wheel spacers for elan

[chetepongo22]

where can I get spacers for my elan,I think it is perfect with original alloy wheels, but maybe with them a little more out(2cms or 2.5cms)...I think it`s gonna be more sport and the wheel won`t be too out.-...

where can I get them and opinions about this option???
thanks guys!!!

[Nige]

Any spacers will do but I don't recomend it. You may think the car will look better and you are probably right. However the wheels are where they are because that's where Lotus put them to make the car handle and ride so well. If yoy space them out 20-25mm you will probably upset the way the car drives.

[tweetdriver63]

Wouldn't spacing the OEM wheels out 20mm have exactly the same effect on handling as mounting +40 offest wheels instead of +60? Maybe somebody who's done that can answer the question of effect on handling. Seems to me people are most concerned with wheel bearing life when doing that. Handling, I would think, wouldn't be adversely affected too much for normal street use, but for track, it might be worse.

[XiPHiAS]

i've mounted 17" wheels with an ET45 onto my first Elan.

The look was stunning, but the handling was NOT OK, the car runs so much better on his original wheels or at least wheels with ET60.

This is very weird on normal cars... but because Lotus did special suspention-design onto the car the handling is not like it has to be.
I think the special design to recuce the powersteering is what involved in this.

Because I want again special wheels on my Elan I will do some tests and posts all my reviews here.

[Nige]

Wouldn't spacing the OEM wheels out 20mm have exactly the same effect on handling as mounting +40 offest wheels instead of +60?

Exactly the same, and we've been here before. I think the effect on bearing life is subjective as there is no real evidence that it's affected but in theory the longer leveer effect of the reduced offset will put greater forces on the components. As far as handling goes I'm firmly of the view that it's probably best not to fiddle with what Lotus did, as they do know what they are doing, and certainly not just for looks. However, if you are willing to shift the ride/handling compromise towards the requirements for track use then some changes are ok if you can live with the consequences.

[MattDon]

ive had to use 10mm spacers due to a 16" brake upgrade on an se and a set of 17" wheels that arnt deeply dished, (49et by the way) will update about handling as soon as it comes back from the garage. as far as spacers go, im not a fan but make sure you get spacres specific to the lotus/gm hub i found some on ebay at £47 i think, and dont go any bigger that is necisarry.



quick question for anyone reading this thread.

if a spacer is used does that increase the offset or decrease it? would that make my 49mm offset wheels 39mm or 59mm??

[dapinky]

Remember that if you use spacers (of any thickness) to make sure you use the appropriate length wheel bolts - there isn't muck thread into the hub at the best of times!

[F1 LOTUS]

quick question for anyone reading this thread.

if a spacer is used does that increase the offset or decrease it? would that make my 49mm offset wheels 39mm or 59mm??

Lotus will have worked hard to keep the steering offset close to zero to avoid kickback and minimize torque-steer effects - less wheel offset moves the tire contact patch further outboard giving the road / tire more leverage about the steering axis - if you really exaggerate the scenario it's easier to understand the effect
If you have non-stock wheels AND spacers I reckon you'll notice the much increased steering offset from the reduced wheel offset.