Turbo Optima Mid - Evolution aka 21st Century Mid

[HKS_TRD]

This is a project I have been chipping away at on and off for nearly two years with most of the time having been spent sourcing parts, trial fitting various bits and getting ideas from other peoples builds. I've recently gotten to the point where I had all the specs locked in so its now 95% assembled, with a few loose ends and decisions to tie up.
The main aim was to build a Mid that was as modified as possible, but with modern pats. The bulk of the bits would be from the vintage Lazer series, either standard parts or as things progressed more and more custom and aftermarket parts. Also the color theme evolved to being carbon and blue anodised or dyed parts.

First step like all my builds was the diffs. I used ceramic diff balls and a set of new pulleys bearings and plates

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo01_zps4d080af2.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo01_zps4d080af2.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo02_zps364ac6a5.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo02_zps364ac6a5.jpg.html)

Then the first custom piece was the layshaft from Alcyon which lets you run the B4 slipper, along with a new vintage nylon counter gear, new kyosho parts to make up the rest of the gearbox and the associated B4 parts, including the vented plates which I had anodised blue and associated ceramic bearings

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo03_zpsf359d093.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo03_zpsf359d093.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo04_zpsa5116919.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo04_zpsa5116919.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo05_zps8e613d3d.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo05_zps8e613d3d.jpg.html)

So with the layshaft assembled I could then get everything into the gearbox, the Mid rear gearbox is always a little fiddly to assemble I find, you wouldn't want to try and do it in a rush!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo06_zps041161ca.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo06_zps041161ca.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo07_zps7d46e0da.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo07_zps7d46e0da.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo09_zps70a80d7c.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo09_zps70a80d7c.jpg.html)

After a long search I managed to find a vintage finned motor plate (which I believe is A&L) which I also had anodised blue and a custom motor brace which I had Fibrelyte make for me which extends down in a similar way to the Lazer ZX-R MKII item

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo08_zps95b146cf.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo08_zps95b146cf.jpg.html)

So now the rear gearbox could be assembled. Alot of the longer screws I had to shorten to the right length and around this time I discovered kyosho blue countersunk washers which started off going in a few spots but then I used these washers and countersunk screws pretty much everywhere ...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo10_zpse7e3be44.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo10_zpse7e3be44.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo11_zps8c7c799f.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo11_zps8c7c799f.jpg.html)

You will notice I cut the wing mount off the gearbox, it was hard to do this to a brand new vintage part but it had to be done!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo12_zps4b35aea5.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo12_zps4b35aea5.jpg.html)

[HKS_TRD]

Another custom piece I had Fibrelyte make for me was the chassis, which is based on the LWB Mid design but has had the redundant screw holes removed, only has six cell slots and also at the front servo area has been cut the same as a Lazer ZX-R chassis so it will work withe the Lazer ZX-R servo plate

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo13_zps1d2dbe69.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo13_zps1d2dbe69.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo14_zpsc5780874.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo14_zpsc5780874.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo15_zpsb3fdf7ce.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo15_zpsb3fdf7ce.jpg.html)

I've skipped the front gearbox and bolting them to the chassis because thats not particularly intresting and someone forgot to take photos ..
Next was the steering, for which I used ZX-R steering posts and a ZX steering plate which I had to cut a notch into so it would clear the gearbox, luckily I worked this out prior to getting the parts anodised! I used the blue ZX-S steering parts

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo16_zps5a5890eb.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo16_zps5a5890eb.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo17_zps4e2dc110.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo17_zps4e2dc110.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo18_zpscf95b8e5.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo18_zpscf95b8e5.jpg.html)

I also had Firbelyte make a custom upper deck for me, the changes from the standard configuration being that it is symmetrical with no speed control servo mounting slots, has two countersunk holes for the screws that go into the lazer steering posts and a small notch at the rear to clear the custom motor brace just like the standard one has on the other side to clear the motor plate. You can also see the anodised ZX servo plate mounted along with blue Kyosho chassis posts and the vintage alloy bulkhead I managed to find. Though at this stage it is still raw and I was not sure if I was going to polish it or anodise it

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo19_zps8152b875.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo19_zps8152b875.jpg.html)

I then bolted up the shock towers, the rear is a standard ZX-R MKI configuration from Fibrelyte while the front is their hoop type for medium length shocks however I had them remove the hoop section for the Mid, purely for aesthetic reasons

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo20_zpsa3b38db6.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo20_zpsa3b38db6.jpg.html)

You can also see the carbon battery straps and the kyosho blue battery posts as well as the custom front wishbone pivot plate which is cut to match the shape of the gearbox, another custom piece from Fibrelyte

At this point I decided that I would indeed anodise the bulkhead after most people rightly suggested that even if I polished the bulkhead it would look out of place

[HKS_TRD]

So, when it rains it pours! I managed to find another identical finned motor plate so had that anodised along with the bulkhead so I would be sure they would match. The motor plate is going to get used on another build I have planned, along with the second alloy bulkhead I found ...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo21_zpsf2da2767.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo21_zpsf2da2767.jpg.html)

The standard plastic bulkhead has the extra hole in it for the longer motor brace but the alloy one doesn't so I had to drill and tap that thread

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo22_zps8f7de4e8.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo22_zps8f7de4e8.jpg.html)

So now I could bolt those parts up and move along. You can also see the pargu rear alloy pivot block which I had them anodise in blue to match the rest of the build

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo23_zps35f17f0f.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo23_zps35f17f0f.jpg.html)

I also used UMW-1 wing parts (which is why I cut the stock wing mounts off the gearbox) along with blue chassis posts to tie the two plastic extensions together

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo24_zps6124cd6f.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo24_zps6124cd6f.jpg.html)

I had also picked up some vintage white RPM wishbones which I dyed blue to use on this build

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo25_zps9d5baff6.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo25_zps9d5baff6.jpg.html)

I had initially considered using equalizer shocks or anodising some medium and long gold shocks blue but then I discovered these and there was no turning back! I only managed to find blue springs for the rear

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo26_zpseb657250.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo26_zpseb657250.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo27_zps4b0e625a.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo27_zps4b0e625a.jpg.html)

So, front wishbones and shocks went on, I used some blue kyosho shaft collars which I had to drill out because they were too small doh, I have some of the correct one now but need to get them anodised

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo28_zpsd08b750a.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo28_zpsd08b750a.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo29_zps549e3672.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo29_zps549e3672.jpg.html)

Then rear wishbones and shocks. I used blue kyosho washers and nuts wherever I could and all other fasteners are stainless steel. I also used one of these factory blue anodised rear suspension plates, the red one that comes in the set has been anodised blue and put aside for another project

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo30_zps8bfe6a5b.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo30_zps8bfe6a5b.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo31_zps64311913.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo31_zps64311913.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo32_zpsba90af55.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo32_zpsba90af55.jpg.html)

[alcyon]

Plain Awesome Man! Is this gonna be a shelfer or runner ? Hmm RPM arms. Now I know where MPP copied the arm design from ! Grinding off the rear wing mounts is something I wouldn't do myself because I want to have an additional option to use back the original wing mount. I also used UMW-1 as a wing mount , because with repeated rear wing landings, the gearbox was ripped apart at those mountings.

[HKS_TRD]

Keeping with the theme of modern parts there was no choice but to run Kyosho CVDs, I went with the longer ones in the front as I was going to run the front in the wider configuration and of course the rears are the regular shorter width for a ZX or ZX-R. This also meant I could use the blue Kyosho pin type wheel hexes

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo33_zps744e2fbe.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo33_zps744e2fbe.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo34_zps7096c860.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo34_zps7096c860.jpg.html)

For the front suspension I started with a pair of teamline ballraced C hubs but I hated the standard bright blue color so dyed them a darker blue, I was happy with the way they turned out

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo35_zps42f889b8.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo35_zps42f889b8.jpg.html)

I used the 3Racing ZX-5 knuckles though you have to trim one of the surfaces to make them fit the ZXR style C hubs. You cant see this area once assembled so I left as is

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo36_zps92a70747.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo36_zps92a70747.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo37_zps6eaea347.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo37_zps6eaea347.jpg.html)

I wanted to run kingpin ballstuds like the ZX-S but this required much experimentation to find the right parts to make it all work.
I ended up using these parts, raiding the collars from the pivot screw set to use on the ballstuds and it all fits together really well, you can see a regular kingpin next to the parts for comparison

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo38_zps96c3554a.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo38_zps96c3554a.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo39_zps9635cb6b.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo39_zps9635cb6b.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo40_zps0f22275b.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo40_zps0f22275b.jpg.html)

I used blue titanium associated turnbuckles and Kyosho heavy duty grey rod ends which I dyed blue, well tried to, they turned out pretty much black but anyway it looks better than the dark grey color for this build

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo41_zps44259007.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo41_zps44259007.jpg.html)

[HKS_TRD]

Plain Awesome Man! Is this gonna be a shelfer or runner ? Also, those arm are MPP lazer arms aren't they ?

Thanks, now you know what the layshaft was for!
I was told the arms were RPM by the seller, they were originally white.
This is going to be a shelfer but I would like to run it indoors a few times

[HKS_TRD]

So now I could put the rest of the front end together and its starting to look like a complete car

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo42_zps1ecfadcd.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo42_zps1ecfadcd.jpg.html)

For the rear I used 3Racing hubs again, though no modifications were required to use these. I forgot to take a pic of these before mounting the wheels

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo43_zpsdab36acf.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo43_zpsdab36acf.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo44_zps91413557.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo44_zps91413557.jpg.html)

For wheels I went with some Kyosho ZX-R 2.2s which I dyed blue along with the mini-spike Kyosho tyres which aren't all that easy to find sometimes

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo45_zps04fa6cff.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo45_zps04fa6cff.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo46_zpsea376d4d.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo46_zpsea376d4d.jpg.html)

And for the finishing touch a blue Shapeways bumper

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo47_zps7e18b193.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo47_zps7e18b193.jpg.html)

So now I was able to mount the wheels up and its pretty much a complete buggy!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo48_zps76b29e72.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo48_zps76b29e72.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo49_zps0a9f11f2.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo49_zps0a9f11f2.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo50_zpsa4f74487.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo50_zpsa4f74487.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo51_zps67f34641.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo51_zps67f34641.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo52_zps4d942966.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo52_zps4d942966.jpg.html)

[HKS_TRD]

This brings me to where I am at now with the build and what I need to do to complete it.

I stumbled across one of these blue Kyosho wings and decided that it was the perfect wing for this buggy, I had to drill new holes to work but that was no big deal, I have no idea what it is intended for it looks very similar to the ZX-RR wing

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo53_zps2d62083f.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo53_zps2d62083f.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo54_zpsec7b0482.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo54_zpsec7b0482.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo55_zps240c5c32.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo55_zps240c5c32.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo56_zps3acd6da2.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo56_zps3acd6da2.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo57_zps2b0a325e.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo57_zps2b0a325e.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo58_zpsd6d96011.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo58_zpsd6d96011.jpg.html)

The rear of it reminds me of the ZX-S, as you can see with my ZX-S sitting next to it

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo59_zps9caf9258.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo59_zps9caf9258.jpg.html)

I am not sure what body to use on it, but I do have a spare ZX-S repro shell and undertray sitting here which I think may be ideal, and if I go for that I may go with these ZX-S style shock towers I have which bolt right up. I could then use the ones on the car for my Carbon Tub ZX-R project instead.
I also need to install the upper belt cover ofcourse but for the shelf am tempted to leave it off

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo60_zps52098950.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/Mid_Evo60_zps52098950.jpg.html)

Any other suggestions for a shell or thoughts on which shock towers to use?

One of my friends has commented that you can barely tell its a Mid, it just looks like a modifided Lazer ZX-R lol

[Crashtest33]

Wow!! Time, patience & effort all rewarded with this!

[alcyon]

Awesome, I always though the only bad part of the optima mid was its suspension. with the Lazer Arms I am sure its handling will be brought to the next level. A few questions I have as I am interested in these parts too.

1. Where did you get the rear top deck /bulkhead mount from ? My plastic one keeps stripping at the motor mount screws causing the motor plate to loosen. I also think that graphite MSC plate that mounts the bulkhead on the opposite side like the ZX-r Mk2 is the way to go to prevent loosening.

2. I am also interested in the alloy spacers you placed in between the UMW-1 wing stays to stiffen them.

Please let us all know.

[HKS_TRD]

Wow!! Time, patience & effort all rewarded with this!

Thanks, this project was in gestation for a long time, with the color scheme it kind of reminds me of Oosh (RIP) Lazer. I did borrow a few ideas from his build. The other non-standard builds planned are an all Carbon Ultima, SWB Mid with Trinity chassis and all vintage hop-ups and a Lazer ZX-RS Carbon fibre tub car, I am just prepping parts for anodising for all these projects. I do also have all the standard Mid variants to build and the Turbo Optima Mid SE-X will be receiving some changes and hopefully be finally completed.
Somewhere in all of that I will build my runner with the vintage carbon ZX-R tub I have here

Awesome, I always though the only bad part of the optima mid was its suspension. with the Lazer Arms I am sure its handling will be brought to the next level. A few questions I have as I am interested in these parts too.

1. Where did you get the rear top deck /bulkhead mount from ? My plastic one keeps stripping at the motor mount screws causing the motor plate to loosen. I also think that graphite MSC plate that mounts the bulkhead on the opposite side like the ZX-r Mk2 is the way to go to prevent loosening.

2. I am also interested in the alloy spacers you placed in between the UMW-1 wing stays to stiffen them.

Please let us all know.

The bulkhead I found on eBay I have no idea where to get a new one, maybe Pargu could do one, I see he now does the C Hubs in alloy for the Mid.

The spacers are Kyosho blue radio posts, you can find them on eBay but if you don't care about the color you can just use the radio plate posts form a Mid, they are identical bar the color. I still needed to put a 1 or 2mm (can't remember) washer either side as the posts were not quite long enough but thats easy enough
The trick is you have to drill out the UMW-1 to accept 3mm screws and there is not much meat there, don't try and just tap the larger thread with a screw or it will snap the material, drill it out.

So still deciding if I switch the shock towers and if I use the ZX-S body on it. I have a stock mid undertray I will put on it for now while I am deciding

[alcyon]

The bulkhead I found on eBay I have no idea where to get a new one, maybe Pargu could do one, I see he now does the C Hubs in alloy for the Mid.



Do you have the ebay link? If all fails, I would just ask my local machinist to copy the mid top deck bulkhead.. Or if you know the keywords you used to search it.

[HKS_TRD]

I don't have the link but its not going to help much the part was secondhand not new
The best bet would be to get a replica machined up, there may be a market for them
I could use another one
There was one thing about ti thats annoying that is it doesn't have the notch for the rubber belt insulator to fit into, I'm to cut one short for this car, though I have one other idea which is to try and use the upper belt cover from a Lazer ZX but I don't think that will be viable

[HKS_TRD]

Alcyon I have a question for you
Are any of the Kyosho pinion gears the same pitch as the Associated spur gear?

[optiman]

:drool: :drool: :drool: Amazing!!!
If the buggy will mostly be for shelf art, have you concidered using one of those carbon fiber wing available, like the one I am using for my Blue Thunder project?

[HKS_TRD]

:drool: :drool: :drool: Amazing!!!
If the buggy will mostly be for shelf art, have you concidered using one of those carbon fiber wing available, like the one I am using for my Blue Thunder project?

I'll have to check the wing out are there pics in your thread?

[Naushad]

This is a very nice build.

You have carefully put this together.

Definitely an optimized optima!

[DanB4]

Wow.

Just Wow!!

Well done Adam - puts my LWB modified Mid runner to shame!

Dan

[Welshy40]

:drool: :drool: :drool: Amazing!!!
If the buggy will mostly be for shelf art, have you concidered using one of those carbon fiber wing available, like the one I am using for my Blue Thunder project?

Link please as im after one and am contimplating having a mold made for a cf wing, that is if i cant find one.

Dan, ive given you the bug, its addictive isnt it? Hopefully the layshaft will be here before friday this week and will post some pics. Zxs shell will be perfect.

[optiman]

Here is an ebay link for two Integy carbon fiber wing models.
The second link is the one I am using for Blue Thunder. Check for dimensions, I think the first link is slightly larger... or smaller, can't remember :blush:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/360742705466?nav=SEARCH

http://m.ebay.com/itm/380821172745?nav=SEARCH

They are available in different aluminum side panel colors.
You can visit; Integy.com

[Welshy40]

Thanks. May buy one and add more angle to the bottom plate to make it work more for me.

[HKS_TRD]

Here is an ebay link for two Integy carbon fiber wing models.
The second link is the one I am using for Blue Thunder. Check for dimensions, I think the first link is slightly larger... or smaller, can't remember :blush:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/360742705466?nav=SEARCH

http://m.ebay.com/itm/380821172745?nav=SEARCH

They are available in different aluminum side panel colors.
You can visit; Integy.com

Thanks for the links, they look quite nice but I really like the blue one thats on there, and I think I will be going with the ZX-S shell and ZXRS towers, this means I either have to cut notches in the wing to clear the shocks as the ZXRS tower puts the wing lower or I can use the second blue wing I have here and sit it further back.
I am leaning towards the notches to complete the ZX-S look
I am planning on painting the shell a translcent blue with a silver then black backing and probably another color in the mix in a couple areas.

I emailed John Miller a while back to paint my Genuine Optima shell in box art and about the custom scheme I wanted for another shell but he never wrote back, whats up with that?

[alcyon]

Daniel the optima mid spur ptch is not a standard pitch. The b4 one is standard . I use 48p RW pinions and they match perfectly with the associateds. I know this because i used the optima mids original spur with RW pinions and the noise was horrible. When i switched to tamiya ta02 pinion it was sudenly quiet.

[HKS_TRD]

Daniel the optima mid spur ptch is not a standard pitch. The b4 one is standard . I use 48p RW pinions and they match perfectly with the associateds. I know this because i used the optima mids original spur with RW pinions and the noise was horrible. When i switched to tamiya ta02 pinion it was sudenly quiet.

Thanks that makes sense. For some reason I thought maybe the lazer pinions were the same.
I have another question for you regarding the steering setup. You run the blue ZX-S steering parts IIRC which hole do you use on the steering parts for the rod that goes to the servo, there are two and I want to screw a ballstud in now so I can then put the belt cover on, its all trimmed ready to go

[oli4ke]

I emailed John Miller a while back to paint my Genuine Optima shell in box art and about the custom scheme I wanted for another shell but he never wrote back, whats up with that?

Here the same buddy.... I guess he doesn't like non US citizens....:bored:

[alcyon]

Thanks that makes sense. For some reason I thought maybe the lazer pinions were the same.
I have another question for you regarding the steering setup. You run the blue ZX-S steering parts IIRC which hole do you use on the steering parts for the rod that goes to the servo, there are two and I want to screw a ballstud in now so I can then put the belt cover on, its all trimmed ready to go
I use the outermost hole as that will give the most leverage as well as steering travel.

[HKS_TRD]

I use the outermost hole as that will give the most leverage as well as steering travel.

I can see how that would give the most leverage but wouldn't the inside hole give the most travel?

[alcyon]

I can see how that would give the most leverage but wouldn't the inside hole give the most travel?

oops, you are right, the inner one will give more travel, but I have mounted mine at the outer hole and I do have almost full travel on my knuckles right now with lazer c hubs and arms, which is more than enough in my opinion, as I wouldn't want the knuckles to pull on the c hub and in turn pull on the arm which will impede its own free movement.

[HKS_TRD]

So here is a pic of the Mid with a genuine LWB Mid undertray.
I was comparing it to the ZX-S undertray and it seems the ZX-S undertray whilst based on it is slightly shorter, and ditto for the body compared to the LWB Mid, will have to be very careful when I cut the ZX-S shell and undertray out to make sure get them sitting perfectly on the Mid

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140210_009_zpse7864c0e.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140210_009_zpse7864c0e.jpg.html)

Still this is missing

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140209_001_zps20d17df7.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140209_001_zps20d17df7.jpg.html)

And to install that I needed to trim this piece to clear both the steering post and also the nut holding the ball joint onto the steering parts

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140212_006_zps787b5b65.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140212_006_zps787b5b65.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140213_001_zps004e1140.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140213_001_zps004e1140.jpg.html)

And this is how she looks with the belt cover on, I went for some stainless screws there too for consistency

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140213_005_zps50d7b1a2.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140213_005_zps50d7b1a2.jpg.html)

[DanB4]

Great as ever!

I\ll be interested to see your smart looking gear cover as I have that dillemma at the moment.....

Dan

[HKS_TRD]

I haven't even thought about the gear cover yet!

[HKS_TRD]

Decided to install a motor in this for now, so that it won't roll off the shelf!
Even though it has the B4 slipper to make it brushless compatible I installed the following motor because it is blue and matches the rest of the car

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_001_zpscccd736c.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_001_zpscccd736c.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_002_zps8cc554cf.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_002_zps8cc554cf.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_014_zps66629ef1.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_014_zps66629ef1.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_015_zps61f00986.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_015_zps61f00986.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_016_zpsce2bf8c9.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_016_zpsce2bf8c9.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_017_zps68ac4d62.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140224_017_zps68ac4d62.jpg.html)

I also got my hands on a pair of front white super stars, and managed to source a pair of rears in black, so I dyed all of them black (just incase the rears changed color a little) and installed with Schumacher tyres, the offset of the fronts is different to the Kyoshos and makes the car wider, these would work well with a narrow front end setup, which is what my ZXR Carbon Tub shelfer will have, so these wheels will be going on that project, though my plans always change it seems ....

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/HPISuperStar2500_zps4caa4f96.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/HPISuperStar2500_zps4caa4f96.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_006_zps81f81942.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_006_zps81f81942.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_007_zpsb0e923d4.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_007_zpsb0e923d4.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_008_zps756ba60d.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_008_zps756ba60d.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_009_zpsbd8f9bef.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_009_zpsbd8f9bef.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_010_zps44b60b47.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_010_zps44b60b47.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_011_zps9ccf4490.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20140310_011_zps9ccf4490.jpg.html)

Still need to swap the shock towers over but have to re-think where I should be locating the ball joints on the shock towers first, what are the rules of thumb to apply? I'm not sure if I got it right or not with my initial setup or what the "right" or "wrong" position by definition is

[optiman]

Eye candy!!!
I am not sure how are you going to get the strength to run that piece of art!!! Or are you not?

[HKS_TRD]

I didn't have any plans to run it at this stage but would like to run it indoors a couple times if possible.
I am building a runner ZX-R with a vintage carbon tub, when I eventually get around to it, have been slowly collecting bits and prepping parts for anodising

[OptimaFan]

Very nice "hybrid" Optima Mid. The blue theme looks great, and good choise on those shocks, as these are very smooth, as I remember from my Ultima RB5.

[HKS_TRD]

Very nice "hybrid" Optima Mid. The blue theme looks great, and good choise on those shocks, as these are very smooth, as I remember from my Ultima RB5.

Thanks I will be making a few changes to it very soon, and also to the SWB Mid I built just before this. Then I can finally get around to giving her a shell

I'm just waiting for the parts to turn up

[HKS_TRD]

I still haven't finished this project off (nor any of the projects I started ...)

In trying to put as much Lazer DNA as possible into this project I decided to have a different motor brace made which looks like a Lazer piece.
The new one is on the left and the original one I had made will be going onto the Turbo Optima Mid SE-X

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20141207_003_zps7f10a653.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20141207_003_zps7f10a653.jpg.html)

Installed the recess lines up perfectly with the layshaft making it look just right.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20141207_008_zps6f65b407.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20141207_008_zps6f65b407.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20141207_015_zpsb8981f4d.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20141207_015_zpsb8981f4d.jpg.html)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/HKS_TRD/RC%20Cars/WP_20141207_019_zpsb6dd059d.jpg (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/HKS_TRD/media/RC%20Cars/WP_20141207_019_zpsb6dd059d.jpg.html)

I need to swap the ZXR-S shock towers on, and then try and figure out how to trim the ZX-S shell to fit and if I need a new chassis made or not

[alcyon]

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x87/alcyon2sp/20141126_222557_zpspuuzgyl1.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/alcyon2sp/media/20141126_222557_zpspuuzgyl1.jpg.html)
I could send this tube to you. I tried fitting the VTS on my Mid, but seems it will touch the gear cover. However, it looks like with a thick finned motor plate like what you are using, this may be possible after all since it will push the gear cover outwards. If you are running on dirt, its best to apply some silicone sealants on the outer grooves of the fins to seal the gear cover. I will try this soon. Since you are using V2 this tube I shown will work.

[HKS_TRD]

Thanks for the suggestion
I have a second pair of B4 plates which have been anodised and turned out alot better which will be going onto this Mid (have been working on putting the gold parts onto the SWB car first) and I also have the associated gear cover which I plan to cut the relevant section from and then attach to the Mid gear cover, not sure if or how you can glue lexan but if I get stuck I will use silicon

At this stage I don't plan to run the car on dirt, I am building this and the gold accented SWB car as sister cars for the shelf, the bulkhead you sent me looks fantastic on the Mid!

[mr. ed]

I heard about a special glue that allows you to fix torn touring car bodies... kind of liquid lexan. Unfortunately I don't remeber the product name , sorry. At least you know now it exists ;)

[HKS_TRD]

Thanks for the tip I'll try and google it