the rebuild it was still putting super fine pieces of metal into the gear oil.  In Feb/March 2021 I sent 7 boxes to the Netherlands to have HML Transmissions rebuild the transaxle correctly.  I had him install the correctly turned crown wheel and pinion gear.  From the factory these are set up to accelerate on the coast side, and decel on the accel side.  HML had new crown wheel and pinions cut the correct rotation.  At this time I also had HML install a Quaife LSD.I tried to list out as much as I remember replacing on this car in the last few years of ownership.  I have always run 93 100% gas through it and kept it stored inside a humidity controlled garage.  Tires were installed by previous owner bac in 2014, but only have about 5000 miles on them.   I have a binder of all the receipts that I spent on the car and will include it in the sale.  I will get some video links to my youtube channel, showing the car being driven on Nov. 28th (day of listing).  I will also try to get a link to more detailed pictures of the car.  if you want any additional pictures that are not listed on the linked website, once it is up, please message me.Here is a list of specifics that I have completed on the car:

Engine

·      Previous owner had Turbo rebuilt, said he got abetter turbine, but have not noticed any performance enhancements.

·      PTP Turbo blanket and wrapped exhaust

·      Catalytic converter currently has no internals installedright now.  Car will come with originalcatalytic converter with complete internals for Emissions/legal.  If you would like the one with internalsinstalled, let me know and I can install it.

·      Silicone vacuum line in engine bay and behind passengerside C-pillar area

·      Previous owner installed new vacuum pump back inJune 2014

·      Yearly oil changes completed using ValvolineVR-1 Racing 20w50.  Last 3 years havebeen using the full synthetic VR-1, prior to that using conventional VR-1.  Oil changes completed usually in the springtime.  I do not park my cars for thewinter, I still drive them on warmer days. Always use Lotus oil filters, about $40 from JAE.

·      Valve covers & intakes plenum all repaintedwith VHT correct paint for this engine.

·      Rear main seal replaced with new, and sealed theream main housing.

·      Removed and cleaned oil pan, re-sealed lower panwith Loctite 518

·      New V-belts installed 2021

·      April 2019 installed new cap, rotor, and sparkplugs

·      Previous owner bought some of the last original injectorsfor this car, so replaced in 2014.

·      Alternator replaced June 2014

·      Thermostat and temperature sensor replaced August2014

·      Timing belt with Blue Gates Racing belt doneJune 2014 by previous owners.  New tensionerand bearing at this time.

·      Cooling fans replaced with Spal low amp, highair flow fans

·      Radiator rebuilt with new core

·      Override switch to kick fans on if you don't wantto wait for the otterstat to turn them on. The otterstat turns them on around 100 C.

·      New Zerex G05 coolant installed with newradiator and fans, Summer 2021.

 

Transmission

·      HML fully rebuilt transaxle with new reverse cutring gear and pinion:  https://ds-vitesse.com/en/

·      All new synchro's, bearings, seals, set all pre-loadand backlash

·      HML installed Quaife LSD differential at time ofrebuild

·      3 Qts Redline MT90 gear oil installed per HMLinstruction.

·      Spigot bearing replaced, re-greased with factoryrecommended Mobil UNIREX N3

·      Rear cover had bolts installed that needed to beremoved so I could install the muffler support bracket, small seeping at rearcover of rebuilt trans.

·      New clutch, pressure plate, and throw-outbearing installed.  Resurfaced flywheel

·      Rebuilt both axles with new CV boots & LiquiMoly long life CV grease

·      Rebuilt clutch master and slave cylinder.

·      Braided stainless steel clutch line from masterto slave.

·      Replaced all shifter bushings

·      Transmission mounting bolts replaced with new

 

Suspension

·      Front suspension had upper control arm platedwith trivalent-chromate

·      New upper & Lower ball joints

·      Tie rod ends

·      New wheel bearings on front

·      Lower control arm bushings replaced

·      New upper and lower bolts & nuts installed

·      Rear suspension had control link bushings allreplaced

·      Original shocks and springs still installed

·      Steering rack gaiter boots and mounting bushings

Brakes

·      Front brake calipers rebuilt (with new pistons)and plated

·      Stainless steel braided brake lines, JAE

·      Previous owner rebuilt the rear brake calipers

·      Installed new Yellow Stuff pads on front and bac

·      Cross drilled and slotted front rotors

·      Dust shield on front brakes re-plated

 

Interior

·      Alpine blue tooth radio installed, with handsfree mic

·      Rockford Fostgate speakers front and rear

·      Suede headliner and rear window surround

·      Previous owner had seats and center consolere-done in a vinyl

·      Dash has some pulling on passenger side

·      Few area where leather damages on door cards

·      I have the original steering wheel pad, justlike the look of this emblem in the center without the pad.  Original pad will come with the car.

Body

·      Overall paint is good, stress cracks in frontaround headlights and above windshield

·      Area above windshield is vinyl wrapped in ablack gloss, and not noticeable unless it is pointed out

·      Stress cracks below rear qtr windows

·      Passenger fog light glass is cracked

     Rims are Plasti-dipped gold.  This can be peeled off and the original silver colors is underneath.  wanted to go with a JPS livery since the car was black. 

 

Electrical

·      High torque starter from JAE

·      Replaced Lucas relays with new tyco purple relays

·      Car can sit for weeks and battery never drainsdown.  I had the car sit for 3-4 monthsand starts right up without a battery tender on the car.  Battery is from 2014, so would suggest a newif you plan to drive often.

·      Speedometer bounces at low speeds and is off by10-15mphs when at speeds.  Says your aredoing 90 when you are doing 65-70mph.

·      Heater core is good, still has heat when indefrost mode.

·      Blower motor works good

·      If you roll passenger window down all the way,sometimes needs help to get it started.  Iusually only roll them down half way.  Bothwindows work, just installed new passenger side window switch. 

 

Future repairs

·      A/C inop, never got around to updating to R134

·      Trunk carpet has a tear, and looks worn

·      Timing belt if you want to go by lotusrecommended, or if you trust Gates Blue belts then good to go 100k miles.

DAny additional questions please message me in eBay

Pick up is Chattanooga, TN and responsibility of the winning bidder.  Car is 33yrs and I tired to explain it to the best of my knowledge.  there is No warranty on the car and sold As-Is

A

Also published at eBay.com

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