Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Converting S1 centrelocks to 5 stud

Good morning,
A search yielded no results so i thought perhaps someone here may already have made similar enquiries...

How simple or complicated is it to convert the S1 centre locks to the later S1.5 5 stud wheels? Presumbly finding 5 stud wheels in the correct sizes and offsets shouldn't be much of an issue once you can establish the base spec of the series 1.5 wheels, so then i guess it's a question of hubs.
Does the factory sell the correct hubs perhaps? Have any of you been down this road?

Or has anyone investigated the possibility of finding some replacements for the centrelock wheels, perhaps getting a wheel manufacturer (maybe even OZ) to make a batch?

A few motoring shows (Wheeler dealers and Car SOS) have visited places that custom make alloy wheels to any spec, I believe one business was owned by a touring car driver (Matt Neil rings a bell?) - can't imagine it would be cheap but once made you could presumably have replacements made much more easily.

Other than that I believe Simon can weld and fix the Mag wheels, if they are cracked.

I think you mean rimstock?

https://www.rimstock.com/our-motorsport-heritage

I believe that there are a few sets of them in the wild mounted on Aero's. From (bad) memory they were a sponsor of Matt in BTCC

They have a similar design but I cannot say if it is made in the right size and offset.
pro-race-3 https://www.rimstock.com/wheel-ranges

The pro race 1.3 for sure fit the aeroSS.
https://www.facebook.com/MorganAero...01.-2207520000./1819476834904531/?type=3
I was able to have them done based on the specs (PCD, ET, center bore, J) of the Fondmetal original ones.

I was chatting to a wheel manufacturer at the Silverstone Classic 3 or 4 years ago. They were more than willing to replicate the S1 wheels in alloy or magnesium, if I can find their details I'll post on here. Incidentally the Factory told me that you can only change the wheels once, something to do with the relocation of where the grub screen goes into. Worth checking, sorry I can't help with changing to 5 bolt wheels but seems an expensive last resort option?

I am not certain if the S1 and S2 are the same in this respect but I did get a clue during one service.

I believe that late S1 moved to several elements of the S2 including wheels/5-bolt axles.

I took the S2 into the local franchised BMW dealer to do an oil change and general fluids check over just before COVID. I highlighted the ping ping noise from the back end that matched road speed. He said the rear drive shafts were BMW 1 Series and known for expansion of the ABS rings that were mounted around the axle. This caused them to just clip the sensor. You can either swap the drive shaft or replace the rings, cost of labour made them pretty much the same unless you paid full BMW parts prices!

So from this I am going to assume that if they are the same track etc then you can definitely still get the parts. f you go down that path I would spend a little time and money doing a full check with someone like SimonH who is not so far from you. Depending on your location you are welcome to come and inspect the grubby bits of the S2.

It might also be worth changing the rose joints at the same time as the boots perish (as mine have) and the joints then wear leading to a loose back end, also an Mot fail if they are too loose. I got a warning but can feel the back end is not as tight as it used to be.

Post pictures when you do get one, its not real unless we can see it.

The more investigation i do the more convinced i am that the *simplest* solution long term will be to approach a few wheel manufacturers (like Rimstock and Image) and get someone to produce something similar to the original OZ magnesium wheels but in aluminium alloy.

Yes, they'll almost certainly be heavier but i would hope they would maintain the slim 5 spoke aesthetic, the centre lock functionality and appearance, and be easier to repair or refurbish as well as having more longevity.

Once i have found my car i may look into this myself, perhaps even try and ascertain the viability of a "group buy" with each participant being able to buy 4 or 5 wheels.
I'm guessing with a couple of hundred S1's out there and the stock of replacement mag wheels having now been depleted there could well be demand going forwards.

@Taffmog - very interested in your conversation, if you do remember who it was i'd be grateful for the information.

@Alistair - the S1's didn't have ABS so i wonder if the driveshafts are the same, they could well be but without the hall effect sensor there maybe that's why they don't suffer with the ping ping noise? Nothing to rub against.
Is SimonH the chap from SiFab?

I'm also in discussion with AnDrew about his pair of S1's, hoping to see those soon, as well as having feelers out for other cars.

I really like the S3 at Williams but can't quite get my head around the price tag.

Suspect the wheel guys were Image Wheels nice guys - they seem to make for all shapes and sizes www.imagewheels.co.uk

I understand this and had to extend or remake a groove but strangely I put my spare set on my current S1 and they all matched up

Robbie, it wasn't Image wheels but a little company that I'd never heard of, I'll go and do a search in my hoard, could take weeks, months even years....