Cougar 2000 vintage racer project

[RLGfx]

Looking at doing some vintage racing, i managed to get hold of a pretty tidy cougar 2000 on eBay. The 94 spec, so straight arms, but some random driveshafts. Could be the ones after the red ones that always failed!
Anyway, this is what i received... Very happy!

[RLGfx]

So far i've completely stripped the car down, ordered a new screw and bearing set, rebuilt the diff and shocks, and now waiting for screws, bearings, body and gear cover. Once the last few bits arrive i can begin the rebuild properly!

[wildoliver]

I've got one of these to start on soon too, mine has the red drive shafts, I thought they were the weak ones actually!

[RLGfx]

Mine has plastic slider driveshafts... Not sure how they'll hold up to a 7.5 brushless setup... Time will tell!

[dodgydiy]

the plastic shafts are ok, the red ones broke easily. my fab2000 has the plastic shafts, used for a couple of years in the welsh league and then as a mess around car and never broke one, old 11 double brushed in it so probably more like an 8.5 brushless

[mporter2000]

The plastic were the first ones followed by the red shafts.
Breakage wasn't the issue. They were too short and would pop out constantly so longer silver ones were introduced

[RLGfx]

Ah right, looks like ive got me an old one then!

[mporter2000]

Definitely but I would stick with them for now

[chris24jt]

the red driveshafts were the first ones and they were too short as previously mentioned so they bought in the longer silver ones and then the plastic sliders.

re running in brushless - no issue on driveshafts although they will wear all over and get sloppy so suggest start looking for some spares - but depends what level you are running.
main issue is with cougar 2k gearbox isnt strong enough in my experience. i had the alloy idler and alloy layshaft and have shredded both and also the diff gear as well. but if building with new bearings and new gears might be a lot better but worth keeping an eye on after a few runs. i also had a gearbox case melt round a bearing but i dont know if the bearing failed and caused the gearbox to melt or if it just got too hot and the gearbox case was the weakest part.

[dodgydiy]

later idlers were nylon, they were fine, red driveshafts were first as said above, when they popped out they used to catch and tear the end off. rebuilding my fab2000 at the moment, putting a 9.5 in as i dont have a spare 10.5 and the old 11*2 has seen better days, 10.5 is plenty quick enough for an older car, especially if you are using a turbo esc

[RLGfx]

Thanks for all the driveshaft info there'll be a pic of mine when i get to that bit, they look cobbled together, but they are all i have so they'll have to do!

Anyway, the screws arrived yesterday, so we can get on with the rebuild!

[MattW]

They do look cobbled together actually, as that's not the right diff for the plastic driveshafts.

[RLGfx]

Yeah i am aware of that one, but ive got a workaround that involves long grub screws... ��Bit of a bodge but it'll work!

[RLGfx]

Little delivery courtesy of mr haskins... Fast as usual

[RLGfx]

Some pics of the progress...

Got the gearbox rebuilt with a new idler gear and bearings, diff rebuilt with new balls, plates and thrust race and a shiny new 86t spur gear.
Chassis rebuilt and trusty savox SC1251MG installed (tight squeeze, but hoping rx will go behind this).
Wishbones, hubs and bulkheads rebuilt and then everything screwed together with new stainless hex machine screws. Its taking shape slowly!

Looking at hopefully getting the esc in the back of the battery tray, and using a shorty lipo to see if i can get everything down the centre line... Will see about that!

[RLGfx]

Well a bit more progress has been made, turnbuckles and ball joints refreshed, shocks mounted (though may need a rebuild) and wing mount on. Next on thr list is radio install, set up camber/caster etc, set diff and slipper and then get to painting!

[gainsy]

Always good to see another old Schumacher coming back to life

[Robbiejuk]

My car has the red driveshafts. Never had a problem with them. 8.5 motor with timing installed.

I put fireblade gears in my gearbox, they are a coarser pitch. Gearbox has been bulletproof, even my diff still feels good.

I want to sack off the sacs front end though. Think I have the right arms, any chance of you scanning that manual in so i can check my parts against the manual?

[RLGfx]

Not got a scanner, but i can get some pics when i get home and post them here... Just the front end you need?

[Welshy40]

I never was a fan of this car until I drove for Fabiix, yes a different layout but same parts and was ok, but your version in the hands of Ben Sturnham the car was unbeatable at the British Grand Prix beating Kinwald, and other top ten worlds drivers.