QUESTION.
I have been thinking about installing a BOV but not sure it makes sense for my Lotus Esprit Hci
as it is non inter-cooled and boost is not that high.
Also want recirculated type as I don't want oil mist in engine bay.
Do you have any advice ?
J.H. - Adelaide, South Australia
ANSWER.
If you do the research you will find Lotus fitted a BOV to the early turbo Esprit (1980 to 1984) as standard equipment.
This was located in the end of the plenum chamber which is the correct location (and not up on top of the engine as you often see with inferior after-market installations)
A blow off valve (BOV) is an excellent addition to any Lotus turbo-charged engine.
It has two benefits (1) keeps the turbo spooled up during gear-shifts (2) reduces wear caused by the reverse pressure pulse that is produced by the throttle butterfly valves closing (when on boost and no BOV installed)
On your Lotus Esprit Hci, you can hear the reverse pressure pulse in the intake system as you change gear.
I would be concerned about any BOV discharging oil mist into the engine bay or air-intake system
If oil mist was originating from the turbo-charger in any quantity then it should be immediately rebuilt.
Oil originating from the turbo means the seals are leaking and there is excessive wear.
This also means an oil mist is also being introduced into the induction system.
The addition of an oil mist degrades the quality of the fuel/air mixture and can lead to detonation problems.
If you want to install a BOV on your turbo Esprit, then it should be installed in the end of the plenum chamber and the exhaust be vented into the air filter enclosure.
We have installed several inexpensive BOV for customers and you can see one such installation in the project section of this web site
If you have any further questions about modifying your Esprit please contact Lotus Marques.
Copyright © 2011 Lotus Marques
I have been thinking about installing a BOV but not sure it makes sense for my Lotus Esprit Hci
as it is non inter-cooled and boost is not that high.
Also want recirculated type as I don't want oil mist in engine bay.
Do you have any advice ?
J.H. - Adelaide, South Australia
ANSWER.
If you do the research you will find Lotus fitted a BOV to the early turbo Esprit (1980 to 1984) as standard equipment.
This was located in the end of the plenum chamber which is the correct location (and not up on top of the engine as you often see with inferior after-market installations)
A blow off valve (BOV) is an excellent addition to any Lotus turbo-charged engine.
It has two benefits (1) keeps the turbo spooled up during gear-shifts (2) reduces wear caused by the reverse pressure pulse that is produced by the throttle butterfly valves closing (when on boost and no BOV installed)
On your Lotus Esprit Hci, you can hear the reverse pressure pulse in the intake system as you change gear.
I would be concerned about any BOV discharging oil mist into the engine bay or air-intake system
If oil mist was originating from the turbo-charger in any quantity then it should be immediately rebuilt.
Oil originating from the turbo means the seals are leaking and there is excessive wear.
This also means an oil mist is also being introduced into the induction system.
The addition of an oil mist degrades the quality of the fuel/air mixture and can lead to detonation problems.
If you want to install a BOV on your turbo Esprit, then it should be installed in the end of the plenum chamber and the exhaust be vented into the air filter enclosure.
We have installed several inexpensive BOV for customers and you can see one such installation in the project section of this web site
If you have any further questions about modifying your Esprit please contact Lotus Marques.
Copyright © 2011 Lotus Marques
