Kyosho Optima Mid - SWB/Carbon/Runner

[j0pp3]

Hi guys,

I paused my restore projects for awhile and worked on my Optima Mid runner project. I have chosen to build my runner based on the SWB platform. I want a shorter car because of the layout of our local track.

So far I have been working on making carbon fiber parts with my dremel. It took relatively long time to craft them that way but I have no other tools. I bought the fiber plates from Hongkong and China and the car is made of 1.5/2.0/2.5mm thick material.

Let me show you some pictures of my progress so far. Chassis have been assembled for testing to see if I have missed something (which I have) :lol:

I personally think it look cool, like a stealth plane sort of. It certainly needs some bling colors later on :drool:

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_001.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_002.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_003.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_004.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_005.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_006.jpg

[Naushad]

That looks amazing....how did you make the parts exactly? I mean what techniques did you use?

I wish I had the skills to do this..

The screws on the underside look a little elevated. Did you leave them loose on purpose or are the countersinks in the chassis not wide enough? I can't tell. The hex screws give the car a modern slick appearance.

I'm sure with the cf build your car will be stiffer...I wonder how this will affect grip? I guess it depends what surface and tyres you use.

Nevertheless, this brings the optima mid to the modern day. Well done!

[j0pp3]

Thanks for your comment! I really appreciate it :)

I used this technique:
1. Find a part to use as a blueprint.
2. Place it on a carbon plate and drill two holes through two original holes.
3. Put a screw and a nut in those holes to keep it firm.
4. Use a dremel or similar and cut it roughly.
4. Now trim it closer and closer until you just touch the original part's outer bound.
5. Do the some thing with the inner areas that should be "holes".
5. Drill through all the original holes.
6. Take the blueprint away and file down any ugly areas.

I think that's about it :)

You are totally right about the screws underneath. I'm not done with the counter sunk yet. The hex screws are new from RC Screws and yes, they make it look good!

This will certainly affect the chassis flex but I'm not going to race it hard or compete with it. Just cruising around our track on sundays smiling because of the nostalgic memories :lol:

[Naushad]

I think I might do the same thing..

[j0pp3]

You should! Just ask me if you need help creating carbon parts. I only know about this particular technique though :lol:

[MHeadling]

Wear a dust mask! Carbon dust in the lungs isn't good at all.

[j0pp3]

Wear a dust mask! Carbon dust in the lungs isn't good at all.

Very true! That can't be repeated too many times. Thanks for pointing that out.

[alcyon]

really nice, but if your track has big jumps, you would be better off with the original aluminium chassis. trust me on that as i snapped my graphite chassis a few months back. i am also going to build a SWB with my existing parts to make an indoor basher. it will probably beat the heck out of the newer cars becuase of its SWB.

[j0pp3]

really nice, but if your track has big jumps, you would be better off with the original aluminium chassis. trust me on that as i snapped my graphite chassis a few months back. i am also going to build a SWB with my existing parts to make an indoor basher. it will probably beat the heck out of the newer cars becuase of its SWB.

Thank you for your comment, alcyon. Good to know about your experiences with carbon chassis. We don't have any big jumps so I hope my chassis will hold.

Looking forward to your SWB build. Your LWB build (your blog) has been a great inspirational source. For example I also ordered one of those A&L (Alec & Lane) steering mechanism with ball bearings for this project. I will also add a B4 slipper because I think it's really needed on a high bite track.

Here is an overview (fisheye-lens) of our local astroturf track that where my Optima Mid will be running:
http://media.skarpnack.nu/2011/12/20090418-or-1_10-small-hdr.jpg
Image source: www.skarpnack.nu (http://www.skarpnack.nu)

[DanB4]

Both the car and the track look immense :)

[j0pp3]

Both the car and the track look immense :)

Yeah! :wub

I have been productive today! Here is a list of what I have done:

- Teared the whole car down in parts again.
- Assembled front and rear gear differentials including ball bearings and out drives.
- Assembled the gears in rear gear box including a custom made lay shaft (for using B4 slipper and spur).
- Found a N.I.B SWB belt for this project and mounted it so we now have 4WD!
- Fitted a Team Alec & Lane (A&L) Ball Bearing Steering Kit (#2182) from http://vintageteamaandl.com.
- Worked some more on the counter sunked holes. I don't think I dare making them deeper now.

And of course we should have some images added to illustrate the list above. I skipped the top deck so you can better view the A&L steering mechanism.

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_007.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_008.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_009.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_010.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_011.jpg

[Gayo]

Oow! So lovely it hurts:cry:


:thumbsup:

[HKS_TRD]

All I can say is WOW. That looks amazing. Where did you get the carbon sheets from?

[j0pp3]

Oow! So lovely it hurts:cry:

I take that as a good thing... :lol:

:thumbsup:

All I can say is WOW. That looks amazing. Where did you get the carbon sheets from?

Thanks! :woot:

1.5/2.0mm sheets from Hobbyking (HK) and 2.5mm from happychoice2009 (seller from China) on Ebay.

The custom layshaft is crafted by bigjeepzz on Oople.com.

/j0pp3

[j0pp3]

Small update.

I know, I am doing things the other way around. Body done before the chassis. A white repro Turbo Optima Mid body with repro Turbo Optima Mid decals from Tamkyo. I will leave the windows transparent. The text near the bottom is spelled a bit strange (B UGGY) so I am glad I did not use Tamkyo decals for my restore projects :lol:

Now I am waiting for a few parts before I continue.

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_012.jpg

[alcyon]

something to note. becuase i kind of did the same thing. the rear shocks, you cant place them the original mids way becuause they will interfere with the long slipper shaft. you will have to place the shocks at the rear like lazer style, and flip the rear arms. oh yes, i do not use lazer arms anymore since i broke a c hub a week ago. since i have a pair of original A & L bearing c hub from the 80's, i decide to use those, then ground down a ZX-5 plastic hub to 20mm from 22mm to fit them in. works great now. the mids arms are strong too.

[j0pp3]

something to note. becuase i kind of did the same thing. the rear shocks, you cant place them the original mids way becuause they will interfere with the long slipper shaft. you will have to place the shocks at the rear like lazer style, and flip the rear arms. oh yes, i do not use lazer arms anymore since i broke a c hub a week ago. since i have a pair of original A & L bearing c hub from the 80's, i decide to use those, then ground down a ZX-5 plastic hub to 20mm from 22mm to fit them in. works great now. the mids arms are strong too.

Thanks for pointing that out. Did you also moved the rear shock tower to the rear side of the gear box? I will use Mid arms on this project but I'm not sure about the wheel hubs yet.

/j0pp3

[alcyon]

Thanks for pointing that out. Did you also moved the rear shock tower to the rear side of the gear box? I will use Mid arms on this project but I'm not sure about the wheel hubs yet.

/j0pp3
yes my shock towers are at the back, but thats also becuase i still use the fibrelyte James Instone shock towers. You should stick with mid rear hubs becuase they are the only ones that would fit properly. i have plenty of those and even have one NIP i found from my local shop. The only problem is the OT-16 knuckle which always strips the kingpin thread area. so i bought Lazer ZX-5 plastic knuckles and grind off the top to fit it in the mids c hubs and they work great !

[j0pp3]

yes my shock towers are at the back, but thats also becuase i still use the fibrelyte James Instone shock towers. You should stick with mid rear hubs becuase they are the only ones that would fit properly. i have plenty of those and even have one NIP i found from my local shop. The only problem is the OT-16 knuckle which always strips the kingpin thread area. so i bought Lazer ZX-5 plastic knuckles and grind off the top to fit it in the mids c hubs and they work great !

Much appreciated. I will look into that :)

How do you protect the belt from dust? Using repro lexan belt covers?

I will maybe modify an LWB under tray to fit the SWB chassis. That together with only running on astro turf will probably minimize the wear :lol:

[alcyon]

Much appreciated. I will look into that :)

How do you protect the belt from dust? Using repro lexan belt covers?

I will maybe modify an LWB under tray to fit the SWB chassis. That together with only running on astro turf will probably minimize the wear :lol:
yes i use the repro belt covers and i add some silicon sealents on the places where the double sided tape deosnt protect.

[DanB4]

Guys please spread the word:

http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?p=679442#post679442

So happy to find these :)

Dan

[j0pp3]

Let's have an update shall we? So.. I got some custom made mid arms today (thanks bigjeepzz!). Also found some other new stuff to add. It almost looks like a prototype :thumbsup:

Picture time!

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_013.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_014.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_015.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_016.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_017.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_018.jpg

[HKS_TRD]

That looks amazing!

Have you thought about doing the front and rear plates the suspension arm shafts go through (the ones that bolt to the gearbox) in carbon?

[alcyon]

That looks amazing!

Have you thought about doing the front and rear plates the suspension arm shafts go through (the ones that bolt to the gearbox) in carbon?
careful, those will snap for sure ! aluminium is better.

[HKS_TRD]

You do make a good point, however they would look cool if one was to build a shelfer

[j0pp3]

That looks amazing!

Have you thought about doing the front and rear plates the suspension arm shafts go through (the ones that bolt to the gearbox) in carbon?

Yes, those thoughts have crossed my mind but as alcyon says:

careful, those will snap for sure ! aluminium is better.

True that!

You do make a good point, however they would look cool if one was to build a shelfer

It may work well if one could make them really thick but then we also need some longer suspension shafts. For example the plastic part on the opposite side is 5-6mm.

For a shelfie, I would not hesitate :)

[j0pp3]

Muahahaha, I just had to try this. There is something about pink wheels on vintage cars... these are Sandmaster rear wheels (SM26KP).

I will try many thing on this car so you just have to adapt to it :p

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_019.jpg

[HKS_TRD]

Thats alot of contrast between the white wishbones and the pink wheels!

[j0pp3]

Thats alot of contrast between the white wishbones and the pink wheels!

It's generally good to have contrast somewhere. Pink is certainly a contrast accelerator. Got a comment else where that it now looks "Yo-kyo-ish". The fact that the wheels are older Kyosho originals saves me :)

[j0pp3]

Smaller kind of update. The car has now got some gold shocks and tires. Don't we love those gold shocks?

It starts to look like a... car! Also mounted some fluorescent yellow nylon nuts from RPM. No turnbuckles yet so I put a tire under the chassis to elevate it a bit so I could take a "normal" car picture. Tires are OT-66 repros from Marwan.

Hope to start on the electronics soon but have to wait for the mailman.

Cheers

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_020.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_021.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_022.jpg

[bald eagle]

Superb!!!.... As always!! ;-)

[bald eagle]

Have you got a certain colour turnbuckle in mind? Just curious?

[HKS_TRD]

Looks amazing as usual. Where did you manage to find those Gold Shocks I'm still looking for a new/mint front pair

[j0pp3]

Superb!!!.... As always!! ;-)

Thanks! :)

Have you got a certain colour turnbuckle in mind? Just curious?

I have no clue yet. It's a jungle out there when it comes to turnbuckles, rod ends and ball studs. I need to think about it for a while and do some testing.

I know one thing though. The original design is bad as the rod ends are fit in place with screws. A hard crash might take out a shock tower or a wheel hub instead of just letting the rod end snap loose. I need to modernize the design for sure.

Looks amazing as usual. Where did you manage to find those Gold Shocks I'm still looking for a new/mint front pair

Thank you! I have bought many Optima Mid's the last 6 months so I just took them from a donor car. These were not the best goldies I could find in my collection but not the worst either. At the same time I also managed to build four front and four rears (two complete sets) in mint condition for two future LWB restorations :wub

[ralphee]

Love this, really, i love this. Those arms, i pondered then for my Optima, are they any good? Can you even still get them?

lee

[j0pp3]

Love this, really, i love this. Those arms, i pondered then for my Optima, are they any good? Can you even still get them?

lee

Thanks for your comment Lee!

Good point, those arms are ultra rare as they were crafted recently in 2-3 samples. I will probably not be able to get another set. They quality is awesome and they have good flex. The only "bad" thing about them is that they are not vintage.

I have lots of original Mid arms in used condition so maybe I will use those while I get to now this car on the track :lol:

[alcyon]

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_021.jpg




the way you oriented the wheels reminded me of this...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x87/alcyon2sp/raven.jpg
and this..
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x87/alcyon2sp/backtothefuture2.jpg
a levitating optima mid in the works ? :drool:

[j0pp3]

Hahahaha, good one Alcyon! :lol:

Here is a small update. Replaced the yellow nuts with white ones. Also mounted white rod ends (RPM), black turnbuckles (Axial) and matching ball studs (Associated). In the rear I still have black outer rod ends because of the different mounting. Maybe I could find white versions of those too?

The Alec & Lane-steering mechanism feels awesome!

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_023.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_024.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_025.jpg

[Duncan]

The car looks wicked, have you got an email address for the A/L yellow steering mech.

[eddscott]

Lovely looking build fella :)

[j0pp3]

The car looks wicked, have you got an email address for the A/L yellow steering mech.

Thanks Duncan, you can find it and buy it on this website:
http://vintageteamaandl.com

I bought the complete set with bearings. Art nr #2182.

Lovely looking build fella :)

Much appreciated! Thanks Edd :)

[bigjeepzz]

Just saw this thread here and bringing it back up. The arms were machined from Nylon 6/6 and they absolutely are going to be one of the last things to break once the car is put on the track. How do I know? I have machined arms for several different cars over the last two years that are curently being raced all over the world including my own cars. Not one failure has been reported.

The car looks great and I would love to hear if you have gotten it on the track yet.

[j0pp3]

Just saw this thread here and bringing it back up. The arms were machined from Nylon 6/6 and they absolutely are going to be one of the last things to break once the car is put on the track. How do I know? I have machined arms for several different cars over the last two years that are curently being raced all over the world including my own cars. Not one failure has been reported.

The car looks great and I would love to hear if you have gotten it on the track yet.

Thanks for the post bigjeepzz! Feels good to know about the quality. This car has not been run yet as the outdoor season is over in Sweden. The project will continue in mars next year and hopefully we don't have any snow in april so can take it out for a sunday ride :)

Looking forward to update this thread then.

Until then I will work on different restore projects and also a modern crawler project.

Cheers

[j0pp3]

Hello guys!

This car has become a long-term project but I have a mini update for you. Found some SG Coyote rear tires on Ebay (at least they were advertised like that) and temporary put them on some random five-spoke touring rims (that is too wide). Together with a yellow colored body this became an alternative look for the car. Emperors new groove?

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid_runner/optima_mid_runner_026.jpg

[Naushad]

Looks really aggressive now! Excellent.

Your pic is deceiving...looks like your rear left wheel is being suspended by a turnbuckle rod! Hardly can make out your white arm.

[discothesnake]

Looks really aggressive now! Excellent.

Your pic is deceiving...looks like your rear left wheel is being suspended by a turnbuckle rod! Hardly can make out your white arm.

I noticed that too! Thought my eyes were deceiving me! Great looking car.

[j0pp3]

Haha! I will soon try an alternative background sheet for this project. A few weeks ago I saw a local store selling astro turf sheets that could be bought in smaller sizes like 1.5 x 1 meter. That will probably fix the issue I have now with white parts getting "stealthy".

Thanks for you comments!

[DanB4]

Can you take a pic of the room/location where you take all of your awesome pics? Is it a white perspex box with strong backlight?

D

[Naushad]

I think he's done this on rc10talk?

[j0pp3]

Can you take a pic of the room/location where you take all of your awesome pics? Is it a white perspex box with strong backlight?

D

Thanks Dan!

The picture below shows how simple the environment is. As you can see, I build the cars and take photos under the same light-setup. I set the camera on manual mode and have a setup ready that gives almost perfect result every time. Just a tad post production needed. I also use manual focus and a remote trigger for maximum stability while the shutter is open for 1/8 sec. To get a deep focus depth I use an aperture of f/16. ISO 100 for lowest grain. The desk and wall are covered with a white sheet of "oil cloth" (I think that's the correct translation). Easy to clean up as oil/grease etc does not penetrate the surface.

I think he's done this on rc10talk?

Thanks for reminding me where I put it :)

http://joppis.dyndns.org/random_parts/rc_photo_studio.jpg

[DanB4]

Brilliant - very effective setup!

[DanB4]

Look what just arrived:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y260/SDRCC/20130413_185805_zps827e0964.jpg

[j0pp3]

Great Dan! That's the product I use. Are you building a runner too?

[DanB4]

Great Dan! That's the product I use. Are you building a runner too?

99% built already my friend :) Uprated transmission, custom fibreglass chassis and top deck, doubled up shock towers and LiPo!

The A&L steering kit will go in the car on the right very soon - to be run in Sydney @ Castle Hill in July when I'm on holiday ;)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y260/SDRCC/20130309_194648_zps18d7ed59.jpg

[HKS_TRD]

This is just my personal opinion, but if I had a choice I'd go with ballraced Lazer ZX bellcranks instead for a runner

The way the A&L stuff goes together with the plastic nuts holding screw/shaft in place has a fragile feel to it but thats just me

I would at bare minimum replace the lower nut with a nuloc metal one or even better use a metric screw and nut but like me if you have assembled it all its too late as the threads are cut in the plastic parts now