Author Topic: Restoration of 2358R  (Read 170795 times)

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Offline andy harwood

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #225 on: Monday,January 16, 2017, 05:40:18 AM »

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #226 on: Monday,January 16, 2017, 05:59:33 AM »
For rpm in top gear see this thread:

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1422.msg12697#msg12697

Specifically:

-----------------
For the sake of comparison,  if you were cruising along at 4000 rpm in 4th with a 336 or 352,  then the equivalent road-speed with the various 5-speeds would require these rpms:

Rpm .... overall ratio
4000 @ 3.663:1 = 336 & 352 in 4th
3771 @ 3.454:1 = 395-00 in 5th (it's a close ratio 5-speed, not a over-drive 'cruiser')
3591 @ 3.289:1 = 365-07  (stock Europa Twin Cam Special)
3552 @ 3.253:1 = 395-11,  -04 thru -09,  -12,  -21,  and NG3-025
3233 @ 2.961:1 = NG3-064 (but it has a very low 1st gear and poor intermediate spacing).

Note that in 5th, there's negligible difference between the Europa's 365 5-speed, and the 395-11 or -21.

Regards,
Tim Engel
-----------------

The problem with almost all of the NG series of transaxles is that they have a very low first gear.  Remember that the 336/352 have a 3.56 diff while the rest have a 3.78.  The NG series combine a lower first with a lower final drive.  1st ends up topping out well under 50 kph!  In addition, 5th gear drops 500 rpm at the most off that of a 336/352.  The one 5th gear that really does the trick, the 0.78, is not easily found and is still paired with a too low first.

I'm not saying that changing to a 5 speed is a bad idea, just that, as with any modification, there are pluses and minuses.

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #227 on: Tuesday,January 17, 2017, 05:31:36 AM »
Thanks everyone for all the input and additional information. I'm now feeling much better about the direction I'm heading in regarding the shifting device and transaxle.

I'm keeping the 352 4 speed transaxle as I will be doing very little highway driving. Plus I have a spare in case I need parts. Good to know the transaxle can handle a bit more power  8)

As I'm in the midst of a fairly compete rebuild I'm not going to tackle a "new project" by trying to develop a shift cable solution for a 352 transaxle. Will be rebuilding the shift tube design with more modern rose joints and sealed bearing/u-joints. The more robust reverse spring is a great modification and will be incorporating it. Thanks!


Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #228 on: Wednesday,January 18, 2017, 12:17:38 PM »
Chassis back from the powder coater.  He turned it around quickly for me  8)  Made a big order with RD Enterprises for all the parts I needed to reassemble and restore. Replacing every bearing and seal as well as all cables and hoses.

Now the real fun begins!


Offline BDA

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #229 on: Wednesday,January 18, 2017, 12:30:29 PM »
The frame looks really good! You're right, the fun begins! Have fun!


 :lotus:

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #230 on: Friday,January 20, 2017, 05:22:52 AM »
Box of parts arrived with four page inventory  ;D




Offline BDA

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #231 on: Friday,January 20, 2017, 06:23:50 AM »
It's Christmas in January!  :pirate:

Offline brucelotus26r

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #232 on: Sunday,January 22, 2017, 09:41:03 AM »
Do you have the front closer plate?

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #233 on: Sunday,January 22, 2017, 11:27:43 AM »
I do. Bought a new one from RD.

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #234 on: Sunday,January 22, 2017, 02:19:01 PM »
TC shift linkage in better shape than what you have:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182430429356

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #235 on: Sunday,January 22, 2017, 04:17:12 PM »
Thanks JB, I saw that. Says he won't ship.

Offline BDA

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #236 on: Sunday,January 22, 2017, 04:20:21 PM »
You might be able to talk him into breaking it down so it can reasonably shipped.

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #237 on: Sunday,January 22, 2017, 04:49:12 PM »
I reached out to him to ask, he is considering.....
« Last Edit: Sunday,January 22, 2017, 04:55:22 PM by Certified Lotus »

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #238 on: Wednesday,January 25, 2017, 01:54:22 PM »
So I contact the person selling the shift tube on eBay, tell him I am very interested in buying it and will pay what ever it costs to ship it. He says he will do it and I am the ONLY person who bid on it. Today I get a PM from him saying someone convinced him to sell the rear part of the shift tube and now he only has the front part.  :blowup:

It's the rear part I really needed but having the entire tube intact was even better........

I just don't get it. Why bother posting on eBay?

Offline BDA

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Re: Restoration of 2358R
« Reply #239 on: Wednesday,January 25, 2017, 02:39:24 PM »
What a dope!