Lotus Elan

Alloy/Tyre size

PostPost by: Midlife » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:28 pm

I will be running Avon Crosslpys on my Elan +2 in sprints and hillclimbs. Initially standard power, but will be increasing the neddies later... any ideas on alloy wheel size (knock on) and possible suppliers?

Do I run 13" or 15" dia? I have looked at some set ups and they are mostly 13x7...

I am hoping I stimulate some debate here?

Cheers

Doug
Midlife
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 79
Joined: 08 Sep 2006
Location: Essex, England.

PostPost by: 1964 S1 » Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:51 am

I think fifteen inch wheels would be inferior. Few of us can outdrive these Elans, they are designed and set up so well in stock form that they handle absolutely beautifully. A strong case can be made that the +2 handles better than a small Elan... that's another debate.... but I wouldn't mess with the suspension geometry too much, wider thirteen inch wheels is as far as I'd go.
1964 S1
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1472
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Location: Hamilton County, Ohio

PostPost by: zeteclotus » Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:18 am

Just finished building a spyder zetec +2 with standard knock on hubs and wheels.

So far I have tried steel wheels with 165 80 13 pirelli 3000 nice handling
steel wheels with 185 60 13 handles well but makes the car feel too modern.

Alloy wheel original spec with 165 80 13 pirelli best over all I found for road use.

Chris n sells knock on alloy wheels for the +2 for ?120 +vat

I am just sad I have to sell the car

13 inch wheels with narrow tyres is what the the car was designed for. and they handle 175-180 BHP just fine.
zeteclotus
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 60
Joined: 07 Sep 2006

PostPost by: rgh0 » Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:09 am

The Elan with its narrow track can easily reach the ultimate chassis limits with a modern sticky compound 175 width tyre on a 5.5 inch wheel. The wider track plus 2 can use a signficantly wider tyre to reach a higher ultimated grip limit, provided the rest of the suspension is stiffened to match the loads.

How wide you go I dont know as historic racing here in Australia limits you to 6 inch wheels and 185 /60 tyres. I suspect around a 205 /50 or 60 would work well if you can fit it under the guards.

Whether you use 13 or 15 inch wheels depends really on what allowed and what gearing your looking for. Bigger wheels and lower profile tyres ultimately work better all other things being equal and suspension geometry being well controlled.

regards
Rohan
User avatar
rgh0
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 8990
Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests