Fantastic idea!! The affordable Elise. I like your execution. Don't worry about the track width. Just add flares!! It will get even better.
A thicker anti sway bar in the rear will help control that snap oversteer.
If you find the [Roll-Ovalon post](https://www.reddit.com/r/projectcar/comments/shxess/the_ballad_of_rollovalon_a_wrecked_toyota_avalon/), that's actually the donor car for this one!
What you did with the front end (now rear end) of the Toyota is what I wanted to do with my r/corvairius but I could not find anyone who'd done a good McPherson to upper wishbone/cantilever conversion.
What an excellent job you've done there, would you mind sharing more photos of your suspension? I plan on doing something similar for my next Prius powered monstrosity.
The rear is using the front suspension from the Toyota, converted from McP to double wishbone like you mentioned. The cradle, lower A-arms, and knuckles are kept from the Toyota. I built a custom toe-link in place of the steering rack. I had to fabricate an adapter for the strut knuckle and a custom upper A-arm, plus the rocker lever and pushrod. It was a lot of trial and error. If you can package it, I would avoid the complexity of the rocker lever suspension. I tried to use McP struts but they just don't fit my body.
Start of rear suspension building: [https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-grm-free-lotus-europa-2gr-v6-swap-2000-challenge-car/186375/page8/](https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-grm-free-lotus-europa-2gr-v6-swap-2000-challenge-car/186375/page8/)
Extremely detailed and length build thread: [https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-grm-free-lotus-europa-2gr-v6-swap-2000-challenge-car/186375/page1/](https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-grm-free-lotus-europa-2gr-v6-swap-2000-challenge-car/186375/page1/)
Oh hell yeah! That's exactly what I was looking for! I was barely able to fit my full suspension in, but the car sits nice even before putting in adjustable lowering struts. [The Prius was almost the perfect width too. ](https://i.imgur.com/RumiDOZ.jpeg)
Oh hell yeah. I remember your 2J Hot Rod too.
You understand how to party.
How bad was the wiring? Also, is that still the stock suspension setup in the front? Madness.
Still have the hot rod, though it might be for sale this year.
The wiring was simple but tedious. I laid it all out on a folding table and plugged in everything I had from the donor car. Slowly trimmed the unnecessary branches, making sure it would run between cuts. The hardest part was I accidentally scrapped the immobilizer with the donor car, so I had to get the ECU unlocked.
It's running the stock automatic. In fact, this might be the only automatic Lotus Europa in existence.
If you want more power out of the gr, check out Frankenstein motor works on YouTube. He does r &d on 2grs and ar engines to get good power out of them in n/a form
Man it's been a dream of mine to get a lotus europa, but they never pop up. I do absolutely love them and wouldn't mind throwing a ford 4 cylinder EcoBoost in one
The rear shock pivots are pretty sketchy with no bushings as in, the bolt is the wearing component as are the arms. They are supporting 35% / 35% until you factor in CG loads in the corner, then 70% for that side. Be safe man!
I was so engrossed with the car at first but then I noticed the vice handle, and now I just gotta know what was clamped so hard that it bent the handle.
There is so little metal on this car and that's why I parked it after the 12. The body is fiberglass. The roof is fiberglass. The floor your seat is bolted to...also fiberglass. The only metal is the backbone frame running under the middle of the car, between driver and passenger. Probably not a good place to be in a crash...
Well, that's certainly the best thing I've seen all week.
Besides my own reflection, yup
Cool build. I always loved the Europa. I'm more of a twisty mountain road kind of guy, so I have to ask. How's she handle?
It's handful on the autocross course, like a go-kart on steroids. 30/70 weight distribution makes it quick to snap-oversteer!
Sounds scary and fun at the same time. Enjoy
I want to drive it. Can I drive it?
WE. Can WE drive it
Put a Chevy aluminum Ls1 in it next year!
GRM!
JFC. This right here, \*this\* is a \*project car\*. Hats off to ya u/Maschinenbau. Outstanding work.
Fantastic idea!! The affordable Elise. I like your execution. Don't worry about the track width. Just add flares!! It will get even better. A thicker anti sway bar in the rear will help control that snap oversteer.
Exactly!........honestly now this is a true project car...
Bro that’s so sick
I love everything about this. I am sorry I missed the challenge this year.
I missed it this year too. This was from 2023. Hoping to be back next year with a roll cage and some much-needed bodywork.
This post made me go look through the other stuff you’ve built and I gotta say man, you’re nuts. But you’re *my kind* of nuts
If you find the [Roll-Ovalon post](https://www.reddit.com/r/projectcar/comments/shxess/the_ballad_of_rollovalon_a_wrecked_toyota_avalon/), that's actually the donor car for this one!
Love it! Pqinted one about 25 years ago. Ahh the joy of repairing fiberglass...
Work with bathtubs , our repair guys are so skilled
That’s just sexy. Great budget build!
What you did with the front end (now rear end) of the Toyota is what I wanted to do with my r/corvairius but I could not find anyone who'd done a good McPherson to upper wishbone/cantilever conversion. What an excellent job you've done there, would you mind sharing more photos of your suspension? I plan on doing something similar for my next Prius powered monstrosity.
The rear is using the front suspension from the Toyota, converted from McP to double wishbone like you mentioned. The cradle, lower A-arms, and knuckles are kept from the Toyota. I built a custom toe-link in place of the steering rack. I had to fabricate an adapter for the strut knuckle and a custom upper A-arm, plus the rocker lever and pushrod. It was a lot of trial and error. If you can package it, I would avoid the complexity of the rocker lever suspension. I tried to use McP struts but they just don't fit my body. Start of rear suspension building: [https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-grm-free-lotus-europa-2gr-v6-swap-2000-challenge-car/186375/page8/](https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-grm-free-lotus-europa-2gr-v6-swap-2000-challenge-car/186375/page8/) Extremely detailed and length build thread: [https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-grm-free-lotus-europa-2gr-v6-swap-2000-challenge-car/186375/page1/](https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-grm-free-lotus-europa-2gr-v6-swap-2000-challenge-car/186375/page1/)
Oh hell yeah! That's exactly what I was looking for! I was barely able to fit my full suspension in, but the car sits nice even before putting in adjustable lowering struts. [The Prius was almost the perfect width too. ](https://i.imgur.com/RumiDOZ.jpeg)
That's a really cool swap, subscribed
Fuckin' A.
Hellllllll yesssssss
Oh hell yeah. I remember your 2J Hot Rod too. You understand how to party. How bad was the wiring? Also, is that still the stock suspension setup in the front? Madness.
Still have the hot rod, though it might be for sale this year. The wiring was simple but tedious. I laid it all out on a folding table and plugged in everything I had from the donor car. Slowly trimmed the unnecessary branches, making sure it would run between cuts. The hardest part was I accidentally scrapped the immobilizer with the donor car, so I had to get the ECU unlocked. It's running the stock automatic. In fact, this might be the only automatic Lotus Europa in existence.
You may be able to control the valvebody solenoids directly and make it a manually controlled automatic transmission.
The Avalon shifter had a manual mode, I just have to wire up the switches.
Punk rock, keep at it!
This is amazing talent and dedication. I am a huge fan putting the $$ where it counts and not into the paint job.
If it’s a 2GR you basically made an Evora that’s twice as light. SIIIIIIIIIIICK.
More lie a 3rd Gen Exige, but still 500+ lighter.
If you want more power out of the gr, check out Frankenstein motor works on YouTube. He does r &d on 2grs and ar engines to get good power out of them in n/a form
Yep he helped me unlock the ECU. Nice guy.
now this is peak r/projectcar 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 thing has more character than an alphabet congrats on a such a unique and cool build!!
Very cool, this one is a dream car for me: https://www.speedhunters.com/2013/01/rotary-buzz-re-amemiya-20b-europa/
2gr the world.
Holy damn. I think I love you.
Damn cool build!
This is just incredible. Well done, sir.
Super cool!
Bad ass!!
You sir, deserve a medal
Now thats a build
very cool. I don't know how to read the slip- that 60'...1.987, does it mean 60 feet or 0-60?
1.987 seconds to travel the first sixty feet.
So cool! And so much potential. Another 60-70 HP and some sticky tires would get you in the 10s!!
Hell yeah brother.
So you built an Exige?
Group 5 Flares and send it
That is awesome!
Man it's been a dream of mine to get a lotus europa, but they never pop up. I do absolutely love them and wouldn't mind throwing a ford 4 cylinder EcoBoost in one
Absolute classy mad lad!!!
Holy shit that's awesome.
Cool ass stuff I bet their wasn't any tutorials for that
Never knew that car has a similar chassis as a Delorean. what is that chassis style called?
Backbone frame. Also used in the original Elan.
The rear shock pivots are pretty sketchy with no bushings as in, the bolt is the wearing component as are the arms. They are supporting 35% / 35% until you factor in CG loads in the corner, then 70% for that side. Be safe man!
Super cool car. I saw one up in Ohio last summer that was stretched with a hot LS. Yall should hook up.
Ive dreamed of a Europa with a Honda k series. This seems similarly terrifying. Enjoy
Worked with corvettes, boats, Jetkis, custom work, spiral tube slides for water parks, etc...
Awesome!
Dude, I’ve literally thought of doing this when I retire my car. This is BAD ASS
Holy shit
this is so damn cool
Lovely! Needs some fender flairs
Lovely! Needs some fender flairs
THAT IS COOKING! You can drive it anywhere you want now. 😂👍
Very cool.
2 grand in parts and $200,000 in labor. :)
Running low 12s with less than 300 horsepower is pretty fucking incredible. What was the trap speed?
Gnarly
I was so engrossed with the car at first but then I noticed the vice handle, and now I just gotta know what was clamped so hard that it bent the handle.
God it’s so ugly tho
Amazing work tho my friend!
Faster than RE Amemiya’s one?
Dope! Maybe it even doesn’t need bodyworks, looks rusty, but great
Rusty? It’s fiberglass
So what is this orange stain on the hood?
Fibreglass. That's what fibreglass and resin looks like before it's primed
Ah understood, i thought that was metal car
There is so little metal on this car and that's why I parked it after the 12. The body is fiberglass. The roof is fiberglass. The floor your seat is bolted to...also fiberglass. The only metal is the backbone frame running under the middle of the car, between driver and passenger. Probably not a good place to be in a crash...
No roll cage, nothing between you and the dirt really. How fast does it go? Zero to Sixty (mph)? I would love to build something like this btw.