Chassis / Bearing Update
ok - spent a little time with the kyoshos today.
On the chassis, I found:
Kawahara 3.9oz
Stock 4.4 oz
Integy 7075 4.6 oz
Noticeable difference picking up the kawahara compared to the other two. The stock and the kawahara are pretty close to 3mm, the integy is closer to 3.2 -3.3 mm in many place.
on the bearings - after trying to take the shields off ALL the metal shield bearings in these cars (that weren't already off) I came across a few of the team blue star ones I was taking out that were pretty free. I started taking the rubber shields off them and found that most were packed with a very heavy grease but some weren't (the ones that were free). Basically after taking the shields off the blue stars and degreasing them with denatured alcohol and relubing with synthetic motor oil they are VERY good.
Also it's 10 TIMES easier getting the rubber shields off - so I think if you prep these blue star bearings they are the ticket. Especially at 26 bearings for 20 bucks.