MD

iTrader: (136)

I also use a Kimbrough servo saver. I use the large size and trim off the corners so it fits properly. I also use a metal gear servo so the screw that secures the saver is a metic fine threaded screw that holds it in place. It works well.

JustMe2

iTrader: (29)

Has anyone tried this HPI Mazda Miata body?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mazda-MX-5-Miata...item563a16a4cc
Looks nice, but not too sure it would work with the m03 chassis. HPI's site shows they discontinued their Mini Cooper body and only offers the Miata or the $$$$ Cup Racer bodies now. I want something other then the Swift for my mid chassis. Might have to go to the short chassis just to get a good looking body for my car.

COME ON TAMIYA, WAKE UP!!! Other manufactures have.

jcr

Tamiya makes the new Datsun 280SX...... does that fit the M03?

Markus

iTrader: (93)

I don't think the datsun body will work on the m03. Before Tamiya re-released the s800 body for the M05 I was able to use it on my M03.

Just don't cut along the body lines. cut about a half inch below the bottom edges. it comes out cool, looks like you have ground effects on the car. *note the body will be resting on top of the servo holder brackets*

BadSign

iTrader: (15)

Very Nice! I was considering a Honda civic in Repsol colors, but no Hayden, no car.

Old Tech

iTrader: (3)

Tool question. What are you finding to be the best fit for the standard cross, "+", phillips, etc. screws that Tamiya provides? Not all tolls are created equal it seems.

trerc

iTrader: (89)

I have a set of these with the older handle and it fits really nice.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEAL4&P=7

Tamiya also makes drivers.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXVU40&P=7

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXVU41&P=7

billjacobs

iTrader: (65)

tamiya has some on clearance right now:

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/ite...oduct-id=53649

I have 1 and it works perfectly.

Old Tech

iTrader: (3)

Thank you gentlemen!

JustMe2

iTrader: (29)

WOW! $25 for a screw driver? No wonder they are on clearance, LOL!

jcr

any of the new Tamiya bodies fit the M03?

mcdogboy

iTrader: (2)

Take a Tamiya screw to your local hardware store, Jap phillips heads are different, the dot means they're jap spec.

niznai

That is right. What you need is a JIS (Japanese industry standard) phillips head screwdriver. These are designed to bite into the head rather than jump out when the screw bottoms out.

You can of course, buy the Tamiya tool and pay whatever they ask, or you can go to your local pick-a-part yard where for nothing (or perhaps a ciggie or a very nice "thank you") you can get yourself a screwdriver that comes in the toolkit of japanese made cars like Honda, Toyota etc. The blade should have the JIS stamp on it. I have a 1989 Civic that came with a screwdriver like that in the toolkit. The blade actually can swap around and you have a flat blade screwdriver too!

About the Miata bodyshell, those came in the RS4-mini pro kit and they have a 225mm wheelbase.

woodys3b

iTrader: (1)

After reading the last 100 pages of this thread, I started to build my M05. The upgrades I am using are:

1. Tamiya aluminum steering parts.
2. Tamiya aluminum front steering knuckles.
3. Shocks that came off my Tamiya TA05 V2.
4. 3mm machine screws from Tonys Screws (Just mirrored what comes in the Tamiya titanium screw set)
5. Tamiya CVDs

Now for a few questions.

1. Shocks. What the heck is the real story with the difference between touring car shocks and mini shocks? I expected the shocks that came with my TA05 V2 to be longer both in body and shaft. Nope, they are exactly the same length. The shafts are even the same part number. So why are there shorter shafts sold for the mini?

2. Diff and CVDs. I'm happy with how the gear diff feels after assembling it with one extra shim and anti-wear grease and will probably not upgrade to the ball diff. However, I would like to use blades on the inside end of the cvd shafts. Are there any diff cups that fit into the M05 gear diff that have wider slots in them to accept the blades? Will this be the only reason I should upgrade to the Tamiya ball diff? Also, with the CVDs installed and the O rings in the diff cups, It seems that the O rings are too thick. They are pushing the CVD shafts out into the front steering knuckles too much. I even used the clear O rings as mentioned a few times in this thread. I'm tempted to Just remove them all together. Any suggestions?

3. Tribal knowledge at our track says to run (53215) Tamiya mini slick tires, front and rear, with (53255) firm (OEM) inserts on the front and (50686) medium inserts on the rear. Our track is a fairly high grip carpet track. How can I make the OEM tires work?

Lastly, a bit of advice to anyone building a M05.

1. Order screws from Tony's Screws. Nothing worse than using the Tamiya screws and buggering up the heads. No performance improvement but it makes the build so much more enjoyable.

2. If you know someone that is racing a TA05, chances are they have a set of shocks setting around that they replaced with TRF shocks. These are perfect for the M05 and chances are they will just give them to you.

Thanks
Andy

billjacobs

iTrader: (65)

If you don't want an $8 aluminum handled screwdriver that will fit the tamiya screws perfectly, don't get one. The person asked for help in finding a perfect screwdriver for tamiya screws, and you can't get more perfect than that. Tamiya tools, just like hudy tools are expensive. If you can get a $24 driver for $8, that's even better.

Jeez.