Discussion
Finally got them on and finaly figured out how to post pictures on here. What do you think?????
http://img3.photobucket.com/albums/v12/cossymad/lotus_side_on.jpg
http://img3.photobucket.com/albums/v12/cossymad/lotus_side_on.jpg
Impressed you got 19's on. I was going to go for 18's but were warned of wheel rub and possible issues with the rears being too wide without the arch extensions. Whats size are the rears?
IMO the wheel arms would be better if they were the same size as the lines down the car but on rims that size weight could be an issue. Did you weight them? As a guide my old SE 16 rears were 21Kg with tire where as the S4 17's I've now fitted are 23Kg.
As your in Essex I could be interested in seeing it in the flesh at some point.
Steve
IMO the wheel arms would be better if they were the same size as the lines down the car but on rims that size weight could be an issue. Did you weight them? As a guide my old SE 16 rears were 21Kg with tire where as the S4 17's I've now fitted are 23Kg.
As your in Essex I could be interested in seeing it in the flesh at some point.
Steve
When I updated my '92 SE to use the wheel size of the later S4S/V8 cars (17in/18in) I knew about the wheel arch issue at the front.
What I didn't expect was that when the wider wheels went ot, I noticed (by eye) that the nearside (drivers in EU/US) front wheel sticks out marginally more than the drivers side one. I have it as a about 1.5 cm.
When I go full lock to the right, the drivers side wheel does not rub on the inside of the arch.
When I go full lock to the left (the slightly protruding wheel) rubs the inside of the arch.
It isn't the end of the world to me, as you can avoid using full left lock most of the time and usually it is at crawling pace anyway.
However, upon getting a '98 V8, I saw that the inside of the arch is slightly further curved to compensate for the wheels. Not sure when Lotus did this because I have seena V8 and S4S with inside arch rub, just not as bad as my SE, obviously.
So I have thought of asking a bodyshop to make an 'adjustment' if possible sometime down the line.
I also noted that on the later big wheel V8 cars the rear wheels don't stick out as much (track) as they do when I put big wheels on my SE. This could be because the more compact V8 allows the wheels to move more inboard than the turbo-four which has a heatshield protecting the tyre from the turbo heat.
Nicholas
What I didn't expect was that when the wider wheels went ot, I noticed (by eye) that the nearside (drivers in EU/US) front wheel sticks out marginally more than the drivers side one. I have it as a about 1.5 cm.
When I go full lock to the right, the drivers side wheel does not rub on the inside of the arch.
When I go full lock to the left (the slightly protruding wheel) rubs the inside of the arch.
It isn't the end of the world to me, as you can avoid using full left lock most of the time and usually it is at crawling pace anyway.
However, upon getting a '98 V8, I saw that the inside of the arch is slightly further curved to compensate for the wheels. Not sure when Lotus did this because I have seena V8 and S4S with inside arch rub, just not as bad as my SE, obviously.
So I have thought of asking a bodyshop to make an 'adjustment' if possible sometime down the line.
I also noted that on the later big wheel V8 cars the rear wheels don't stick out as much (track) as they do when I put big wheels on my SE. This could be because the more compact V8 allows the wheels to move more inboard than the turbo-four which has a heatshield protecting the tyre from the turbo heat.
Nicholas
Havent been on here for a while, but if anyones still intrested they rub on full lock (worse when reversing)and when im heavy braking The rears are fine. Sizes front 215/35/19, rears 245/35/19. I havnt lowerd it yet but its going to come down about 3" !!!! has to be decked then ill make changes to the arches. Ive got 300 sport arches and rear spoiler on order, but they dont come til march!!! Ive just had a s/s system made for it and it now spits out big fat flames on overun! the cars in the bodyshop at the moment having a respray, as soon as I get it back ill post some more pics
Kev
Kev
unity1 said:
IMO the wheel arms would be better if they were the same size as the lines down the car but on rims that size weight could be an issue. Did you weight them? As a guide my old SE 16 rears were 21Kg with tire where as the S4 17's I've now fitted are 23Kg.
Steve - for reference, the weighs of my old AWI monoblocs are 12.2 kg fr and 14.1 kg rear which compares with 8.6 kg fr and 10.0 kg rear for the Sport 350 Crono Magnesios. Thats is wheel only, no tyres. So, total saving from fitting the mags is approx 15 kg.
If you're interested.. O.Z RACING "SUPERLEGGERA" wheels are supposed to be even lighter than my mag wheels, but of course they don't have "esprit" written on them
cheers
Rob
rob.e said:
the weighs of my old AWI monoblocs are 12.2 kg fr and 14.1 kg rear which compares with 8.6 kg fr and 10.0 kg rear for the Sport 350 Crono Magnesios...
Holy balony! Rob, man, I gotta get me some of those!
I'm doing some major weight-watchers on my SE and at the moment have the AWI set on (or OZ Nova with different tyre choice) and from what you say, I *really* aught to get the Manesio to remain consistent. The reduction in kerb weight (if that's the right expression) plus the reduction in inertial acceleration will be very useful.
So far no luck finding them anywhere
If you decide to switch back, let me know first please!
Nicholas
Ye Olde Esprit said:
If you decide to switch back, let me know first please!
Nicholas
no plans to change... took me 18 months to find a good original set at a reasonable price. BTW - I just got some 03 spec bilstein adjustable dampers and eibach springs. The Bilsteins are very, very light.. will post up the weight comparison when i have the stock dampers and springs off the car. Hopefully its another weight saving
cheers
Rob
So it was you who pipped me! I was in consultation with Mike minutes before you must have turned up to collect! 
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