Esprit Transaxle

[Dilkris]

I read this morning the new thread posted by dakazman regarding an Esprit stalled Project for sale - well more to the point I was looking at the photo's of the said Esprit.
At the risk of asking a really stupid question, can an Esprit transaxle be utilised in an Europa? "Yes", "yes", I know it won't simply bolt in, but has anybody done it or seriously considered it, and if not, why?       

[surfguitar58]

I am aware of an Esprit/Europa engine and transaxle swap having been done twice. One is this beauty by our active member 61Elite: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=2628.0 The other was a yellow car that I can't put my finger on at the moment. Both are very well done, amazing cars, but personally I would keep the Esprit an Esprit, unless you found one with a totaled front end.
Tom

[jbcollier]

Which one?  The SM transaxle?  Or the Renault UN1?  And, more obviously, why?

Parts aren't any easier to find.  The transaxles are made for more power and are correspondingly larger and heavier.  Bell housings will not fit the usual Europa engines.

The usual Europa transaxles are all pretty strong and few actual "breakages" occur.  They were used by contemporary Alpines and were reliable even in full rally versions nudging on 200hp.

The main problem with Europa transaxles is the Lotus modified, "micky mouse", output seal arrangement.  This leads to leaks and if neanderthal-derived owners don't regularly check the oil level, bad things happen.  Keep the oil topped up and they last forever.

[gideon]

Here the thread about the yellow one

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1634.0