24 replies to this topic

[Roberty]

I've been thinking of changing my wheels for sometime now but I prefer the look of my standard wheels to the look of the usual TD Prorace and Speedline alikes (Personal Choice, don't shoot me down) that are available so as much as I appreciate the dynamic reasons for change and the availability of the many different tyre options that come with changing to Elise sizes I've been put off.

Now I know that Thorney offers an Lotus hub mod to use Elise size wheels but again the wheels he's offering IMHO aren't that special.

Now I don't know the details of his mod but if you’re going to that much trouble wouldn't you put some nicer wheels on?

I personally like the 111R/Exige wheels like these in Satin Black


Obviously the PCD is the main problem 4stud not 5.

I've spoken to Ian at EliseParts and asked him about the Bearing packs they sell and he's compared the Elise S2 bearing pack to the VX bearing pack that they also do.

Now apart from the PCD and the connector on the ABS sensor they are identical! And connectors can soon be changed

Offsets can be adjusted with a spacer? I hope!

He even counted the splines 34, same as the Elise and dug out an Elise drive shaft to try in it, perfect fit!

So Four S2 Bearing packs with ABS sensors (But your going to have to mod the connectors yourself when you come to fit them) £296.01

A new set of Elise discs £289.48 (Ultimax S2 Turbo Discs)

Set of Elise wheels of your choosing (I'd go for the 111R wheels as above) £747.50 Upwards

And a set of Elise/Exige rubber £455 upwards.

Total: £1,787.99

Ian was very interested in the whole idea and after some discussion neither of us could see any other reasons why it wouldn't work.

So has anyone done it? Or can anyone else see any potential reasons why it wouldn't work?

Other than the vast cost it almost seems to be too easy so no doubt we've missed something?

I'm sure some of you will take great delight in pulling this idea apart but I'd rather you did it now than when I've wasted £1,800 on otherwise useless garage ornaments!

[techieboy]

Fcuk me, you must really like those wheels to spend £1800 getting them. I think VXJON did the conversion on his car.

[Yellow_or_black?]

Oblomov has Lotus wheels - can't remember which: see his sig

[LY_Scott]

I think VXJON did the conversion on his car.

yes and very nice it was too. £1800 though? you must be nuts.

[southpaw]

here but the pictures may have gone walkies

[rcvaughan]

JawZ has those wheels. It it weren't for the price I'd love to have them on mine. Thought it was simply a case of swapping the hubs? You'll want to leave the ABS disconnected anyway because it'll be crap on the breaks. Just remember to turn the ABS back on for MOT and never turn the ABS on or off whilst the ignition is on or else the ABS dash light will stay on! :Rollseyes: they really are lovely wheels if you can be bothered with the cost/effort!

[markiii]

if I was going to that much areseach I 'd want a set of these puppies

http://www.sector111...x7_and_17x8.cfm

[Roberty]

if I was going to that much areseach I 'd want a set of these puppies

http://www.sector111...x7_and_17x8.cfm

Your Joking there awful No very nice but that really is way too much to spend on a set of Wheels!

Yeah £1800 is a lot to spend but I think they look great and would be a nice change from the usual options.

Don't understand the issue with the ABS with those breaks? Any further info on that?

I like the idea of being able to turn the ABS off for track days but should the worst ever happen on road then I can just see the smile beaming across the loss adjusters face when he see's you've fitted a switch on your ABS!

No other real issues to shoot the idea down yet though......I'm sure there coming

[LazyDonkey]

they were nice wheels but im sure even jon will admit they weren't worth the money

[VXJON]

Couple of points



ABS connectors are a straight swop, no need to cut anything. Eliseparts ones are perfect but you might get them cheaper from a VX dealer as its a astra 4 stud hub

Go for the exige or 240r wheels not the 111r set which are 5.5 wide meaning r- spec tyres will be stretched

Be best budgeting for a set of new pads as well and some suspension to lower the car and make the most of the change

My car was almost useless on the std vx ABS mod, perhaps due to the weight difference. I also fitted a set of lighter alloy belled discs which might have made it worse. Exige abs module worked perfectly for me and combined with the ali bells and 1144 gave lap after lap of great performance

You will need a set of longer wheel bolts, vx ones are too small

[VXJON]

they were nice wheels but im sure even jon will admit they weren't worth the money

Probably but they are cool





Given the chance again I'd go for a set of compos and save some cash

[BAZ8465]

Fcuk me, you must really like those wheels to spend £1800 getting them.

[Roberty]

ABS connectors are a straight swop, no need to cut anything. Eliseparts ones are perfect but you might get them cheaper from a VX dealer as its a astra 4 stud hub

Go for the exige or 240r wheels not the 111r set which are 5.5 wide meaning r- spec tyres will be stretched

Be best budgeting for a set of new pads as well and some suspension to lower the car and make the most of the change

My car was almost useless on the std vx ABS mod, perhaps due to the weight difference. I also fitted a set of lighter alloy belled discs which might have made it worse. Exige abs module worked perfectly for me and combined with the ali bells and 1144 gave lap after lap of great performance

You will need a set of longer wheel bolts, vx ones are too small

Thanks for the advice and it looks very nice.

But it's sounding more and more expensive by the minute!

I was struggling with the £1,800 myself for what would be mostly a cosmetic upgrade.

[Stefan_A]

As said JawZ got Exige wheels on his Speedster, take a look at his site; >Link<

[mandarinvx]

if I was going to that much areseach I 'd want a set of these puppies

http://www.sector111...x7_and_17x8.cfm

They kinda remind me of the 'Venoms' I had on my 306 (and I'm not sure that's a good thing!)

[Craig S]

if I was going to that much areseach I 'd want a set of these puppies

http://www.sector111...x7_and_17x8.cfm

They kinda remind me of the 'Venoms' I had on my 306 (and I'm not sure that's a good thing!)

Why not look a Europa wheels, five stud same as the VX, Tyreman had a lovely set on his tubby with no faff

[Roberty]

Why not look at Europa wheels, five stud same as the VX, Tyreman had a lovely set on his tubby with no faff

Because then you still have 17's all round, nice looking wheels but still pretty much where you started handling wise and with the same restricted tyre options!

[Roberty]

As said JawZ got Exige wheels on his Speedster, take a look at his site; >Link<

Now I see them fitted to a VX I want them even more, Hhmm £1,800 isn't that much really!

[boghouse]

I REALLY want them too....But then I should really be saving for the jelly suspension upgrade 1st

[Whiteboy]

http://www.grouplotu...ise/eliseSuper/ I like the sport wheels.