Premature Engine Failure - Boxster

[Brucelee]

Jim.

I think Lotus engineered the ZR-1 (LT-5) motor for Corvette, not the LT-1. That was the engine that was produced for GM by Mercury Marine and had 32 valves etc.

If this is correct, then Lotus SHOULD brag about that engine, as it was a terror. I had a red 1990 zr-1 and it was freaky fast for its day.

See below.

During 1986, General Motors acquired Group Lotus, the UK based engineering consulting and performance car manufacturing firm. The Corvette division approached Lotus with the idea of developing the world's fastest production car, to be based on the C4 generation Corvette. With input from GM, Lotus designed a new engine to fit in place of the L98 V8 that was powering the standard C4. The result was what GM dubbed the LT5, an aluminum-block V-8 with the same bore centers as the L98, but with four overhead camshafts, 32 valves. Lotus also designed a unique air management system for the engine to provide a wider power band by shutting off 8 of the 16 intake runners and fuel injectors when the engine was at part-throttle, while still giving the ZR-1 a stellar 375 hp when at wide open throttle.

In addition to the engine, Lotus helped GM design the ZR-1's upgraded braking and steering systems, and helped them pick the settings for the standard "ZX3" active suspension system that Chevrolet was fitting to the car, helping to ensure that the vehicle was more than just a modern-day muscle car with a big engine and no real capability on the track.

GM found that the engine required special assembly, and that neither the Corvette plant in Bowling Green Kentucky nor any of their normal production facilities could handle the workload, so Mercury Marine corporation of Oklahoma was contracted to assemble the engines and ship them to the Corvette factory in Bowling Green where the ZR-1s were being assembled.

The vehicle went on sale in 1990 and was available only as a coupe. It was distinguishable from other Corvette coupes by its wider tail section, 11" wide rear wheels and its new convex rear fascia with four square shaped taillights and a CHMSL (center high mounted stop lamp) attached to the top of the hatch glass instead of between the taillights.

The ZR-1 displayed stunning ability both in terms of acceleration and handling capabilities, but carried with it an astonishingly high price. MSRP for the ZR-1 in 1990 was $58,995, almost twice the cost of a non-ZR-1, and had ballooned to $66,278 by 1995; it has been rumored that some dealers successfully marked units as high as $100,000. Even at base MSRP, this meant that the ZR-1 was competing in the same price bracket as cars like Porsche's 964, making it a hard sell for GM dealers.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

Jim.

I think Lotus engineered the ZR-1 (LT-5) motor for Corvette, not the LT-1...

Hi,

You're right! It was the ZR-1 Engine. What I meant about bragging was that Chevy, and the General, didn't go out of the way to tell the World that another Car Co. designed their best engine. Unlike Isuzu, Chevy didn't add any Lotus Badges to the car...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

You're right! It was the ZR-1 Engine. What I meant about bragging was that Chevy, and the General, didn't go out of the way to tell the World that another Car Co. designed their best engine. Unlike Isuzu, Chevy didn't add any Lotus Badges to the car...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

That was just a great engine. The one I had was modded a bit and man, the acceleration was brutal.

These cars are now future collector cars IMHO and if I had the room and dough, I would start collecting while the prices are reasonable.

[Bavarian Motorist]

MNboxster, do you have any insight on the Javan r1?

I am a HUGE lotus fan, and I am going to buy an elise in 07, but I just heard about this Javan R1 which is 500 lbs lighter than an elise, and uses a honda k20 engine (same one used in the s2k I believe) making 220hp.

It's only in England now, and is priced at the equivalent of $60,000 USD..

After hearing about this car, I am gonna have a tough time justifying the purchase of my lotus.

Any insight from you?

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

MNboxster, do you have any insight on the Javan r1?

I am a HUGE lotus fan, and I am going to buy an elise in 07, but I just heard about this Javan R1 which is 500 lbs lighter than an elise, and uses a honda k20 engine (same one used in the s2k I believe) making 220hp.

It's only in England now, and is priced at the equivalent of $60,000 USD..

After hearing about this car, I am gonna have a tough time justifying the purchase of my lotus.

Any insight from you?

Hi,

I can only tell you what I've been told by some friends across the pond and the press reports I've seen.

The main difference between the Elise and the Javan r1 is that the Javan is much more of a Kit Car. It has that Kit Car feel to it whereas the Elise feels like a manufactured car. Plus, the Javan r1, from what I know, is only available in RHD, which may make a difference to some.

One UK friend, who has driven it, compared it to the early TVRs in that it does go like stink, but doesn't inspire real confidence.

There are lots of these fringe cars out there, limited production cars which can be very satisfying, but which may be short-lived, especially when it comes to future parts availability.

And, personally, 60 large is too much to pay for a fun-only car of this ilk. Were it me, I'd take the $60k and plop it as a dwn. pymnt. on a Noble M400, or on a classic such as an Elite, early Jag, Healey, Porsche or Merc. - something which will appreciate in value, but hey, that's me...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Bavarian Motorist]

Oh yeah, I don't want a kit car either. I was under the impression it would be coming to the states.

If I was going for a kit car I'd just buy an ultima can-am and saved 30 grand


Thanks. I guess lotus is still at the top of my list.

[Brucelee]

Speaking of kit cars, I keep my eyes peeled for the old kit car Ferrari Daytona that used to be on Miami Vice.

I passed on one several years ago and am still kicking myself for that.