Elise Airbag Steering Wheel Hub Adaptor

[Matt RI]

Ditto, Tigerdog...

1. Elanlover
2. superbad
3. lotos
4. cliffyg
5. Tigerdog
6. Matt RI

[Elanlover]

Ok folks, some good news. I've fitted the prototype hub and Elise wheel to the car and, with a little bit of grinding and drilling it fits. A pretty fine job by Bob who had nothing to go on but pictures and e-mails!

I'll be recording the minor changes needed for the final version and will try to get a few pics posted shortly for people to see. The smaller wheel does obscure the instrument cluster. If you have removed the spacers where your seats are mounted to the floor this will help. I will also try to see if its possible to raise the steering wheel a tiny bit - everything helps. Right now the Elise wheel sits out towards the driver about a quarter inch more. I'll work with Bob to see if we can get that down to at least the same distance as the stock wheel or better (I've always felt the wheel could be closer to the cluster and away from the driver a bit).

[Elanlover]

Ok folks, belowe are some pics of the Elise wheel installed with the prototype hub adaptor. There's 4 very small changes to the protoype to be made then I think we have a design that works. I'll let you know when the design and coste per hub is finalized and Bob's ready to start making them.

[superbad]

Goodbye Pontiac wheel. Nice work both of you!

(Next step is to make a new round steering column shroud...)

[Elanlover]

Changes communicated to Bob who will begin working on a mkII version to test as time permits. I never thought to do this but I will reinstall the Elise wheel and take the car out for run around the block then post back how the car feels with going to the smaller Elise wheel.

[lotos]

Great work! Please do let us know how it feels with the Elise wheel!

Also when are you going to start on that fascia for a group buy???

[gomper71]

If the cost is $100 or less for an adapter for a Elise wheel with airbag, I would be interested in one of these. Is this list still open? I had not considered doing this change but it looks good and if it gives more leg room I could use that. I hate to pass on group buys because they may not come around again any time soon or at all.

[Elanlover]

Still open - just add your name to the list

[gomper71]

1. Elanlover
2. superbad
3. lotos
4. cliffyg
5. Tigerdog
6. Matt RI
7. gomper71

[Elanlover]

Sooooo..............the little test run around the block was interesting. I like the smaller steering wheel. It really does feel more like a sports car with the smaller wheel instead of a Lincoln land yacht with that truck wheel. The smaller diameter wheel means the steering is stiffer. Now, when I put the 17" wheels on the car the steering became "looser' than stock. The combination of the 17" wheels and smaller steering wheel return the car to about the stiffness of stock for me - with the added benefit of a better looking and feeling steering wheel. Those with the stock wheels will likely feel the steerign getting a bit stiffer but I can't see it being so noticeable as to be a pain.

Once the mkII hub is fitted I'll work out the details on the airbag and horn connections which are different. It will invlove sniping the leads from the stock setup and attaching those from the Elise setup.

[lotusgirlmarie]

Just curious but would the new adapter plate fit inside the wheel? This would give it a cleaner look I think. Just curious.

[superbad]

Now, when I put the 17" wheels on the car the steering became "looser' than stock.

Different offset on the 17s? If so, it would have given you a smaller scrub radius which would explain the reduced steering effort.

Also, anyone have an Elise wheel they want to sell? I know there's at least one on Ebay, but I'd rather get one from LEC if that's an option.

[Elanlover]

Just curious but would the new adapter plate fit inside the wheel? This would give it a cleaner look I think. Just curious.

Unfortunately no, there's not enough room for the airbag module. The splined section needs to be a specific length and the airbag module is only about 10mm (can't remember exactly) from the bottom of the inside of the wheel. Its a nice idea though which would push the wheel further away from the driver a bit more but its not possible.

[Elanlover]

Different offset on the 17s? If so, it would have given you a smaller scrub radius which would explain the reduced steering effort.

Also, anyone have an Elise wheel they want to sell? I know there's at least one on Ebay, but I'd rather get one from LEC if that's an option.

Same +60 offset as stock.

I do have an extra wheel and a contact ring (which you'll need). I paid $300 USD for the wheel (near new condition) and $50 for the contact ring. In fact, its the wheel shown in the pics above.

[superbad]

I do have an extra wheel and a contact ring (which you'll need). I paid $300 USD for the wheel (near new condition) and $50 for the contact ring. In fact, its the wheel shown in the pics above.

Mark me down for that one. Thanks!

[Elanlover]

Mark me down for that one. Thanks!

Done. Keep in mind that you'll need an airbag too. Prices vary for that and I'd start searching eBay for one as they come up from time to time (that's where I got mine from). You can PM your address details to me and we'll sortit all out when the hub's been finalized.

[lotos]

Is that the same one you promised to me in Feb or do you have 2 extra?

[Elanlover]

Is that the same one you promised to me in Feb or do you have 2 extra?

DOH!

Ummmmm.......yes, that would be the one. Sorry 'bout that superbad I spoke to soon. Don't know how I forgot that Randy as I know I have it marked down on my desk at home and I even put a tag on the contact ring with your name on it.

This is what happens when you have too many projects on the go simultaneously. Let me know when you want it Randy. No rsuh on my part and you might want to wait until the hub gets finalized (and you source an airbag too).

[superbad]

Do you have a part number for the contact ring?

[Elanlover]

Do you have a part number for the contact ring?

The contact ring is a GM part. On the contatc ring is a part number that reads 09 179 297. Just below that is another set of numbers reading 1 610 662. I have found these on eBay as a vauxhall part from time to time. If you search for contact ring you'll probably find a few. This one isn't it but it loks like the plugs could be the same which is all you'll really want anyway. They look like this (although the airbag plug colour us diffrent on the two I have - blue/green and blue/yellow):

001.JPG (54.56 KiB) Viewed 6364 times

By the way, I think Lotos only needs the contatc ring so the steering wheel itself (less an airbag and contact ring) can be yours if you want.