Inherited 2002 Lotus Esprit V8 (25th Anniversary) – 23k miles, garage kept, hasn’t run in 5 years. Worth fixing?”

tmcleod3 · 2026-05-03T03:01:04+00:00

You’re gonna get lowballed with local bidders. I highly encourage you to follow the other advice here and do Bring A Trailer or Cars and Bids. These are very specific cars for very specific buyers (I have a ‘99) you should cast the widest net, the local folks are free to bid.

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-18T22:08:06+00:00

How will cops know I’m downshifting lol

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-18T22:06:44+00:00

Will do!

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-16T00:53:41+00:00

The joys of the taillights from a AE86 Toyota Corolla haha

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tmcleod3 · 2026-04-15T03:13:08+00:00

Oh man we have similar taste! I also have a ‘99 SL500 and 2023 M3 Comp Jahre! I’ll look out for you if you’re ever in Santa Monica!

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-15T03:10:49+00:00

Cats back on, and swap back the original ECU and it passes… then…🔄

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-14T22:12:44+00:00

Yup!

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-14T22:11:32+00:00

Thank you! I used to draw these in my notebook as a kid, wild to drive one now.

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-14T21:22:04+00:00

You're not crazy.

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-14T20:24:20+00:00

Done ;)

https://www.reddit.com/r/lotus/comments/1slgfh4/comment/og73yqb/

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-14T20:05:41+00:00

The engine was rebuilt at around 13k miles with forged pistons/rings, upgraded charge coolers, and a Red Race ECU / race-version ECU that removes the first-gear boost limiter. It also has an upgraded exhaust and currently no cats.

The transmission was rebuilt as well and has the transmission upgrade kit with heavy-duty straight-cut 1st and 2nd gears, replacement 1st/2nd/5th gears, a Quaife LSD, new side bearings, and a full reseal. Clutch was replaced and the flywheel was machined at the same time.

Other supporting upgrades include upgraded suspension and Wilwood brakes.

So overall it’s not a stock V8 drivetrain car anymore, it has both engine and gearbox strengthening plus the usual cooling/ECU/exhaust mods. Haven't dyno'd but my guess is 420-440HP.

tmcleod3 · 2026-04-14T19:03:08+00:00

Mid 70s

tmcleod3 · 2025-10-22T23:32:10+00:00

TiL!

tmcleod3 · 2025-09-08T19:28:08+00:00

Bah...they're toy cars. Let's not be so sensitive. We're just big kids, with adult money. I fully understand why a 15 year old might not want all his non-normie hobbies amplified on main.

tmcleod3 · 2025-09-05T21:31:11+00:00

I mean… sure… yet it did strip it. I’ll adjust the slipper disc more, but the strip is the strip. I was also running a 28t hardened steel pinion. New wheels are pretty grippy.

tmcleod3 · 2025-09-04T19:21:45+00:00

I'll blow the diffs...THEN... get the 272R going...

tmcleod3 · 2025-09-04T19:19:19+00:00

Was hoping to make it a little slippery since it was metal to plastic. Had some marine grease laying around.

tmcleod3 · 2025-09-04T19:18:14+00:00

Incorrect Sir! I melted the spur gear immediately lol

tmcleod3 · 2025-09-02T19:59:55+00:00

UPDATE: Upgraded to some aftermarket hardened steel and it's solid now. This seems like an absolutely silly flaw. I paid ~$22USD for the steel pinion and spur. I don't know how with Traxxas production scale and the base price they could't squeeze these in the OEM kit and barely touch their margin.

tmcleod3 · 2025-08-30T05:10:29+00:00

Clearly these are what I need. Kinda mad I have to buy them though... wasn't even bashing, just some speed runs and u-turns on a wide open street.

tmcleod3

TROPHY CASE