Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

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EvolutionRevolution
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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Mr. ED wrote:After seeing the pics, I don't think it should be too hard working around those rare body mounts.
Same for the long shock ends. You could just chop them to the right length.
Today I found another source for the body mounts. The proper shock ends are Kyosho part # W-5015, came across them at the same shop.

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Mr. ED wrote:Come to think of it. The rwd was much later on also sold, mostly in germany, by Hype. The same company that sold a cheaped down version of the triumph... Chadori or chadory.
Having now seen the Hype version on Ebay Germany, the Hype is NOT the same car. Looks like a typical old-style Chinese knock-off, e.g. every part changed up to a degree to sell the 'same' car without real parts compatibility. The chassis is very different (looks like two EP frames put end to end with a different motor mount), and many of the other parts have small differences.

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by Mr. ED »

Thanks for that correction. Any modifications in the design which might fit and improve the mantis?

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Apart from including the swing bar by default instead of it being a hard to find optional part, none that I could easily see.

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Miniature update:

Originally I had planned to use some PureTen Alpha wheel axes for the rear wheels, but I decided to use the proper Mantis wheel axles:
IMG_5972.jpg
Parts:
IMG_5973.jpg
And assembled:
IMG_5974.jpg
I might replace the stock plastic hexes by aluminium ones, still have to think a bit about that.

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

My alternate source for the body mounts worked out fine, after a small scare because Ebay.com seemed to behave a bit strangely with items only available on Ebay.de. The body mounts in the picture below are actually for the Mantis Mini, and move the correct position of the mount holes in the body by 0.5 cm:
IMG_6050.jpg
Also shown in the picture are the correct eyelets for the shocks, and the Mantis body mount mounts, which I ordered just in case I needed the alternate parts I didn't have yet. Turns out that isn't the case: I can use the front Mantis Mini mounts at the back in combination with the body I want to use, and will attach other front body mounts to the bumper, so they can also keep the foam bumper that I want to add in place.

As for the MI-5 body mounts I had ordered at a Canadian hobby shop, nothing yet (and also a worrying lack of communication) - scrap that, the parts just turned up expertly packed and in good condition in my mailbox today (August 19th). Still, it took them two weeks to ship (ordered July 31st, sent August 14th) and a shipping confirmation or reply to my email would have been nice...bit confused here on whether to recommend them or not :?

So now I have a choice of body mounts. Mi-5 includes body posts for use on the bumper, too.

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

So, the Mi-5 body mounts look like this:
IMG_6054.jpg
IMG_6056.jpg
They also include the servo mounts and the wheel hexes, which are quite wide (6 mm!).

These are the MI-2B body mount mounts:
IMG_6057.jpg
And these are the MI-32 body mounts:
IMG_6058.jpg
Comparing the MI-5 mounts to the MI-32 body mounts shows there are some other differences besides the location of the holes in the body.
IMG_6062.jpg
MI-32 also places the body posts further apart.

I decided to first install the rear axles. With the hex installed, these had quite a bit of side-to-side play, so I added a 0.3 mm thick shim on the inside:
IMG_6059.jpg
The outside takes a 0.2 mm shim:
IMG_6060.jpg
Assembled:
IMG_6061.jpg
The hex fits quite snugly and doesn't fall off easily.

Then it's time to install the rear body posts (MI-5):
IMG_6063.jpg
You need to use a screw with a small head, unlike Kyosho's usual wide-head screws.

Close-up of the attachment point on the rear body mount mounts:
IMG_6064.jpg
I had to replace the rear body mount mounts as one was mismolded and it turned out to be impossible to install the body post.

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Rear body mounts installed:
IMG_6065.jpg
And this is a mock-up of what I have in mind:
IMG_6066.jpg
Body = Kyosho's rendition of the Renault Maxi Megane, a rally game car that was popular back then.
However, I'm not sure I will be able to use the bumper-mounted front mounts without using the extension parts - they might just be too low. The problem is that using the extension parts makes it impossible to use the body mounts to hold down the foam bumper, unless I modify the parts. On the other hand, I'd like to avoid using the regular front body mounts, as I would have to cut those off just above the servo (seems a waste...).

I then installed the mount for the antenna tube. Parts:
IMG_6067.jpg
It slots into one of the slots available for the ESC/receiver switch:
IMG_6068.jpg
IMG_6070.jpg
IMG_6069.jpg
Then I decided to finish the rear end by adding the shocks. W-5015 ball end next to the shorter-but-still-too-long ball ends I wanted to use:
IMG_6071.jpg
Added to shocks, together with aluminium balls:
IMG_6072.jpg
Shock parts needed for filling shocks, together with 300WT oil included with shocks:
IMG_6073.jpg
One perfectly bouncy shock + spring and plastic spring perches:
IMG_6074.jpg
I was a bit worried because it's been a while since I (re)build a shock, but they turned out fine and I didn't make a mess.

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Both rear shocks and the hardware required to install them:
IMG_6076.jpg
One rear shock installed:
IMG_6077.jpg
The setscrew for adjusting ride height is located right below the shock and is very difficult to access once the shock is installed.

Here's how it attaches at the top (of course the screw holding both the shock and the swing bar got loose when I tried to tighten down the nylon nut for the shock...):
IMG_6078.jpg
And here's how it attaches at the bottom:
IMG_6079.jpg
The shock just clears the shock tower and the suspension arm.

Anyway, rear end complete 8) :
IMG_6081.jpg
IMG_6080.jpg
It's weird how just attaching the shocks makes the car look much less like a beginner's car...

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Picked up this Cross hinge pin set to replace the screw pins and inner hinge pins by proper steel hinge pins:
IMG_6610.jpg
Also picked up a Japanese Kyosho catalogue that showcases the Mantis Mini (Mini and Fiat 600):
IMG_6613.jpg
...and many of the hop-ups:
IMG_6612.jpg
MIW-5 Special rod set is, as I suspected, a stiffener rod set for holding the chassis halves together, but the price (6,000 yen - about 60 bucks) is absolutely outrageous. Seems overly expensive, even if the rods were made out of titanium (which I don't know). No wonder that option can't be found...

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Let's continue with this one for a bit...

Somewhere last year I bought these rear uprights:
IMG_0532.jpg
Now that I finally have some time to do something hobby-related about a year of crazy upstairs neighbour antics, packing, moving, and unpacking, I figured I'd do something to my Mantis and make some use of these too:
IMG_0536.jpg
So comparison with the original uprights:
IMG_0533.jpg
IMG_0534.jpg
IMG_0535.jpg
They are a lot less bulky and also reduce the track width by about 1.5 mm per side.

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by EvolutionRevolution »

Mounting them together with the hinge pins:
IMG_0537.jpg
And that's the rear end really done:
IMG_0538.jpg
Also installed the hinge pins on the front:
IMG_0540.jpg
And a better antenna mount:
IMG_0539.jpg
And put the front body mounts on the bumper, including extension pieces.
IMG_0541.jpg
Let's see when I'll be able to post the next update...2025? :wink:

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by DennisM »

Good to see You back with an update 8)
Gone fishing

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by klavy69 »

DennisM wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 12:36 pm Good to see You back with an update 8)
ditto!
Peace and professionlism.....Kabunga signing off!!!

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Re: Kyosho Mantis EP FWD build

Post by Lavigna »

Great build thread! So glad you are updating it and continuing with your build.

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