Ross' Lotus Europa

[Ross Nicol]

Ok so what am I doing at the track in my Lotus Europa and not Gt40.
Well firstly it is a Lotus club track day and 2nd, they only allow noise levels at 75db. Pretty hard for the GT40 to keep the noise down to that level. So here is my rational. The Europa has the same driveline layout as the 40 and I'm hoping to be able to use it as a guide for driving the 40 better. The handling is a bit too sloppy at the moment but I can feel similarities in the handling of the 2 cars. I forced the cable shifter a bit too hard on Saturday and broke it, but luckily was able to repair. Lap times are 20 secs slower than the 40 but am hoping to get Europa down by another 10 secs.I'll pass on more
info as I improve the handling.
Ross

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Nice toy Ross, have you done anything to the engine?

 

[Ross Nicol]

Yes Pete, threw it away and replaced it with a Toyota twin cam fuel injected
screamer.
Ross

 

[Ron Earp]

That was the proper answer!! I've owned a couple of Loti and after prepping this 907 up for racing my wallet is thinner, and it still could go bang. Not so on a Toyota!

Ron

 

[Ken Mason]

Didn't the original Europa have a Renault engine? It was only later they dropped in the Lotus Ford twin cam and dropped the two side fins down a bit... But my memory is vague!!!

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Yes Pete, threw it away and replaced it with a Toyota twin cam fuel injected
screamer.
Ross

SWEEEEEEEET. Got any pics?

 

[Ross Nicol]

Pics as requested

 

[Ross Nicol]

Sorry Ken forgot to answer your question.You are right early Europas had an 80hp Renault motor (wow) and later cars had the twin cam.This car of mine had the Renault and it was blown and in pieces. I decided it was a better boat anchor so in went the Toyota which has 165hp and revs to the sky.
Ross

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Pics as requested

Thanks Ross, I bet that is a weapon.

 

[Dalton Veitch]

Ross

Just noticed your Europa posting and pics. Fantastic. But surprising, as Chapman's philosophy of low power and light weight is a bit at the opposite end of the spectrum from the solidity and brute power of GT40's. However, I see you've redressed this to some extent by upping the power and reliability with the Toy engine.

The late Chapman is quoted as saying "If it doesn't break, it's over designed".

Cheers and hope you went well,

Dalton

 

[Dave Lindemann]

Ross -
Great to see you you getting the Lotus out on the track. I'm still working on the 4AGE-20V transplant in my '73 TCS. It'll never compare with the power of a 40 but it should be a hoot in its own right. I think ACBC would approve.
Dave Lindemann
1977 Lotus Esprit S1
1973 Lotus Europa TCS (4AGE 20V / NG-3 conversion)

 

[The Dutch(Jos Vervoorn)]

Nice, very nice lotus.

Here some shots of a Lotus Europa taken at a 'classic' race in holland...

If you want these in HiRes (6mp) sent me a note so i can sent these to you by email !

 

Ross, Have you done anything to the rear stub axles? I raced a Europa for nine years in the '70'S and had big problems with the rear stub axles.. They woud loosen up and give me some pretty violent over-steer! The stub axles, hub, and lock washer would only last for one race weekend, so I did the machining and put in Chevy Corvair stub axles. With the HP of thatToyota engine, I surprised the trans- axle doesn't blow! Back then racing in SCCA, you couldn't change the engine. There is a Forum member that owns a Type 47 with some interesting history; Ben L. If reading this post Ben, fill us in.....

 

[Ross Nicol]

Dalton- I do love the contrast between the GT40 (the Brute) and Lotus Europa (light weight lady).

Dave L- how is the progress on your Europa? I have some suspension work to do on mine. These cars are a work in progress as you probably know owning more than one Lotus.

Jos- nice to make your aquaintance, I'll pass on the photos as I have a lot already, thanks for the offer.

FRP guy- I've replaced the stub axles with BMW units 2002 model. Also disc brakes on the rear. I was only taking the revs to 7000 on the track day but have found out the Toyota makes power right up to 7800 and redline is at 8200. I'll have to get a rev counter that goes up that high. I hope the transaxle input shaft can handle these revs. I don't think the Toyota motor has enough torque to be a problem.
Ross

 

[rick]

hi ross, nice to see more people race there europa's I am building a banks 62 europa (poor man's gt40) 210hp 7800 red line hope it will fly too one day, did my own chassis and suspention (more like a gt40 at the rear) ng3 box and esprit bearings/brakes

 

[Ross Nicol]

Hi Rick
I love the look of those Banks 62 cars, on a par with the GT40 I reckon.
Love to see photos of yours. I've got 2 NG3 boxes I pulled out of Renault Fuego cars at the wreckers one weekend. Options for the future in case the 336 box expires on me.
Ross

 

[Dave Lindemann]

Ross - Yes, Lotus cars are definitely a work in progress - but that's half the fun! I've decided to keep my Esprit and am working on a new radiator duct and adding AC over the winter months. The Europa is progressing slowly - still waiting for engine and transaxle mounts and cable shifter from Mr. Pels. Found a NEW NG3 in the UK, alloy fuel tanks (used), custom CV's, 4 wheel Wilwoods.....it'll look like a Europa when completed but hopefully will be faster, brake shorter and run more reliably - that's the plan any way!

My GT40 dream has not been lost. With my decision to keep my Lotus cars it will just take me longer to save the $$, but it will happen.

Dave L

 

[rick]

hi ross in 1,5 weeks I 'll be back in holland (still in the uk) I'll sent some pic's

 

[rick]

uk was wet and windy so I'm back early.epper:
hub's, arm's, chassis, all an diy job
hope you like the pic's
greetings rick

 

[Ross Nicol]

Hi Rick
I'm not sold on the square headlights yet, they will grow on me, but the rear end is superb looking.The chassis is great too and how long is that lower trailing arm. I did help a guy over here who had painted his green, had a v6
Vauxhall motor in it with a strange aftermarket computer I tried to help him get going but wasn't very user friendly.I think he probably replaced it with a Motec computer as Motec is based here in Melbourne. In fact I was at a meeting with the CEO of Motec last night.
Keep up the good work.Now shouldn't that car be orange Rick?
Ross