maschinenbau said:If you're in the Atlanta area, I welcome any and all help this spring to get it to the Challenge.
maschinenbau said:If you're in the Atlanta area, I welcome any and all help this spring to get it to the Challenge.
With only 2 months to go, I really need to finalize one major decision - tires.
Front tire selection is the most restrictive, since the wheels are 13x5.5. I believe a 185/60R13 will fit well, though a 205/60R13 might be able to pinch on. Tire Rack has basically two options in 185 R13: Toyo Proxes R888R and Hoosier R7. From all the research I've done, the R888R is a dinosaur compared to modern 200TW's performance, and not as streetable. The Yoko Advan A052 does actually come in 185/60R13, but only in Europe. I can buy those from a UK supplier, which Robbie has proved out for me. For this car, I would greatly prefer a 200TW so I can buy once cry once, able to drive on the street, and compete in the Narrow-Street-Tire-whatever-they're-calling-it class at the Challenge. Downside of the 13" A052 shipped from Europ is cost.
Rear has more options. I have the option of 15x7 or 15x8. I'd prefer 15x7 for body fitment and weight. If I want to match the front tires, I can get the A052 in 205/50R15 or 225/50R15. Either one should fit on a 15x7, but the 205's are almost an inch shorter, which is ideal for body fitment and aesthetics. If I go with R888R, I could get 225/45 which is an ideal size because it maximizes tread width but has a shorter height.
In sum, I think my best options are:
1. A052 in 185/60R13 front and 205/50R15 rear
2. R888R in 185/60R13 front and 225/45R15 rear
3. Mixed tires front vs rear - including other options for 225/45R15 like RT600, Rival, etc.
Can you find an Irish supplier for the 13" A052s? My experience ordering parts from across the pond has been that Ireland ships faster and cheaper than most.
In reply to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :
I had a great experience buying my 13" a052s from the UK last year, though I admit I don't know exactly where the company was based.
Pretty sure I already sent the info along to maschinenbau but I can dig it up again if needed.
Nankang makes the AR-1 in both 185/60R13 and 205/60R13, both are in stock at PMCtire in Quebec as another option (better than the R888R, not as good as the Yokohama's).
Edit: They have the 225/45R15 as well in stock
In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :
Yep, I have a cart ready to order from Darkside Developments like you did last year.
Not sure the 205s will fit without rubbing...some say they will some say they won't...
however....fiberglass is easy to cut
I have a stock 1970 Europa. I believe it was imported into Canada since it is the low nose version. The top of the front tire is up into the wheel arch. I use 205/60 13 tires. They do rub in two places. The top of the arch and the rear of the wheel well. The rubbing at the top of the arch goes away fairly quickly leaving slight damage to the arch that is only visible on close inspection. For the rear I had to cut a hole and repair it with an aluminum box that provided about 1/2" additional clearance. Not really visible unless you know to look for it.
Currently under restoration but I hope to run 205/60 13's when done.
Ron
You're going to have enough power to want the 225s, but IIRC GTN class caps at 215.
The insight was very tail happy on 205s square.
In reply to bumpsteer :
IIRC, the Insight also won the autocross quite handily in 2017. Was that also on 205's? Not that I am gunning for an overall win in this Lotus, but in true Lotus fashion this might be a case of "less is more". I think I'll go with the A052's in 185 front 205 rear.
Less weight might be more, but less traction is less.
225s if you can.
What about Street TDS or whatever Hoosier is calling them now? They're not slicks but they are Hoosiers and you can get them slightly used from John Berget. He's always got inventory in 13s. They'd also look the part on the Lotus.
I think they're made in both 13 and 15s...
Edit: just re-read and saw your comment about preferring 200TW. They are treaded though so you'd probably be able to street drive it without a second look.
In reply to maschinenbau :
It won on 225s.
Here's the A052 "small" set. 185's in stock ready to ship from UK. 205's in stock at Tire Rack.
Here is A052 "big" set. 205R13 are also availble from the UK supplier, and can theortically be pinched onto my 13x5.5's. The 225/50's are out of stock, but should resupply at end of April.
For comparison, these are the current roller sizes, which are on junky 13x4.5 and 15x6, which can be seen on previous pages of this thread.
Just read the entire thread today. Amazing!
Your hood clearance issue with the intake made me think of this:
In reply to DWNSHFT :
That's a great idea! I'm excited to start glassing soon.
After sitting on it for a while, I've decided to go with the Toyo R888R's. The sizing is better for my needs and the price is several hundred dollars less vs the A052's. They're not the fastest or most streetable tire in the world, but they will be more than good enough. Good enough meaning: compete at the Challenge without intending to win, drive around to local car shows, and casual fairweather autocross/track.
And finally, I'm back at it. The state of the Lotus Europa is as follows. Driving: barely. Engine: running. Alternator pulley noise: loud. Wiring: mostly organized. Computers and fuse blocks: loose. Lights: inop. Seat: singular and uncushioned. Steering: ready. Brakes: technically function. Ride height: lower than an ant's ass. Tires: delivered. Registered for Challenge: yes.
Let's do this.
First up is the steering column mount. It mounts to the plywood dashboard using a 1-1/4" exhaust clamp and scrap piece of aluminum angle. Basically the material properties get progressively weaker as you go from steering column to chassis. But it's at least as good as the original Lotus setup.
Gas pedal. I have to use the Toyota electronic pedal so I needed a bracket to hang it down from above. None of the fiberglass up here is stiff enough to mount to, so I had to span the trunk space with a piece of tubing and weld a mounting flange to it. I may lighten it up with some holes but it works for now.
I am planning to cut a sheet of Lexan for the windshield, so I started a template.
Tires are here, so before mounting them I picked out the two best wheels from the set of vintage period-correct aftermarket alloys and cleaned them up. If you recall, these came with the car and are a whole 1" wider than the stock wheels, measuring in at 13" by a whopping 5-1/2" width. I may end up painting them so they match the rear wheels, which are 15x7's from a Jeep Wrangler.
And speaking of tires...
7 weeks to go!
In reply to maschinenbau :
Yes!!!!
Aww yeah super excited to see this thing running around.
Is this going to be at the FIRM?
nocones said:Is this going to be at the FIRM?
Probably not. It will be sketchy enough drag racing this pile without roll or side protection.
Anxious to see this thing going!
el camino hauling lotus bits. so much win!
I am a fan of the wheel and tire package, even though they are mismatched. I just love meaty sidewalls.
The fender flare goal has been set: 1 beer can of width required. The long end of the can...
Paul's ancient texts are still inscribed on the body. Or was it aliens?
As a surprise, these original headlight bulbs still work. So there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it is made by Lucas.
In reply to maschinenbau :
I don't even remember what the hell I was writing all over the car. Most likely stuff that never mattered.
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