HELP!!! Kyosho Turbo Optima Mid Special

[optiman]

Hello to everyone,

I am new to this forum, but I've been an R/C enthusiast for quite some time now.
Just a quick note on myself; I've always concidered Kyosho my favorite R/C's. My first true R/C was a Kyosho Optima, ever since I saw that glamorous and elegant buggy on a Tower Hobbies catalog back in the 80's I became a sucker for Kyosho buggies, particularly 1/10 electrics. Anyhow, the Optima was tragicly lost; My dad grab by mistake the black plastic bag containing my Optima, charger, remote, everything I was going o use on my grandmas house that day, instead of the trash bag and threw it into the dumpster!!!!!
Yes... I know... I never really could forgive him for that, but he bought me a new Turbo Optima Mid SE in order to ease the pain. It did help to ease the pain, but I really never got stop remembering my lost Optima...
Anyhow!!! Now that I am an old dude with a job and my own cash to spend I felt all nostalgic for the long gone Optima and decided that I wanted to have one on my shelf for all day to see and hold it in my hands once again. Long story short I got one from ebay in near mint condition in stock form, followed by a Turbo Optima Mid SE, an RC10, a new built Javelin and a Turbo Optima Mid SE Special 7-cell LWB Conversion.
Now here is where I need help with. My goal is to have them all in Box Art, factory stock condition. The Optima Mid 7-cell Special Conversion is missing a few parts and in order to achive that I need help from members here to accomplish my goal and I just dont have the patience to wait for parts to show up on ebay. Here is the list of what the TOMS is missing:

Parts for the TOMS
Front (W-5024) and rear wheels (W-5023)
Front narrow tires (W-5034)
Rear tires (W-5978)
Front gold shocks (W-5001) I do have rears gold shocks
Upper Adjustable Hex Turnbuckles
One Upper deck post (OT-92)

I also need a front bumper for the Optima, I does not have to be new.

Here is a snapshot of the TOMS. It currently still has the 7-cell FRP chassis, since I am still waiting for the arrival of the new carbon fiber OTW-5 chassis that I bought. It also has carbon fiber battery straps/hold-downs and carbon fiber rear brace, these parts are also going to be replaced with stock/factory ones that I have, just not installed. The wheels are actually Kyosho's 2.2 dia which where cut on a lathe and narrowed down to stock width and then dyed bright yellow, but like I said before I want factory/stock look. Good thing about these wheels is that now standard 2.2 tires can be used. Tires shown are Schumacher block's 2.2 buggy tires which are available almost everywhere. At least those current wheels/Tires give the buggy the stock/factory look somehow.

Well, thank you for your time, those of you who took the time to read ;) Any help will be appreciated.

Those of you with the parts please PM'd me!!!

[optiman]

Anyone....???? :(

[Naushad]

Your car looks nice but like you have said, much has to be done to make it stock
again. You also need the original battery stay set.

Tbh quite a few of the parts can be found on eBay - certainly the shocks and bumper. Try vintage kyosho parts aswell. I maybe able to help with the upper deck post for now.

[j0pp3]

I don't think the rear tires are W-5978. They should be W-5031.Nice car to start with anyway. What kind of differentials does it have?

[optiman]

Thanks for the reply!!! :)

Actually I do have the factory battery straps. Those carbon fiber straps along with the rear brace are going to be replaced with factory stock battery straps and OT110 brace which I ordered and waiting to arrive.

j0pp3; I posted the wrong tire part number, it should have read W5078, instead of W5978.

Well, I just came from the kitchen with an experiment that I believe came out just right. I took some standard white Turbo Optima wheels and dyed in Tintex Brilliant Yellow #550-017. Also took some old, about 90% thread left, OT66 tires gave them a bath on silicone spray to revive them and voila!! They look acceptable, at least for now. You be the judge.
If only I could find some front USED (worn similar to mine) narrow tires with the same spike pattern and a couple of Turbo Optima white wheels I am then almost done with the "factory look". Maybe then I can sleep again ;)

Please comment

[Naushad]

I've got a ful set of turbo optima white wheels

Give me your email and I'll send a pic!

[optiman]

PS: Pictures do not make justice. The wheels, well actually everything in the picture looks "jagged", the old Turbo Optima wheels that I used are in near mint condition, no jagged edges.

[optiman]

Ahhh!!! Just received the OTW-5 chassis... and already installed it!!! The swap went flawlessly, makes me happy!!!! :D

I know you guys and gals have seen these soo many times before, but for the fun of it and share; pictures of the new chassis.


j0pp3
The differentials are ball(rear) and Option House one-way(front).

[HKS_TRD]

That chassis is very rare, looks good

I have a pair of yellow front wheels and W-5034 tyres here.

May also have some rears very soon

[j0pp3]

With that über rare chassis in place you just can't install a pair of W-5078 rear tires. You really need the original W-5031.

[optiman]

Agree!!! One question are the rear tires W5031 or W5051? I'm Confused now :confused:

[j0pp3]

LOL.. sorry, my bad! W-5031 is my final call :)

Worth noting is that W-5033 (front) and OT-66 (rear) was included as alternatives in the exploded view:
http://www.retromodelisme.com/img/manuel/kyosho/turbo_optima_mid_special/page_025.jpg

[DanB4]

I just noticed an error in the exploded diagram! Shocking I know!

The far rear turnbuckle is shown as a std optima mid rod with no hex whereas the far (rh) front is shown correctly.

[optiman]

LOL.. sorry, my bad! W-5031 is my final call :)

Worth noting is that W-5033 (front) and OT-66 (rear) was included as alternatives in the exploded view:
http://www.retromodelisme.com/img/manuel/kyosho/turbo_optima_mid_special/page_025.jpg

Yes I am TRYING to get those too(W5033), no luck so far... :mad:

DanB4; that means I only need the front upper rods to be "factory stock" LOL. By the way I noticed you are preparing a TOMS runner and the picture shows two packs of W5031!!!!! Dont wear them down, sell one to me!!!!! Just one!!!! Please!!! :)

[optiman]

Well I got everything needed for the TOMS except the rear tires. I ordered two pairs of factory yellow front wheels, Rear and front Kyosho gold shocks, the turnbuckles that where needed, a pair of new front W5034 tires and a complete TOMS body set with decals from Marwan. I did not know until a few days ago that the only difference between the front wheels and the rears are the inner half, so I am going to use mine for the front wheels that I ordered.
I even ordered new bodies for a Optima and a TOMSE that are here sitting next to me, hope they come soon!!!!!:thumbsup:
Everything now not needed is on ebay, including the mint 7-cell chassis, Optima bodies, OT66 tires, full set of Platinum shocks, gold shocks, motors, outer half Turbo Optima wheels, etc..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Kyosho-Parts-Lot-for-Optima-Turbo-Mid-Custom-Special-Body-OT66-Shocks-/251233737175?pt=US_Character_Radio_Control_Toys&hash=item3a7eb299d7#ht_573wt_1180

[optiman]

Bang!!! I can't believe it, just got the hard to find W5031 tires on ebay!!! Now the TOMS is complete... well I still have to wait for all the parts missing to arrive :thumbsup:
I'll post pictures when done!!

[DanB4]

Lucky you! I can't find anywhere!

[optiman]

Lucky you! I can't find anywhere!

Honestly said, I've been obsessed the last two weeks checking on ebay hoping to see them. Sometimes I woke up in the middle of the night to take a piss and I would stop by on my computer and took a minute or two to check, seriously OBSESSED!!!! :wtf: Last night I didnt even look directly for them, just wrote "kyosho", newly listed, and there it was... and with a buy it now that was neither a bairgain nor too high; $45 US with free shipping. I bought them in a heartbeat, didnt even bother to read the description. I might as well could've end up buying a poster with the picture of tires for not taking the time to read :p!!!! But luckily I did just got the real McCoy, and brand new also!!!

[DanB4]

I know that obsession :)

Find me a set please!

[optiman]

I know that obsession :)

Find me a set please!

Hi Dan,
Did did you received my PM's?

[j0pp3]

Congrats for finding those rears! Looking forward to see some images of your progress.

[isobarik]

Ahhh!!! Just received the OTW-5 chassis... and already installed it!!! The swap went flawlessly, makes me happy!!!! :D

I know you guys and gals have seen these soo many times before, but for the fun of it and share; pictures of the new chassis.


j0pp3
The differentials are ball(rear) and Option House one-way(front).

Fibre-lyte chassi ???

for running the rear geardiff is better ........

mvh Isobarik

[HKS_TRD]

I was looking at those tyres and nearly bought them myself but decided I didn't need a third pair and also hoped that you may have spotted them. Glad to see that you did!

Where did you get your OTW-5 chassis from?

[DanB4]

Dan sell me a set!

[optiman]

I was looking at those tyres and nearly bought them myself but decided I didn't need a third pair and also hoped that you may have spotted them. Glad to see that you did!

Where did you get your OTW-5 chassis from?

Fybre-lite. When I got it I placed it on top of my original Kyosho 7-cell conversion chassis and apart of the 7-cell slot they are exactly the same, perfect fit also!! It may have not came inside of a plastic bag with a stapled piece of cardboard with the Kyosho logo in it, but sure as hell they look the same!! Anyways I just wanted the carbon fiber look. I also was tempted to get the upper deck(looks nice), but the original model did not came with one, just trying to keep it with the original look.

W5031's.... Yes I was very lucky!!! Concidering I just started restoring the model a few weeks ago and I already have one of the most dificult parts to get; shear luck!!!

[HKS_TRD]

Dan sell me a set!

I would but I am saving them for a special set of wheels I am waiting on for my next project

[optiman]

I would but I am saving them for a special set of wheels I am waiting on for my next project

I told DanB4 about this ebay auction, it had the W5031 tires in it, hope he got it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151002820592?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[HKS_TRD]

I find these "ships to united states only" auctions frustrating. Some of the sellers when you contact to see if they send to Australia are willing to do so but others won't even let you send them a message!

[optiman]

I find these "ships to united states only" auctions frustrating. Some of the sellers when you contact to see if they send to Australia are willing to do so but others won't even let you send them a message!

True!!! I live in Puerto Rico, US Territory. Same currency, same USPS mail, same everything!!! And once on a while I stumble across some fool seller who simply does not want to make business. I've explained him that he does not has to fill no special form, nor anything different than shipping inside the US, still the dumba$$ won't ship.

TOMS Update:
Today I've installed the missing post, the adj. turnbuckles and the OT-110 carbon brace. I also received a USPS received package reminder on the mailbox from Royal Mail Service. I think that package might be from Vintage Kyosho with the set of wheels and front tires. :D
Kyosho Gold Shocks just departed from CA, soon they will be here also!!!
Also Marwan sent out yesterday, the TOMS, the TOMSE and the Optima new body sets with decals, along with new Javelin decals.
I will post pics soon!!!

[optiman]

Today I received the wheels, front and rear tires, and yes they are already installed!!!:D

The buggy currently has no shocks, sold them on ebay along with some bits and bobs. Only thing missing now is the gold shocks, that I think that they are going to be here tomorrow(came all the way from Signapore), and the body.

Here is the small vintage family along with my two newer AE B44's.
All the Optima's are in the nude, waiting for the new bodies to arrive... :(

[optiman]

Just finished installing the gold shocks, now all that remains left to do is patiently wait for the Marwan repro body!!!
Here are some pictures of the finished chassis

[HKS_TRD]

Looking good!

Its only a small detail but seeing as you are going for the 100% authentic look you should swap out the blue fasteners on the top of the shock and the outer rod ends for the correct ones.
Also rather than the ball and screw securing the shocks to the bottom of the wishbones you should be using the screw in balls.

Your chassis doesn't look as shiny as other fibrelyte ones I have seen, this is not a bad thing as it makes it look more like the original kyosho one.

When I get a chance I'll take some pics of the original Kyosho one against a fibrelyte chassis I have here

Can't wait to see it with the body installed!

[optiman]

Thanks,
Well the fibrelyte chassis is very shiny. I think that the Microsft Picture Maker(or something like that) that I am using is cutting down the glossy effect when I hit the; Brightness Auto Adjust icon.
The blue screws and silvery nuts on the shocks are there cause I cant find the exact ones or quantity needed on my tool/junkyard box :)
I will replace the shock end ball cups for stock ones.
Thanks for the comments!!