Suspension And Steering - Lotus Europa Twin Cam Owner's Manual

4
SUSPENSION
Front Suspension
The front suspension uprights and hubs were from the Triumph GT6 Mk II!, to enable
the use of larger 9 3/4 in. d i3meter brake discs and calipers from the same car.
The suspension arms inboard rubber bushings were changed to "Nylatron" (Holy
Disulphide) bushings to eliminate any uncontrolled movement in the suspension. All bushings
are identical and eight are needed per car. The dimensions are: length=l.40 in., diameter=l.061 in.
with bore=0.502 in. The bushings are a "press-fit" in the suspension arms.
The suspension was lowered by fitting shorter front springs together with fully adjustable
Koni shock absorbers. It should be noted, that due to the large deflections required in relation to
spring length, special thin vanadium spring wire must be used to prevent the spring becoming
coil bound on full bump. The shock absorber bump rubber must be shortened approximately one
inch to prevent fouling on full bump.
With the lowered suspension settings, it is necessary to decrease the negative camber of
the front wheels. This was achieved by moving the lower suspension arms outer pivot point
inwards. This was carried out by slotting the existing holes in the arms and installing drilled
plates to locate pivot in desired position (0.158 in. per l° of camber change). The plates fitting
securely in channel of lower suspension arms.