Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi,

it's been a long time i visited the forum.
I still have my full zetec Spyder conversion '68 type 50 to assemble and already have quite everything except wheels. She will be fitted with Sierra hub, 4x108PCD (4.25"). I found some information into the forum about wheels size (14x6J with 185/60 tyres). But i would'nt like to make any mistake with the offset. I found it should be ET22 (4.37 inches backspace) somewhere in the web, but i would like to be sure before ordering some new minilite. (Or used one if someone is selling some

Thanks for your help.
Olivier

Olivier

Probably the best place to start is to contact Spyder as they should have the data. I wish you luck though as communication is sadly not their strong point.

My own experience of this offset subject with the main "specialists" is that these blokes expect you to order wheels on trust. In my experience of this I found that spacers are required and that the homologated track dimensions are completely wrong.

I would suggest that you look for cheap Sierra wheels, measure them for your offset and clearance needs...and then ask for offers on that basis.

I used to race a MGB (14" wheels) from Minator :
https://revolutionwheels.com/product-ca ... /14-x-5-5/

These wheels can be machined and indeed, this was the trick used to achieve with correct track on FIA GTS11 MGBs and 2° of negative camber. Without wanting to upset the purists, these are only fractionally heavier than 26R wheels...

Andrew

Thanks a lot for your kind answer and your advice Andrew.
Unfortunately, Sean do not answer my emails and i haven’t been more successfull at phone
That’s why i’m trying my chance through thé forum. Maybe there is a zetec conversion Elan plus2 owner ready to mesure offset on his own car. I would like to avoid any issue as wrong wheels size could broke the front wings...

Olivier,
My +2 zetec Minilites are 110mm offset which equals roughly 4.37 inches, so your information is correct. I prefer 185/65/14 tyres as the 597mm diameter is similar to the original 602mm 165/82/13 tyres originally fitted to +2’s. The 60 profile tyres are 20mm shorter overall making the gap to the arch not so visually pleasing.

olivebdr wrote:Thanks a lot for your kind answer and your advice Andrew.
Unfortunately, Sean do not answer my emails and i haven’t been more successfull at phone
That’s why i’m trying my chance through thé forum. Maybe there is a zetec conversion Elan plus2 owner ready to mesure offset on his own car. I would like to avoid any issue as wrong wheels size could broke the front wings...

I have the Spyder Sierra hubs & brakes fitted to my Twincam Plus 2. Spyder fabricated a one-off set of CV drive shafts to fit the original Lotus diff. Spyder also supplied the Minilte 14 x 6 wheels.

Your comment on Spyder prompted me to send a reminder to Spyder re a query on their electric headlamp kit which I bought in mid August, but haven't yet had a reply to.

I'll see how we get on...

I have these fitted to my Elan supplied by Spyder 22mm offset correct for a plus 2 but should be 9mm for a baby Elan I hope this helps

Thanks a lot for your answers. That's priceless to get your advices !
I will order R&R Alloys wheels 6x14, PCD 4-108 with Offset ET22.

10 years ago, i bought 13K£ of parts from Spyder. I crossed the channel to bring back the new chassis and a tone of specific Spyder Zetec parts. After that trip, it has been highly difficult to get answers back from Spyder.
I have a lot of screws bags without any indication on where they will fit... just some photos i found in the web to help a little bit.

2sheds, you car is beautifful. She makes me think about Gordon Lund ones.

I will make a new topic with my spyder Elan to show the project in parralel of my '72 s130/5...

Have a a nice day
Olivier

Here’s my +2 Zetec. Built 2008 and progressively updated ever since.





There is an old topic which has useful information here viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34406

I will have a closer look to that topic
Here are some photos of my project...

Engine will use jenvey truttles. And i added a lot of nice parts to the kit :
- Aluminium fuel tank
- Sierra cosworth diff
- Sierra brake calipers
- solid driveshaft...
I bought everything and kept them in boxes for the day i would find time to built my Zetec Elan.

My main trouble now is the electronic engine managment. 10 years ago, I had the bad idea to order a Mtech V4 ecu witch is no more serviced by Mtech for some reasons. I never get the software and mapping
I will have to find a new ecu...

I use Emerald ECU’s with my cars, They have very good support http://www.emeraldm3d.com/engine-manage ... -kits.html

Your M Tech is basically a clone of Megasquirt, I think you might be able to use this software with it http://tunerstudio.com/index.php/tuner-studio

Great information. Thank you Alan.
I will try to get that software and the mapping.

Hello,

is anybody tried a set of 13 inches wheels on a spyder elan +2 chassis with ford axles ?
I was wondering why Spyder has chosen 14'' wheels.

Thanks for your help
Olivier

To fit over the Sierra brakes....

Understood. You mean sierra brake would not fit in 13’’ wheels. That is logical. Thanks for having opening my eyes