Elan +2S/130 Back Home -- Need Help

[stugilmour]

Welcome aboard and enjoy the car.

Here is an article on Tire Rack that explains offset. If you click on the 'Tech Articles' link to the left there are a bunch of other good pages.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/tec ... techid=101

I agree the front fender radius looks a bit off. Test fitting some borrowed stock wheels and tires would be a good first step.

If you opt to go back to stock sizes, here is some info from my search. Maybe check if Dave Bean has some stock steelies available, but I was concerned any used wheels are probably past their best so wanted new alloys.

For stock sized alloy wheels, the two common choices are Panasport and Minilite.

Ray at RD Enterprises has the Panasports for $1,200 for a set of four. Dave Bean may offer them as well, which would save a bunch on shipping. They are only made in 5" width, slightly narrower than the stock 5 1/2" Plus 2 steelies and alloys.

http://www.rdent.com/ Scroll down about a quarter of the page

The NA Minilite rep is John Targett in Ohio. I bought a set from him several years ago, but can't recall cost; was higher than the Panasports though. The Minilites are available in the stock 5 1/2" width. I can't recall the offset, but they fit front and back fine.

http://www.minilitewheels.us/index.html

http://www.minilite.co.uk/dealers.php?c ... canada.gif

Personally I really like my car on the stock 80 profile tires; find them way better than the 175/70/13's I had before. Tires are available from Coker Tire. Their web site is not cooperating right now, but the Vredestein Sprint is a wonderful choice in stock 165/13. They also offer the Michelin XAS for considerably more cost.

http://www.cokertire.com/155r13-vredestein-sprint.html

http://www.cokertire.com/165hr13-michelin-xas-ff.html

Ross Robbins found some nice tires locally for his Elan in the correct size, and I found Plus 2 equivalents listed on the 'net. I couldn't get them shipped to the Great White North so I went with Vredestein's from Coker. The 165/80/13 is pretty much a specialty size now.

HTH

[tmrlotus+2]

Welcome aboard and enjoy the car.

Here is an article on Tire Rack that explains offset. If you click on the 'Tech Articles' link to the left there are a bunch of other good pages.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/tec ... techid=101

I agree the front fender radius looks a bit off. Test fitting some borrowed stock wheels and tires would be a good first step.

If you opt to go back to stock sizes, here is some info from my search. Maybe check if Dave Bean has some stock steelies available, but I was concerned any used wheels are probably past their best so wanted new alloys.

For stock sized alloy wheels, the two common choices are Panasport and Minilite.

Ray at RD Enterprises has the Panasports for $1,200 for a set of four. Dave Bean may offer them as well, which would save a bunch on shipping. They are only made in 5" width, slightly narrower than the stock 5 1/2" Plus 2 steelies and alloys.

http://www.rdent.com/ Scroll down about a quarter of the page

The NA Minilite rep is John Targett in Ohio. I bought a set from him several years ago, but can't recall cost; was higher than the Panasports though. The Minilites are available in the stock 5 1/2" width. I can't recall the offset, but they fit front and back fine.

http://www.minilitewheels.us/index.html

http://www.minilite.co.uk/dealers.php?c ... canada.gif

Personally I really like my car on the stock 80 profile tires; find them way better than the 175/70/13's I had before. Tires are available from Coker Tire. Their web site is not cooperating right now, but the Vredestein Sprint is a wonderful choice in stock 165/13. They also offer the Michelin XAS for considerably more cost.

http://www.cokertire.com/155r13-vredestein-sprint.html

http://www.cokertire.com/165hr13-michelin-xas-ff.html

Ross Robbins found some nice tires locally for his Elan in the correct size, and I found Plus 2 equivalents listed on the 'net. I couldn't get them shipped to the Great White North so I went with Vredestein's from Coker. The 165/80/13 is pretty much a specialty size now.

HTH

Thanks Stu, I really appreciate all of the detailed information (sorry for the delayed response, I just just got back in town). I understand offset, I'm just not sure how you would measure it accurately (I always see dimensions in mm) without dismounting the tire from the wheel. Is that what you did?

[stugilmour]

Got you on offset. Have never measured it myself. When I ordered my Minilites I just went with the manufacturer's recommendation. I just checked the invoice and it does not state offset; they are Minilite P/N MA1355P. Total cost was 310 GBP.

I think the procedure would be to get two rulers and measure the exact distance between the outside of the rim lips; shouldn't have to remove tire to do this. Then, with assistance, the distance from the mounting flange face to the wheel lip on inside of the wheel. Haft the total lip to lip distance minus flange to lip distance equals offset? I always get confused with positive & negative, but I think that is the general idea.

I guess I got it sort of right. Here is a pleasant video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAxJBWUM9Jo

Check your rim carefully though. Not sure with those ones, but often offset will be marked as ET = ##, at least for modern wheels?

Have you measured the width and diameter of your current tires to see how they compare with the stock dimensions on the Coker link? Might give an idea of expected interference, and whether your tires are not 'expected' to fit.

If thinking in terms of offset required to prevent interference, pay particular attention to the inside of the rear rims. The clearance to the wishbone bolt is very tight, using a smaller/thinner or ground down bolt head to get enough clearance to the rim, even with stock sizes. This might not be an issue with plus sized rims, but it is real tight in stock 13".

Is the car running? Just thinking a run out to Dave Bean's for the guys to look it over might help?

HTH

[StressCraxx]

Well I'm certain I'm not an expert, but I did see these on fleabay. A bit spendy for used but they should fit, including tires. Perhaps make an offer?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Panasport-Center-Lock-Lotus-Elan-Europa-5x13-wheels-/171245269179?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheel_Packages&hash=item27df0370bb&vxp=mtr

I plan to go to the cars and coffee next Sunday in Danville. Perhaps meet up there or later?

Regards,
Dan

[tmrlotus+2]

Got you on offset. Have never measured it myself. When I ordered my Minilites I just went with the manufacturer's recommendation. I just checked the invoice and it does not state offset; they are Minilite P/N MA1355P. Total cost was 310 GBP.

I think the procedure would be to get two rulers and measure the exact distance between the outside of the rim lips; shouldn't have to remove tire to do this. Then, with assistance, the distance from the mounting flange face to the wheel lip on inside of the wheel. Haft the total lip to lip distance minus flange to lip distance equals offset? I always get confused with positive & negative, but I think that is the general idea.

I guess I got it sort of right. Here is a pleasant video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAxJBWUM9Jo

Check your rim carefully though. Not sure with those ones, but often offset will be marked as ET = ##, at least for modern wheels?

Have you measured the width and diameter of your current tires to see how they compare with the stock dimensions on the Coker link? Might give an idea of expected interference, and whether your tires are not 'expected' to fit.

If thinking in terms of offset required to prevent interference, pay particular attention to the inside of the rear rims. The clearance to the wishbone bolt is very tight, using a smaller/thinner or ground down bolt head to get enough clearance to the rim, even with stock sizes. This might not be an issue with plus sized rims, but it is real tight in stock 13".

Is the car running? Just thinking a run out to Dave Bean's for the guys to look it over might help?

HTH

I finally was able to get the wheels off and make some measurements. My tire width is actually 7 3/8" -- the original 165HR13 you noted was 5.8". My tire diameter was 22 3/4" -- the original 165HR13 was listed as 23.20", so the diameter is fairly close.

I'm interested in the widths of other board members tires -- has anyone else measured recently on a +2?

Stu, I also measured a wheel offset of 19.05mm. Is that close to yours?

Thanks again for all of the help, and I look forward to your feedback.

[tmrlotus+2]

Well I'm certain I'm not an expert, but I did see these on fleabay. A bit spendy for used but they should fit, including tires. Perhaps make an offer?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Panasport-Center-Lock-Lotus-Elan-Europa-5x13-wheels-/171245269179?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheel_Packages&hash=item27df0370bb&vxp=mtr

I plan to go to the cars and coffee next Sunday in Danville. Perhaps meet up there or later?

Regards,
Dan

Dan, unfortunately I have relatives in town this weekend and won't be able to make it on Sunday, but I'd love to meet you there in the future. Do you go regularly?