wtb: lotus trans/parts

[ryanash]

Greetings Europa community! im based out of socal and i am having a lot of trouble finding transmission parts (specifically synchros) for my car i've contacted several local shops who all agreed these parts are impossible to find and many  referred me to the same shop (Dave Bean Engineering) who also didnt have the parts i need if anyone has any ideas or recommendations id love to hear from you
-Ryan

[BDA]

First  ryanash!! Don't be a stranger!

I understand that some parts for the 365 are all but unavailable so I would guess that's the one you're worried about. In any case, there are two places:

Alpine America (http://www.alpine-america.qc.ca/). They are in Canada. You'll be talking with Michel and he has a very heavy French accent so if you know French or you know someone who does, that would be useful. Michel knows about Lotus so he'll know what you're talking about.

Meca Parts (http://www.mecaparts.com/index.php). They are in France and likely have a more direct line to Renault.

If none of those pan out, you can consider replacing your tranny with an NG3 tranny. It's newer and much more common than the 365 but it requires different linkage and your speedo will likely be wildly inaccurate. I installed mine with the body off but I would guess that you can do it with the body on. Richard at Banks (or Europa Engineering - http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/index.php can sell you what you need and give you technical advice. Recently, there's been some confusion around him and his parts business. He sold it to another company so he could concentrate on building cars, building new parts, and new development but apparently the deal fell through so it may take a little while to get the parts business back up and running.

Depending on how handy you or your friends are, you can get your own NG3 and install it. There are mods that have to be done before you can put use the tranny in your car. They are described here (http://www.greytower.com/jon/lotus/europa/gearbox/gearbox.html). Some guys are making a cable shifter setup. There are instructions on how to do that here (http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/files/Shifter.PDF).

Besides the guys on this forum and the guys on the Yahoo lotuseuropa email list, there is A LOT of great information about this and many other topics here (http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/).

Good luck and keep us up to date!

[Runningwild]

Michel at Alpine America is on vacation for the winter. He will be back in may. He does answer emails but not on vacation.     

[jbcollier]

Meca has them listed but you need to cross them using Renault part numbers.  Use the R17 parts manual here:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/index.htm

to find the Renault part numbers.  5th gear on a Lotus was made by Hewland so you will have to do a little research on which synchro to use.

[Chuck Nukem]

Try Sportscar world in Dallas (972) 620-7285

[BDA]

Is Sports Car World still in business? I haven't tried to contact them but the last I heard they were selling stuff on eBay. I figured they were just getting rid of stock in preparation of closing. I remember they used to be a good source for very hard to find parts. If they are still act, it would be good to add another parts supplier.

[Certified Lotus]

I buy Lotus parts from a Derek at SPorts Car World all the time. They have parts you can’t find anywhere else. Example? Gaskets for a 352 Transaxle.

[BDA]

That's good to know. Does he have a website? Or does he just do phone orders?

[Certified Lotus]

Call him first and then it can all be done by email. They don’t have a parts website.