Optima Mid Modern Race Build

[Seabass]

Hey guys I just picked up this Optima Mid here locally. Didn't pay much for it and you can see it has definately been bashed. The guy I got it from told me since it is a 4WD he had to find a way to make the car drive with the larger wheels in the back. He said he just loosened the front diff and the car now drives great

This is definately a diamond in the rough. I am going to see if I can give it some old is new treatment and get it back to being a respectable car again.

Off to find parts.

Jake

[Winger]

Looks like a nice fixer-upper for sure. My optima mid is a prized possession.

[USA-1]

Nice! I recently pick this one up on Ebay I don't know why I bidded, anyways the shocks were brand new I put them on my Lazer ZX.
In tear down mode might go powder coating route just for the heck of it. I need all new plastic I know they are available in the UK.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230777623001?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

[DennisM]

[quote="bigjeepzz"]Hey guys I just picked up this Optima Mid here locally. Didn't pay much for it and you can see it has definately been based. The guy I got it from told me since it is a 4WD he had to find a way to make the car drive with the larger wheels in the back. He said he just loosened the front diff and the car now drives great

This is definately a diamond in the rough. I am going to see if I can give it some old is new treatment and get it back to being a respectable car again.

Off to find parts.

Jake)


Congrats on the nice find - I was wondering how he managed to loosen the geared front diff

[Seabass]

I figured out what he did. He took the set screws out of the out drives, allowing them to spin freely.

I got the car stripped down a good bit and I am actually quite suprised that the car is in pretty decent shape. Just spent 4 times what I paid for the car, buying new wheels, tires, LWB body, LWB under tray, LWB belt covers, LWB belt, etc.

This is going to be driven so it is going to get a few modern parts added. I ordered Lazer 2.2 wheels and will be correcting the offset so the wheels mount properly. This is going to be a fun build, expensive too .

Jake

[DennisM]

Oh, removing the grub screws in the outdrives is a very high tech mod
Have You ordered a LWB chassis for it, since You´ve ordered LWB body and undertray or are You just going to cut it to make it fit the SWB?

[j0pp3]

Oh, removing the grub screws in the outdrives is a very high tech mod
Have You ordered a LWB chassis for it, since You´ve ordered LWB body and undertray or are You just going to cut it to make it fit the SWB?

That was my first thought too! But as you can see he bought an LWB belt which should tell us he is going to stretch the car to fit the body.

LWB chassis and LWB top deck is missing in his list Need to open your wallet again, bigjeepzz

[Seabass]

It is open and the search is definately on. I am watching one right now to see where it goes. Was also looking at the Fiberlyte LWB chassis and upper deck as well.

[Coelacanth]

I figured out what he did. He took the set screws out of the out drives, allowing them to spin freely.

I got the car stripped down a good bit and I am actually quite suprised that the car is in pretty decent shape. Just spent 4 times what I paid for the car, buying new wheels, tires, LWB body, LWB under tray, LWB belt covers, LWB belt, etc.

This is going to be driven so it is going to get a few modern parts added. I ordered Lazer 2.2 wheels and will be correcting the offset so the wheels mount properly. This is going to be a fun build, expensive too .

Jake

I was wondering how he "loosened the front diff" myself. I guess by doing what you discovered, he turned it into a RWD-only.

[Seabass]

I got the tranny tore apart and freshened up. I was actually happy to find it in really good shape. Bearings were in super condition, new grease in the diff, and decided to machine a new part for the car.

I was doing some research and came across a guy who came up with a way to put a B4 slipper assy on the Optima Mid. I have done this before with other cars so I machined a new top shaft from stainless steel. It came out pretty good and I am happy. I cleaned everything up and put the tranny together. Once my long belt comes in I will need to take the tranny apart to get it in there but I am calling this part done for now.

Hopefully if time permits I can get the front done today as well.

Jake

[GJW]

wow! nice work on that slipper. mid's are very special

[vintage88]

that tranny is awesome... u always do great work keep it coming ill be following this build

[Seabass]

I just got done with the drawing for my new arms. They are going to be machined from .250 thick Nylon 6/6. I need to get my wheels in before I decide on the width of the car.

I also was able to pick up my LWB chassis today as well

Enjoy

Jake

[GoMachV]

Since your building your arms anyway, have you considered a triumph style hub side? I have played with the idea before and it works well as you not only have toe adjustment but also to a small degree width adjustment as well to make finding bones a bit easier

[Lonestar]

JAke you're my hero By the way if you sell these shafts, I can guarantee you there'll be a few buyers

paul

PS: The "loosened" front diff "trick" absolutely cracked me up