9LikesTamiya F103 Forum
10-05-2019, 10:07 PM
#2253
Tech Rookie
f103 tyres.
Does anyone know where to buy f103 tyres these days there getting harder to find
10-09-2019, 01:38 AM
#2256
Tech Rookie
f103 tyres.
rubber tyres preferably ride.
10-10-2019, 02:44 AM
#2258
Tech Rookie
05-09-2021, 10:01 AM
#2259
Tech Apprentice
Handling issue
I thnk the answer to my question might lie someone in this section and I will attempt to read it but there's a lot so I'll ask the question anyway.
I'm racing my f103 in an iconic series starting at the end of May 2021. I've done what amounts to almost a full rebuild, replaced all the screws, built the diff, rebuilt the diff, rebuilt the diff again, put biggerr tyres on her increasing the ride height by about 5mm. New protoform wings front and rear along with new protoform shell (the Williams Walrus nose looking one), 3d printed a halo and diffuser, but past a certain speed the car is spinning and swapping ends and doesn't want to go fast round corners without swapping ends either. Ok I've only rang it outside my building in the car park on a surface that isn't as a flat as a track, but I've not been that demanding of it either. I had similar problems with the f109 I had from new which I think was resolved with the side bars on it, but seeing as the the f103 doesn't have those, I was focusing on the ride height and diff. The diff is as good as I'm going to get it, so I'm stuck for answers now. I've not touched the friction plate and was going to rebuild it (it hasn't been touched since I bought it in the 90's), but I read that doing this makes no difference to the handling at all. I've messed with the springs in different positions and stiffness, but still nothing.
I've got less than 3 weeks to get this working, so any help or advice will be more than welcome.
I'm running a brushless speedo (lrp spx) with a brushed team powers motor (guessing it's a 27 turn or equivalent).
I'm racing my f103 in an iconic series starting at the end of May 2021. I've done what amounts to almost a full rebuild, replaced all the screws, built the diff, rebuilt the diff, rebuilt the diff again, put biggerr tyres on her increasing the ride height by about 5mm. New protoform wings front and rear along with new protoform shell (the Williams Walrus nose looking one), 3d printed a halo and diffuser, but past a certain speed the car is spinning and swapping ends and doesn't want to go fast round corners without swapping ends either. Ok I've only rang it outside my building in the car park on a surface that isn't as a flat as a track, but I've not been that demanding of it either. I had similar problems with the f109 I had from new which I think was resolved with the side bars on it, but seeing as the the f103 doesn't have those, I was focusing on the ride height and diff. The diff is as good as I'm going to get it, so I'm stuck for answers now. I've not touched the friction plate and was going to rebuild it (it hasn't been touched since I bought it in the 90's), but I read that doing this makes no difference to the handling at all. I've messed with the springs in different positions and stiffness, but still nothing.
I've got less than 3 weeks to get this working, so any help or advice will be more than welcome.
I'm running a brushless speedo (lrp spx) with a brushed team powers motor (guessing it's a 27 turn or equivalent).
05-10-2021, 05:01 AM
#2261
I thnk the answer to my question might lie someone in this section and I will attempt to read it but there's a lot so I'll ask the question anyway.
I'm racing my f103 in an iconic series starting at the end of May 2021. I've done what amounts to almost a full rebuild, replaced all the screws, built the diff, rebuilt the diff, rebuilt the diff again, put biggerr tyres on her increasing the ride height by about 5mm. New protoform wings front and rear along with new protoform shell (the Williams Walrus nose looking one), 3d printed a halo and diffuser, but past a certain speed the car is spinning and swapping ends and doesn't want to go fast round corners without swapping ends either. Ok I've only rang it outside my building in the car park on a surface that isn't as a flat as a track, but I've not been that demanding of it either. I had similar problems with the f109 I had from new which I think was resolved with the side bars on it, but seeing as the the f103 doesn't have those, I was focusing on the ride height and diff. The diff is as good as I'm going to get it, so I'm stuck for answers now. I've not touched the friction plate and was going to rebuild it (it hasn't been touched since I bought it in the 90's), but I read that doing this makes no difference to the handling at all. I've messed with the springs in different positions and stiffness, but still nothing.
I've got less than 3 weeks to get this working, so any help or advice will be more than welcome.
I'm running a brushless speedo (lrp spx) with a brushed team powers motor (guessing it's a 27 turn or equivalent).
I'm racing my f103 in an iconic series starting at the end of May 2021. I've done what amounts to almost a full rebuild, replaced all the screws, built the diff, rebuilt the diff, rebuilt the diff again, put biggerr tyres on her increasing the ride height by about 5mm. New protoform wings front and rear along with new protoform shell (the Williams Walrus nose looking one), 3d printed a halo and diffuser, but past a certain speed the car is spinning and swapping ends and doesn't want to go fast round corners without swapping ends either. Ok I've only rang it outside my building in the car park on a surface that isn't as a flat as a track, but I've not been that demanding of it either. I had similar problems with the f109 I had from new which I think was resolved with the side bars on it, but seeing as the the f103 doesn't have those, I was focusing on the ride height and diff. The diff is as good as I'm going to get it, so I'm stuck for answers now. I've not touched the friction plate and was going to rebuild it (it hasn't been touched since I bought it in the 90's), but I read that doing this makes no difference to the handling at all. I've messed with the springs in different positions and stiffness, but still nothing.
I've got less than 3 weeks to get this working, so any help or advice will be more than welcome.
I'm running a brushless speedo (lrp spx) with a brushed team powers motor (guessing it's a 27 turn or equivalent).
Tyre additive also helps in the dry. Usually something thicker and oilier for me for foams on the F103.
Too much ride height can be a problem. Not much you can do about that at the front, and at the rear I'm assuming your F103 has ride height adjustment spacers. Aim for 5mm ride height at least, and a mm or so more on bumpier tracks.
The friction damper is more important than you may reaslie. I'd personally avoid thick grease on that as it makes the car very aggressive, so recommend cleaning it up and a light grease on the plates. Also worth checking the bottom T-piece screws are not too tight and the pod moves smoothly from side to side.
Check the front king pins can move smoothly up and down for their full travel. If there is any resistance and I'd recommend polishing the king pins (spin in a Dremel, and use fine glass/sand paper to polish).
Getting the diff set right will help. The F1 racers are a good bunch, so don't be shy and go ask them to check yours at practice or a race day.
Hope that helps and good luck!
Mark
05-18-2021, 05:55 PM
#2262
Tech Fanatic
Knowing the F103 and Iconic Cup, a lot of the problems you describe will be down to the car park being dusty and having less grip than the circuits we race on.
Tyre additive also helps in the dry. Usually something thicker and oilier for me for foams on the F103.
Too much ride height can be a problem. Not much you can do about that at the front, and at the rear I'm assuming your F103 has ride height adjustment spacers. Aim for 5mm ride height at least, and a mm or so more on bumpier tracks.
The friction damper is more important than you may reaslie. I'd personally avoid thick grease on that as it makes the car very aggressive, so recommend cleaning it up and a light grease on the plates. Also worth checking the bottom T-piece screws are not too tight and the pod moves smoothly from side to side.
Check the front king pins can move smoothly up and down for their full travel. If there is any resistance and I'd recommend polishing the king pins (spin in a Dremel, and use fine glass/sand paper to polish).
Getting the diff set right will help. The F1 racers are a good bunch, so don't be shy and go ask them to check yours at practice or a race day.
Hope that helps and good luck!
Mark
Tyre additive also helps in the dry. Usually something thicker and oilier for me for foams on the F103.
Too much ride height can be a problem. Not much you can do about that at the front, and at the rear I'm assuming your F103 has ride height adjustment spacers. Aim for 5mm ride height at least, and a mm or so more on bumpier tracks.
The friction damper is more important than you may reaslie. I'd personally avoid thick grease on that as it makes the car very aggressive, so recommend cleaning it up and a light grease on the plates. Also worth checking the bottom T-piece screws are not too tight and the pod moves smoothly from side to side.
Check the front king pins can move smoothly up and down for their full travel. If there is any resistance and I'd recommend polishing the king pins (spin in a Dremel, and use fine glass/sand paper to polish).
Getting the diff set right will help. The F1 racers are a good bunch, so don't be shy and go ask them to check yours at practice or a race day.
Hope that helps and good luck!
Mark
Last edited by John Wallace2; 05-23-2021 at 03:04 AM.
05-22-2023, 08:37 PM
#2263
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
hello all
I have a top deck for my f103. Should I be installing it? I want the car to flex and am worried this will make the car too stiff.
Also I have bearings where the rear axle ride height adjustments go...should i swap those out and get more tuning or am i good with the bearings? Ride height is 1mm diffrence front to back 4-5mm. I like my tires!
ty
-devin
I have a top deck for my f103. Should I be installing it? I want the car to flex and am worried this will make the car too stiff.
Also I have bearings where the rear axle ride height adjustments go...should i swap those out and get more tuning or am i good with the bearings? Ride height is 1mm diffrence front to back 4-5mm. I like my tires!
ty
-devin
06-21-2023, 02:58 PM
#2264
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
man, i really need to update my f1 as its 30yrs old. LOL
Gonna try some different spur gears this coming weekend or hopefully before than.
Got a kimblough and a stock replacement...as well as the 1 that came on my car.
Not sure what to expect other than acceleration or top end changes out of the turns or straights and sweeps.
Havent driven the car or raced it in quite some time so feeling a bit needy or deprived. LOL
-d
Gonna try some different spur gears this coming weekend or hopefully before than.
Got a kimblough and a stock replacement...as well as the 1 that came on my car.
Not sure what to expect other than acceleration or top end changes out of the turns or straights and sweeps.
Havent driven the car or raced it in quite some time so feeling a bit needy or deprived. LOL
-d
06-21-2023, 05:59 PM
#2265
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