So this is finally getting close to complete. I had a Toyota 4AGE in the car originally but I kept destroying second gear on the stock Renault transaxle. Swapped in a VW 1.8T complete with transaxle from a 2003 Passat. This is our first try at using a Megasquirt system. Got it running this past weekend. Here's a link to the video evidence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QANrjTB_D1A
You can tell I'm getting serious when I put down my beer.
In reply to Wayslow :
That's cool. I'd like more details on the build.
Stampie said:In reply to Wayslow :
That's cool. I'd like more details on the build.
Yep !
*tapsfootfordata*
In reply to Wayslow :
Awesome!
Stampie said:In reply to Wayslow :
That's cool. I'd like more details on the build.
Me too.
Some updated pictures. The car is as finished as any old Lotus gets. Runs, drives, stops and turns. Alignment is complete. Should be back on the track next weekend.
Other than the swapped drivetrain modifications include a custom built inboard rocker arm suspension that allows for easier adjustment in the field. It utilizes four rear coilover shocks from a Yamaha R6 bike, actually four bikes.
The front brakes feature stock rotors with Willwood 4 pot calipers. I converted the rear brakes to disc using the front rotors from a 1987 Honda Civic and the rear calipers from a NA Miata. It also has dual Willwood master cylinders.
The suspension geometry remains stock but we did have to build an upper control arm for the rear suspension as the original Europa used the rear driveshafts as control arms.
The interior is gutted.
I'm using Shadow Dash on an inexpensive Amazon Fire tablet as my dashboard. This is connected to the Megasquirt ecm via bluetooth and seems to work well with very little latency.
Oh my, that is beautiful. It must run like a scalded cat.
In reply to Wayslow :
Wow, I saw your post in the Europa group, but didn't realize it was yours. It turned out beyond beautiful!
A dream car for me! So pretty! Very cool build!
Excellent work!!
I really need to pick up a couple of GRM stickers for it
Awesome job! I hope mine turns out even a fraction as nice. I watched the videos on the FB group and the turbo sounds great thru the side dump exhaust.
Are you using the stock rear hubs with the disc setup, or did you fabricate something that fits in the stock trailing arm?
I wish there were more options for replica Revolution 4 spoke wheels - they're perfect for these cars.
Love it
In reply to Brotus7 :
I utilized the stock rear hubs for now although we did machine them to accept a more common size bearing. The possibility of having to custom fabricate rear hubs isn't far from my mind but we'll see how they hold up.
They're actually vintage Revolution rims. Both the front and rear hubs have been machined to 4x100. It's nice having a shop with a milling machine and a retired tool and die maker as a friend.
I love the Europa content on GRM.
I took the Europa to my first autoslalom in many years. I was slow as hell but the purpose, of being there, was to give the car a shakedown run and see what broke. As it turns out nothing broke but we have a short list of work to do before the next event. All things considered it was a great day.
Here's a link to a little video my buddy put together.
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