Riko

Build progress, only body actually, and new decals

Also tested the new electronics already (identical as used for my Scorpion Turbo)














these new decals really finish the body and give it a scale realistic look imo






















I hope it doesnt take long for the ball diffs to arrive, they were postponed again, somewhere in december again...
Of course I wont be ripping with this body, the 'bashody' will have similar body colors, with a lot less decals.

Lonestar

iTrader: (14)

so how did she stack up vs. modern - how far behind?

kufman

iTrader: (6)

It wasn't as slow as I expected. The main issue has been the diffs leaking which takes way too much time to address. I finally gave up and put regular grease in the diffs and called it a day. I run on a small, indoor, carpet track and the short wheelbase works well. The lack of spring selection has been an issue. I ended up using Losi Mini8 front springs on the front shocks in order to get the ride height down to 15mm. I have some older Losi XX springs in the rear. The combination works well but I need to get some sway bars. I haven't spent too much time on that car recently since I have been getting other vintage cars up and running for a vintage series that is being run at the track. Nobody runs 4wd on vintage day so I haven't been too enthusiastic about working on it. Most of my time has been going into my Ultima II, RC10-GTE and my Frog.

Lonestar

iTrader: (14)

Thanks for sharing.

terrible

iTrader: (28)

Are the stock wheels a normal 2.2 buggy wheel? Are they staggered like a modern B74/22x4? Thinking about picking one of these up to run for fun at our local indoor clay track. Had one when they came out and really happy to see them again.

kkpit_offical

Sharp looking carbon tub

kufman

iTrader: (6)

No, the offset for the front and rear of the Optima Mid are the same and are not the same as either the front or the rear of the B74. They are close to the rear wheels for the B74 but not quite. I have fit two sets of rear Fuzzbite premounts to my Mid and it is close the right width (about 6mm skinny). The pics show mine with 2mm of spacers in the hexes per side.

wely324

iTrader: (4)

Any must have upgrades? Carbon chassis looks so nice, is it a lot lighter?

4WDriver

Depends what you are going to do with the car. But I heard ball diffs, and universals for at least the front, are good upgrades.

also, there is this:
https://exorcdesign.com/
https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=47990

and these:
https://www.yeahracing.com/kyosho-optima-mid

wely324

iTrader: (4)

I plan to run it at my local outdoor track for fun. Seems like a lot of upgrades available, almost to the point you could skip the kit and just build a kit with all hop ups.

I mainly want to avoid breakdowns, and to make it handle well. Seems like the shock towers are a weak point and that sway bars are a good performance option.

wely324

iTrader: (4)

Just picked up the kit with a hobby wing quick run 13.5T setup. Excited to get this built.

4WDriver

There were a few things that I wish where better in terms of fit and finish, which have reliability and handling implications:

• Belt is too slack: by feel only, I set the tensioner one stop from full with a brand new belt. At one stop looser than that, I heard the belt skip with just a small indoor test drive when hitting the brakes (weak brakes with a brushed setup). I've seen others put in a larger tensioner bearing/pulley. I'm may try the Optima belt (one tooth shorter), or maybe fit a sleeve over the factory tensioner bearings to increase its diam.
• The front knuckle-to-c-hub pivots are not a precise fit, so there is camber slop (just like my old, worn, original Mid).

Wondering what others think of the above... Has anyone tried Kyosho or Yeah, or other front hubs and/or upright parts? Any other thoughts or ideas on the belt tension?

4WDriver

https://www.nickhobbies.com/products...id-optima-2022
https://www.nickhobbies.com/products...a-protek-savox
https://www.nickhobbies.com/collections/kyosho

Forgot to mention that I think steering rack upgrades are a good idea. Replace the plastic bushings with ball bearings, and I used the Kyosho OTW143 HD aluminum link set.

wely324

iTrader: (4)

Has anyone ordered from Nick Hobbies before? Looks like they are in Taiwan.

wely324

iTrader: (4)

ordered a few upgrade parts, carbon upper chassis and towers and some aluminum bits. I'll start the build when they show up.

I will say I love how they package the kit, really nice finish to the kit that adds to building of the kit experience I think. I also got a kit that came with the turbo decal set and wing. Decisions.