Quality of Various Reproduction Bodies and Belt Covers

[HKS_TRD]

I'm currently building three Optima Mids simultaneously

1. Turbo Optima Mid SE with a few upgrades, replica of the buggy I bought new 20 years ago with the mods I couldn't afford but wanted to do back then

2. Turbo Optima Mid SP

3. Turbo Optima Mid LWB/Lazer hybrid

I pretty much have everything for each except for an order of parts from Fibrelyte which should be done soon, bodies, wings, undertrays and belt covers.

I really would like to get the genuine LWB belt covers for the Turbo Otpima Mid SP but if thats impossible I want to get the best reproduction possible

That also applies to the bodies, though for the Mid/Lazer hybrid I will probably do a Lazer ZX-S body

What are peoples experiences with the various reproduction parts out there in comparison to the real thing

Thanks
Dan

[cyberfox]

Hi,

Marwan's Kyosho bodies are really excellent quality

Mr Lexan's and Team Blue Groove's are also good quality, but Marwan has the bigest choice for Kyosho

[Mad Racer]

Marwan doesn't do Lazer body shells though.

TBG do the lazer & ZXR shells.

TBG is still closed while he is moving the factory & more up grades to his machinery.

[HKS_TRD]

How do the LWB MID belt covers from TBG and Marwan compare?

I also see some vintage Bullet LWB belt covers, might buy one out of curiosity

These Vintage RCs can be hard to restore to get all the details right it seems

Wish I kept my SE from all those years ago ...

[EvolutionRevolution]

Is there anyone who makes spur covers for the Lazer?

[j0pp3]

How do the LWB MID belt covers from TBG and Marwan compare?

...

I think they are kind of the same in the big picture as they are both a long distance away from the original because of the lack of "color". If you know what I mean.

ps. I only have Marwan products and I'm pleased so far with the quality.

[j0pp3]

Is there anyone who makes spur covers for the Lazer?

I think TBG is making them. At least for the ZX according to this page.
http://vintagekyosho.com/?page_id=478

[HKS_TRD]

From what I understand the genuine Kyosho LWB belt covers are actually clear, and also the very early SWB belt covers

[Bormac]

Something to keep in mind also is the fact that lexan often shrinks as it cools. What this can mean is that if a repro mold is taken from an original lexan item it will create a 'buck' which will then be smaller than what the original factory buck. When a new form goes over this and is released, then cools, often the repro firm is actually smaller (and tighter) than that of the original factory peices.

I have noticed that on almost every repro lexan item I have bought, trimmed and fitted to my vehicles to be more than a little tight. I have had to file down chassis plates and cut bodies out a little differently to allow for this.

You'll never find a 'reproduction' to be as good as the original (for fit anyway).

[Charlie don't surf]

Not that it really matters to most but my MrLexan Turbo Mirage fits over my original RCPS turbo mirage perfectly

[Bormac]

I am pretty sure Lexy has many original factory molds to pull forms over.

[HKS_TRD]

Wow thats interesting info about the moulds. I had heard that the Marwan Optima Mid shell is smaller than the original but never heard anyone say that about the LWB shell yet

I have a genuine LWB Optima Mid undertray here I will have to compare it to whatever repro I end up getting for one of my builds
Luckily I have the carbon chassis for all my LWB Mids, which does not have the turned up edges and hence a slightly smaller perimeter than the aluminum which should help alleviate any potential fitment issues

[Kyosho Fan2]

Dont forget these repros are a lot thinner so dont last long if running on your cars. The zxs repro from kamtec is the best out there and comes with the undertray and is cheap. The kamtec shell is thicker than the original so is stronger. Im still running the very first shell ever made by Kamtec and still looks new, and i race every couple of weeks.

[HKS_TRD]

Thanks for that info. I really only expect to be running one of the Mids indoors, which is the LWB modified one. I will probably go with either the ZX-S or Tomcat shell, does the Tomcat shell fit the LWB Mid very well?

[Kyosho Fan2]

Unsure, but you will need an undertray for the zxr and the repros that are currently being made do not last long at all, kamtec have not made that undertray yet, but do the tomcat shell and is very good, better than the original.

The zxs shell does look very good and will be better suited for your car. I use that shell on my zxs and zxr