17" on the front - LotusTalk

fastcars268 · 01-11-2005, 03:29 PM

I was wondering if anyone has tried installing 17x7.5 on the front of the USA Elise. I have done some searching and can find any information that says it is possiable

I am looking to running 225/45R17 front and rear. I would have to be on at least a 17x7.5 rim. I could also run a 8 or 8.5 rim is it would fit and not stick out past the body.

It is for a spec tire race series. We also have the option of running a 225/45R15.

If anyone has information on where tires are making contact in the wheel well please also pass that on.

TIA

FastCars

Robert Puertas · 01-11-2005, 03:43 PM

I don't think there's anyway you could fit a 225 inside the front fender.

Evl · 01-11-2005, 04:11 PM

With the 15" wheel, would you gain enough clearance to avoid rubbing before you hit the bump stops? Does anyone know what the suspension travel figure is for the elise front and rear? I'm curious...

fastcars268 · 01-11-2005, 06:14 PM

Has anyone tried bolting up their rear right to the front with additional spacers.

I am just looking for clearance issues. I have heard that people are hitting the back of the head light bucket. That will not be a problem because I can remove the head lights and cover the area with a panel.

KuroiSport · 01-11-2005, 06:48 PM

The red car with CF clams has 225's on 16's in the front. I don't know the exact setup but I might be able to find out this weekend. I am pretty sure that it's only a 16x7 though.

http://www.toybox48.com/cgi-bin/bbs/...gi?md=mv&ln=76

http://www.toybox48.com/cgi-bin/bbs/pbbs.cgi?md=mv

008 · 01-12-2005, 08:09 AM

I've bolted the rear wheel to the front and it fits. I didn't drive it or take measurements. It just barely clears the caliper. What we need to do is get enough people together where RAC Monolites will build 17s front and rear 1/2 inch wider.

John Stimson · 01-12-2005, 12:18 PM

I would go with the 225/45-15s...lighter, lower, shorter gearing, better clearance, with the same width and sidewall height. What's not to like? As long as you can find a 15" wheel that can clear the rear calipers, you'd be all set.

fastcars268 · 01-12-2005, 12:35 PM

008,

Thanks for the test. Where is the clearenace issue with the caliper? On the spokes?

How did the wheel and tire fix to the wheel well/body?

Did it stick out past the body?

One issue with the fit is turning lock to lock. On the race track we don't need full lock to lock most of the time. One summer I helped with a TransAM car and that thing used half a city block to turn around unless you use the throttle.

Getting rims the right size is not a problem. Some one just needs to make a trip to TireRack and let them do test fixs on the Elise. I know a couple people on the inside that may be able to help.

With the current weather in the MidWest I am thinking it will have to wait a month or two. (That frozen white stuff...)

008 · 01-12-2005, 01:05 PM

Fastcars,
The issue on the caliper was right at the spokes. The wheel spins but it is very close. As far as how it fits in the well and so forth I wouldn't know because I had the front and rear wheels off so I couldn't put it down or do much of anything! The reason I did it is becasue we were measuring for the RS110s by RAC. They build their wheels through Champion Motorsports. They use an 8 ton forge press to mold a solid block of billet into a wheel. There are only about three of these machines in the world and Champion just bought a large stake in one. RAC has secured the right to build these wheels for the Elise and BMWs. I would definitely contact them if you are serious about a custom wheel. Ralph is good friend of mine and he frequents the Roadfly boards quite a bit. If we can get 10 people interested we can build anything we want.

evomind · 01-15-2005, 04:01 PM

that sounds cool, but first u have to find 10 people to pay for custom wheels, then do those 10 people also have to agree on the same custom rims?
that might be the tough part.

Surferjer · 01-16-2005, 04:48 AM

Evomind- a question:

Quote:

KRYPTON GREEN BRIGADE

an army of one? (so far?) curious

hpman · 01-16-2005, 07:54 AM

I'm interested in the 17" x 4 too. Much better tire selection too.

01-11-2005, 03:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
fastcars268 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4	17" on the front I was wondering if anyone has tried installing 17x7.5 on the front of the USA Elise. I have done some searching and can find any information that says it is possiable I am looking to running 225/45R17 front and rear. I would have to be on at least a 17x7.5 rim. I could also run a 8 or 8.5 rim is it would fit and not stick out past the body. It is for a spec tire race series. We also have the option of running a 225/45R15. If anyone has information on where tires are making contact in the wheel well please also pass that on. TIA FastCars

01-11-2005, 03:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Robert Puertas #0518 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 2,425 Images: 14	I don't think there's anyway you could fit a 225 inside the front fender. __________________ Robert Puertas

01-11-2005, 04:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Evl His Impatientness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,723	With the 15" wheel, would you gain enough clearance to avoid rubbing before you hit the bump stops? Does anyone know what the suspension travel figure is for the elise front and rear? I'm curious... __________________ www.agentsofentropy.com

01-11-2005, 06:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
KuroiSport Wanted: Super 7 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hayama, Japan Posts: 645	The red car with CF clams has 225's on 16's in the front. I don't know the exact setup but I might be able to find out this weekend. I am pretty sure that it's only a 16x7 though. http://www.toybox48.com/cgi-bin/bbs/...gi?md=mv&ln=76 http://www.toybox48.com/cgi-bin/bbs/pbbs.cgi?md=mv __________________ '94 RX-7 Type RII (met with a wall) '98 RX-7 Type RS (Sold) '05 Elise (Sold) '94 Miata '06 Baby Boy, delivered 7/14.

01-12-2005, 12:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
John Stimson Interloper Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 1,480	I would go with the 225/45-15s...lighter, lower, shorter gearing, better clearance, with the same width and sidewall height. What's not to like? As long as you can find a 15" wheel that can clear the rear calipers, you'd be all set. __________________ 2005 S2000 #42as

01-11-2005, 06:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
fastcars268 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4	Has anyone tried bolting up their rear right to the front with additional spacers. I am just looking for clearance issues. I have heard that people are hitting the back of the head light bucket. That will not be a problem because I can remove the head lights and cover the area with a panel.

01-12-2005, 08:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
008 Sexual Philanthropist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,175	I've bolted the rear wheel to the front and it fits. I didn't drive it or take measurements. It just barely clears the caliper. What we need to do is get enough people together where RAC Monolites will build 17s front and rear 1/2 inch wider.

01-12-2005, 12:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
fastcars268 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4	008, Thanks for the test. Where is the clearenace issue with the caliper? On the spokes? How did the wheel and tire fix to the wheel well/body? Did it stick out past the body? One issue with the fit is turning lock to lock. On the race track we don't need full lock to lock most of the time. One summer I helped with a TransAM car and that thing used half a city block to turn around unless you use the throttle. Getting rims the right size is not a problem. Some one just needs to make a trip to TireRack and let them do test fixs on the Elise. I know a couple people on the inside that may be able to help. With the current weather in the MidWest I am thinking it will have to wait a month or two. (That frozen white stuff...)

01-12-2005, 01:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
008 Sexual Philanthropist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,175	Fastcars, The issue on the caliper was right at the spokes. The wheel spins but it is very close. As far as how it fits in the well and so forth I wouldn't know because I had the front and rear wheels off so I couldn't put it down or do much of anything! The reason I did it is becasue we were measuring for the RS110s by RAC. They build their wheels through Champion Motorsports. They use an 8 ton forge press to mold a solid block of billet into a wheel. There are only about three of these machines in the world and Champion just bought a large stake in one. RAC has secured the right to build these wheels for the Elise and BMWs. I would definitely contact them if you are serious about a custom wheel. Ralph is good friend of mine and he frequents the Roadfly boards quite a bit. If we can get 10 people interested we can build anything we want.

01-15-2005, 04:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
evomind J. Caesar Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicagoland Posts: 5,481	that sounds cool, but first u have to find 10 people to pay for custom wheels, then do those 10 people also have to agree on the same custom rims? that might be the tough part. __________________ Vati. C6 ZO6. THE OBITS, YO! KEEP CRYIN! WHAA! REDNECK = PERSON WHO LIVES IN A DUMP BUT DRIVES AN ELISE! I never played by the rules, and I never really cared My nasty reputation takes me everywhere It is admitted by all that he was much addicted to women, as well as very expensive in his intrigues with them, and that he debauched many ladies of the highest quality; among whom were Posthumia, the wife of Servius Sulpicius; and Lollia, the wife of Aulus Gabinius.

01-16-2005, 07:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
hpman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North San Diego Cnty Posts: 235	I'm interested in the 17" x 4 too. Much better tire selection too.

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