Hi-Spec rear conversion

[Nige]

Thanks for the update Bob, the joys of dealing with Hi-Spec .

I would like mine before Donington if at all possible so I can fit them prior to my car being on display on the stand. However, it's not critical and it occurs to me that if I take delivery at Donington then our Tech Demo as requested by Club Lotus could incorporate fitting new rear calipers and discs .

[paulwatkins]

Bob,
I can collect from Donington

[bobbrown]

The saga continues!!

The latest is the rear calipers should be ready to collect from Hi-spec may be Friday or Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats another two weeks gone by GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
What a way to run a business.

Bob

[ailwyn]

Thanks for the update Bob.

[Elanlover]

I just pray to gawd that their products are better than their service

[bobbrown]

I just pray to gawd that their products are better than their service

There products are good it is just their service is absolute rubbish, I would not mind so much if they gave a straight answer even a do not know is better than a load of rubbish.

The problem I face is I can not complete my end till I have the calipers in my grubby paws just as a final check.
Once the holes are drilled I can not move them, and the brackets just becomes scrap metal.

Bob

[RichardK]

Fully understand Bob, I know exactly what they are like and all you can do is be as civil as possible and bite your tongue when you want to smack them in the chops. I'm sure the final product product will be worth the hassle....

Rather you than me mate!

Thanks again for seeing this through

Richard

[Monty]

when you want to smack them in the chops.

[bobbrown]

Update:

We are finally getting there all be it there has been another delay.
Hi-spec have made up the calipers but failed to remember I wanted an end to take the nipple we have on our hand brake cables so they had to make those up. They are in the process as I post this and are saying they should be done by Friday.
Do I believe them, NO but I did pick up a pair of rear calipers today from them all be it with out the correct arms to be changed at a later time.
I would think that the calipers should be done early next week at the very latest and kits should be ready to dispatch not to long after that. I have just a little more work to do to complete my end which I hope to get most of it done over the weekend.

Bob

[bobbrown]

Ha that was their usual time scales.
They are now saying Tuesday all I can do is phone them every day and it usually take at least 4 calls to get through and then to be told call back in the afternoon. I have been offered a call back on at least 4 occasions but need less to say that has never happened.

totally P*ssed off with them.

Bob

[bobbrown]

Still not done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nige]

Bob I feel for you, I really do. It's unfortunate that they don't really have any competition as if there was a realistically priced alternative they would drive their customers away in droves. As you said earlier, what a way to run a business.

[bobbrown]

I have now got some but not all of the rear calipers from Hi-spec!
I am at present working to get the kits completed and as a check I tried the space saver spare on the rear.
With a 240mm diameter disc it does not fit which is a bit of a pain as I thought it would be this size that did fit but the 256mm was going to be marginal. It fouls the inside of the space saver rather than the outside of the rim which was a little bit of a surprise; the 256mm disc fits fine with the space saver.
I have a couple of options one is to move every one to 256 which will cause a problem with the brake bias front to rear for those on 15” rims.
As it stands with a 275mm front disc on Hi-spec calipers and same pad material front and rear
240mm rears gives 70% 30% front/rear bias
256mm rears gives 68.4% 31.6% front/rear bias
Standard is 70% 30%

I have a couple of choices and probably the simplest is to supply a 3 or 4mm spacer for the space saver for those that have 15” rims. These spacers are not for the standard rim as that fits fine it is just to allow the space saver to be fitted on that very rare occasion you have a puncture.

Work is progressing and I hope to get at least a couple of kits ready by Donington, rest to follow over the next two to three weeks or so.

Bob

[surfboardfiller]

Tyre weld! Every Elise has a can and no spare wheel!
I have hated the space saver ever since I discovered it lurking under the carpet in the boot, like an evil little troll. Kill it!
Don't compromise anything else, please....

[nitroman]

I have now got some but not all of the rear calipers from Hi-spec!
I am at present working to get the kits completed and as a check I tried the space saver spare on the rear.
With a 240mm diameter disc it does not fit which is a bit of a pain as I thought it would be this size that did fit but the 256mm was going to be marginal. It fouls the inside of the space saver rather than the outside of the rim which was a little bit of a surprise; the 256mm disc fits fine with the space saver.
I have a couple of options one is to move every one to 256 which will cause a problem with the brake bias front to rear for those on 15” rims.
As it stands with a 275mm front disc on Hi-spec calipers and same pad material front and rear
240mm rears gives 70% 30% front/rear bias
256mm rears gives 68.4% 31.6% front/rear bias
Standard is 70% 30%

I have a couple of choices and probably the simplest is to supply a 3 or 4mm spacer for the space saver for those that have 15” rims. These spacers are not for the standard rim as that fits fine it is just to allow the space saver to be fitted on that very rare occasion you have a puncture.

Work is progressing and I hope to get at least a couple of kits ready by Donington, rest to follow over the next two to three weeks or so.

Bob

30 years ago companies made 'emergency' spares narrower but with the same overall diameter, as I've replaced spares with full-size wheels on other cars. I've tried however, to fit a standard wheel into the spare's oval boot compartment on my M100, and it is just too large in diameter to take advantage of the recess. It's too bad, as wheel width should be the only concern in that endeavor, not diameter!

[bobbrown]

Now have all the rear calipers and will start shipping them out next week, if anyones need is urgent let me know as other wise they will go as and when they are ready.

Monty has fitted his all be it I have ot modify it a bit due to a change of wheels which was not forseen, the issue was not with the standard wheels but with some aftermarket one he has got, we have the technology.
Nige should have his fitted over the weekend so a full set of instructions will get posted but it is fairly straight forward

Bob

[RichardK]

Bob,

A massive thankyou for seeing this through. I can't imagine your phone bill.

You have PM!



Don't forget there will always be an Elan and many beers waiting for you in Cape Town when you come visiting - I've already had one LEC member enjoy the delights of top down driving on the peninsula.

Richard

[Nige]

Mine arrived yesterday and the weather is looking good so I'll be fitting them today. Bob has asked me take photos and work through the fitting instructions which I'll do.

[mnemonix]

Looking forward to seeing, and using the fitting guide Nige (no pressure!).

As I'm filling in the spreadsheet for Bob at the moment, can anyone tell me the difference between the standard and economy calipers?

Thanks,

Chris.

[bobbrown]

Standard in Black, Gold, Silver, Red and Blue
Economy "Silver Finish & Embossed Logo"

Rears are only available in Standard

Bob