Turbo Optima Mid SP [Archive]

HKS_TRD

14-10-2012, 03:32 AM

I have been collecting pieces for my three Optima Mid builds for a while now.
Two of the builds are waiting on custom parts from Fibrelyte so I may as well start with the Turbo Optima Mid SP replica. I am pretty sure I have all the required parts now, everything is new including the bits that aren't in the original packets. The belt covers and gear cover are the genuine Kyosho items, however I will be using a Marwan body, I do have a genuine undertray but its a tight fit in the repro body.
So far all I have done is trim the belt covers and assemble the shocks. Once I build the ball diffs I can get stuck into putting it all together. I'll try to take progress pics of each step

Thanks in advance to Oli4ke for help with sourcing some of the rarer parts for this project

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/131020122834.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/131020122836.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/131020122835.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/131020122839.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/131020122838.jpg

j0pp3

14-10-2012, 04:45 AM

Damn, that's a lot of sweetness. I'll be following this for sure! :drool:

DanB4

14-10-2012, 05:27 AM

Brilliant! I'll be following too :)

oli4ke

14-10-2012, 06:49 PM

Thanks in advance to Oli4ke for help with sourcing some of the rarer parts for this project

All parts together looks really nice:wub
My pleasure mate;)

HKS_TRD

17-10-2012, 02:43 PM

I've haven't had a chance to start assembly as such but I did manage to build the ball diffs. I used the following bits to make them up, this isn't strictly period correct for the Turbo Optima Mid SP as the parts I used make ball diffs equivalent to the later revised units rather than the original diffs, I remember the ones in my new Turbo Optima Mid SE having a different centre screw and no spring or plastic dust cover.
I'm hoping to get the gearboxes assembled and bolted to the chassis on the weekend, which would get me to the state of assembly that the SP was in when one purchased a NIB kit

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/141020122857.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/141020122860.jpg

j0pp3

17-10-2012, 05:25 PM

Don't worry about the diffs being revised. This build will be a killer!

I'm so jealous that you got that chassis N.I.P. That is the only part I need to start my build... :bored:

oli4ke

17-10-2012, 06:21 PM

I'm so jealous that you got that chassis N.I.P. That is the only part I need to start my build... :bored:

That OTW5 chassis NIP is as rare as a nice looking grandma :woot::D

HKS_TRD

17-10-2012, 11:53 PM

Don't worry about the diffs being revised. This build will be a killer!

I'm so jealous that you got that chassis N.I.P. That is the only part I need to start my build... :bored:

I got the chassis from Oli4KE and that was the catalyst for this build going from being a modified LWB Mid to the SP replica. I am still building a very modified LWB Mid, that will be the next project along with a friends LWB Mid, the last build will be a SWB Mid with a few tweaks and somewhere along the line I will give my Lazer ZX a makeover now that I have decided what I am doing with it

That OTW5 chassis NIP is as rare as a nice looking grandma :woot::D

Lol so true, I don't think I have seen another NIP OTW5 though there have been a couple nice secondhand ones on eBay

j0pp3

18-10-2012, 08:45 AM

Ouch! Did not realize it was that rare. This build just got even better and I'm looking forward to see the progress :)

lllyf

19-10-2012, 01:09 AM

amazing, optima mid is very popular car but hard to get more and more,I still wait my SWB parts car to rebuild mine.

HKS_TRD

19-10-2012, 11:46 AM

Don't worry about the diffs being revised. This build will be a killer!

I'm so jealous that you got that chassis N.I.P. That is the only part I need to start my build... :bored:

Do you have everything else for the build? The other parts that are hard to find are the rear wheels, the fronts you can find on eBay at the moment but they are a brighter yellow than the original SP wheels which are more of a dull yellow, and you can't get new rears anyway. The other thing that is hard to find is the rear tyres. The new kit came with two sets of yellow wheels, one set had W-5033 fronts and OT-66 on the rear, these are both pretty hard to find and rather expensive. The other set had W-5034 fronts and W-5031 rears, the W-5034 like the newer front yellow wheels are easy to find and the rears are really hard to find, I have only seen two pairs on eBay since I started looking for parts for these builds

amazing, optima mid is very popular car but hard to get more and more,I still wait my SWB parts car to rebuild mine.

I have a real soft spot for the Mid because when I was in school the Mid was the car I always wanted and eventually I managed to get one, a brand new Turbo Optima Mid SE, so as part of my collection there will be an SE but more details on that when I start building it

j0pp3

19-10-2012, 12:05 PM

Do you have everything else for the build? The other parts that are hard to find are the rear wheels, the fronts you can find on eBay at the moment but they are a brighter yellow than the original SP wheels which are more of a dull yellow, and you can't get new rears anyway. The other thing that is hard to find is the rear tyres. The new kit came with two sets of yellow wheels, one set had W-5033 fronts and OT-66 on the rear, these are both pretty hard to find and rather expensive. The other set had W-5034 fronts and W-5031 rears, the W-5034 like the newer front yellow wheels are easy to find and the rears are really hard to find, I have only seen two pairs on eBay since I started looking for parts for these builds

Yes, I think I have the rest of the parts. I got the wheels from a local forum member and the tyres I got from Ebay this summer. Someone sold a complete set like new without robbing me :)

The difference to your build is that I don't have the parts in original bags.

HKS_TRD

22-10-2012, 10:43 AM

This is probably a stupid question but its been such a long time and I can't make it out from the instructions, when assembling the ot-88 clutch on the spur gear are the black pads glued to the metal plates or to the spur gear?

Naushad

22-10-2012, 10:56 AM

I believe it's the metal plates, but please don't rush in until someone else answers

mr. ed

22-10-2012, 05:39 PM

? I didn't know you had to glue those to anything

Naushad

24-10-2012, 10:40 AM

Well when I got a few mids I noted that the black pad was glued to the plate...easy enough to get off though

HKS_TRD

24-10-2012, 11:03 AM

You can see it on this page of the manual

What would I use to glue the pad to the metal plate? Just super glue or something?

http://www.retromodelisme.com/scan_pages/11882/turbo-optima-mid-se-kyosho-page-6.html

Naushad

24-10-2012, 11:25 AM

Hmm...I am not too sure.

Maybe something not too adhesive as if you want to remove later on during maintenance then you can do so relatively easily?

j0pp3

24-10-2012, 04:56 PM

HKS_TRD

25-10-2012, 10:42 AM

I suppose this beauty will become a shelf queen? Then you always have the option to skip gluing parts and just make a note about it. I have skipped the glue on my mid shelfers and also not using Loctite on screws or super glue between wheels/tires.

There may be other opinions about this... :)

Cheers

This will indeed become a shelf queen. I did already glue the yellow parts for the ball diffs and the idler belt pulley.
I did think about skipping all the glue and its not such a bad idea, I most likely will skop the loktite where it can look a little messy however for the black pads the glue is only mean to be applied lightly so if I can do it with no mess I will just for the sake of it. Also my OCD has now kicked in and I just HAVE to know where the pads should be glued too

I agree 100% about not glueing the wheels, my Lazer ZX had the wheels glued on and while I mananged to save the wheels (they came up mint) the tyres were ruined in places and the tread on them was great, total waste of a pair of OT-66 and W-5033, though they don't look that bad when on rims so I gave them to a very good friend of mine whom I am helping build a LWB Mid which I will do a thread for on here when that gets underway

sheriff

25-10-2012, 11:31 AM

HKS_TRD, have you any pictures of the progress of this bad boy?

HKS_TRD

25-10-2012, 12:06 PM

Not yet haven't had a chance, plan to make some progress on the weekend

HKS_TRD

29-10-2012, 03:25 PM

I managed to make some progress on this build over the weekend.
I hit two hurdles but I ran out of time anyway.
The first one was that when I opened up my OT-95 plate set it contained two front and no rear wishbone pivot plates.
The second hurdle was that I did not have the proper cap screws for the upper shock mount, I did have some Phillips head screws in the correct length but I'll need them for another build anyway so I may as well get the correct screws. I was running out of time anyway, I am hoping to get back into it in a couple weeks when the parts have turned up and I will have some time again
One change I do plan to make from the original kit is to use the newer metal nyloc nuts on the upper shock mounts instead of the plastic nuts. The plastic nuts are just plain wrong to me, hopefully I don't offend any purists!
I didn't end up glueing the black pads onto anything at this stage seeing as its only a shelfer it wasn't an issue.

Apologies if I have gone overboard with the photos, putting this together brought back alot of memories.

HKS_TRD

29-10-2012, 03:30 PM

So, first up this is mostly what went into the build so far

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122987.jpg

Starting with these packets

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122989.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122990.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122991.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122992.jpg

I got these guys pieced together

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122993.jpg

Then it was time to break out the gearbox cases

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122988.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122994.jpg

And something I prepared earlier

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122996.jpg

To get me to here

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122997.jpg

Then I almost forgot to include this

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/271020122995.jpg

Before assembling the gearbox case

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020122999.jpg

HKS_TRD

29-10-2012, 03:36 PM

So far so good, I broke out the plates for the rear gearbox case

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123001.jpg

Only to discover one slight problem !!!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123003.jpg

Anyway that wasn't going to hold me up for a little while yet so I bolted the plates onto the rear gearbox case, although technically IIRC going by the Turbo Optima Mid SP manual this is done AFTER the gearboxes are bolted to the chassis as the SP comes with the gearbox pre-assembled and bolted to the chassis

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123005.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123008.jpg

Then out with the spur gear clutch to finish off the main shaft of the rear gearbox

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123012.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123013.jpg

Then it was time for the front gearbox cases and something else I had prepared earlier

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123014.jpg

Again I had to make sure I remembered to install the belt before putting the case together, I'd done that a couple times working on my Mid 20 years ago

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123015.jpg

This got me to here and the part of the build I was really eager to get to

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123021.jpg

HKS_TRD

29-10-2012, 03:42 PM

It was time to break out the carbon chassis, which had been sitting in a draw since the day I got it, patiently waiting for this day

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123022.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123032.jpg

And of course the gearboxes could finally go on, and it starts to look a little more like a Mid

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123036.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123035.jpg

Next on the list was these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123041.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123042.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123043.jpg

Which got me to here

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123046.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123057.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123058.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123059.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123061.jpg

Keen eyes may have spotted the yellow writing on the belt, I actually had another here with white writing but seeing as it is going to have yellow wheels I decided I'd leave this belt on.

At the end of all this I was left with these. It may sound silly but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to throw them in the bin just yet

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123047.jpg

j0pp3

29-10-2012, 07:32 PM

HKS_TRD

29-10-2012, 10:37 PM

Lovely! Brings back all memories of my own optima mid build sessions when I see all these pictures. Thanks for sharing :)

I have taken the decision to hire Fibre-Lyte for my SP build as I will never find that chassis...

No problem, I will take the same amount of photos for the rest of the build then

I would do the same thing regarding the chassis and go the fibrelyte, if I didn't find this one thats what I would have done

sheriff

30-10-2012, 09:25 AM

Looking great. Keep the updates coming!;)

alcyon

31-10-2012, 12:39 AM

At the end of all this I was left with these. It may sound silly but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to throw them in the bin just yet

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/281020123047.jpg
Ha, same predicament, could never throw the labels cause they seem so rare these days. besides if you cut out the kyosho labels you could use them as stickers for your bodies.

HKS_TRD

04-11-2012, 12:41 PM

I managed to make some more progress this weekend.
I didn't strictly follow the order of assembly in the manual

I started with the genuine lower belt cover which I had cut out earlier and the genuine Kyosho double sided tape

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123080.jpg

And here it is installed

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123082.jpg

Next it was time to break out these

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123083.jpg

Along with these which needed to be installed onto the wishbones

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123084.jpg

I decided to prep all four wishbones at the same time

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123085.jpg

Rears installed. I actually had to move the belt cover forward a little, as it was fouling on the rear pivot block, luckily the tape had not stuck that well to the Carbon Chassis and it was not a nightmare to get it off, I managed to get it in just the right place second time round!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123086.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123087.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123088.jpg

Then time to install the rear bulkhead

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123089.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123090.jpg

Followed by the front belt cover retainer

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123095.jpg

I've never built a LWB Mid before so this was something new to me, I nearly forgot to get one when I was sourcing parts for this build

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123096.jpg

HKS_TRD

04-11-2012, 12:47 PM

Next it was time to break these out

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123097.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123098.jpg

Then it was time to install the front wishbones

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123100.jpg

After which I decided to deviate from the instructions again and install the front bumper

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123101.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123102.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123103.jpg

And then I decided to make another deviation and install these so the rear sway bar does not swing around freely while the Mid waits for the next round of progress

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123104.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123105.jpg

HKS_TRD

04-11-2012, 12:50 PM

And so this is where I am so far with the build.
When the missing cap screws turn up I will get back into it and make some more progress. I guess I can build up the front and rear hub and knuckle assemblies in the meantime in preparation for the next session

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123107.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123108.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123109.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123111.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123112.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123113.jpg

DanB4

04-11-2012, 03:31 PM

Looking fantastic!

sheriff

04-11-2012, 04:57 PM

Looking good, looking forward to seeing it with the shocks fitted!

oli4ke

04-11-2012, 06:23 PM

:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:thumbsup:

lllyf

05-11-2012, 03:42 AM

amazing car, I still have the optima mid trailing arm conversion kit but never want to build it.

j0pp3

05-11-2012, 12:30 PM

HKS_TRD

05-11-2012, 10:14 PM

Looking good! :drool:

The plastic part in the upper left area of this image should have some kind of thin foam attached underneath to protect the drive train even more.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/041120123083.jpg

Yep I know the foam you are talking about, which is part of the tape set but I didn't have that sadly, though I did get the rubber piece that goes under the upper belt cover where it passes over the motor I did have some other foam that I could improvise with but seeing as this is going to be a shelfer I figured it would be OK to omit it. I will be doing something for the runner Mid I am building down the track though.

j0pp3

15-11-2012, 11:47 AM

Yep I know the foam you are talking about, which is part of the tape set but I didn't have that sadly, though I did get the rubber piece that goes under the upper belt cover where it passes over the motor I did have some other foam that I could improvise with but seeing as this is going to be a shelfer I figured it would be OK to omit it. I will be doing something for the runner Mid I am building down the track though.

I totally agree that it's OK to omit on a shelfer.

Got the fibre-lyte chassis the other day so I will start the build soon. They really make wonderful parts. If I just can find a substitute for the tape set...

Cheers

HKS_TRD

15-11-2012, 12:26 PM

Fibre-lyte are close to finishing my custom pieces, I'll post pics when I get them
I'd love to see a pic of the chassis you got
You should be able to buy some double sided tape easily enough, though you may have to cut it down to the width you need.
I am in the same boat and need to find some for my other two Mid builds

j0pp3

15-11-2012, 07:57 PM

Thanks for the tip. I have found a tape from Team Associated that might work. Just have to cut it properly as you said.
http://www.hobbycity.se/product.php?id_product=488

And here is the chassis from fibre-lyte. Can't find a better substitute :wub

http://joppis.dyndns.org/misc/mid_chassis_cf.jpg
Chassis for Turbo Optima Mid Special

HKS_TRD

15-11-2012, 10:46 PM

That looks really nice, can't wait got get my stuff now!
Thanks for the link to that tape

j0pp3

28-11-2012, 11:47 AM

Got the tape and it's thin and black, just like the original. It's not long enough though so one have to cut two peaces and add them together to the correct length.

Okay, so I took a photo of the ball diff we talked about before. Maybe you see in this picture if has the wider spacer? I don't have anything to compare to. Just tell me if I need to measure something.

http://joppis.dyndns.org/misc/ball_diff.jpg

HKS_TRD

28-11-2012, 12:53 PM

I will be able to tell from a pic however the spacer I need to see is on the belt drive side which is obscured in that pic, if you flip it 180 or better sill just 90 so I can see what is sitting behind the bearing on the side the belt runs on that would be great

HKS_TRD

08-12-2012, 12:22 PM

I managed to make a little more progress recently.

Starting off with these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123222.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123224.jpg

I spent a while filing away the extra material off the bellcranks rather than just cutting it off, and then I sanded the edges too, it nearly looks like the pieces were actually made that way to start with

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123226.jpg

Then assembled all the bits, I forgot how tight the servo saver was!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123227.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123230.jpg

You can probably see the bellcranks are not sitting parallel because someone forgot to shorten the two rod ends before assembly, I promptly fixed that later on.

HKS_TRD

08-12-2012, 12:27 PM

The cap screws I ordered finally turned up

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123239.jpg

Which meant that I could now install these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123232.jpg

Seeing as they were on the same blister pack as the steering parts, I decided to use the plastic nuts for the shocks rather than deviate from the correct parts and use nyloc nuts. I don't mind the way they look so they will probably stay on.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123240.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123241.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123242.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123245.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123244.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123243.jpg

I made a start on assembling these bits but ran out of time, I'll pick things up again shortly. I've been temporarily distracted by another project I have started ...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/011220123246.jpg

j0pp3

08-12-2012, 10:31 PM

HKS_TRD

08-12-2012, 11:19 PM

Nice progress of a superb build :drool:

I used those black plastic nuts too. Those golds are truly key parts of Kyosho vintage race cars.

Sorry that I haven't took a new picture of the ball diff. I'll upload it tomorrow (editing the above post just so I don't hi-jack your thread even more) :)

Keep the pics coming!

Thanks. I've been enjoying the build and in a way I'm happy for it to draw out a little. No worries on the ball diff. I recently received a parts lot as part of my next project and it turns out I may have the spacer I need in that collection of parts. I'm actually polishing and anodising blue a set of beat up golds for my ZX. I also have some real nice medium and shorts which I will sell soon, once I do a bit of a stocktake.

keithrc

30-12-2012, 01:56 AM

HKS_TRD

30-12-2012, 10:30 AM

Hi mate, any further progress on the TOMS? It's looking very nice so far.

I have an original one myself that I bought as a roller minus body and wheels from a guy in Singapore (I think), wasn't cheap.

Keith ;)

Very apt timing as I have been working on it today. I'll post an update in a few hours. Would love to see some pics of yours.

HKS_TRD

30-12-2012, 03:34 PM

Managed to make some more progress today, hoping to have it finished pretty soon.

So, picking up where I left off last time I assembled and fitted the rear wing mount

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123452.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123456.jpg

Then all of these
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123458.jpg

Were pieced together to make these

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123460.jpg

Then these likewise were pieced together

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123462.jpg

To make these

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123463.jpg

Then it was time to get these guys out

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123465.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123466.jpg

along with these

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123468.jpg

To get things up to this stage

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123470.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123472.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123474.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123475.jpg

HKS_TRD

30-12-2012, 03:39 PM

I could have left it there for now but decided to continue with these plastic parts

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/301220123478.jpg

And while I was at it I also put the wheels on

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/311220123484.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/311220123490.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/311220123485.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/311220123486.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/311220123488.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/311220123491.jpg

I would have at least gotten the upper deck on too but I am waiting on an OT-33 ball for the steering bellcranks and it wont be possible to install this with the upper deck on.

traffman

30-12-2012, 04:07 PM

I must be soo old ! People are restoring car's now that i used to race in the late to early nineties!

I totally forgot about the Long wheelbase kit for the Mid Optima.

I used to run a short wheel Turbo Optima Mid , raced this with great result's.

Never went long wheel base as i loved the chuckability of the Original Mid Optima.

My good friend still own's his Long Wheelbase Optima , opening his pitbox is like a timewarp.

Epic build by the way , i allways loved the old yellow holed wheels.

Any one looking for a Option House one way for there Optima ? I have a new one minus the packet.

HKS_TRD

30-12-2012, 10:02 PM

Is the one way for a belt driven or chain driven Optima?

I need to get some paint for this, what is the correct white for it or any suggestions appreciated

I also need to get up to speed on cutting and painting, anyone got any links for recommended reading?

keithrc

30-12-2012, 10:12 PM

You're making good progress and it's looking great. I see you're in Australia too, where abouts are you?

I'll do a thread of my Mids soon and post pics of mine.

Keith ;)

j0pp3

30-12-2012, 10:56 PM

Awesome work mate!

Looks like you have the correct yellow tone on your wheels. You bastard :thumbsup:

The correct color for a perfectionist is probably the white color that Kyosho sold back then:
KYO2230W - POLYCA COLOR WHITE

I have no idea if that is possible to find today.

Cheers

keithrc

30-12-2012, 11:21 PM

I thought the wheels looked a bit different to the usual yellow ones. Wasn't sure if it was just how it showed up in the pic or what. Maybe Kyosho did the fluro yellow wheels for the people that bought the TOMS conversion kit?

Keith;)

HKS_TRD

01-01-2013, 12:51 AM

I think its just that the wheels were the dull color when they were first made and the color is different later on. Thats the case with the yellow wheels for the Lazer ZX-R and Triumph, the original ones from the kit are dull yellow but if you buy them now they are the brighter yellow. I have never seen the rears in the brighter yellow, only the fronts, of which I have a pair I need to sell

HKS_TRD

05-01-2013, 01:29 AM

I managed to make a little more progress on the build.
Now all that is left is the Lexan pieces really, i.e. belt and spur gear covers, and body undertray and wing.
Whats the best way to trim the motor cover, scissors or knife, I was thinking of bolting it to a spare motor plate and then trimming around with a razor blade?
I don't know how far I will go with electrics for it but I do have a brand new Kyosho Red SCR saddle pack battery and I also have what I think is the perfect motor for this buggy, can anyone guess what that might be?

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/030120133492.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/030120133503.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/030120133504.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/030120133505.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/030120133502.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/030120133501.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/030120133509.jpg

HKS_TRD

08-01-2013, 11:27 PM

I was feeling a little adventurous so decided to break out these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/080120133514.jpg

I forgot just how darn tight the bind screws are in the upper deck the first time you screw them in.

Having the covers on let me take what I consider the trademark Mid shot where you can see the belt running circling the perimeter of the buggy side on

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/080120133517.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/080120133516.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/080120133518.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/080120133519.jpg

Then it was time to break out the motor I have been saving for this build for quite some time

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/080120133525.jpg

Along with these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/080120133526.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/090120133528.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/090120133529.jpg

I also managed to trim the gear cover and put that on while I was at it

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/090120133530.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/090120133531.jpg

I'll start trimming up the undertray next, then the wing, then the body.

Pretty soon I should be ready to start one of my next projects

DanB4

09-01-2013, 06:32 AM

That is just damn sexy!

Naushad

09-01-2013, 09:41 AM

This is looking to be very nice! I can't wait to see the finished product

HKS_TRD

09-01-2013, 10:36 AM

oli4ke

09-01-2013, 12:58 PM

Thanks guys

Anyone got any tips for the best way to mask up the blackouts?
I was thinking I would brush the black sections but then spray the entire body once the black sections are done and the masking removed

Hi Buddy, Forgot to tell you what I did with the black sections.
I sprayed the black sections from the outside with black matt paint.
A spray can of mat black that you can buy in the car shop should do the job.
Box art are the black sections mat black and not shiny! looks superb!!

HKS_TRD

22-01-2013, 11:12 PM

I've started cutting out the body, wing and undertray and I have a few questions maybe someone can help out with. These are the Marwan repro pieces

1. Its hard to see any cutouts on the sides of the wing, do you just cut it freehand?
2. Its hard to see any cutouts on the top of the sides of the undertray, or the bottom of the sides of the body, how do I know how tall to leave the sides
3. The stickers that go on the sides differ from the box art in they have a long line running along the bottom whereas the box art does not, has anyone modded the side stickers to work correct or has Marwan had to make a change to avoid copyright infringement?
4. Are the hole markings on the body that the four plastic pegs poke through in the correct spot?

What do you guys use besides lexan scissors and sandpaper to sand the edges of the cuts. Do you use files, scalpels, or?

Any pics of cut out pieces would be a big help

oli4ke

23-01-2013, 10:19 AM

1. Its hard to see any cutouts on the sides of the wing, do you just cut it freehand?

I checked the internet and "copying" the shape from a photo and cut it freehand.

2. Its hard to see any cutouts on the top of the sides of the undertray, or the bottom of the sides of the body, how do I know how tall to leave the sides?

The best thing that you can do is, first cutting the upper bodyshell and fit it on the car. To fit the undertray is just a matter of trying and cutting till you are satisfied! (See picture of my turbo mid SP attached)

3. The stickers that go on the sides differ from the box art in they have a long line running along the bottom whereas the box art does not, has anyone modded the side stickers to work correct or has Marwan had to make a change to avoid copyright infringement?

NO,The decals are identical copies of the originals! I asked him already a long time ago and he showed me a picture with the original decal sheet and the repro and they are identical! Apparently it was not the first time that Kyosho changed a decal sheet etc on the last minute before they go in production!

4. Are the hole markings on the body that the four plastic pegs poke through in the correct spot?
Almost but they are not perfect! You need to try and adjust...

What do you guys use besides lexan scissors and sandpaper to sand the edges of the cuts. Do you use files, scalpels, or??
Only scissors

HKS_TRD

23-01-2013, 10:31 AM

oli4ke

25-01-2013, 02:31 AM

Thanks for that info, gives me something to go by so I can continue with the build!

Though I have to say, I have curved lexan scissors but some of the curves I have real trouble cutting out, it seems the shell is thick in some places and paper thin in others

There you can use a light duty knife. One like this ==> http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDS70&P=0

DanB4

25-01-2013, 03:31 AM

For the tight curves I use a hole reamer, make the hole centre a few mm out from the arc and make the OD follow the curved cut line.....then I use curved scissors to transition from the straight to the curve.

HKS_TRD

27-01-2013, 04:05 AM

I managed to make some more progress.
I got most of the cutting done with scissors but used a block and sandpaper to make the long straight edges nice and straight, the undertray is ready to paint, the body and wing just need the sandpaper block treatment on some edges as well cleaning up the lower edge of the body sides, and a few little tweaks. I think the wing shape turned out OK, I marked the lines with electrical tape and cut against them.
I was more concerned with making the body fit properly first then can finish it off without needing test fits.
I found the body is not a perfect fit and it pulls the RH side of the roof down a little, Oli4KE noticed your LWB bodies do this too, I managed to solve that when test fitting just the shell without the four black pegs, but then when I put it on with the undertray and retaining pegs the problem came back but its not as bad as it was initially.

I always liked the wing in the low position with mid tilt, but never knew on the LWB model you can't get the body off with it on in that position!

Is it just me or is the body a super tight fit over the retaining pegs?

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/270120133564.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/270120133563.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/270120133566.jpg

I will probably paint the wing first and apply the stickers, then the body, and then the undertray though I may leave it clear so you can see the carbon chassis from underneath

DanB4

27-01-2013, 05:39 AM

Looking great Dan.

Posted your bits to you just now.

Dan

HKS_TRD

27-01-2013, 03:50 PM

Looking great Dan.

Posted your bits to you just now.

Dan

Thanks! Look forward to receiving them

I'm thinking the first of my two planned SWB Mids will be my next project.
The bits you sent me are for the second SWB Mid build I have planned

DanB4

27-01-2013, 04:40 PM

Hi Buddy, Forgot to tell you what I did with the black sections.
I sprayed the black sections from the outside with black matt paint.
A spray can of mat black that you can buy in the car shop should do the job.
Box art are the black sections mat black and not shiny! looks superb!!

Hi Oli did you do the same for the Optima Mid Custom too?

Cheers,

Dan

oli4ke

27-01-2013, 09:35 PM

I found the body is not a perfect fit and it pulls the RH side of the roof down a little, Oli4KE noticed your LWB bodies do this too, I managed to solve that when test fitting just the shell without the four black pegs, but then when I put it on with the undertray and retaining pegs the problem came back but its not as bad as it was initially.

Yes correct, thanks for the tip Buddy!;)
Nice work BTW:thumbsup: