Cool, I will have to check out RC Mart.

Does anyone know what the wheelbase of the M04L is? Is it adjustable? I want to figure out what kinds of bodies I can use.

I'm guessing it will utilize a spacer like the M03-series chassis do. Remove spacer it's an M04M.

Problem: What do you do for a body then if you want to remain TCS-legal? Tamiya don't seem to be making M04 bodies available separately from the entire kit, so you can't just buy an Alfa or Eunos/Miata body (at least I haven't been able to find Eunos/Miata body listed anywhere). If you don't care about remaining TCS-legal (though I think the guys you're corresponding with about racing DO run to more-or-less TCS rules) HPI makes a Miata body and maybe some others.

I ordered a Tamiya Miata body through Tamiya on-line for the Memphis TCS race this year.:sneaky:
The part no.s are:
1825151 for the body & 9495247 for the sticker and mask.

Don't understand why but they don't sell them together only as spare parts.:confused:

I'm looking at some of the non-Tamiya bodies for now. I want to keep the nice stock Beetle body in decent shape until it is available on its own. I've been looking at some of the ABC and Colt bodies, but I am just not sure on how they will fit.

I'm pretty sure they won't...so that keeps it simple :nod: All the ABC, Active and Colt, et al, bodies I've seen are intended for the M03 chassis, usually (always?) the 210mm wheelbase which will be FAR too short for the M04M/L.

I DO see that RC Mart indicate they've got Tamiya Boxter, SLK and M-Roadster bodies which will all supposedly fit the M04L (I believe they all originated on the M02L chassis). The advantage there would be they SHOULD be TCS-legal (unless "re-engineering" is taken to include re-drilling mount holes) as they are Tamiya bodies.

you guys better start collecting bodies now before they stop making them. i saw an alfa romeo body on ebay go for 90 usd. with that money, you can buy another kit.

So...none of you guys will want to hear that my spare M04 Alfa shell only brought $45 (AUD) when I sold it on ebay recently... That's less than normal retail for a Tamiya shell over here.:confused:

hey Tony - I tried your nifty little trick to lengthen my chasis from 210 to 225 and have a question...what bodies can I run on that thing?

Ummm...Swift, Swift and also Swift...

There isn't too much in the way of choice at 225mm. HPI Civic sorta fits as does their Miata, but they sit a little high unfortunately because they hit on the front servo mount.

Proline used to make a 225mm Audi TT, but its been long out of production. I dont think it'll be too long before the aftermarket companies start making SOMETHING to fit the MWB cars.

Failing that you need to find an M02M shell which are even harder to find!

That is a very interesting statement to me.
I was @ SoCal near the end of May and they said they were closing by the end of the month. When were you last down there?

last Friday

So why did they not close?

Sorry. Don't know for sure and do not want to spread any misinformation. It looks like they are barely hanging on though. Can't see that a fuller on road racing program wouldn't help. Maybe us old guys are lazy, but I like indoors, flush toilets, built in pits, and no generators and air compressors.

All the ramblings start rite about here... And from what i gather it is 'temporary'

http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthre...12450&page=348

to tony or anyone else who will listen.....
 

question about lube and diffs:

tony, you seem to have some definite opinions about how to lube your gears and diffs.
i notice you say to not use the AW grease as it locks up the diff (another no no apparently...) but to use very light amount of silicone rather. can you say why this is and how it really effects the performance? why is locking a diff frowned upon?

and when all assembled with no motor attached, should the wheel (and the whole gear box) really spin freely for 20 seconds as some say????? that seems crazy smooth, the likes of which i have never seen.

and ball diffs: are these adjustable like on other cars from the outside? or does one still have to disassemble the whole chassis?

thanks....