Another Optima Build: ProClass

[Kyosho Fan]

This too was a screaming mimi in its day.

I've got the chassis assembled ready for the electronics. This rebuild includes some changes like dual ball diffs and a higher angle on the shocks along with the stock suspension arms instead of the Maxxim arms. These are also the platinum shocks from the recent ebay salvage mid. Enjoy.

[dirt oval rc]

Sweet where did you get the ball diff sprockets from. I like the tall shocks up front you gonna put a truck body on it.

[minimini]

all I can say is..................WOW !!!!!!!!!...........

[Kyosho Fan]

Kyosho ball diffs are pretty easy to modify to chain gears. you just machine off the belt cog and machine out the middle of the chain diff... a bit of superglue and whallah! chain version of the ball diff. The worst was putting the separator plate on the rear diff before gluing on the chain gear.

Those are the long gold shock, yes. I had to trim out just over an 1/8" with a spacer inside the shocks. It does give more travel and a nice control. I'm really interested how those platinums work out. I forgot all about how they have dual dampening action available.

I've got a baja bug body that I need to trim up quite a bit to snug it to the chassis. One of the problems with the original build was that the body made the car top-heavy. This made the car very tippy in high speed curves.

[Kyosho Fan]

A little more progress has been acheived...

The old shell was lowered nearly 2-1/2" and seriously trimmed...



...or a more classic view



...or a more comic version:

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!



Yep, it runs.

Anyone know the color code for the old Rev Tech motors?
This is low turn "red" motor. Serious RPMs!

I don't want to run these tires on the road. I have the front set up for overdrive so this will be for offroad running. I sure feel better now that I've done the body choppin'. That is always a touchy chore. I used a 3-point mount. The body attachment is quite stout. I need to get some candy apple red touchup paint. I've got some flaked spots to clean up. Overall, I'm quite pleased with its classic hotrod stance. I've always called this car the Dragin'Wagin as the sticker on top is a red dragon.

I'll get more pics when the sun is out this weekend.

[ROH73]

Looks awesome!

My red can Revtech is a Maniac - 10 turn double. I think the number of turns should be etched in the plastic of the endbell.

Regards,

Robert

[Mr. ED]

I like the style, but why did you put the shocks upright if you planned using this body? The old lay-down shocks would have fitted without chopping the front of the body

[Kyosho Fan]

I like the style, but why did you put the shocks upright if you planned using this body? The old lay-down shocks would have fitted without chopping the front of the body

I had every intention to lower the body to the extent I did. In order to not interfere in the back, the body had to sit toward the back. The way it is with 2 *bullhorns* for the front body clips, the body is well supported with the 3 point mounting scheme without having to invent a double rear mount. The removal of the fenders was neccessary due to the large tires which at the extreme ends still strikes the nubs to the body.

I don't remember who made this body but is very heavy, top heavy no less.

If you look, a stock shock arangement is still possible. The same carving would have been required.

[karnivool]

extremely cool looking ride buddy. hats of to you chain balls diffs now thats different

[Kyosho Fan]

Thanks Karni

Here is the final pix of the insides... with descriptions.

This is how simple your Optima can be on the insides:



...and this is how the battery is installed:



This is what's hidding under the buggy shell; sweet and simple:



I did have some very thin fiber glass sheets laying around.
This stuff trims easily with scissors to make the bottom plate:



...and a top view for posterity:



The ESC and RX are also mounted on fiberglass plates. Notice that the shock tower brace screws are accessible [this time]:



I used Dubro's double sticky tape to hold the fiberglass plates to the chassis... and again to hold the RX/ESC to the plates:



This is the Control Center. The on/off switch is a little obstructed. A small rubber tube will fix that.
No glitches from the compact wiring. This is pretty much how I use to race this. Note the routing of the antenna wire:



What is amazing is how the design of the front end does such a nice job of keeping the chain on the diff:



...The chain glides along the battery and is kept "on track" in the steering arm craddle.

And a closeup of the "bullhorn" body mounts:



...and of course the obligitory front suspension shot:



Next is the vids but I will leave you with a link to higher rez images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22356852@N04/

[Kyosho Fan]

...and a few more glammor shots:

[Kyosho Fan]

All in all, this has been the funnest of the 3 resto projects. It was a lot worse off than I thought when I started.

The build is nowhere near concourse but the total outlay was minimal... antenna tube and cap: $1, shock oil: $1.25 ...and Platinum shocks was part of the ebay salvage rig so maybe $20 and a new DirtBurner counter gear; $10/ebay. The Dragin' Waggin' now sports fully rebuilt dual ball diffs, new universals all around, and a completely sandblasted chassis... and a significantly cleaned up baja body [that still needs some red touchup paint]. The HPI wheels were cleaned up and the Losi tires are like new. ...and it does fly even on grass! Melted the wire right off the brown Rev Tech with a 3800mah 7-cell.

Thank you all for your encouragement in bringing my rigs back to life. This is a great site!

[Diggley]

Neat build,

I'd love to try a 4 wheel drive project one of these days.

Nice work.

That body is too cool.

It looks like the Parma Baja Bug with a serious trim job.

[HotRodJosh]

! Melted the wire right off the brown Rev Tech with a 3800mah 7-cell.

Brown RevTech? Do you know what the wind is? I had a brown case Revtech in my RC10 back in '88, but I foret what wind it was....

Very nice Optima!!!!

[Kyosho Fan]

Thanks Josh... the brown is a 19. That is scribed on the endbell... as someone in this post reminded me

Unfortunately I think I have a shorted winding on the motor. Had a wire unsolder itself in the last run.
Soon I will have a new set of motors to freshen up the drivetrain.

Definitely love the new runtimes with the NiMH batteries!