Ray k

iTrader: (47)

One of the best bodies for M-04M is the HPI miata . It comes with a touring car style wing . The Eunos Roadster is the best for Tamiya class TCS racing.

Boons

Hi all,
Has anyone applied Velcro to the side of the body on the end of the battery clamps? Just wondering if that is worth it or not. Also regarding the sideways movement of the wheels, has anyone shimmed this out?

Cheers all

I)arkness

iTrader: (7)

if you mean in the axle then yes, shim most of it out. in the rear its normally i think 0.4mm shim or more, front maybe 0.2mm
but you want a tiny amount of play, as if there is none when you tighten the wheels up it wont spin free

Boons

Yes the axles, please excuse my newbie terminology

Would you shim at the hex side or the chassis side?

Thank you

I)arkness

iTrader: (7)

up to you either side works, i always shim the inner side, mainly just so if i take the hex off i dont lose the shims

Boons

Cool thank you

Boons

How does the M chassis get affected with battery weight? I am only allowed to use NIMH at my club and mine, 3700mah, weighs 377 grams!

Granpa

Lighter isn't always better. The lipos I'm using now are about 150 grams lighter, but there's also about 100 grams of weight added to the Mini in various places. Both my M03's are approx 1350 grams with body and battery. The M05's may be a tad heavier.

rc-mini did an article a few years ago about adding weight when going to lipos from nimh batteries. You might see if it's still up on their site.

Boons

Cheers Granpa

Yeah I'll check that article out. It's a shame there isn't a local club to me that accepts modified lipo'd Mini's as I'd love to how they can really shift

monkeyracing

iTrader: (10)

We've had a few here running between 1400g-1500g. The cars are planted, but maintaining speed through corners is VITAL.

caltek1

iTrader: (38)

My MO5L with body and battery is 1368 gms ready to race. As they say lighter is not always better. Some prefer a heavier car to suit there driving style.

just my opinion.

marcos graveyar

We run Nimh's in our series with black can motor and standard TEU104BK speedo. My car would be one of the lighter ones but some are 30% heavier and the racing is always close, it all down to driving style as the others have said.

Granpa

This "driving style" thing is something I've been as guilty as anyone for advancing. Upon careful reflection tho, it's been a crutch used to spare peoples "feelings". Let's just call it political correctness.

Let's be honest here and call it the drivers skill level. I have a very good friend, whose cars are nearly impossible for me to drive. He is also one of the fastest, if not the fastest driver here locally. In his hands, his Minis are very quick. Now my contention is that this has nothing to do with "style" and everything to do with driver skill.

Another thing that "style" may be confused with is what could be called "driver preference". Some drivers prefer a Mini that has sensitive steering and others do not. And so on. Over the years, my preferences have changed as my skill level went up. My thinking on set ups etc has also evolved.

If a Mini "handles", it "handles". Driving style has little to do with it. Everyone knows how and what adjustments to make to change the car to suit ones preferences. And yes, some base setups are "better than others, but that again has nothing to do with style.

Boons

I've just 'shimmed' my axles out front and back. Just a bit of play now. I wonder if it will make any difference at all!

Granpa

Not really.

That's just one of many "little" things careful builders do. Taken alone each thing may make little if any difference. In total, maybe.