A Tale of 1 3/4 Optimas

[markbt73]

Quick update on this project: Had one car out running today. It was doing great, until the steering started cutting out, then died altogether. Turns out my super-clever steering servo relocation was pressing the servo wires up against one rear side plate right where the wires exit the servo case, and rubbed a hole in the wire insulation, so the servo shorted out. I hate to trim the side plate for clearance, so I'm going to try to re-route the wires out the side of the servo case... it's just a standard S3003, so it doesn't matter too much if I screw up.

Pics later...

[keithrc]

Is it later yet? Keen to see more piccies.


Keith

[markbt73]

Soon. I sliced open my finger with an X-Acto knife while modifying the servo case, which put a quick stop to the day's tinkering. But I am now in possession of all the parts to complete both cars (thanks again Marc!), so more visual documentation will follow...

[markbt73]

OK, to keep the photo hounds happy, here it is after yesterday's test run. Side yard was a bit wetter than I thought...



Still auditioning wheels and tires. These are Axial 1.9 inch beadlocks with Tamiya Thunder Shot tires. I think these will stay, at least for now.

[keithrc]

Nice Which motor did this one have again? You could always change over to the Optima Pro top plate kit which has the sevro mounted in the same position as yours, that should solve your problem.


Keith

[Coelacanth]

I like your choice of wheels, Mark. I used a similar set that was originally for CYANide, before that car ended up being built specifically for on-road (my initial plan was to have an Optima that could do dual-duty as on-road or offroad, but that didn't pan out...and was rather a silly idea in the first place). The ones I chose had similar chrome plastic centers reminiscent of the original Turbo Optima wheel design--and nice blue alloy lock rings. They were 2.2" narrow crawler wheels, almost a perfect fit for modern 2.2" buggy rear tires.

I'm using a similar-sized wheel set, but a different design, for Barney. They're great if you absolutely hate cementing your tires onto your wheels. I actually like your wheels better as the size is more proportional to the car, and 6 screws for the lock rings is MUCH easier. Let's just say I got a blister assembling these.

[markbt73]

I like your choice of wheels, Mark. I used a similar set that was originally for CYANide, before that car ended up being built specifically for on-road (my initial plan was to have an Optima that could do dual-duty as on-road or offroad, but that didn't pan out...and was rather a silly idea in the first place). The ones I chose had similar chrome plastic centers reminiscent of the original Turbo Optima wheel design--and nice blue alloy lock rings. They were 2.2" narrow crawler wheels, almost a perfect fit for modern 2.2" buggy rear tires.

I'm using a similar-sized wheel set, but a different design, for Barney. They're great if you absolutely hate cementing your tires onto your wheels. I actually like your wheels better as the size is more proportional to the car, and 6 screws for the lock rings is MUCH easier. Let's just say I got a blister assembling these.

That's where I got the idea.

[Coelacanth]

I wonder if Turbo Optima-sized 2.0" tires would fit on the wheels you used? Did you happen to test-install one?

[markbt73]

Nope, they don't fit into the grooves. These are strictly for 1.9s, which is why I chose the Thunder Shot tires. The outer diameter is almost exactly the same as standard Optima/Javelin tires. They're actually a little wide for these wheels, but they compress nicely into place once you start tightening the screws. The outer row of spikes splay outward a bit when they're installed.

[markbt73]

Still earning its keep... considering a rally car body and an undertray. Might make it easier to clean...



Will get some photos of the shelfer soon, I promise. As soon as the body is painted.

[DennisM]

That´s one of the best "shelf" pictures I´ve ever seen