The 1981 Lotus Esprit has 29 ignition parts with verified fitment on this page — 2 part types and 11 brands, covering both the 2.2L L4 and the 2.2L L4 Turbocharged. Each part includes a manufacturer part number and application notes.
On the 1981 Lotus Esprit, the ignition system delivers spark at the right moment — plugs, coils, wires, distributors and ignition modules. All 29 listed parts are Spark Plug (17 parts) and Ignition Coil (12 parts).
The 1981 Lotus Esprit was sold with both the 2.2L L4 and the 2.2L L4 Turbocharged. 18 parts fit every engine; the other 11 are engine-specific. Each part shows which engine(s) it fits.
11 brands supply ignition parts for the 1981 Lotus Esprit, led by NGK (7 parts), CHAMPION (5 parts) and STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS (4 parts), plus 8 more brands. Quality grades include Copper / Nickel, Economy and Standard Replacement.
A "Popular" badge means the source catalog flagged the part as frequently chosen for the 1981 Lotus Esprit. 7 parts have it, including STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS UC15T (Ignition Coil) and CHAMPION 404 (Spark Plug). Each part number opens a page with every vehicle that part fits.
Ignition Coil
Economy
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Popular Fits: 2.2L L4 | UC15T | 🇺🇸 US | T-Series | View on Amazon |
| FVP Fits: 2.2L L4 | UC15F | 🇺🇸 US | View on Amazon | |
| HOLSTEIN Fits: 2.2L L4 | 2IGC0058 | 🇺🇸 US | View on Amazon | |
| SKP Fits: 2.2L L4 | SKUC15T | 🇺🇸 US | Coil Pack | View on Amazon |
| SKP Fits: 2.2L L4 Turbocharged | SKUF7 | 🇺🇸 US | Coil Pack | View on Amazon |
| SPECTRA PREMIUM Fits: 2.2L L4 | C622 | 🇺🇸 US | Pack | View on Amazon |
Standard Replacement
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Popular Fits: 2.2L L4 | UC15 | 🇺🇸 US | View on Amazon | |
| STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Popular Fits: 2.2L L4 Turbocharged | UF7 | 🇺🇸 US | Internal Resistor Coil | View on Amazon |
| STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Fits: 2.2L L4 Turbocharged | UF6 | 🇺🇸 US | with External Resistor | View on Amazon |
| UNITED MOTOR PRODUCTS Fits: 2.2L L4 | C15 | 🇺🇸 US | View on Amazon | |
| UNITED MOTOR PRODUCTS Fits: 2.2L L4 Turbocharged | C7 | 🇺🇸 US | Internal Resistor Coil | View on Amazon |
| WALKER PRODUCTS Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 9201041 | 🇺🇸 US | Single Coil | View on Amazon |
This table covers the coils that fire each spark plug. Typical signs include a misfire that follows one cylinder, a snap in damp weather, or a coil that is swollen or cracked. Swap a suspect coil with a neighbor to confirm, then replace boots that tore on the way off.
12 Ignition Coil parts for the 1981 Lotus Esprit come from 7 brands — STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, SKP, UNITED MOTOR PRODUCTS and 4 other brands. The "Popular" part is STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS UC15T. 1 part fits every engine; the other 11 are engine-specific.
The Economy section lists 6 options from SKP, STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, FVP and 2 other brands — the catalog's value-priced group. STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS UC15T is listed in this group.
In the Standard Replacement grade, STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, UNITED MOTOR PRODUCTS and WALKER PRODUCTS supply 6 parts: built to original-equipment specification. A representative part number is STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS UC15.
Spark Plug
Summary: Notes include pre-set gaps of 0.024", 0.025", 0.032", 0.035", 0.036", 0.040" and 0.041". Both engines share the same gaps. Replacement brands in this table include NGK, CHAMPION and ACDELCO.
Copper / Nickel
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAMPION Popular Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 404 | 🇺🇸 US | Copper PlusPre-Set Gap: 0.035" | View on Amazon |
| NGK Popular Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 7734 | 🇺🇸 US | StandardPart Number: BPR5ES | View on Amazon |
| ACDELCO Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | R42XLS | 🇺🇸 US 🇨🇦 CA | ProfessionalConventional | View on Amazon |
| CHAMPION Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 38 | 🇺🇸 US | Copper PlusPre-Set Gap: 0.032" | View on Amazon |
| CHAMPION Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 4041 | 🇺🇸 US | Copper PlusClassification: Champion Copper Plus | View on Amazon |
| NGK Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 7327 | 🇺🇸 US 🇨🇦 CA | V-Power PlugPre-Set Gap: 0.036" | View on Amazon |
| NGK Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 1233 | 🇺🇸 US | V-PowerPre-Set Gap: 0.032" | View on Amazon |
| NGK Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 4006 | 🇺🇸 US | StandardPart Number: BPR5ES Solid | View on Amazon |
Double Platinum (lasts up to 3x longer than Copper / Nickel)
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACDELCO Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 41804 | 🇺🇸 US 🇨🇦 CA | ProfessionalDouble Platinum | View on Amazon |
| CHAMPION Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 7322 | 🇺🇸 US | Double Platinum PowerPre-Set Gap: 0.032" | View on Amazon |
Iridium (lasts up to 4x longer than Copper / Nickel)
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUTOLITE Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | XP63 | 🇺🇸 US | Iridium XPDisplay Pack | View on Amazon |
| NGK Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 6597 | 🇺🇸 US | Iridium IXPre-Set Gap: 0.032" | View on Amazon |
| NGK Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 95525 | 🇺🇸 US | Iridium IX | View on Amazon |
| SKP Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | SP1041 | 🇺🇸 US | Tapered Ground Electrode with Platinum Chip | View on Amazon |
Platinum (lasts up to 2x longer than Copper / Nickel)
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAMPION Popular Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 3405 | 🇺🇸 US | Platinum PowerPlug Type: RN14PMC | View on Amazon |
| NGK Popular Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 7082 | 🇺🇸 US | G-PowerPre-Set Gap: 0.040" | View on Amazon |
| ACDELCO Fits: all 1981 Esprit engines | 4 | 🇺🇸 US 🇨🇦 CA | ProfessionalRapidfire | View on Amazon |
This table covers the spark plugs for this engine. Typical signs include misfire under load, rough idle, or a flashing check-engine light. Verify the gap even on pre-gapped plugs, and replace coil boots that come off a high-mileage engine.
17 Spark Plug parts are listed for the 1981 Lotus Esprit, from NGK, CHAMPION, ACDELCO and 2 other brands. CHAMPION 404 carries the "Popular" badge. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1981 Esprit.
In the Copper / Nickel grade, NGK, CHAMPION and ACDELCO supply 8 parts: grouped under the catalog's "Copper / Nickel" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. A representative part number is CHAMPION 404.
In the Double Platinum (lasts up to 3x longer than Copper / Nickel) grade, ACDELCO and CHAMPION supply 2 parts: grouped under the catalog's "Double Platinum (lasts up to 3x longer than Copper / Nickel)" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. A representative part number is ACDELCO 41804.
The Iridium (lasts up to 4x longer than Copper / Nickel) section lists 4 options from NGK, AUTOLITE and SKP — grouped under the catalog's "Iridium (lasts up to 4x longer than Copper / Nickel)" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. AUTOLITE XP63 is listed in this group.
In the Platinum (lasts up to 2x longer than Copper / Nickel) grade, CHAMPION, NGK and ACDELCO supply 3 parts: grouped under the catalog's "Platinum (lasts up to 2x longer than Copper / Nickel)" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. A representative part number is CHAMPION 3405.
Buying Ignition Parts for a 1981 Lotus Esprit
On this vehicle, the ignition system delivers spark at the right moment — plugs, coils, wires, distributors and ignition modules.
- Match the engine first. Some ignition parts fit every engine; others are engine-specific. Each row shows which engine(s) it fits.
- Read the notes on each row for position, trim and spec qualifiers before you order.
- Where labor overlaps, replace plugs and wires (or coil boots) as a set — one weak cylinder makes the whole set feel bad.
- Cross-reference the manufacturer part number against your old part or a service-manual listing.
Start with the largest groups on this page: Spark Plug and Ignition Coil .
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ignition parts fit the 1981 Lotus Esprit?
Our catalog currently lists 29 ignition parts for the 1981 Lotus Esprit across 2 subcategories and 11 brands, covering both the 2.2L L4 and the 2.2L L4 Turbocharged. Each part is matched to the engine(s) it fits.
Do ignition parts differ between 1981 Lotus Esprit engines?
Some do. 18 parts fit every engine; the other 11 are engine-specific. Each row (and the filter at the top) shows which. If you're unsure which engine you have, check the emissions label under the hood or the 8th character of your VIN.
What are the signs of ignition problems on a 1981 Lotus Esprit?
Common symptoms include misfires under load, rough idle, flashing check-engine light, or poor starting in damp weather. If you notice any of these, identify the affected subcategory above and cross-reference the part numbers listed.
What spark-plug gap is listed for the 1981 Lotus Esprit?
Notes on this page include pre-set gaps of 0.024", 0.025", 0.032", 0.035", 0.036", 0.040" and 0.041". Still verify against spec — even “pre-gapped” plugs should be checked before they go in.
What should I replace at the same time?
Where labor overlaps, replace plugs and wires (or coil boots) as a set — one weak cylinder makes the whole set feel bad.
What do the market flags (US, CA, MX) on each part mean?
They show the market for which the manufacturer published application data for that part — where the vehicle was first sold, not where the part was made. If your 1981 Lotus Esprit was originally sold in the US, the safest choice is a part marked for the US market.
How do I make sure a part fits my 1981 Lotus Esprit?
First match the engine — each row shows which engine(s) the part fits. Then gap matters even on “pre-gapped” plugs — verify against spec, and replace coil boots when they come off a high-mileage engine. The notes column carries position and trim qualifiers where they apply.
Other Parts for the 1981 Lotus Esprit
Ignition Parts for Other Lotus Esprit Years
Switch vehicle or jump to a subcategory
Manufacturer names, model designations and part numbers are used for identification and fitment reference only. AutoFactsDB is an independent catalog and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any vehicle manufacturer displayed on this page.