New rear hub design .

[dakazman]

I found out his picture of hubs for sale on Instagram. I did not post it in the FS area because I cannot verify anything about it. It may show up here or has shown up all ready. Just putting it out there for comment.

[andy harwood]

They look really nice. I'd be interested in a pair!

[LotusJoe]

They certainly look beefy enough!

[Certified Lotus]

Looks like C&C created from solid block vs cast.

[gideon]

They would need to be hollow, or they'd be too heavy.  No way that I can see to do that by machining from solid.

[dakazman]

I’ll let ray to figure out how to contact him on Instagram. Definitely from Japan.
Dakazman

[jbcollier]

I hear what Mr Gideon is saying but I'm not sure I agree it necessary to have them hollow.  Yes it adds unsprung weight but not that much compared to the larger wheels and tires people are fitting these days.

I'm not interested myself as I had a spare set of mine machined out and fitted with steel sleeves.  Worked out very nicely.

[Clifton]

If someone put that much work into them, I would think they removed as much as they could on the back side for weight. My friend makes billet parts for older (S30) Z's. He removes as much weight as he can. http://www.arizonazcar.com/diffmount.html

[lotusfanatic]

very nice!

I'd be interested as they would be an improvement over aging cast hubs.
Hopefully very little weight increase?

Mark

[andy harwood]

"Yes it adds unsprung weight but not that much compared to the larger wheels and tires people are fitting these days."
I've wondered the weight difference between original period wheels, tires (tubes?) compared to new aluminum wheels, tires. Is there much of a difference? Is there a comparison out there somewhere?

[Sandyman]

Adding to Andy's comment. What is the weight difference between this aluminum hob and the original steel one? Must be lighter.

[jbcollier]

The original uprights are cast aluminum and are hollow.  They are actually very light.

Whether tires are heavier depends on their size and construction.  Generally tires with a higher speed rating are heavier.  Tires with "V" and higher speed ratings can be as much as twice as heavy as "H" to "T" rated tires.  Also remember that speed ratings are for a continuous speed.  I run "T" rated tires.  They are good for a continuous 110 mph.  I might once try to see "how-fast-she'll-go" but only briefly so there is no need for a higher rating and the extra weight.

Rims also vary widely.  My 13"x 5.5" Cosmics actually weigh more than the stock steel rims.

[cwtech]

If they are indeed solid, holes could be bored through them to reduce weight without compromising strength.

It would be interesting to see the surfaces which are not visible in the pics.  ....Weight reduction could take place from those surfaces.

Not much info given.  ...Maybe they're 3D printed plastic, painted aluminum color!   

[andy harwood]

OK, color me  curious. And, since the test subjects were readily available...
Lotus Alloy Wheel - 16.5 lbs  with Yokohama 185/60R/13/80V tire - 29.1 lbs.
Rota 15X6 minilite copy wheel - 14.1 lbs.  with Nexen 195/45Z/15/78W - 31.3 lbs.

Don't have steel wheels to measure.
So, if the carriers are solid, may add a couple lbs to the weight each?
In the real world, taking into account different spring rates and shock absorber capabilities, would 3-5 lbs. per rear axle really make a difference?

(Still, wouldn't mind having a set of those carriers)

[EuropaTC]

I've wondered the weight difference between original period wheels, tires (tubes?) compared to new aluminum wheels, tires. Is there much of a difference? Is there a comparison out there somewhere?

I haven't got the full data but this might give you some ideas. From my cars and weight on the same set of bathroom scales (!)

Elan, 13 x 4.5 steel rim, 155/80 tyre, 26lbs.
Europa, 13 x 5 Cosmic Alloy with 175/70 tyre, 28lbs
Europa, 13 x 5 Cosmic Alloy with 185/70 tyre, 30lbs (yes that's the numbers, I didn't believe it at first but they are different brands)
Europa, 15 x 6 MGF Alloy with 195/50 tyre, 36lbs.

I would imagine the Elan steel rim is going to be similar to the S1/S2 steel rims and the Cosmics, because they are slightly thinner, somewhere around the TC/TCS alloys.  But the message is that if you're fitting 15" rims even without significantly wider tyres then there's a definite weight penalty compared with standard.  When you look at the original steel wheels they weren't that bad at all, especially considering the 80 series tyres.

Brian