Page 1 of 1

split rims

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 12:03
by bash
Sorry, but I spotted these and thought how cool they would look on an Elite or Eclat ( I can see petes cheque book ducking for cover )
Bash
https://www.imagewheels.co.uk/image-turbo-alloy-wheel/

Re: split rims

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 12:51
by Alan_M
Oooh !! Very nice - RichardW I can see these fitting your Excite very well.

Re: split rims

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 15:37
by Pete Boole
ooooooohh! Wasn't I just saying recently I would only swap out the Turbines for larger Turbines. The only reasons to fit them though are a wider choice of tyres/need bigger brakes. Good spot Bash 8). £1500 for a set of 15 inch.

Pete

Re: split rims

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 16:26
by bash
Yes, the ones that bolt from the back and no logo would look fab.
Bash

Re: split rims

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 19:42
by Pete Boole
bash wrote:
Wed Aug 25, 2021 16:26
Yes, the ones that bolt from the back and no logo would look fab.
Bash
8) :D

Pete

Re: split rims

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 21:44
by richardw
Tempted but not that tempted!

Good find Bash!

Cheers, Richard

Re: split rims

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 22:32
by KevW
Would 16" wheels not allow a better choice of tyres without looking too OTT ?

I've been mulling this over for ages after seeing the wheels on RR HANS' Excel

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=4678&p=31700&hilit=wheels#p31700

Re: split rims

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:18
by Lotus-e-Clan
My experience with fitting larger rims has some regrets, performance-wise.

I 've done this with the Clan - not the Excel :roll: .

Stating the obvious, my main gripes are increased unsprung weight, and engine torque-sapping. There are cummulative hits if you also increase the width -even more so on acceleration and top speed.

I went from 12 inch rims to 13 inch which doesn't sound like much, but you immediately become aware of the increase when lifting the wheel to fit them! The bigger rims give a harsh ride -mainly because I had to increase the damper stiffness to deal with the extra usprung weight bottoming the suspension on uneven roads. And acceleration was worse - obviously much more noticeable on a low torque engine in the Clan.

I'd go back to 12 inch IF there where decent tyres available - that aint going to happen. There are still a lot of performance tyres around for 13 inch rims due to the motorsport connection -so I'm locked into 13 inch rims for the foreseeable.

I'm in two minds over the looks - the smaller rims do look right from a Classic point of view. Same feelings for the Classic Mini - 10 inch rims look right (and perform right!) compared to the much larger rims now fitted to many.

On high-torque modern cars the performance hits are probably a lot less noticeable.

Re: split rims

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 11:07
by bash
I think you have hit the nail on the head with supply, theres little choice of 14" tyres for the elite and eclat (or even early excels) going to 15 or 16" really opens up the door to some quality tyres but with a lower profile to keep the same rolling radius / line within the wheelarch.
I know that may effect ride but non of these cars will have standard fully lotus suspension by now. Tyre technology has also advanced very significantly over the years.

Bash

Re: split rims

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 12:56
by Lotus-e-Clan
bash wrote:
Thu Aug 26, 2021 11:07
I think you have hit the nail on the head with supply, theres little choice of 14" tyres for the elite and eclat (or even early excels) going to 15 or 16" really opens up the door to some quality tyres but with a lower profile to keep the same rolling radius / line within the wheelarch.
I know that may effect ride but non of these cars will have standard fully lotus suspension by now. Tyre technology has also advanced very significantly over the years.

Bash
Agreed on better tyre tech Bash. A further note on fitting modern tyres to a lighter classic. The sidewalls are stronger/stiffer to cope with 1500+kg which unfortunately adds to the harshness of the ride.
On the plus side, steering feels sharper.

I await with interest the full findings of the F1 guys when they run 18 inch rims next year. Already James Key says it will impact on pit-stops (heavier wheel, plus the front rim/tyre aero aid gets in the way when changing the fronts). Seb also claimed during testing he can't see the apex with the 18 inch rims having the aero aid on the inside of the tyre. I assume the aero aid compensates for the larger open area at the back of the front rim. I supose they could have filled the rim void with bigger brakes (but that aids even more weight).

Re: split rims

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 13:35
by bash
Oooo, an opening for taller drivers, perhaps I should apply.
Bash

Re: split rims

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 17:15
by KevW
Lotus-e-Clan wrote:
Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:18
My experience with fitting larger rims has some regrets, performance-wise.

I 've done this with the Clan - not the Excel :roll: .

I went from 12 inch rims to 13 inch which doesn't sound like much, but you immediately become aware of the increase when lifting the wheel to fit them! The bigger rims give a harsh ride -mainly because I had to increase the damper stiffness to deal with the extra usprung weight bottoming the suspension on uneven roads. And acceleration was worse - obviously much more noticeable on a low torque engine in the Clan.

I'd go back to 12 inch IF there where decent tyres available - that aint going to happen. There are still a lot of performance tyres around for 13 inch rims due to the motorsport connection -so I'm locked into 13 inch rims for the foreseeable.

I'm in two minds over the looks - the smaller rims do look right from a Classic point of view. Same feelings for the Classic Mini - 10 inch rims look right (and perform right!) compared to the much larger rims now fitted to many.

On high-torque modern cars the performance hits are probably a lot less noticeable.
The thing is Peter going from 12-13" is proportionally a greater increase than going from 15-16". I agree with you about the Mini, the 13" rims fitted to many classic Minis ruin the road holding, Mini specialists who know their stuff admit it. In the past I found 10 and 12 inch rims work fine on a Mini - obviously your Clan is a totally different beast.

I'll probably still be mulling over a change to 16" rims on my Excel two years from now....