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Bringing back the understeer issue...is the wheelbase expected to be the same as an OEM Optima, or longer? All else being equal, the Optima's understeering tendencies might be exacerbated by lengthening the wheelbase. A longitudinal battery position might help with the weight distribution, as would longer front arms and as aforementioned, more caster up front.

It's a really cool project and I'm intrigued to see how it progresses!

Wheelbase is stock but is easily made longer or even shorter. I wasn't planning to adjust it but it's an option

DennisM wrote: If the holes in the front pin brace are raised, It needs a bit of widening too - Otherwise the innerpart of the arms are going to rub the gearbox?

If it was easy, someone would have already done it

That´s why they gave us Nike

I had another look at the front and I think the plate can be raised without rubbing. I'll check that soon.

Here is the latest try, I don't like the 1/16 material. Too flexible. But still you can see where I was going with the servo, the radio plate, and the braces. Baby steps....

A couple of aluminum posts across the chassis should increase stiffness. Say one in front of the battery and one behind, towards the top.

The holes for the battery straps are destined for that duty. I've also got the stock brace post still there in the rear and the radio plate helps brace the top too. The material is still really flimsy tho, especially the motor plate. I could foresee issues there. I would rather do the thicker material and then do more lightening.

Most interesting Optima and I like it!