Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I'm preparing an S2 Elan for vintage racing, with the small diameter rear springs and adjustable perches from Dave Bean. Wheel wells are stock of course (no flares allowed of course!). Can any of you experienced racers tell me what is the maximum width of Panasport that will fit in this application? And what tire size you're using?

Thanks -

Blair in Vancouver

i race an s1. use 5x13 panasports with kumho v700 175x13. i also use hoosier a70-13 but get some fender rub.

This has been covered before, so you might search around a bit ...

But I have used the 5 inch wide panasports with hoosier street tds [ 185/60-13 ] with success and have used yoko ao32rs with some rubbing [only on 1 corner ]. As the cars are all a bit different, ymmv

Others have reported using 6 inch wide versions with larger negative offset [ wheels go further inboard ].

Good luck !
john

Below is what I wrote back in August 2002 on the lous elan yahoo groups, I still haven't modified the rack spacers...


--- In lotuselan@y..., "garyeanderson" wrote:
> In order to fit any larger tire than the stock (145/80x13) of the
S1
> or S2 Elan you should go with a small diameter rear spring. The
> widest tire I have heard of that does not hit are 165/65x13
> Bridgstone RE92's with shock rear suspension. I have 175/50x13
> Pirrelli P7's on my S2 Elan, this was accomplished by a) 2.5 inch
> diameter spings in the rear, b)34mm offset 13x6 Panasport wheels,
c)
> outboard ends of the rear lower A arm were ground away slightly for
> extra clearence. The Tires still foul the front anti roll bar at
full
> lock (still need to make up longer spacers for the rack). The
> 175/50x13 is only 20 inches in diameter so it is like a 10%
> underdrive, when I wear out the P7's I will try a set of 185/60x13,
> the Elan will be ready to paint again by then and I won't mind
fixing
> the wheel archs when I tear them off. I'll post a picture in the
> photos section.
>
> Gary