Optima is back!!

[Grunger73]

I've got a re-release Optima coming, but the last r/c car I owned was the original Optima. Things have changed a bit!

So while my Optima will likely be a static model I want to build it so its ready to run. So the question is...what is the recommended modern running gear? Will the transmission handle a brushless/LiPo setup? Whats a simple but reliable 2.4ghz radio and esc that will handle lipo?

The Kyosho USA website shows a starter pack (no 82140) that has everything needed to run (radio,esc,receiver,servo,motor). Anyone know anything about it?

*Edit* Just found the resurrection thread which should cover my radio/esc questions, but would still like to hear opinions on motors which are suitable to the new Optima.

Brushless/lipo is new to me and I'm still struggling to figure this out. Can someone give me a recomendation for a sensored brushless motor/ esc setup that'll be fun but won't tear up the new Optima driveline?

For my re re scorpion I was in the same boat so I did some research and found some venom lipo stick packs, graupner radio and 17.5 motor / esc combo. Also got a venom charger that seems ok and didn't break the bank. I may just move the whole setup into the optima but the 17.5 might be a little too much, will have to see what others suggest.

Fwiw, I've been running a 13.5 brushless on my vintage chain drive with hardened final pinion. I haven't run into any problems yet but I've only run a few packs up and down the road. As always , YRMV. I could just be lucky.

[Coelacanth]

Fwiw, I've been running a 13.5 brushless on my vintage chain drive with hardened final pinion. I haven't run into any problems yet but I've only run a few packs up and down the road. As always , YRMV. I could just be lucky.

Nah...the original Optima had a pretty tough drivetrain, if you upgraded the counter gear to the one included with the Turbo Optima and the hardened final pinion. I remember they were blisteringly fast back then. My Zebra Optima is still all original (except for all the gold upgrades I've acquired over the years), still chain drive, and with 8.4V and a 14 x 1 brushed motor, it goes fast enough that it's at my admittedly modest driving skill's limits to control. I went all-out bulletproofing my resto-mod Barney Optima, belt drive, hard final pinion, Turbo counter gear and it handles a Tacon 11T 3200kV motor and Bullistorm 60A ESC nicely...with the punch dialed down, of course.

My buddy has two chain-drive Optimas both outfitted with EZRun 13T combos...that would be at about the limit I'd recommend, though. 13 - 13.5T should work just fine with the re-re Optima, especially since it already comes with an actual slipper gear.

[Grunger73]

Fwiw, I've been running a 13.5 brushless on my vintage chain drive with hardened final pinion. I haven't run into any problems yet but I've only run a few packs up and down the road. As always , YRMV. I could just be lucky.

Nah...the original Optima had a pretty tough drivetrain, if you upgraded the counter gear to the one included with the Turbo Optima and the hardened final pinion. I remember they were blisteringly fast back then. My Zebra Optima is still all original (except for all the gold upgrades I've acquired over the years), still chain drive, and with 8.4V and a 14 x 1 brushed motor, it goes fast enough that it's at my admittedly modest driving skill's limits to control. I went all-out bulletproofing my resto-mod Barney Optima, belt drive, hard final pinion, Turbo counter gear and it handles a Tacon 11T 3200kV motor and Bullistorm 60A ESC nicely...with the punch dialed down, of course.

My buddy has two chain-drive Optimas both outfitted with EZRun 13T combos...that would be at about the limit I'd recommend, though. 13 - 13.5T should work just fine with the re-re Optima, especially since it already comes with an actual slipper gear.

Ah yes, I forgot to mention that I am using the Turbo torque limiting counter gear. The one with a big spring. I don't know if it's helped any as I also keep my punch very low. Just nice knowing that it's there. I have been toying with the idea of pushing it to a 10.5 just to whoop some of the kids who race up and down the road with their slash's , 22sct's etc. These kids just don't appreciate vintage.

[BoostCreep]

Fwiw, I've been running a 13.5 brushless on my vintage chain drive with hardened final pinion. I haven't run into any problems yet but I've only run a few packs up and down the road. As always , YRMV. I could just be lucky.

Nah...the original Optima had a pretty tough drivetrain, if you upgraded the counter gear to the one included with the Turbo Optima and the hardened final pinion. I remember they were blisteringly fast back then. My Zebra Optima is still all original (except for all the gold upgrades I've acquired over the years), still chain drive, and with 8.4V and a 14 x 1 brushed motor, it goes fast enough that it's at my admittedly modest driving skill's limits to control. I went all-out bulletproofing my resto-mod Barney Optima, belt drive, hard final pinion, Turbo counter gear and it handles a Tacon 11T 3200kV motor and Bullistorm 60A ESC nicely...with the punch dialed down, of course.

My buddy has two chain-drive Optimas both outfitted with EZRun 13T combos...that would be at about the limit I'd recommend, though. 13 - 13.5T should work just fine with the re-re Optima, especially since it already comes with an actual slipper gear.

Ah yes, I forgot to mention that I am using the Turbo torque limiting counter gear. The one with a big spring. I don't know if it's helped any as I also keep my punch very low. Just nice knowing that it's there. I have been toying with the idea of pushing it to a 10.5 just to whoop some of the kids who race up and down the road with their slash's , 22sct's etc. These kids just don't appreciate vintage.

Well I guess I have some experience with this now too on my original optima. I'm running a 3500kv Brushless setup on a 40A ESC with a 2s Lipo. It's not been beat on and I have the accel ramp turned down low in the ESC. It has handled full throttle runs no problem. I cannot go full throttle from a stop as it just wheelies itself over backwards but from a roll it's not been an issue. That is with the stock drivetrain although i did just go through it completely. New grease in the diffs, new bearings etc etc. It's certainly way faster than I could have thought about 30 years ago. Seems to be taking it well so far although I'm keeping an eye on chain stretch. So far so good.

The new car when it arrives is getting a larger ESC and probably a 17.5 brushless sensored motor to start. Should be fine based on the upgraded gearbox.

[Lowgear]

I thought this was made in Japan so why am I being asked to pay more!

Designed in California by a Japanese, but made in Taiwan.

I remember reading something awhile back about how Japan doesn't manufacture any hobby R/C stuff any longer? A bunch of it is still designed there, but it's all manufactured in other countries now. Maybe someone else can elaborate further.

[ibcguy]

The new car when it arrives is getting a larger ESC and probably a 17.5 brushless sensored motor to start. Should be fine based on the upgraded gearbox.[/quote]

Saw on another site that 5.5t-8.5t is recommended for 1/10 scale 4wd buggies (?), but you guys are considering 17.5t for the new Optima? How would you expect the Optima to handle the 17.5 vs a 5.5 sensored? I found a sensored 5.5t/120a esc combo that I want to try but I'm wondering if it's too much?

[harvey]

This advise you reference, would it be for modern 4x's on modern tracks at a competitive level? 'Cause that's not an expectation I'd have for a 30 year old design, updated or no. I've never run faster than a 5800kv, but 5.5 sounds pretty fast to me.

[ibcguy]

This advise you reference, would it be for modern 4x's on modern tracks at a competitive level? 'Cause that's not an expectation I'd have for a 30 year old design, updated or no. I've never run faster than a 5800kv, but 5.5 sounds pretty fast to me.

I suspect that chart was intended for modern cars but it's doesn't say. I haven't been around the hobby in a few decades so I don't really have a feel for the performance differences between the new motors. A 17.5t maybe plenty but I have no real frame of reference here.

Back in the day I thew some ball bearings and a Lemans 240 motor \ 8.4v combo in my original Optima and that seemed fast if I recall. My Optima got stolen before I could put enough time on it for problems to become apparent though. How would a 17.5t motor compare to my old setup?

The slipper clutch/belt drive of the new Optima seems like it will hold up to a hot brushless setup, but what do I know? Just looking for some more quickness and enhanced top end over the original, I don't need it to do rolling wheelies or anything crazy.

Thanks for the help guys, I'm really getting excited about putting the next order in and building this thing!

[limestang]

Tower Hobbies is taking Pre-orders ($299 before coupon). Current Stock Status Early April.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p??&I=LXFYST[url][/url]

- Limestang

[Lonestar]

This advise you reference, would it be for modern 4x's on modern tracks at a competitive level? 'Cause that's not an expectation I'd have for a 30 year old design, updated or no. I've never run faster than a 5800kv, but 5.5 sounds pretty fast to me.

yup... 5.5T is a hardcore-racer, top-of-the-line, racing motor. Most people can't handle that power. In a hi-performance car. A modern one.

Dropping a 5.5T in an optima is like putting a LT4 engine in a C3

[keithrc]

Just found out about the Optima being re-released, excellent news and about bloody time too! I thought this would've happened last year for the 30th anniversary since the Optima's release.


Keith

[ibcguy]

This advise you reference, would it be for modern 4x's on modern tracks at a competitive level? 'Cause that's not an expectation I'd have for a 30 year old design, updated or no. I've never run faster than a 5800kv, but 5.5 sounds pretty fast to me.

yup... 5.5T is a hardcore-racer, top-of-the-line, racing motor. Most people can't handle that power. In a hi-performance car. A modern one.

Dropping a 5.5T in an optima is like putting a LT4 engine in a C3

Yeah, after some more research I think the 5.5 is a bit much. Thinking about a 13.5t now...any thoughts on that?

[notarex]

13.5T will be perfect. I ran one in my belt drive optima with the hardened FP and it was good to go.

[Coelacanth]

13.5T will be perfect. I ran one in my belt drive optima with the hardened FP and it was good to go.

+1. Perfect.

[ibcguy]

Any recommendations for batteries? I'm thinking a 2s will be fine, just want to be sure whatever I get will fit without any mods.