Ben Stelzer - Wheels and tires

[garyeanderson]

Subject: Wheels - Tyres and 5-speed



Hi all,

I have been away for a few weeks and am catching up on all the messages.
I am responding to messages on 8/2 re above.
Firstly on 5-speed. I live in Australia (Sydney) and there is a local guy in
the Lotus Club who has worked out how to put the Isuzu (Gemini) 5-speed in
the Elan without cutting or drilling anything. The gear stick comes out the
right hole in the tunnel and everything. This is the same box that we
discussed some time ago and the ratios were given. I will definitely be
putting this box in and would only be too happy to provide the details as
soon as I have them (obviously only as long as the designer gives the okay).
Regarding Wheels and Tyres, for my S1 I want to put on Mini-lite look alikes
and
need some advice. The panasports recommended are 13x5 (25mm offset), but are
very expensive in Australia. I have found another manufacturer (Performance)
who
make a 13x5.5 (19 mm offset) and wonder if anyone could advise if they will
work. I have standard spring diameters etc... If so what size tyres would be
the
best. Some have advised 165 60 r13, but this would reduce the rolling tyre
diameter
The other thought I had was to put 14x5.5 or maybe 14x6 (if they fit) and
use 175 60 r14 or something. Any advice ?
Ben Stelzer

Hi Ben

If I may suggest, Go with the Panasports and save yourself the
aggravation and money. There are just to many limitations with stock springs
and wheel arch's. I have managed to put on 13 x 6 with a 34 mm offset with
175/50 x 13 by installing smaller diameter rear springs and some massaging
of the outer swing arm bolts but still have an interference with the front
anti roll bar. I believe that Neil Slade is having problems with 165/65 x 13
Bridgestone tires with stock wheels. Taller tires on an Elan will always be
problems when you go to a wider tire and rim. Although the 165/65 x 13 are
only a quarter of an inch taller (22.44 verses 22.13 inches) than the stock
145/80 x 13 the width is over an inch wider. The 175/50 x 13 Pirelli P7's on
my Elan are less than 20 inches tall with 8 inches of thread ( see files
section of ***@***.*** <mailto:***@***.***>
from S2 Elan - bottom to top). I did not cut or flare the wheel arches but
I did sand some of the inner lip away ( maybe a quarter of an inch)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lotuselan ... m%20bottom%
20to%20top/65_right_rear.jpg
the picture in the above link shows these rims and tires installed, and
look OK. All I am trying to tell you is to keep it simple or you will spend
a lot of time and money to get something that you will be happy with.


Gary

[cusword]

--- In lotuselan@y..., "Anderson, Gary" <Gary.Anderson@l...> wrote:
















Sorry Gary......are the wheels you had trouble with not Panasport?
Are you saying if you had used them you would not have had problems?
How do you fit smaller diameter springs?

David

[elansprint71]

As I understand it, the fitting of smaller diameter rear springs requires
non-standard uprights to be fitted. The problem is one of clearance between
the inside wall of the tyre (tire) and the lower spring pan on the upright;
this is at best no more than 5mm. It is possible to beat the spring pan with
a hammer to gain a small amount of extra clearance, but as a mechanical
engineer, I would not recommend this!
The set-up with smaller diameter springs is shown very well on a Spyder
chassis on the excellent Classic Car Elan video, discussed elsewhere- Dave
Cusworth- if you want to borrow this give me a call on 07702 528485.

Pete
'72 Sprint
----- Original Message -----


Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2001 5:58 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Wheels and tires

[Arno Church]

Pete wrote:
As I understand it, the fitting of smaller diameter rear springs requires
non-standard uprights to be fitted

New uprights are not required , merely a spring with a smaller dia .
I've use 57mm id springs after having removed the lower spring seat (pan) entirely. It is only sweat welded oont the strut tube. I then fitted an adjustable spring seat over the tube. I also discarded the uppspring seat and turned a new one from billet ali. Just remember to remove the shock absorber cartridge before applying heat to remove the original spring seat
Arno

[garyeanderson]

-----Original Message-----
From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.***
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 4:05 AM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Digest Number 658





------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are 23 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:


Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 12:43:50 -0500
From: Phil Babcock <***@***.***>
Subject: Lotus Elan Headers

Does any body know of any big bore headers for Lotus Elan, that allows
you to run an Alternator. Currently running Pinto Alt.

Thanks in Advance
Phil

Try Ray at R D Enterprises, he sells double stainless (you don't want these
) and a 4 into one that I am using on my 1700 cc 150 hp engine.
this may come from Kirk headeds? He advertises in "Grass Root Motorsports"
--
Phil Babcock
The Dyno Shop, Inc.
Air Fuel Ratio Meters - Laser Alignment Tools - Dynojet Chassis Dyno
Race Set up - Auto Restoration
http://www.thedynoshop.net
mailto:***@***.***




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 5
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 17:58:18 -0000
From: ***@***.***
Subject: Wheels and tires

--- In lotuselan@y..., "Anderson, Gary" <Gary.Anderson@l...> wrote:
















Sorry Gary......are the wheels you had trouble with not Panasport?
Are you saying if you had used them you would not have had problems?
How do you fit smaller diameter springs?

David


Hi David

Not at all what I was trying to say, I would have had problems with any
wheel, as I was trying to stuff a 8 inch wide tire under a stock S2 wheel
arch. the only way this is possible is to 1)reduce the tire diameter, 2) Cut
off the stock spring perch and install
2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inch diameter springs 3) raise the car up. I elected to move
the wheel and tire inboard and reduce the tire diameter so that when you hit
a bump the tire doesn't rip the wheel arch off. To do this it was nessasary
to increase the offset of the wheel from 25 mm for the 13 x 5 inch Panasport
to 34 mm for the 13 x 6 inch Panasport Lights. I also went to a 10 inch tall
125 pound spring to get the wheel and tire centered in the arch. all of this
said in the previous paragraph is about the rear only, the front has some
other problems. The sway bar still hits the tires at about 3/4 of a turn of
the steering wheel as I have yet to make the spacers for the steering rack.
In all it is a tight fit but I think it looks good and was worth the effort.


Gary