S-Workz S104 Photo Build

[Answer-RC-Pete]

We have now had proper stocks of the S104 into us and have taken the opportunity to do a build blog of the S104 from S-Workz..

Not all 10thists will be overly familiar with SW but they have gone from new comer to relative strength in the 8th market pretty quickly. After establishing themselves in 8th they have decided to hunt down some success in the 10th 4wd arena with the S104 which has quite a few innovative features which all make sense.

Over the next year we will have Kevin Brunsden campaiging it and are also looking for team member to represent S-Workz in regionals and Nationals for 2014. We have some direct drives and various shop drive packages availble depending on ability, demeanour etc. Feel free to get in contact (sales@answer-rc.com) The kits are also in stock at a few different shops now as well..

First up - The Box..
(well its a box, what more can we say, nice as boxes go, but hey, its still just a box)
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-1.JPG
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-2.JPG



Next, starting to have a look at it all. All the bags are lettered A - K with all the parts needed for each bit of the build in each bag. having looked for "Bag A" we realised it was the manual and actually the build for real starts on Bag B:
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-3.JPG

The first stage of the build is tha assembly of both the front and rear diffs.
firstly we had a nosey at all the parts and all looking good so far. As is the norm for many kits these days the parts are shown full size down the left hand side of the manual to avoid confusion.

http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-4.JPG
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-5.JPG


You may note that the diff outdrives have a slot cut into them where the gear locator pin passes through it. This makes the insertion of the pin very easy and is more noted on the diff case build as there is no need for a hole in the case which is sealed with a grub screw and can lead to leakage and makes insertion less fiddly. An added advantage is that the design allows for a longer pin as normally the length is limited by the gap between the outdrive and the diff case.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-7.JPG

The rest of the diff builds pretty much as you would expect with a nice tolerance between all parts.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-8.JPG
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-10.JPG

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Bag C:

bag C comprises the Gearbox casings, centre drive shafts, diff pinion gears and anti roll bars and one of the nice red machined toe plates.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-11.JPG

The pinion sits in the diff case and is well supported by two of 10*15 bearings. The CVD pin and barrel are totally encapsulated by the outer of the two bearings meaning that there is no grub screw to come loose and loose a pin from the assembly.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-12.JPG

Next up is to fit the diffs to the casings.. There is a manual addendum for these as the manual incorrectly shows these inserted the wrong way meaning the car will run backwards.

All the diff ring and pinion gears are machine cut steel so should last and last and last and last.. No expensive upgrade needed..
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-13.JPG http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-14.JPG

Now we get a feel for the car with the two bulkhead / gearbox assemblies built up.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-16.jpg

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Next up, bag D:
This covers wichbones (upper and lower) shock towers etc.

http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-17.JPG
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-18.JPG

First proper look at the SSG Shock towers, 5mm Front and 4mm Rear so they should be almost as unbreakable as they can be!
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-19.JPG

The kit comes with 6 Anti roll bars, the car uses the same size front and rear and you get two pcs of each (1.3mm, 1.5mm, 1.8mm)
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-20.JPG

Next up, front end assemblty of the wishbones, anti roll bar drop links and hingepin plate. the insert in both the front and rear suspension hangesr are adjustable for different levels of kick up.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-21.jpg

Partially completed front end, also showing the adjustable droop screws, for 8th this is quite normal but not something Ive seen much of in 10th..

http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-22.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-22-droop.jpg

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Moving to the rear end we get to see the two part rear shock tower, aluminium lower and SSG upper section. The alloy part is angled to straighten the tower as there is rear kick up on the chassis which helps on the jumps and lessens bottoming out on uneven landings. Take care when atatching the tower as its easy to fit it to the wrong side of the alloy part.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-23.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-24.jpg

Another cool feature is the anti roll bar holders on the gearbox, these can be released with two screws and pivoted away meaning they are not easily lost on the pit table making changin roll bars less fiddly.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-25.jpg

A rather sturdy looking wing mount!
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-26.jpg

Serious progress now!
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-27.jpg

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Thats it for today... more tomorrow...

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Bag E:
This is all the extremities of the car, I.E knuckles, hubs, hingepins, driveshafts etc.
The first thing of note is that all four shafts are the same length making life easier for carrying spares..


http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-28.jpg

First up is assembly of the frint steering knuckles.
The CVD Axles are super chunky 6mm diameter which is part of the whole new style axle design allowing use of a larger hgex and more secure fixing system. These are supported on a 6*13mm bearinga nd on the inner a 10*15mm. This rear 10*15 bearing captures the CVD pin, as per the centre driveshafts meaning no grubscrews are involved in the CVD and the pin cant come loose.

Being a pivot ball design is somewhat of a departure for 10th buggies but very common in 8th across some of the top platforms. the logic being that it gives a constantly free moving design with lots of lock and also reduced parts count in that there is no specific hub, only the knuckle.

Here we also see the large 14mm hexes which are held by a pin and a grub along the middle of the shaft.

To top this off we have SSG steering knucle plates which even in 8th have proven damned near unbreakable. The knuckles can be flipped and used either side of the car, again making the spares bag simpler..
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-29.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-30.jpg

Here we have a neary built up front end, wishbones drop easily and freely with no additional modification, steering is free and smooth.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-31.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-31-2.jpg

Rotating the front end, we get to see the captured centre shaft and also a good shot of the adjustable inserts for the front blocks which allow adjustment of front kick up.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-31-3.jpg

Moving on to the rear end, rear hubs build up simply and effectively.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-32.jpg

We now have a partially built up back end as well:
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-33.jpg

And a pair of ends
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-34.jpg

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Next up, slipper build.

Relatively conventional design, its worth degreasing the steel slipper plates before assembly though. The pads themselves are fairly meaty and will work well on high grip surfaces, for a low grip surface the slipper will need to be set fairly loose. the bag comes with shims to shim the assembly in the centre bulkhead.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-35.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-36.jpg

Bag H:
This includes steeing ackermann assembly, motor mount and plastic side guards as well as steeing plastics, turnbuckles and rod ends.

First up in this bag is the steering ackerman assembly. S-Workz include bearings for the ackermann plate but bushings for the bellcranks themselves.. Crazy I know, we built it up using Answer ANSBR0508 Bearings (5*8mm)
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-38.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-39.jpg

Next up is assembly of the steering parts onto the front of the car.
There is a slight movement on the ackermann but this is easily taken out with the use of 5*8*0.1mm shims on the top of the steering posts.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-39-2.jpg

Next, assembly of the rear chassis brace:
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-40.jpg


oooo... a chassis..
Quite innovative in that there is also some kick up to the rear. The hingepins still sit flat due to the design of the hingepin braces but the kick up allows for easeir take off on jumps and less bottoming out on uneven landings.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-41.jpg

Assembly of the front end onto the chassis:
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-41-2.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-41-3.jpg

We then move to the centre of the car, motor mount fitment and a decision about which side guards to go for depending on choice of lipo (Saddle or shorty)
For this build we have gone saddle as most racers in the UK will go the same way.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-42.jpg

Prior to fitting the rear end of the car is the fitment of the chassis protectors for the droop screws that reduce chassis wear from grinding on the droop screws.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-43.jpg

Installation of the slipper, the kit comes with shims to take out any play so fit these to feel. Very nice centre front brace to keep thisngs solid as well.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-44.jpg

Instalation of rear end
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-45.jpg

Close up of the "flexi" body mount
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-46.jpg

Right, we have something that looks like a RC car now!
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-47.jpg

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Onto electronics:
We opted for a Xpert Sn 3301 brushless servo which is a 25t spline. the kit comes supplied with perfectly good servo horns but we fitted one of our Answer servo horns, (specifically the smaller of the range ANSSHSS25-R)

http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-48.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-49.jpg

ESC mounted above servo and motor fitted. The kit comes with a 21t pinion as well as three spur gears. We have gone middle size spur gear and 22t pinion.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-50.jpg

Now the boring bit of any build, the shocks.. Though that said they are very nicely presented.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-51.jpg
The caps come with proper bladers and a bleed hole in the shock cap. these caps locate onto the mounting lugs with a plastic slip in insert which is then held on by a nut.
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-52.jpg

Built!
Also included on the shocks are small shock covers, though as the car will be running indoors we elected to leave these off for now and see how we go. Some runners have mentioned they find the shocks a little stiff in action and have either removed one o ring or replaced with softer O rings, for now we will run as is and see how it feels.
The shocks have nifty little shock covers as well to aid protection from impacst and dirt. Initial thoughts are they would spin in all directions and end up facing everywhere but where they are needed but in reality the shock rod ends have little lugs which they locate onto to hold position.

http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-53.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-53-2.jpg

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Super flexi moulded wing:
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-56.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-57.jpg

Saddle lipo hold down set up:
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-58.jpg

All coming together nicely now really, just wheels and tyres to mount up, bodyshell to paint, electronics to set up and to go and race it!

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Wheels, 14mm wheel nuts, serated on the rear as well so we shouldn't see any wheels overtaking cars down the straights..

http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-59.jpg


Complete!

http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-61.jpg
http://www.answer-rc.com/S104Build/S104Build-62.jpg

[Ritchie T]

Looks cool, some nice features! Should the shock mug guard thingies be vice versa?

[Steven Forster]

Looks cool, some nice features! Should the shock mug guard thingies be vice versa?

I was just thinking the same thing.......great build thread you got here and a good looking piece of kit as well ;)

[madmax]

nice looking car, ive seen these go and they look a very easy car to drive

[DJR2096]

Want one of these. Want one even more now I've seen this build!
Nice buggy, great thread!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::th umbsup:

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Looks cool, some nice features! Should the shock mug guard thingies be vice versa?

Yep - it seems we were a bit keen to get it finished! Sorted now ;-)

[fil9144]

Yep - it seems we were a bit keen to get it finished! Sorted now ;-)

Hi pete i found the build to be great shockers iam finding hard but overall very nice bit of kit and very clever little extras. Do you happen to know when the carbon battery straps will be in stock as I have bought the other bits just waiting for them now :( many thanks phil

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Glad you are liking it fil ;-)

Ill keep an eye on the shocks though I know some have simply changed the O Rings for AN other brand to remove the sticktion.

SW-330418 is one of the few parts as yet not available unfortunately, we have had the shorty version though. As yet I dont have a date for it though we have them on order and have done since we had the spares list available to us.

[Dodgy Guy]

Looks good.
Any idea if those shock guards will fit a Schumacher K1?
They could be the answer to me breaking shock shafts!

[fil9144]

Glad you are liking it fil ;-)

Ill keep an eye on the shocks though I know some have simply changed the O Rings for AN other brand to remove the sticktion.

SW-330418 is one of the few parts as yet not available unfortunately, we have had the shorty version though. As yet I dont have a date for it though we have them on order and have done since we had the spares list available to us.

not to worry I will keep my eye out and thanks for the advice on the shockers I have ordered some more o rings see how works I must say tho after buying one of the 1st kits and seeing it run at bury in the summer I do think this car will make a big impact this next year maybe even as much as the dex410 as it seems to just change the way 4wd cars are in 1/10 which is good

[rcpower]

Hope you are right about the big impact, but I doubt it tbh. The time is just not right for that. There are just too many companies bringing out new cars at the moment and the lack of support(there isn't much happening on the Sworkz websites, even their FB pages are rather "dead"). You cannot create a hype if the picture is not 100% complete if you get what I mean. If only that car would have hit the stores 2 years ago... but time will prove of course.

not to worry I will keep my eye out and thanks for the advice on the shockers I have ordered some more o rings see how works I must say tho after buying one of the 1st kits and seeing it run at bury in the summer I do think this car will make a big impact this next year maybe even as much as the dex410 as it seems to just change the way 4wd cars are in 1/10 which is good

[HOTSHOT III]

Nice car, nice build pics and yes, I want one.

Does anyone know the size (ID and cross-section) of the shock O rings?

If so you could start experimenting with ones of a slightly different size, shore hardness etc.

I get my O rings from bearing shops who always tell me there is only one type of silicone O ring available in a particular size but having just built a Schumacher Supastox it comes with different O rings which are different colours so these are available if you speak to the right person.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[V6Jim]

Nice job Pete! Great photography!

The car looks nice with some really neat features. Not to fond of the bodyshell. I see there are two in the box, what's the other one like?

Hope it sells well for you!

Jimmy

[s22jgs]

Nice job Pete! Great photography!

The car looks nice with some really neat features. Not to fond of the bodyshell. I see there are two in the box, what's the other one like?

Hope it sells well for you!

Jimmy

other shell is the same, but with a thinner rear end for use with shorties

[DaveG28]

As ever when building anything but a Tamiya, I have a couple of questions:

1. How do you adjust the slipper? Do you set it then tweak so the grubscrew is on a flat section and tighten the grubscrew? (I also forgot to degrease the plates...oh well hopefully they'll still grip!)

2. Shock o-rings, what are people using? According to the manual etc the shock shafts are 2.7mm so I'd have thought most others at 3mm would be too big?

Impressions: I am part way through the build and have to say am very impressed with the quality of parts, everything feels very solid and strong! There a guy at my local track running his and it looks very impressive too!

[fil9144]

After having trouble with stiff shockers i have used these as recommended and fitted the last nite and they mAke a huge diff


http://www.rccarshop.co.uk/index.php/spares/yokomo/b-max2/ys-7hg-high-grade-o-ring-oil-free.html

Best £4.00 i have spent to be honest

[s22jgs]

After having trouble with stiff shockers i have used these as recommended and fitted the last nite and they mAke a huge diff


http://www.rccarshop.co.uk/index.php/spares/yokomo/b-max2/ys-7hg-high-grade-o-ring-oil-free.html

Best £4.00 i have spent to be honest


Cool glad it helped you.

Now enjoy the car :) we have been getting some very encouraging results with the car. Every change is bringing more and more pace.

[fil9144]

Cool glad it helped you.

Now enjoy the car :) we have been getting some very encouraging results with the car. Every change is bringing more and more pace.

Durango springs seem to work ok on the shockers which springs have u tried ?

[minty]

What battery configuration have people been using? shorty or saddle? I can imagine with a shorty a bit of weight may need to be added to the rear?

[s22jgs]

What battery configuration have people been using? shorty or saddle? I can imagine with a shorty a bit of weight may need to be added to the rear?

It doesn't really need any weight at all. I run shorty packs as does kev Brunsden and we both have 30g in the rear. Still around 50g lighter than the saddle configuration.

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Hey all, somebody was asking shock shaft doameter, 3.15mm is what we measure up so a 3mm O ring without stocktion is about the ideal.

Looks like there were a few good results over the last few days with Kev Brunsden qfy`ing 2nd at Maritime behind Ellis at the weekend and I belive a 2nd and 3rd place at Maritime last night looking at the results.

[RobS101]

Pete,

do you know if new kits are shipping with the released upgrade parts that Sworkz are sending to customers now?

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Hey, kits leaving us as of this week will have the update parts and update parts have been going out to those with earlier cars.

Unfortunately we didn't recieve anough update packs due to a shipping error to cover all immediately but this will be corrected this week.

[RobS101]

Hey, kits leaving us as of this week will have the update parts and update parts have been going out to those with earlier cars.

Unfortunately we didn't recieve anough update packs due to a shipping error to cover all immediately but this will be corrected this week.

Great thanks, really tempted to make this my first rc car in 17 years :)