"Lotus Handling"

General Bellett, Gemini 75-98, Piazza 81-93, Bellel, Florian, 117 Coupe, Minx, Aska technical discussion.
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CUL8R
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"Lotus Handling"

Post by CUL8R »

Hey all,
Just wondering what the lotus handling option on the piazza's actually consisted of ? - Have found such a piazza and was wondering what "they" tweaked up on them..

Also Fact or fiction that all manual Piazza's have LSD's ?

Cheers,Chris
Oil leak? What oil leak? That puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower....
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Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Did you find the one on trademe?
1986 Piazza - 1984 Piazza
1986 Heron MJ1
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117Coupe
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Re: "Lotus Handling"

Post by 117Coupe »

CUL8R wrote:Hey all,
Just wondering what the lotus handling option on the piazza's actually consisted of ? - Have found such a piazza and was wondering what "they" tweaked up on them..

Cheers,Chris
For JDM models, 'Handling by Lotus' meant the following changes;

- 5 link rear suspension (other models were 3 link)
- car lowered by 10.16mm front and rear
- rear stabilizer diameter increased by 11%
- rear springs stiffened by 10%
- gas filled shock absorbers
- tweaked power steering to improve feedback and feel
- bigger brakes all round
- reduced engine noise/vibration
- water cooled turbo

'Handling by Lotus' was ONLY available with the 4ZC1-T turbo motor.
'80 Isuzu 117 Coupe
'87 Isuzu Aska
'93 Subaru SVX
'98 Mazda Roadster
'97 Honda Legend
'99 Honda Logo
'01 Toyota Will VS
'01 VW Polo
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madmike
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Re: "Lotus Handling"

Post by madmike »

CUL8R wrote:Hey all,

Also Fact or fiction that all manual Piazza's have LSD's ?

Cheers,Chris
Fiction...

It was an option in japan..
Most Piazza's in NZ are j spec imports. where the LSD was a factory option..


The lotus handling package mainly consisted of different spring/shock combo to settle down the ride a little.


Where in NZ are you Bro?

Just asking cause i have seen a reg plate same as your username round my way.
Sideways by choice!!!!!
CUL8R
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Post by CUL8R »

Im in Chch, and yes Looking at buying that Piazza on trademe (mate bidding on currently) , friend was intending on putting together and using as club type car, but will be far too much of a mission.. (no loom or ECU along with most of ancillaries unbolted)

So will part it out, have already someone wanting the motor, wheels wants, shocks, diff & front end will be spoken for also..

Had a look at it, covered in dust & god knows what else, opened the garage door (free viewing) , and its only just long enough to fit in the garage, and about 1/2 metre either side - which has parts crammed down the gaps.. complete front clip is off it, but I think its all there.. Along with spare hatch, doors (g200z heads & g/box's)..

If anyone wants parts cheap ? Will send anywhere at buyers cost? Do you want me to start a parts thread in the appropriate section.. (provided I get it)

@ Madmike, you think it will be a LSD then? - Was originally g200z manual..

Cheers,Chris
Oil leak? What oil leak? That puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower....
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madmike
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Post by madmike »

I don't think it will be The lsd. But you never know. only real way is to jack up and do the spin test....


Sound silly but i would be keen for the petrol flap if it is not rusty..
PM me.

Cheers
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Post by mikuni »

If it was originally a G200Z then it won't be a genuine "Handling by lotus" car will it? Or are these just parts that have come with it or been fitted?
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wedgenut
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Post by wedgenut »

If it was a g200 then the badge might be an add on stolen from a bighorn. It definitely won't be HBL and the chances of having LSD are nil unless retro fitted.
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CUL8R
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Post by CUL8R »

Can confirm its not LSD,
And isnt a HBL, has a 3 link rear end, springs and shocks dont look anything special/out of the ordinary to me - just have 'isuzu' stamped in them (there are some numbers if people are interisted)
Oil leak? What oil leak? That puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower....
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Post by Piazzish »

Thanks 117 coupe! Now I actually can tell people if someone is asking me about the Lotus handling!
1989 Isuzu Piazza JR120 Lotus Turbo Red 92000km
1989 Isuzu Piazza JR120 Lotus Turbo White 183000km
1987 Isuzu Piazza JR120 Pre-Lotus Turbo Red 131000km
1984 Isuzu Piazza JR130 N/A Two-tone 145000km
1984 Isuzu Piazza JR130 N/A Black 92000km
1989 Isuzu Gemini JT190 Red 173000km
IZU069
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Post by IZU069 »

The LSD in manuals seems to be FACT in Aus (1986 4ZC1-t engines).
The auto's were open diff.
Their banjo assembly (center with all guts) is the same as 1965 Wasp, Florians, and Rodeo & Jackaroo until the 4ZE1 engine.
The Jack & Rodeo 4.55 crown & pinion should be interchangeable with the Piazza's 3.9 assuming 10-bolt crown gears (but I have yet to try). Hence put Rodeo/Jack LSD in the Piazza. (Until ~1985, apparently all Aussie Rodeos & Jackaroos were LSD; thereafter optional.)
My Wasp is the older 8-bolt crown, but it's also 4.55:1 so there is no problem. (Florians are 4.1:1 but I use Bellett crown & pinions to get 3.9 or 3.7 (whatever they are).
IZU069 - ISUZU means a lot to me.
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