Wolfrace alloys

[jeff jackson]

Hi All,
There is a set of wolfrace alloys on ebay right now. the vendor reckons the wheels take 186/60/X13 Tyres or 205/60X13, tyres. the wheels have 7J stamped on them.
I am aware that Lotus suspension and geometry is sensitive. So would fitting these wheels and tyres mess up the handling???

Kind regards
Jeff 72+2

[mikealdren]

Hi Jeff,
the simple answer is that they will affect the handling but by how much. It's not just extra the rim width, are they the same offset? That will affect clearance as well as moving the contact patch and altering the geometry.

Wheel clearance is always an issue on Elans with wider tyres, 185/70s have long been fitted but they often foul the inner wheel arches at the front of the engine bay.

Has the vendor used then on a +2?

Having said all that, if you like the style, Woolfrace alloys are good quality and of the correct period.

Mike

[Gray]

Hi

The Wolfrace wheels I have seen used on plus2s in the past seemed to have the wrong offset. 7J would also seem rather wide. You will still have problems getting good performance tyres for 13 inch wheels. Probably better to get 14 inch wheels.

Regards Gray

[jeff jackson]

hi Mike,
Yes apparently they are for a Plus 2.
Jeff

[gerrym]

Jeff, 185/60R13 tyres have a smaller rolling diameter than 165/80R13 so using this tyre size will leave the arches looking under filled and affect your speedo readings.

I did a questionnaire last year. 185/70R13 which is very nearly correct on rolling diameter has problems with the inner front mudguards on some Plus 2s. Mike has just said the same. This is assuming the rear suspension has been modified so that there are no problems there as well.

Without knowing the offset you may well have problems with clearance to the outer front lip as well.

Overall, expect to spend time and money making them fit. However they do look rather nice.

Regards
Gerry

[bcmc33]

hi Mike,
Yes apparently they are for a Plus 2.
Jeff

The width of the tyre on a 7J wheel will be about 8" and the rim width will be 7.625".
To verify that the wheels are for a +2, find out what the inset dimension is - this is most imprortant on the rear in order for the tyre not to foul the spring abutment.
It may be wise to check the horizontal dimension from the rear hub face to the spring abutment, and the dimension from the spring abutment to the inside if the wheel arch.

[gerrym]

Jeff, don't worry too much about the rear spring abutment on the Plus 2. This can all be modified to increase clearance. For 13" wheels, there is a potential clearance problem to the rear wishbone out fastener (low head bolt and all).

The front clearance problems all depend on the body to chassis mounting tolerances which are huge for the Plus 2.

Just don't expect these wheels and the associated larger tyres to be simply bolt-on mods.

Regards
Gerry

[theelanman]

I had these on my +2 .......well the same style slotted wolfrace wheels.....
they fitted ok but rubbed under the front wheel arch and also the top of the rear springs....
I changed them for the lotus ones when I rebuilt the car
for the life of me I cant remember what size the rims were other than them being 13" dia..
running 175/13 70r tyres IIRC
cheers
G