Thinking about Scootz advert for the Lotus Europa got me thinking. I've always really liked the Banks cars, but cost is prohibitive.

I guess the original 1.5 Renault engine isn't going to give much in they way of outright power without serious cash being thrown at it.

I know a lot of the Banks cars use a 2.0 VX Redtop or more recently Zetecs, but I guess the original Renault gearbox is going to struggle to cope with that sort of power output.



What other longtidudinal engine / gearbox options might work? Audi V6?

Alternatively how much work would it be to convert to a transverse engine / gearbox? Duratec / Zetec + MTX75 straight out of a Focus / Mundayo?

Looking at the photo above, the chassis does look typically Lotus (less is more). If you were to remove the rear gearbox mount, beef it up at the back, then remove the brace between the shockers / V bit you'd have a big (floppy) open space to play with. Once the engine / gearbox of choice was installed, weld some bracing back in?

Cheers

Mike

an old aircooled beetle engine would fit in there quite nicely

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
an old aircooled beetle engine would fit in there quite nicely

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
an old aircooled beetle engine would fit in there quite nicely

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Renault transaxle should be fine.

Could always have a look on racecarsdirect for a second hand hewland - not cheap by any means though!

Banks have recently done a version of the europa using Smart Roadster running gear, and you can convert them to BEC, so it would be reasonable to assume you can run a banks europa as a BEC.

My mate had a tuned Essex in his grasser running through a Renault box, never had any trouble.

If the renault box is an UN-1, you have plenty of margin. Tornado uses them in GT40 replica's, even without modification's you can push 250hp through it without trouble.

Dont Banks do a conversion to fit the Red top engine/gear box across (East/West). I have seen an Europa racing at Anglesea with that convigeration.
Mike

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Originally posted by grazzledazzle
Renault transaxle should be fine.

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Originally posted by StevieB
Banks have recently done a version of the europa using Smart Roadster running gear, and you can convert them to BEC, so it would be reasonable to assume you can run a banks europa as a BEC.

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Originally posted by gazza285
My mate had a tuned Essex in his grasser running through a Renault box, never had any trouble.

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Originally posted by bram boekestein
If the renault box is an UN-1, you have plenty of margin. Tornado uses them in GT40 replica's, even without modification's you can push 250hp through it without trouble.

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If you use a v6 audi, you can use the stock transaxle as long as it isn't a quattro box and not a transverse box, all the rest of the audi's have the right transaxle.

If you just want to use a audi transaxle then look for:
016 transaxle from audi 100/5000 1982/1987
012 transaxle al kinds of audi's 80, a4, a3

These are capable of 350hp, 016 can be strengthened with a bearing plate.

01e, 01x and 0A2 boxes are even stronger.

Just to show how old I am, I drove a GS Europa fitted with a race prepared Cosworth BDA back in 1974/75 ish. A really impressive car at the time but these days one has to remember that it "only" produced 165bhp at the time. So a reasonable Zetec or redtop wouldn't be far off the mark nowadays. Felt really sorry for the guy as when we got back to the garage the trail of oil exposed a broken oil line - good job we hadn't gone a few miles further as it would have cost a fortune at the time.

Regards

Old Lotus Fan

how about a 1.8T lump out of a passat / A4...

Do a quick internet search, you will find a guy who has transplanted an S type 3.0 duratec into an esprit with good results. Can't remember what transaxle he used though, but there is quite a detailed blog of it.

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Originally posted by grazzledazzle
Do a quick internet search, you will find a guy who has transplanted an S type 3.0 duratec into an esprit with good results. Can't remember what transaxle he used though, but there is quite a detailed blog of it.

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Thread of the Year (cos I'm pondering this one too!).

I was going to use the supercharged blackbird engine that I have for sale coupled to the Powertec / Quaife unit from my Radical (with reverse!). 2 problems though:

1. The chassis does not lend itself to a transverse installation.

2. The Quaife unit is too long, so the halfshafts would be in no-mans land.

Oh, and 3. The chap who wants the rolling Radical chassis I had for sale would prefer the Quaife unit to be included.

Soooo... what to do!?

Re-con the original running gear and keep it old skool? There is some appeal to that, but I'd need to make sure I had AA cover for that inevitable break-down (or 5).

Probably the most cost-effective option. The interior would also look nice as 'period' with a set of fresh Smiths guages, re-trimmed seats, etc.

Only problem is I had a vision of a modern cockpit with CF seats and fancy gauges. Wouldn't really sit well with a 'period car' engine (I think!). And yes - I already have the fancy gauges... don't want another of my now legendary loss-leader sales. Have spunked out a fortune on them... probably wouldn't make enough from their sale to get the necessary Smith's!

I guess another option would be an Audi in-line 4 with 01X box... not sure what the length would be like in relation to the halfshaft???

When you look at the original Renault engine / box, they're both really quite small!

My back damage will ultimately dictate what I do... can't do any heavy work, so my days of lugging engines all over the place are firmly in the past!

Not joined any Europa forums, so still not sure of all my options... does a Zetec mate to the Renault box easily... what power can the Renault box deal with... ???

Think I need to give Banks a call!

The renault requires a bellhousing, just like an mt75. You could put an adapterplate between a zetec bellhousing and the un-1, one thing to think of if using the un-1 is that the bellhousing forms the front of the transaxle(crazy french), if you take the bellhousing of you can look at the diff, so you have to make provisions for inputshaft seal and possible bearing.

Adapting a audi or porsche box would be easier.

Here is pdf with all important dimensions from all kinds of usuable transaxles, like bellhousing to driveshafts and overall length:
Transaxle comparison

And dimensions from a un-1:








[Edited on 29/7/09 by bram boekestein]

Just had a brief chat with Richard from Banks Europa... he raised an interesting point - his thoughts were to keep the older car (currently for sale) if I wanted to complete a more outlandish conversion as comprehensive chassis mods would be required for big BHP, so I'd be stripping it right back anyway!

So, it's decision time - keep the fresher one and restore sympathetically, or keep the older car and create a monster!

I know which has the greater appeal (monster monster MONSTER!). But am I physically capable - honestly? Absolutely not! Do I have the talent - honestly? Probably... not!

Heart / Head... Head / Heart!?

I really cant help thinking a bike engine in a Europa isnt a good idea. How much do the std cars weigh? I have it in my head that bike engines are at their durability limits in a 600 - 700kg vehicle. I could be wrong though.

Wasnt the silver Europa in the for sale ad the one that had a magazine feature poss 2 years ago with a big V8 in it? That car is a true inspiration. Big car engine has to be the way forward. The idea of modern power and durability with period looks appeals to me. interior stripped out Ultima stylee would look great (semi road / race look).

If the car was mint i wouldnt contemplate any mods though. As Banks says, more suited to a car that needs major work anyway.

300bhp v8 from an audi a8

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Originally posted by scootz
monster monster MONSTER!).

Heart / Head... Head / Heart!?

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The other car is just a few days work for an MOT.

Untidy, but a go-er!