Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: jbcollier on Friday,August 26, 2016, 03:44:03 PM

Title: Finally, my first ever, actual ride in a Europa
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,August 26, 2016, 03:44:03 PM

… off we go into the wild blue yonder.  We drive about 25 km to lunch and then another 75 km on our round-about way back home.  A combination of heavy traffic puttering, steady state urban with a generous portion of highway.  It pulls strongly, ever so slightly fluffy at 2.5K rpm and runs a bit warm at lights.  It is also somewhat low geared with 115 kph (72 mph) seeing 4K on the tach in 5th gear.  The fastest we go is 140 kph (87 mph).  It is absolutely solid and true with no vibration or kick back at the wheel.  Lots of looks but not really surprising as there are no door mounted as of yet.  Hopefully the doors will reduce the amount of wind buffeting in the cab at speed  ;-)

We get back and I adjust the rad fan controller which takes care of the warm-at-lights issue.  Next I’ll fit an O2 sensor and adjust the mix a bit leaner, fit the doors and then off we go again!

John

PS: Yes, it was worth the $$$ and wait.

Title: Re: Finally, my first ever, actual ride in a Europa
Post by: BDA on Friday,August 26, 2016, 04:46:31 PM

Excellent!!! It didn't take long for your first terrorism run! She sounds like she'll do nicely!  :beerchug:

 :lotus:

Title: Re: Finally, my first ever, actual ride in a Europa
Post by: Bainford on Monday,August 29, 2016, 08:19:29 AM

Sounds like a successful shake-down run, John. I think you will be pleased with the almost total lack of wind buffeting with the doors fitted. I'm curious to know more about the O2 sensor. Where do you fit it and how is it used? Does it interface with other equipment? Just curious.

Title: Re: Finally, my first ever, actual ride in a Europa
Post by: Clifton on Monday,August 29, 2016, 05:03:15 PM

So cool. So you never drove one until you went through it. Pics?

Are you using a wideband? I have used Innovative and now AEM. I even used it to tune my CB400.

Title: Re: Finally, my first ever, actual ride in a Europa
Post by: jbcollier on Monday,August 29, 2016, 05:37:38 PM

I welded an O2 bung into my exhaust pipe just south of the header and install a wide-band O2 sensor and this gauge:

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/lm2.php

Now I can monitor air/fuel ratios as I drive.  Makes carb tuning a bit of a breeze -- relatively speaking.

Title: Re: Finally, my first ever, actual ride in a Europa
Post by: jbcollier on Monday,August 29, 2016, 05:38:41 PM

Yup, first used it to tune my Ducati 250 desmo cafe bike.

Title: Re: Finally, my first ever, actual ride in a Europa
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Thursday,September 01, 2016, 07:28:41 AM

Great to hear!! I can't wait to get one of mine running!!