Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: kallericcar on Monday,March 11, 2019, 08:53:08 AM

Title: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: kallericcar on Monday,March 11, 2019, 08:53:08 AM
Finally situated in my new garage and getting back to the Europa project.  Got the new Spyder rear wishbones and a custom rear cross member “kit” for the NG.
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: BDA on Monday,March 11, 2019, 11:48:36 AM
I've seen your videos and seen some of your pictures and was wondering how your project was going since I hadn't seen anything in a while. Glad to see you're ready to get back to it. Don't be shy about posting pictures!
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: tedtaylor on Monday,March 11, 2019, 12:15:58 PM
What is holding that  Europa body up in the air like that?????  I see nothing, but what appears to be a light metal "clothes rack"???
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: 4129R on Monday,March 11, 2019, 12:26:24 PM
A bare bodyshell is very light.

I doubt it weighs more than 60kg = 130lbs.
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: kallericcar on Monday,March 11, 2019, 01:29:08 PM
Ha!  I made those stands from thick wall tubing with welded elbows and bases.  I could probably put the completed car/chassis/engine on there.

That is not a bare shell- weighs much more than 130lbs.

Karl
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: kallericcar on Monday,March 11, 2019, 01:43:19 PM
Photos?  It’s been a year since we bought the house with the “dream” garage.  I have done some work on the Europa and collected a bunch more parts- extra NG 5 speed, cable shifter, aluminum radiators (2), etc...

I’ve also been building the bulletproof 550hp Zetec turbo with H beam rods, forged pistons, ARP, etc. The motor in the chassis is just for fitting and mock up.
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: Certified Lotus on Monday,March 11, 2019, 03:49:01 PM
550 HP? I’m assuming your welding all kinds of plates onto the chassis to prevent torque warping and are building the transaxle and axle shafts to withstand that kind of torque.......

Looks like a cool project! Will be following with great interest.
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: kallericcar on Monday,March 11, 2019, 04:40:49 PM
Oh yeah, adding plates, tubing, and gussets to the Spyder chassis.  Using the NG for now, but looking at Subaru or Audi transaxles for phase 2.  I can turn down the boost until I get it dialed in.  Of course, a Europa is pretty fast with 200hp, but this is my last Europa build and doing everything I always wanted.
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: Clifton on Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 05:31:47 AM
I'm looking forward to more pics too.  For what it's worth, I built mine with a turbo but I made a bypass on the flange to get it running to try it out. I finally drove it around last weekend normally aspirated at 280 whp /225 wtq. It is stupid fast. My plan was 400 hp with low boost, I can't imagine having 550. You will have a missile.

What are you doing for ECU and fuel tank/pumps and brakes?
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: kallericcar on Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 06:50:34 AM
Clifton,
Your car sounds awesome.  Congrats on getting it going!  I have dual aluminum tanks and dual Bosch 044 external pumps with surge tank.  I have not finalized my FI/induction yet.  I have a Rover intake with adapter plate, but looking at custom inlet/plenum. Also have 2 fan cooled intercoolers.  What intake are you using?
Title: Re: 4474R Spyder/Zetec Project
Post by: Clifton on Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 12:47:44 PM

Good idea on the fans. On my intercooler, I mounted two small Spals with a shroud and a radiator temp switch. Probably over kill with two though.

Intake? I'm not running a Zetec, it's a Toyota 3.5l V6. For what it's worth. I had a custom short runner EFI manifold on a Turboed Z (21 psi) . On the dyno, it bumped peak power up almost 800 RPM and carried the torque and HP out a little further.  You may already know but if you are building a custom one there are online calculators that will give you your ideal runner length for rpms, ect. It would be easiest to keep your lower and make a plenum to bolt to that.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your car.