Just got the new lowered rear pods for my CK and they are sweet....the ride height adjusters fit in super smooth compared with the the old pods...and the price was great too :)

Today in 12th scale stock at my track I managed to tap a pipe which sent me to the outside boards and snapped an axle. So I finished the last two laps on 3 wheels, it had to be the worst handling 12th scale I've ever driven, and probably that I ever will. Than in the main I got bumped out to that same board by another car and broke my servo saver. But aside from that it was all fun. I also built the best rear that I've ever built :) .

stormperson- I do kinda notice on my carpet knife that it kinda digs into a corner hard. And it takes a little while to get out of it. But I still like the car. And can still compete with it. Do you know of any way to lower the roll center on the carpet knife?

Yeah im goin to be running my RC12L3 tomorrow night for the 1st time (wow you all must be so excited, such a high performance unit and all.........sarcasm) with the standard tires on carpet, so i shouldnt expect too much? lol

nice car though.

racerdx- Try and speedmerchant and you will really fall in love:D ;) You can basically lower the roll center by running speedmerchant side links, lol. They will fit on a CRC, and you have two options (neither are that great unforunatly).
1)get rid of the chassis brace (which sucks because the CRC's chassis is VERY flexable in the rear due to all of the material removed. and then use those holes to mount the side links
2)Use very short turnbuckles and possibly trim away some of the captured ballcups so that you can fit it using the stock mounitng holes.

snapped an axle
 

racerdx6: Based on a suggestion from Mike D., I don't use the front axle that uses the nut. Mike's feeling is that if you happen to contact a board, it's possible that the nut can get caught. This could cause severe damage to your front end. When I used to run front axles with nuts on, I recall finding paint from the boards embedded in the nut and threads.

I'm now using the E-clip to hold the front wheels on. It requires a little more work to remove/install but it sits flush with the wheel, and can't get caught.

Wow you learn something everyday.:D

You can also use longer screws to mount the front pivot-balls on and then mount the crossbrace on top of the pivot-balls. It looks hack, but it does work.

Better yet instead of making that pretty CRC look hack you could sell it and get a Speedmerchant Rev3. I've run one the last 4 carpet seasons and when I went from my 12L3 to my Rev 3 I picked up a few 10ths right off the bat. Almost made the 12th stock A main with it at my only carpet nat in 01'. I know of a few guys at my track who have traded in there 12th for a Rev 3 after their first try in one. I also know that a few of them were CRC CK owners. I also know that the team drivers have been using the 6 pack chassis on the rug instead of the current chassis that most people are running. That has to say something about the CK. The CK may seam like a great deal with the tires and all of he pretty red anodied aluminum, and IRS diff but the Rev 3 is a superior design.

Didn't Bruce Carbon (owner of Speedmerchant) work for Frank Calandera (owner of CRC) at one time. If I'm not mistaken I think Bruce did the original design of the CK car. Please correc me if I'm wrong.

In my opinion he Rev 3 is a superior chassis. More responsive and faster thru he corners han the CK that I drove last year. Anyone considering purchasing he Rev 3 will not be dissapointed. It may not have all the bling bling the CK does but the damn thing rocks and I would never drive anoher car on the rug.

schurcr: I think you are correct....
From what I understand Bruce did work and help design for CRC..

I switched from a CK to a REV. 3 last year and have never looked back....

Now I'm trying to get it hooked up in mod.
The car rocks for stock.

I don't won't to buy a new T-Bar car just mod....
Any set-up help for mod would be great.

My understanding was also that they had worked together (and bruce designed the original CK) however they split to a difference in opinion about a business issue.

Tres: What front end are you running? PM me.

STORMY
 

Stormperson, you seem to be the Speed Merchant Guru on the forum here. I went from a 12l3 last year to a Carpet Knife and really like the car. In the off season I bought an experienced (used)Speed Merchant in like new condition. I havent had time to try it yet. The information sheet I got with it is to say the least brief. I will be racing mod and 19T with it. I have the spring set for the CRC center and side springs. Our carpet season has just started 48'x100' brand new Ozite. The car has the old skool front end. How do you adjust caster and camber on the frontend. Now that I have time to work on the car I'm anxious to get it on the track. Hopefully friday night. What would be a good basic set up to start with. Oh yeh, I have new purple and greys on it and a speed 8 body. It also has the new IRS rear axle.

regards
Terry

Bruce designed the original Carpetknife, Frank got behind it and helped with the distribution. The original kit boxes had both the CRC and Speedmerchant logos on them. I know, I had one.

A few years later there was a split, and the Rev. 2 and Carpetknife Ver.3 were born. I ran CRC for years, and then made the switch to the Rev.3. Both cars have their strong points, and both are WICKEDLY competitive, but the Rev. 3 offers a bit more in the way of adjustability, and suits my driving style better.

Yeah, you get aluminum pod plates, damper tubes, and Purple/Greys with a Red Edition Knife, but it does cost MORE than a Rev. 3 too.

Either way you go you get a great car, (neither of them have a stupid T-bar!), but I think the edge goes to the Rev.3 for adjustability and driving prowess.

I like t-bars. :D

ummm, what kind of "t-bars"?:D

Yes Mike, You are very successful with those pesky T-Bar style cars. I personally was poisoned to the whole T-bar thing a LONG time ago. Once I got my first link car, I never looked at T-bar cars again.

Congrats on your excellent performances at the Classic. You showed KILLER wheel in both classes.