88 Turbo wheels
Discussion
Pat,
The deep-dish wheel offset is to accomodate the Citroen C-35 gearbox and inboard brakes. The deep-dish offset disappeared when Lotus switched to the Renault transmission and outboard brakes (the brakes wouldn't fit with the deep-dish offset). Technically, this switch occured with the '89 non-SE models, although a few received '88's got the mod early due to the discontinuance of the Citroen box. Also, some owners have done the conversion as well, either because they needed a new tranny or because they wanted to upgrade the brakes.
The advantage to inboard brakes is that more of the car's Mass (Weight) is sprung - that is; most of the mass resides before the suspension system (or is presented to the ground through the suspension system) allowing it to work with most of the car's Mass. This can achieve better handling. The disadvantage is that the inboard position allows for poorer cooling and consequently performance of the brakes.
With outboard brakes, it's the opposite. More Mass is unsprung, theoretically reducing the suspension performance. But, the brakes are better cooled leading to more efficient braking. Everything's a trade-off. Lotus was sort of forced into the modification with the discontinuance of the Citroen box, but probably tweaked the suspension to compensate.
It is always hotly debated as to how much a car's Mass should be sprung or unsprung. Generally, you want as much sprung Mass as possible, but there are acceptable exceptions.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
The deep-dish wheel offset is to accomodate the Citroen C-35 gearbox and inboard brakes. The deep-dish offset disappeared when Lotus switched to the Renault transmission and outboard brakes (the brakes wouldn't fit with the deep-dish offset). Technically, this switch occured with the '89 non-SE models, although a few received '88's got the mod early due to the discontinuance of the Citroen box. Also, some owners have done the conversion as well, either because they needed a new tranny or because they wanted to upgrade the brakes.
The advantage to inboard brakes is that more of the car's Mass (Weight) is sprung - that is; most of the mass resides before the suspension system (or is presented to the ground through the suspension system) allowing it to work with most of the car's Mass. This can achieve better handling. The disadvantage is that the inboard position allows for poorer cooling and consequently performance of the brakes.
With outboard brakes, it's the opposite. More Mass is unsprung, theoretically reducing the suspension performance. But, the brakes are better cooled leading to more efficient braking. Everything's a trade-off. Lotus was sort of forced into the modification with the discontinuance of the Citroen box, but probably tweaked the suspension to compensate.
It is always hotly debated as to how much a car's Mass should be sprung or unsprung. Generally, you want as much sprung Mass as possible, but there are acceptable exceptions.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
I've noticed the US rear 88 alloys are different to the UK alloys too.
In the UK the deeper dish alloys, fitted to the SE, where also fitted to the Turbo's from 1990 onwards.
I fitted the deeper dish alloys to my 88 Turbo, with a big improvement in handling.
Mark
88 Turbo
www.lotusespritturbo.com
In the UK the deeper dish alloys, fitted to the SE, where also fitted to the Turbo's from 1990 onwards.
I fitted the deeper dish alloys to my 88 Turbo, with a big improvement in handling.
Mark
88 Turbo
www.lotusespritturbo.com
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