Steering wheel fitment

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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby lotusgirlmarie » Tue 21.04.2009, 16:15

I was thinking of mounting the momo adapter internally as it would not alter the wheel height that much from OEM. It may be a pain to mount but it will be well worth it in the end. This is how I built and oriented both Ekapols and my setups.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Elanlover » Tue 21.04.2009, 16:28

lotusgirlmarie wrote:I was thinking of mounting the momo adapter internally as it would not alter the wheel height that much from OEM. It may be a pain to mount but it will be well worth it in the end. This is how I built and oriented both Ekapols and my setups.


You mean the hub adaptor I got off eBay then? Possible but extremely hard to line up I think. I'll try to post a few pics so you can see what I mean. There's this linkI've discovered and sent an e-mail about as well that may prove interesting. Marie, you wouldn't happen to know if the Esprit wheel and the Elan wheel have the same size splines would you?
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby esprit888 » Tue 21.04.2009, 17:58

You could be on to something here, the Raid wheel shown in the link is the same one i have fitted to my Esprit and i recall somewhere it being posted that the shaft is from an Isuzu. If this is the case i just happen to have both an original Esprit to momo adaptor as well as a custom made ring bought from an Esprit in Australia (again esprit to Momo) the same type as shown on the raid link. If you can narrow it down i can send you either one to check it out.

Elanlover wrote:
lotusgirlmarie wrote:I was thinking of mounting the momo adapter internally as it would not alter the wheel height that much from OEM. It may be a pain to mount but it will be well worth it in the end. This is how I built and oriented both Ekapols and my setups.


You mean the hub adaptor I got off eBay then? Possible but extremely hard to line up I think. I'll try to post a few pics so you can see what I mean. There's this linkI've discovered and sent an e-mail about as well that may prove interesting. Marie, you wouldn't happen to know if the Esprit wheel and the Elan wheel have the same size splines would you?
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Elanlover » Tue 21.04.2009, 18:50

esprit888 wrote: You could be on to something here, the Raid wheel shown in the link is the same one i have fitted to my Esprit and i recall somewhere it being posted that the shaft is from an Isuzu. If this is the case i just happen to have both an original Esprit to momo adaptor as well as a custom made ring bought from an Esprit in Australia (again esprit to Momo) the same type as shown on the raid link. If you can narrow it down i can send you either one to check it out.


Any of the adaptors that will fit the Esprit steering column would do. If that fits the Elan column then we know that an Espit wheel and column are the same as an Elan wheel and column. If so then the custom adaptor in the link I posted could work for the Elise wheel as it would fit the Elan column too. The Raid mounting bolt pattern is differnt (3 holes) but I'll bet it could be tapped for 4 holes.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby esprit888 » Tue 21.04.2009, 20:39

I'll take some pics with measurements and post them tonight but as a starting point the Momo adaptor is the typical six bolt and has the part number A3301 stamped on it, is this the same number you have ?

Elanlover wrote:
esprit888 wrote: You could be on to something here, the Raid wheel shown in the link is the same one i have fitted to my Esprit and i recall somewhere it being posted that the shaft is from an Isuzu. If this is the case i just happen to have both an original Esprit to momo adaptor as well as a custom made ring bought from an Esprit in Australia (again esprit to Momo) the same type as shown on the raid link. If you can narrow it down i can send you either one to check it out.


Any of the adaptors that will fit the Esprit steering column would do. If that fits the Elan column then we know that an Espit wheel and column are the same as an Elan wheel and column. If so then the custom adaptor in the link I posted could work for the Elise wheel as it would fit the Elan column too. The Raid mounting bolt pattern is differnt (3 holes) but I'll bet it could be tapped for 4 holes.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby lotusgirlmarie » Tue 21.04.2009, 22:09

After I cut my old OEM wheel I bought an esprit wheel as an OEM replacement. It fits
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Don.Hasi » Wed 22.04.2009, 00:16

READY!!! :-D after all these years (have seen it were already 3years! :shock: ) ... can´t believe it. Try&Error with various hubs, searching for a pro with leather, asking all around the world... The colours with the flash doesn´t appear right... the darkgrey is similar to rest of the carcoloursscheme.
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A great Image for Marie and her initialization.

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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Elanlover » Wed 22.04.2009, 00:53

lotusgirlmarie wrote:After I cut my old OEM wheel I bought an esprit wheel as an OEM replacement. It fits


Marie, if the Esprit wheel and Elan wheel fit and are interchangeable then that's going to help. Just to confirm, you're saying that the Esprit wheel's hub was a direct fit to the Elan's column.......correct?

I received word back from the site owner of the link I posted regarding the raid/Esprit conversion. It was a special run by an Esprit owner in Florida and there's none left (2 runs were done). I will inquire as to the possibility of another run being done as it looks absolutely perfect except for the 3 bolt mounting pattern which could be changed (or we'd tap are own holes). If the Esprit wheel is identical to the Elan's wheel then we also have another option - looking for an Esprit hub that could do the job.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby cliffyg » Wed 22.04.2009, 04:56

now we are getting excited. there's hope on the horizon. I'm in for anything that will work.

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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Ekapol » Wed 22.04.2009, 06:49

Per Marie's request:
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S2 wheel in Zizi
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Another view of Elise S2 wheel
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S1 wheel in Lucy
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Esprit wheel.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby esprit888 » Wed 22.04.2009, 07:34

Attached are some pics of the Esprit to Momo hub adaptor. There is a ton of room inside due to the depth so it could be machined down and the holes drilled and tapped to suit any wheel. The key would be to finding out if this hub fits the elan. Mine is in the shop but i could see if its a hassle to get in and pull the wheel, if it is i can also mail it off to you for a test fit.


Elanlover wrote:
lotusgirlmarie wrote:After I cut my old OEM wheel I bought an esprit wheel as an OEM replacement. It fits


Marie, if the Esprit wheel and Elan wheel fit and are interchangeable then that's going to help. Just to confirm, you're saying that the Esprit wheel's hub was a direct fit to the Elan's column.......correct?

I received word back from the site owner of the link I posted regarding the raid/Esprit conversion. It was a special run by an Esprit owner in Florida and there's none left (2 runs were done). I will inquire as to the possibility of another run being done as it looks absolutely perfect except for the 3 bolt mounting pattern which could be changed (or we'd tap are own holes). If the Esprit wheel is identical to the Elan's wheel then we also have another option - looking for an Esprit hub that could do the job.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Elanlover » Wed 22.04.2009, 13:49

Colin, one of the issues with the adaptor you've posted pics about is that its made for non-aribag wheels. So, there's no openings for the various wires that are threaded though the bottom of the adaptor or for the retaining peices on the contact ring. They'd have to be cut exactly to the correct positions. Possible but a lot of extra work. The adaptor plate I posted about above seems to have taken all this into consideration already and apparantly fits the Elan perfectly.

I've received word back from the guy who designed the adaptor hub and organied the group buys. He says he needs 20 orders to do a run and the cost will likely be in the $200 range - not a firm quote. That would be for the adaptor itself althogh he's supplied them in the past with connectors to the Raid airbag electrics for another $20. I don't think we'd need that. The Raid wheel is a 3 bolt mounting pattern and the Elise wheel is a 4 bolt. So, the adaptor plate would need to be modified by the manufacturer to support 4 bolts or we'd all have to tap our own holes. There are still a few Esprit owners lookign for these so we don't have to come up with 20. He "thinks" 10 might do. I will start a group buy thread herefor those interested.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby esprit888 » Wed 22.04.2009, 17:35

True enough, its more work but then again it did only cost me $50 so i dont mind sacrificing it for someone to machine it down or drill it if it helps others confirm an esprit matched hub that works for the Elan non air bag wheel. I have the raid wheel on the Esprit (see pic) which comes in several finishes (mine was chosen to match the dash) and it gives slightly more legroom than the pontiac firebird/lotus airbag wheel (i can confirm the firebird match) but not much more. Also check out the CALVIN decal :lol:

Elanlover wrote:Colin, one of the issues with the adaptor you've posted pics about is that its made for non-aribag wheels. So, there's no openings for the various wires that are threaded though the bottom of the adaptor or for the retaining peices on the contact ring. They'd have to be cut exactly to the correct positions. Possible but a lot of extra work. The adaptor plate I posted about above seems to have taken all this into consideration already and apparantly fits the Elan perfectly.

I've received word back from the guy who designed the adaptor hub and organied the group buys. He says he needs 20 orders to do a run and the cost will likely be in the $200 range - not a firm quote. That would be for the adaptor itself althogh he's supplied them in the past with connectors to the Raid airbag electrics for another $20. I don't think we'd need that. The Raid wheel is a 3 bolt mounting pattern and the Elise wheel is a 4 bolt. So, the adaptor plate would need to be modified by the manufacturer to support 4 bolts or we'd all have to tap our own holes. There are still a few Esprit owners lookign for these so we don't have to come up with 20. He "thinks" 10 might do. I will start a group buy thread herefor those interested.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Elanlover » Wed 22.04.2009, 17:53

esprit888 wrote: ..................so i dont mind sacrificing it for someone to machine it down or drill it if it helps others confirm an esprit matched hub that works for the Elan non air bag wheel.


The guy who did the run for the Raid airbag wheel adaptor says several were purchased by Elan owners used to fit the Raid wheel to the Elan. So, that would mean the Esprit and Elan wheels are identical. Marie believes this to be the case as well as she bought an Esprit wheel as a spare and it fit no problem.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby lotusgirlmarie » Wed 22.04.2009, 18:01

I was just going to post that. The Elan and the Esprit airbag columns are Identical. The pics Ekapol posted are from his cars that we went to visit as well as work on. I put my Esprit wheel on it in one of the shots. It fit. Bottom line. Any adapter that fits the Esprit will fit the Elan.

Also its to show that I fit a Nardi adapter inside one of the wheels and drilled and tapped it to mate to the Elise wheel. This was to clarify what I was stating earlier. To mount the adapter inside the wheel.

The Momo adapter that was posted earlier....... From the photos it looks like the actual splined section can be removed by drilling out the four rivets. Is this the case? It so building an adapter would be very easy.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Elanlover » Wed 22.04.2009, 18:22

lotusgirlmarie wrote: ................The Momo adapter that was posted earlier....... From the photos it looks like the actual splined section can be removed by drilling out the four rivets. Is this the case? It so building an adapter would be very easy.


Or, perhaps cutting the entire mounting cylinder off leaving only the "base" with the hub. Then we might be left with a thin, round plate with the correct hub in the middle. We could then place this adapator against the Elan wheel to trace the required openings (2 large and 2 small) to support the airbag connections and contact ring. Then drill and tap the mounting holes.

Is there enough metal on this adaptor to do this? Whats the diameter of the adaptor (mounting side)?
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby esprit888 » Wed 22.04.2009, 18:50

Sad to say no, they are four roll pins and i believe they are for cancelling the indicators

lotusgirlmarie wrote:I was just going to post that. The Elan and the Esprit airbag columns are Identical. The pics Ekapol posted are from his cars that we went to visit as well as work on. I put my Esprit wheel on it in one of the shots. It fit. Bottom line. Any adapter that fits the Esprit will fit the Elan.

Also its to show that I fit a Nardi adapter inside one of the wheels and drilled and tapped it to mate to the Elise wheel. This was to clarify what I was stating earlier. To mount the adapter inside the wheel.

The Momo adapter that was posted earlier....... From the photos it looks like the actual splined section can be removed by drilling out the four rivets. Is this the case? It so building an adapter would be very easy.
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby esprit888 » Wed 22.04.2009, 18:55

Exactly what i was thinking, the OD of the adaptor on the six bolt wheel mounting side is 78mm, the od on the hub side is the same but has a step in it which is of no concern.

Elanlover wrote:
lotusgirlmarie wrote: ................The Momo adapter that was posted earlier....... From the photos it looks like the actual splined section can be removed by drilling out the four rivets. Is this the case? It so building an adapter would be very easy.


Or, perhaps cutting the entire mounting cylinder off leaving only the "base" with the hub. Then we might be left with a thin, round plate with the correct hub in the middle. We could then place this adapator against the Elan wheel to trace the required openings (2 large and 2 small) to support the airbag connections and contact ring. Then drill and tap the mounting holes.

Is there enough metal on this adaptor to do this? Whats the diameter of the adaptor (mounting side)?
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby Elanlover » Wed 22.04.2009, 19:05

esprit888 wrote:Exactly what i was thinking, the OD of the adaptor on the six bolt wheel mounting side is 78mm, the od on the hub side is the same but has a step in it which is of no concern.


I'll check the back of the Elise wheel tonight when I get home. If that hollow mounting "cylinder" is cut off right down to the hub and splines and sanded smooth, do you have any idea what thickness would be left over to dril out and tap some mounting holes into the surface?
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Re: Steering wheel fitment

Postby esprit888 » Wed 22.04.2009, 19:18

The thread depth of the six countersunk screws on the original setup is only 8mm and there would be more than enough for that.

Elanlover wrote:
esprit888 wrote:Exactly what i was thinking, the OD of the adaptor on the six bolt wheel mounting side is 78mm, the od on the hub side is the same but has a step in it which is of no concern.


I'll check the back of the Elise wheel tonight when I get home. If that hollow mounting "cylinder" is cut off right down to the hub and splines and sanded smooth, do you have any idea what thickness would be left over to dril out and tap some mounting holes into the surface?
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