David Loomes 's 1982 Turbo Esprit
The car is something of a rarity (even by Lotus Esprit standards) being of dry sump configuration, but not finished in the Essex petroleum colours, like most of the dry sump cars. I am not sure exactly how many cars were produced to this spec, but it is possible that it is in single figures.
The 1982 Lotus Turbo Esprit has a 2.2 litre turbocharged engine. The engine configuration is relatively unusual, being a 4 cylinder slant design, mounted longitudinally, behind the driver. The engine uses a pair of Dellorto DHLA40-H carburettors which are positioned on the high pressure side of the turbo charger. There is no intercooler. The 1981 and 1982 cars also use a dry sump lubrication system, oil being pumped from the sump, via an oil cooler mounted in the nose, to an oil tank mounted in the right hand rear wing.
Road tests from the time, give a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of around 150 mph. Fast enough, even by todayís standards.
Check out my website and see how I transformed my Esprit and how the refurbishment was undertaken.
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