My Esprit V8 GT:-

Esprit V8 GT Upgrades

The S4s was a great car but I made the mistake of riding in a friend's V8. Instantly I fell in love with the V8 rumble and lots of torque which can easily be described as 'Lots of lazy power'. The S4s was a very fast car once the turbo's kicked in at 2750RPM and there's probably nothing in it between the V8. Downside was that until the turbo kicked in, the S4s felt sluggish. With my style of driving, the V8 suited me better. It doesn't matter what gear you are in, it always pulls away. Around town I like it particularly because you have the power instantly.

The titanium colour wasn't my first choice again but as soon as I saw the portfolio detailing the service history and all the liner work done by the previous owner, I simply had to have it! I hadn't sold my S4s at the time of buying the V8 which didn't go down well but it all turn out well in the end!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Engine Type:
90-degree V8, longitudinal, mid-mounted, with twin Allied Signal T25 turbochargers.
Capacity: 3506cc.
Construction: All aluminium.
Maximum power: 355PS (260kW) at 6500rpm.
Maximum torque: 295lb ft (400Nm) at 4250rpm.

Performance
Maximum speed: 170mph (274km/h), electronically limited.
0-60mph: 4.8secs.
0-100km/h: 4.9secs.
0-100mph: 10.3secs.
0-160km/h: 10.3secs.

Fuel consumption

Transmission
Manual five-speed transaxle driving the rear wheels.

Ratios
First: 3.36 to one.
Second: 2.06 to one.
Third: 1.38 to one.
Fourth: 1.04 to one.
Fifth: 0.76 to one
Reverse: 3.55 to one.
Final drive: 3.89 to one.

Body
GRP/kevlar composite.

Chassis
Fabricated sheet steel and round tube backbone chassis hot dip galvanised.

Suspension
Front: double-wishbones, single coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar.
Rear: upper and lower transverse links, box section radius arms, telescopic dampers with coil springs.
Steering Rack and pinion, power-assisted.

Wheels
OZ Racing six-spoke monobloc alloy
Front: 8.5Jx17
Rear: 10.0Jx18

Tyres:
V8GTº Dunlop SP Sport 9000
Front: 235/40 ZR17
Rear: 285/35 ZR18

Brakes
V8 GT
Front Disc 296mm
Rear Disc 300mm
Front Caliper Brembo 4 Pot
Rear Caliper Brembo 2 Pot

2 piece 320 x 32 vent and cross drilled
2 piece 320 x 26 vent and cross drilled
AP Racing 4 pot
Brembo 2 pot
Kelsey Hayes 430 three-channel ABS.

Vital statistics
Wheelbase: 95.3in (2420mm).
Front track: 59.8in (1520mm).
Rear track: 59.8in (1520mm).
Overall length: 170.2in (4369mm).
Overall width: 74.1in (1883mm) excluding mirrors.
Overall height: 45.3in (1150mm).
Ground clearance: 4.1in (105mm).
Fuel tank capacity: 15.4gal (70.0 litres).
Fuel grade: 95 RON minimum.
Unladen weight: V8-GT ÿ 2919lb (1325kg).

Options
V8-GT: Air-conditioning, driver airbag, Alpine radio/cassette or radio/CD, CD multichanger, V8-SE seats, leather upholstery, coloured piping for leather upholstery, metallic paint, premium paint,

I fell in love with this car immediately and the colour grew on me. Many people including other Esprit owners commented how they liked the colour. I soon started to upgrade my V8 with the introduction of Green Cotton Filters. Unlike the 4 cylinder green cotton filters which you have to cut the corners off to fit, the V8 ones fitted like a glove. The difference was apparent by the induction noise, which was raised. Now you can hear the air sucking into the intake system!

Disclaimer:- Any modifications are done at owner's risk. Esprit Performance does not accept any responsibility to any owners modifying their cars. If in doubt, don't do it!

V8 GT Upgrades