Minilite wheels elan plus 2

[Dieschelan]

Can someone show pics of the elan plus 2 with minilite wheels? I have seen pictures with the 14" wheel. In the baby elan looks fine but in the plus 2 I don't know.

[Dieschelan]

I'm interesting in the 13 wheels.

[GRichards]

Take a look at Rd Enterprises website

[holywood3645]

Spain, is closer to UK. Susan miller, SJ sports cars or Minilite direct.
James

[mbell]

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-suspension-f42/minilite-wheels-t30420.html

[Dieschelan]

Has someone pictures of the minilites in a plus 2?

[mbell]

The thread linked to above has pictures, the ones at the end are 13"....

[David Sherbon]

I have just replaced a set of Magnesium 13" Minilites made by Tony Thompson in UK for my +2S/130/4
I discovered that the inside of the rear wheels were just scraping the bottom of the suspension arms on occasion
Since these are the OE size of steel wheel for the car I was surprised.
I measured the mag ML wheels inside diameter and discovered due to manufacturing specs these mag 13" wheels had a deliberate additional layer of material on them when machined. The advice from Tony Thompson was file off a bit of the suspension arm ... we do it all the time .But I was reluctant and set off on a fact finding journey
I was also told 14" minilites had been discontinued as a stocked item.
I wondered whether a 14" set would work. I ordered a set of 14" from Minilite, via their NZ distributor for Oz Richard Allport after asking lots of questions. They arrived from UK via NZ and are now on the car - they work fine - no scraping. The 13"x5.5 took 185/70 R13 Michelins
The new wheels are 14x6 and take a slightly lower 60 profile Michelin. It has made a big difference to the ride and yet gives the car a better grip on fast corners.
I've been told the wheels do look good on the car and my own view is they fill the wheel arch better than the 13"giving a sleeker look to the side view. I will take a photo when I can find a bit more time. Meanwhile hope this helps you

[c.garde]

Back in mid -70es I ordered a set of mags from minilite for my Sprint.
The first set I received was 51/2 " . No good for a roadgoing sprint.
After discussions with the factory I was send a replacement set of 5 " rimwidth.
Inclosed were instructions to relieve the A-frames , making room for the rim.
So nothing new. Looks as if your wheels are spot on.

Claus Garde

[bigvalvehead]

Hi
Tony is correct, it is common practice to relieve the edges of the outer lower portion of the rear A arm.
This is carried out on the 26R and on road cars if the wheels are a tight fit. It has no adverse effect on the wishbone.
Dave

[JJDraper]

Has someone pictures of the minilites in a plus 2?

Yes, lots!

The final picture compares the 14" 6J Minilites with standard 13" steel wheels.

Hope this helps.

Jeremy

[CBUEB1771]

Since these are the OE size of steel wheel for the car I was surprised.

Given the relative strengths of steel and aluminum or magnesium it should not be surprising that the rim of an alloy wheel must be thicker that that of an equivalent steel wheel. The extra material can't go on the outer diameter, that dimension is fixed to fit the tires. Therefore the extra material is on the inner diameter of the rim which of necessity means that alloy wheels of the same nominal size as the standard steel wheels will have greater potential for fouling the outboard ends of the rear control arm on an Elan.

[stugilmour]

Yes, that is my red Plus 2 at the end of the linked thread.

Stock sized 13" x 5.5 Minilites and stock sized 80 profile tires. The springs, shocks, wishbones, etc. are as supplied by Spyder with the replacement chassis. The moose, rainbow and highway tunnel shots are with luggage for a week or two in the boot, which brings the rear suspension down to level. The picture in front of the house is with the luggage removed, and you can see a bit of a gap to the top of the wheel well.

Stu