changing hubs might solve rim compatibility issues

[andrewp]

I know this may not be a popular question.

If another manufacturer's hubs where lathed down to fit the Elan's front wheel bearings could it be possible to, say, safely fit a Subaru hub (or a Honda or Mazda hub, etc.) to the Elan?

This would solve wheel compatibility issues because such modern 5 bolt wheels are abundant . . . OEM and aftermarket options abound. It would also allow for relatively inexpensive -and big- front brake disc upgrades as the stock rotors off such heavier/higher HP cars are well supplied by the aftermarket. Discs and pad replacements would be cheap. Plus, dozens of suppliers = several dozen pad density options, drilled verses slotted disc options, etc.

There would be issues regarding such things as:
1) Would the Elan's CV splines match? . . . or would custom axles be needed?
2) If the stock calipers from the donor cars do not match the Elan's upright bolt hole spacing an adapter plate will be needed.
3) Will there be possible clearance conflicts between suspension components and these new (larger) brake parts?
4) How much metal could be removed from the donor hub to still safely support the Elan's needs?

Another member of this forum (who lacks access to a lathe) once showed me how similar Subaru (WRX?) hubs were to the Elan's. It "seemed" that small amounts of lathe work could offer a unique opportunity. Has anyone tried this?

The rears would require another whole re-think, however.

AP

[bobbrown]

The rears are a easy as I have done them in the standard 4 x 100 configuration see link and getting them made 5 x 100 is not a problem.
Fronts are a different animal and I have looked in to getting these replicated in 5 x 100, as far as machining another make down to suit, I think you are just opening up a can of worms, the tolerances are tight and that assumes you can find one with the correct splines else you'll need another CV joint and probably custom drive shafts.
Going to a 5 bolt wheel fixing still will not address the problem of getting wheels with the correct offset 60mm as even in 5 bolt are like rocking horse /*+!
As for brakes I know what can be done and what can not, an adapter plate is not really an option and there is a limit as to how far back you can move the disc and a lot of other constraints. There is a big brake upgrade that uses parts from another car see link

[racerstev]

Is there enough meat there to just redrill the stock hub? Maybe weld a ring on the
back to make it stronger after drilling?

Steve

[bobbrown]

There is certainly not enough material on the front hubs to allow then to be drilled 5 x 100, and any sort of welding is out of the question as it will distort the hub and these must run accurately else you'll end up with too much run out on the discs, max is 0.004" (0.1mm). Even a small distortion is going to amplified when you get to the disc edge even more so on brake upgrades.
Just to make matters worse the hub is only 15mm thick and there is not a lot of room behind it before you get to the hub carrier.

It may be worth looking at geting some made as they could be used with Subaru rims and they can be 55mm offset which is close to the original 60, it may also be possible to remove a little from the face to get even closer to 60 depends on how much material there is.


Bob