Saturday, December 31, 2011

F1R with MP4/6

I couldn't resist, I love the Mclaren MP4/6 and the other 90s bodies. They look good and there is a lot of real estate under them. The newer bodies look good too, but just don't do it for me as much, plus they don't have a lot of real estate under them. Easy decision. Old body on the new car, and i think its staying, at least until I get around to buying another. It doesn't look half bad, I like it.Brother picked up his Williams so it wont be that body. Dammit. Anyway, pics...

Friday, December 30, 2011

Ooops I forgot.

Forgot to post, I was at Mikes tonight. Its official, F1 and VTA will be classes at the 2012 ROAR Carpet Nats. A lot of people excited, and several sour pusses upset. What are ya gonna do? Cant please everyone right?

Seven Classes:
Mod 1/12
Mod Sedan
17.5 1/12
17.5 Sedan
17.5 WGT
F1
VTA

I think its a great call, personally. Probably because I am biased because my 2 classes are VTA and F1. So little ol me will be racing at the Nats in classes I actually run for club races. Have a 1/12 scale now, but I doubt I run it. VTA and F1 are the 2 biggest classes at Mikes. VTA is booming for the last couple of years, F1 is coming on real strong too. 1/12 and sedan yada yada yada, same same. New classes bring in new people, like me, and Joe Clubracer, and you. We can all have a piece of the pie, and if we are lucky, some of the big name guys jump in VTA and F1 and kick the tar out of us. Dare we dream?

Now for tonight's track report. The F1R is great. 21.5 didn't come in mail in time, so I ran the 25.5 in it, about .5 second slower than the 21.5s on the track. Box stock set up per instructions. It was good. Shimizu hards in the back were also a pleasant surprise. Racer Robert took it for a spin and hit a 10.4 lap. Says he thinks he can get it in the 9s. We will see Monday. No one has hit the 9s on our track yet in F1, that is 1/12 domain. I was hitting mid 11s consistently. Which is not bad for me, since I normally just hit the boards. Very drivable car. FGX.... what can I say? I love it, I hate it, I drive it, I break it. Spindle and a kingpin tonight. Whats next? That covers everything in the front end. Took CRC out too, Robert christened it, and set it up best he could. He likes. I drove it, I like, need to get the 2 ton GTB speedo out of it, but will be good. 1/12 is a different world. So fast, so tiny, delicate little flower.... that was odd. Anyway, to the Mancave! For post practice tear down and shenanigans!

Rumor mill is a churning....

Got a PM from a source, with some Carpet National news. Not confirmed, not saying anything, its a rumor. But I like what I saw!!!! Details hopefully in the morning. Out.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

F1R

Well luckily Tamiya includes a decal set in their F60 body kit, because they come in handy when you do a crap paint job, and you have to cover it in flat black. Didn't have to use up my expensive Marlboro decals, can save them for another day.

Monday, December 26, 2011

More F1R and Gen Xi Pics

Spent the long Holiday weekend sick and messing with the cars when not doing the Christmas things. As usual I wont bore you with the details of the build, just followed instructions, didn't ad lib anything. That formula worked on the FGX, no wonder they are included with most kits. Should have tried that long ago. Few things though, I got a SpeedPassion 17.5/Cirtix esc combo for Christmas from my awesome wife. Was supposed to go in the CRC, but well, the esc went into the F1R and motor went to CRC. Ordered a Trinity Duo 2 21.5 today (They are cheap!)for the F1R. I will either A) put Novak GTB 4cell or reg GTB in CRC, or B) rule out either the FGX or F1R and use one of the SpeedPassion esc's out of them for the CRC (highly unlikely). And now.... Pics!


And the other guy in the band, the F1R

Sunday, December 25, 2011

More on the Tamiya F104WGP

I just copy/pasted from TamiyaUSA.com, but looks like a hopped up F104W with all the bells and whistles. Pretty much what people were speculating.

TamiyaUSA

The standard F104W chassis is equipped with F103 front suspension arms to allow it to accurately replicate the dimensions of classic F1 race cars of the 1980�s and early 1990�s. This limited edition F104W GP Edition chassis features many additional race-spec parts to enhance the performance of this variant even further.

Included NEW parts:
Carbon Fiber lower deck (3.2 mm)
Carbon fiber rear upper deck (2.0 mm)
Aluminum gear case bridge (front)
Aluminum/steel uprights
Carbon fiber front upper deck (2.0 mm)
FRP T-Bar (1.5 mm)
Aluminum gear case bridge (rear)

Included Option Parts:
Item 54153 F103 Carbon Reinforced Front Suspension Arm
Item 53901 TRF Special Damper (F103GT)
Item 84114 F104 Aluminum Diff Housing Set (Black)
Item 84115 F104 Aluminum Motor Mount (Right & Left / Black)
Item 84196 F104 Clamp Type Wheel Hub (Black)
Body Parts Set (T) from Item 84031
Item 50657 Tyrrell Yamaha 023 Bumper Wing Set
Item 50502 Lotus 107B Rear Wing Set

Note: Tires, wheels and motor not included. Requires two-channel radio, ESC, 7.2 volt battery and charger and polycarbonate paint to complete assembly.

Specs and Features
Direct Drive 2WD drivetrain.
Coil spring front suspension
Side Roll pitch damper
Main rear lateral damper
The front suspension features a link-type coil spring. Rear suspension uses a T-bar set up with a TRF damper to control pitch.
Height adjustable rear gear case

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Thanks to all of you that have made my life what it is. Happy Christmas to everyone.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

3racing F109, Exotek F1R and CRC Gen Xi

I painted up the Tamiya Type C F1 body a la Williams Renault circa 92. Turned out pretty well, of course not perfect, but I'm not a pro. This car of course used to be The Mutant. Now it is the standard width F109 with the standard F103 front end. In fact, this front end came off of my Mclaren F109 along with the tires and a few other bits. The Mclaren is in a sad shape at the moment, as the rear end is now part of the Exotek F1R temporarily. My Mclaren is no more than a chassis with the electronics still installed. Any way I will have more on the Exotek possibly later tonight, I assembled most of it last night. Waiting on rear pod and a body via TQ. The CRC Gen Xi also arrived yesterday, and I may begin that build tonight as well. But for now, pics.
Williams Renault F109

My poor Mclaren

Exotek F1R

Box

Muwahahahahahahaha

Thursday, December 15, 2011

1/12th scale CRC Gen Xi

I'm getting into the 1/12 scene, have a CRC Gen Xi on the way. With the Carpet Nats being at Mikes next year, and the uncertainty of either F1 or VTA being a part of it, 1/12 is a lock. So here we go with the carpet demons! Might be here Saturday, but with the Holidays around, I expect USPS to be swamped and probably behind a day. No biggie, if theres one thing I understand, its shipping. 22 years at UPS has taught me that.


On another note, I got my shipment from F1Paintlab with the Tamiya Type C body and the 90s F1 decal set today. Will be doing my best to paint up a 1992 Nigel Mansell Williams car for my brother's Christmas gift. The Mutant will have a new home, I have converted it back to standard width. And I also plan on purchasing the Exotek F1R conversion for the F103/4 in the next few days. More on that to come!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

FGX saga continues

What can i say? Me and my FGX are snake bit. Beefed up the front end, built a link set up too. Went back to the beefier meatier carbon fiber reinforced arms for the race today. Practice....good. I love this car I do. It makes me look like I can drive it really does. Planted in and out of corners, everything. Q1, tap inside wall, break king pin......on 2nd lap. EEEEEYYYAAARRRRGGGGHHH!. Here we go again. Drill out the whateveryou call its in the arms (I'm sleepy)and steering block to 1/8" and put in CRC 1/12 scale kingpins (thanks Robert!). More practice. Good stuff. Tad slow, so I added 2 teeth to pinion and went for some more practice. Still good. Took away the toe out, good. Even better. Nice, can put the car anywhere I want on the track. Racer Robert takes it for some laps. He likes. Get ready for a Q2 beat down!!...... Well folks, I can say I made it more than 2 laps, but I tapped the inside board going in to a turn at an awkward angle. Wasn't hard, just awkward. Right front grabbed and twisted. Pulled it off track, saw body was off centered and hung up. Adjusted body, wiggled the steering and good to go. Back on track, front end is hopping, and I'm veering to the right a lot. Adjust trim. But something is amiss at this Circle K. Pulled off track again and back to the pits. Cant see anything. OK maybe this missing spacer on the left front is causing it. Then I see it. Upper deck snapped behind camber plate. Aye carrumba. Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue. Duct Tape ain't fixing this one. Back to the Mclaren. Old faithful. Even has the 21.5 and GTB in it again. Practice. Mclaren is so nice. Playing around with Joey and Zach's F1's on the track, loving life, F1 God, all that rich creamy goodness of RCdom. And it happens again. Lost a bit of steering, not alot, just a push. The Mclaren can take hits that the FGX cant fathom. The Kimbrough servo saver I had just bought, could not. Broke that sucker like..... well like a stock FGX front arm. Heavy sigh, dramatic pause. Servo saver out of FGX into Mclaren its go time. Right? Please? Just once? Well Q3 was good, we had one marshal, that pissed me and Alex off a bit, he was having an issue and needed one. Didn't have one in that zip code. So I started thinking about "what if I need a marshal?". Bothered me a bit, because I need them from time to time. Heard a noise, innocent noise, maybe it was Alex hitting a board, I don't know. What I do know is that I looked away from my car at a time when I really didn't need to. Wham. Straight into the wall. No awkward angle this time. 90*, full speed, plastic meet wood. All it really did was turn my switch off. And, as luck would have it, 3 feet from our one dedicated marshal. Sweet, power on, back on track, funny noise. Motor had moved, sudden stops do that I'm told. I'm done. 16 heats today, lots of toys for the Tots at Children's Hospital. And that is a really really good thing. But its getting late, I've got to work early in the morning, and I know when I'm beat. No need for a main for me. Wish I could have stayed, but it was going to be another 2 hour wait til my race was up again, and I didn't have it in me. Had some rat killing to do at the house. Rats are dead, I'm beat. Night night.

Roberts new paint.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Almost Ready

With the exception of the sway bar kit and the fast gear set, the FGX is ready. New kicks today, Pit grooved, soft rear/medium front. Will be ready to race come next weekend at the Toys for Tots Race at Mikes.


Sunday, November 27, 2011

VTA and F1 11/26 Mikes

Another race week. More fun. 6 cars in VTA 5 cars in F1, we are growing! I did OK in VTA, Q4/P4 my car is slow on this track, a second a lap. I lose people down the straight. Will change gearing. F1: Mclaren = fast. Silvercan is fast. My driving isn't quite up to that fast, but getting better. Lousy, qualifiers. No more than 2 laps in any of them. First 2 qualifiers I used the FGX. After breaking an upper arm in practice Friday, I beefed up the arms with titanium and some other metal. 2nd lap of Q1, I break a lower arm. Replace, reinforce with CF, Q2 my new front end comes loose. Park FGX, replace some front end ball ends, but it is parked for day. I blew a front tire on the Mclaren Friday,and I didn't have a replacement of soft F3 Shimizus. Zack had a pair of medium F3's and he mounted them on my rims. I had mediums before, pushed like a mother, so I expected the same. Nope, car was hooked up, and actually I liked them better than the softs. Less nervous. Need to stiffen rear a bit, but not alot of time to make adjustments. So Mclaren is ready for Q3. I thought. 2nd lap, lose right steering on Mclaren. Why did I wake up? Not taking chances, I replaced servo and servo saver, and took it out on the track. Got it working well. So in the main I start last of course, but I ran 3rd 5 minutes of the 6 minute race. I'm not consistent enough to keep up with Robert and Alex, I'm working on it. Car has the speed, just need to work my lines. Bumped one too many corners and stripped the spur. Heavy sigh. 4 F1 DNFs. Felt like Team Marussia Virgin. But, I still have video. Main spends too much time focused on me, but there's a good race between Robert and Alex that is going on too. Q3 video, I was on track long enough for a cameo. That's racing.


Saturday, November 26, 2011

FGX and the link front end

We have all seen it. Exotek is doing one, Robk has a good looking version, TRG, SpeedMerchant etc. Well after seeing the one Robk made for his F104 coinciding with the glass front end of the FGX, Racer Robert made this version. He simply walked over to the airplane side of Mikes Hobby shop and grabbed the gear.

Hanger 9 Titanium Pro Links 4-440 x1-1/2
SIG Aileron Connectors
Dubro heavy duty ball links
some 440 threaded rod.

The front end has worked well for Robert, this is a pic of mine that I just built. He has had no issues of breakage, or any other problems that I am aware of. I'm hoping I have the same results. I will of course post up anything tomorrow.


Friday, November 25, 2011

FGX- First time on the track.

I have never built a car that didn't need some tweaking, however minor or major, when first put on the track. This might be a product of not following instructions to a "T", or just the car itself. I don't know. What I do know is that I followed the instructions to the FGX as close to possible the entire time. From shock oil, to diff gunk, to the length of the links on the front end. And I was rewarded today when I put the FGX down. Not only did I not even have to adjust the steering trim at all, after the initial one lap around the track, I dropped the hammer on it and wrang it out. Better than expected. Much better. I had already driven Racer Roberts FGX. I knew the history of the fragile front end, so I babied it around the track a couple of times and gave it back with out so much as carpet fuzz on the tires. Not this time, this was my car. And I knew the front end was going to snap. (it did) I went out there expecting it, almost wanting it to happen. It took a while, although I don't know what I hit that did it. I didn't have anything remotely close to the board meetings I continue to have with the Mclaren. (More on that later :-) ) I snapped the right side trailing upper arm. Big deal. Borrowed a spare from RB and went right back out there. I like this car. Box stock with Pit Shimizu grooved tires it was hooked up and handled better than I anticipated. It is slower with the stock gear set. There is just not enough room for a bigger pinion at the moment. More room to adjust motor and the Fast gear set will remedy that. Without any adjustments the car makes me happy. With the hop ups coming the performance will increase. This is a serious machine. Racer Robert's is already a beast, mine will be with one small order to TQ RC Racing. And of course a new body from F1 Paintlab.

Now onto the Mclaren. I stole the esc and motor out of it and installed it all in the FGX. Did the same to the Mutant and installed it in the Mclaren. So the Mclaren has the Novak GTX/Silvercan combo in it now. Its even faster than before. But, I split a front tire. Tread severed from inner wall. Not good. My plan for the track Saturday was race with the Mclaren, and play with the FGX. Now I will have to race the FGX while the Mclaren is sidelined. This is probably my last race day until January. It definitely will be the last Saturday race day until then. Might squeeze in a Thursday if I am lucky, but an F1 class on a Thursday is doubtful. I will not have the speed to contend tomorrow, but I will have a new car. And that still makes me happy.

Monday, November 21, 2011

FGX

OK, I bought an FGX this weekend. I finished the chassis build this morning. I am not going to bore you with the details of the build, because 1: if your on this blog, you know all about it already, and 2: I just followed instructions so I cant really add anything. I will say that its a cool chassis, especially the workings of the rear end. Front end is fragile of course, that is well documented, and I will beef it up as much as I can with CF rods. Hopefully 3racing has an updated front in the works. In the meantime Ill bust up this front end and then go to a link set up. I have VTA tires and rims on it, all I have at the moment until I can place an order. I also liberated the lid from the Mutant. The Mutant and I have come to an agreement, he keeps losing the left rear wheel, and I quit driving him. Electronics are coming out, and I am going back to the standard wide configuration and a new steel rear axle. With foams and a FOR SALE sign. Dig it. Anywhoo, here some pics.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

F1 11/19 at Mikes and more......

F1 was the only on road class today at Mikes, I'm assuming because 1: there was a big nitro off road race going on outside, and 2: we had that big Fall Classic last weekend. Regardless, Racer Robert, Scott and I braved the carpet alone. Good races, my car worked well, and got better as the day went on. Roberts FGX responded well as usual all day. Scott's F104W started out bad, but by the time the last qualifier came up, he was good. Main...... I crashed out early with a stripped servo saver, and Robert won. Good news about that is I was able to record the final 3 minutes of the race AND, cleaned off the finger print smudges that my kid had left from last time. I haven't watched the video, it took a few hours to upload to you-tube, but I was there. The race was good. Even with Robert sandbagging. Oh yeah, I got an FGX. More on that later..... its Showtime!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Tamiya F104WGP

Very little info. ETA is Feb 2012. Rumor has it, that its a F103 x F104x1 hybrid. That is the rumor. Any info, let me know.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

F1 A Main #3 Fall Classic

About half of the 3rd A Main before camera ran out of memory. Kids finger prints on the lens. I'll fix that next video. Sorry.

2011 Fall Classic: Aftermath

Fun weekend at Mikes, Fall Classic was a blast. Had some good races, had some bad races. But it wet my appetite for more big events. VTA I finished out of the top 10. Car was good most of the time, traction was incredible. I had some traction rolls in the first couple of qualifiers until I went to a newer set of front tires. Had my best race with them, 4th out of 13 in the first of the A mains. But those tires were also my downfall, weak glue on the sidewall, and I lost tires off of the rim in the next 2 mains. One 4th, two DNFs, equal no trophy. Sad face. F1 was fun, we had 6 cars. My car started out with over steer problems that got better every qualifier. Sundays 4th and final qualifier was my best race of either class for the entire weekend, 2nd, and was fast. Car was an absolute dream. Best the car has ever been on rubber tires. But during the first two mains, the screw for the motor pod pivot loosened and I was spinning a lot. Pulled off track both races just to be out of the way. Robert, Alex and Jordan really put on a show. F103, F104W and the new FGX very equal all weekend. Last main I was so paranoid about the loose pivot during the first mains, that I was really timid on the track. Plus my transponder came unplugged, so even though i had a fairly decent race, I only got credit for a handful of laps. El Suck. Alex pulled off the win, with all the A main wins, and TQ, He had an outstanding weekend. It was good to see. Of course I failed on the video again. Pretty much the theme for my weekend but man it was fun. F1 was a hit, and I expect it to grow.
Left to right: Me, Randy Novak, P2 Jordan, P1 Alex, P3 Robert, and DW.

Friday, November 11, 2011

2011 Fall Classic Friday Practice

Went to Mike's today for some practice. Place is already hopping with out of towners. I saw Lemiuex and Ellis with their Mod Sedans..... OMG they are fast. My VTA is in good shape, if I could drive I would be in better shape. Doug Bryson is fast right now. Hes about .5 second faster than my best lap,a full second faster than normal speed. I hit too many boards to be fast. F1 is really good, a little loose on power. It is fast,no transponder in it,but I was running the same pace as guys that were running mid 11s. We will see tomorrow. Lots of traction already. Now off to work a 12 hour shift... dammit.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Mutant

I am starting to think that after The Classic this weekend I am going to switch over to the F109K4 as my main F1. At least until I get the FGX after Christmas. The more I mess with this car the more I want to drive it. And that is one thing I really haven't gotten to do much of. Since putting the soft Pit Shimizu's on, this car has come alive. No I don't think its as good as the Mclaren is, but I have put a lot more time in the Mclaren. I think the Mutant will be even better in a short time. As long as I'm using rubber tires. On foams, I don't think the Mutant can touch it.That is something else I am thinking about; going back to foams on the Mclaren. And maybe going to one cell and a 10.5 or a 13.5. Man that would be the shit! Right up until impact.

Friday, November 4, 2011

2011 Fall Classic

2011 Fall Classic coming up next weekend at Mikes Hobby Shop. My first big race event since the 1992 Texas State Oval Championships, which as it turned out, wasnt that big after all. I am running VTA and it looks like we just may have enough for an F1 class. And we are excited. 3 pro drivers will be there: Mike Dumas, Paul Lemieux, and Drew Ellis. Should be exciting to see the really fast guys. There are fast guys at Mikes every week with some of the locals, but this should be a treat.
I hope that we do get to have an F1 class, and I hope that we put on a good enough show not to get laughed at. I think Robert Bremer will be running his new FGX, and Alex G will have his F104W. Both should be fast, and I will be running my Mclaren F109 and maybe loaning out The Mutant if someone wants to drive it. Two others, which have HPI ormula 10s, have committed to running as well. Thats the 5 we needed to have a class. Needed 10 for trophies, but just having a class is big for us. Robert will win anyway!!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

F1 Fun 10-29

In between the races today was where the real fun stuff began. Alex, Robert and I got to play with the F1s. Including or rather especially, Roberts brand new 3racing FGX. This thing is for real. Independent rear suspension. This may be a game changer. In fact I'd bet on it. I could tell you all about it, but I'm sure everyone would rather see pictures. I will say this, the longer this thing is out, the more hop ups become available, the better this car will get. I drove it for just a couple of minutes, and since it wasn't mine, I didn't get cute with it. But if I wanted to get cute with it, it would have handled it. It is S T U C K. Here is some pics. Oooooh and aahhhhh to its greatness.

NASCAR Tribute Race at Mikes 10-29

Hella fun day. I raced VTA and VTA oval today, plus some good practice with both F1 cars. More on that later. Today was all about the Oval. 15 cars showed up, and we all piled into one race. It was chaos, it was a mess, it was glorious and it was fun. I hope we get to do it again on a semi regular basis. Qualified 4th finished 10th. You make one mistake and you go a lap down. 14 people on the track with you make sure you pay. I paid. I was alot faster than 10th. I wish I could have gotten video, but alas....I failed. Any way heres a pic before the main.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

F1 at 2012 Carpet NATIONALS

all 2 of you that read this blog, be heard, let ROAR know we want F1 at the Nats!!!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Mikes 10-20

I went to mikes early afternoon today. Left Mclaren at home so I would be forced to play with The Mutant more. Worked. Ran a few laps and was still loose in the rear and just all around nervous on the straights. Put associated .024s in the front and laid the rear shock down about 4mm to almost level. The Mutant is better than the Mclaren right now.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

OVAL!!!!

Holy Jesus I got to run oval today after 19 years. VTA oval on the new and improved oval at Mikes. I will admit I was part of the vocal minority that wanted an oval at Mikes, others showed interest right up until we actually got said oval. Then......nothing. Well today it changed, 4 VTA guys and 2 Sprint cars ( FN BADASS). I won first heat, think I got 2nd in 2nd but dont care, we were nose to tail for 3 of the 4 minutes, swapping the lead and some paint. You cant get that kind of racing everyday, especially on a road course. So yeah, I enjoyed the hell out of it. And I hope to continue it. F1 cars worked well today, even the Mutant was ok with the new kicks. Once a groove gets down on the new layout it will be better. The F109 was golden on the oval once I got some heat in the tires. Right up until I bumped the inside rail and sent my left rear flying and my car tumbling. Oh well, one replacement rear hub on the way soon. Wish there was some video of the VTA races, Id like to see it.

The Mutant Narrow F109K4

Well its finished barring a new body. Taking it to Mikes today. More to come....

Monday, October 17, 2011

Racing 10-15 at Mikes

4 of us ran in VTA, I got second to AWD. Hes just about unbeatable so I will take 2nd any time! VTA ran well, I drove better than normal. I think the VRC Pro is really helping my driving. I get a lot of practice online now. My F109 ran pretty good too, the switch to Pit Shimizu F3 soft compund in the front really made it a new car, the mediums in the front just didn't have the bite. Very drive-able, pretty fast. The F109K4 project is going OK. Got the right tires today, same compound as on the F109 standard, so there will be some severe track time tomorrow to wring it out some and get it going right. If not, I ll cut my losses and go back to the wide front end. But I think it will be fine. Looking forward to some open track. But hoping some of these oval guys that said they were interested in running an oval show up. Pretty Ri-GD-diculous to have that nice oval go to waste after the trouble Mike went to to build the damn thing. He made the lanes wider, it looks fast. Will find out tomorrow. Ill never mention an oval track at Mikes again. Sorry asses.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Tuesday Practice

Me and Alex got together for some fun at Mikes Hobby Shop. He just painted up a Leyton House body for his f104 with the wide front end. His car was great all night.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Sunday, October 2, 2011

continued

Obviously I just posted some pics. First pic is the temporary mounting of the servo, shoe goo style. I have the aluminum f104 servo mounts on the way. Next pic shows the angle of the upper arms after taking the spacer out. I have shims in the frontend that can be moved/swapped/removed whatever to adjust ride height etc. It is a very tight fit for the F104 body of course. I picked the Novak GTX because of its small size (and someone had it for sale at track), and even with its very small size, I still had to mount it on its side. Rx is mounted on its side as well. All wires are zip tied towards the centerline. And still the body just barely fits.

It lives

Took the F109 K4 out for a run in the dark tonight just to check things out. All I can tell is that it goes, and that it tracks straight. Which is all I wanted to know. Still missing the dampener, but I should have that next weekend. Wont be near the carpet til then anyway. I also need a body and some rubber tires, and it will be ready to go. More details tomorrow. Maybe.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

F109-K4 2.0

Did some more tonight, mainly adding parts I picked up from a buddy. Did the side spring mod as well. This car is tall. Ride height is probably double the F109 with the 103 tires. I will have to figure the front end out. I have never messed with the 104 frontend. Looks like I ll be on rctech and rcf1.blog alot learning it. I believe ride height is adjustable on this frontend. It needs to be, Im probably sitting at 8mm right now. I dropped the rear as much as possible now. But still prettty tall. Ill work on it. Could possible run it this weekend. just need a couple more bits.

Monday, September 26, 2011

F109 K4

OK , I reaquired an F109 chassis that I had sold a few months ago. We scavenged parts off of it so its not complete. Mostly no front end, and a few other pieces. I bought an F104 front end a few weeks ago to try on my F109. But now I dont have to use my main car. I dont know if I want call this a build log, but basically I guess it is. With less details. There will be some other mods done to it that I have either read on the net, or just did myself to simplify things. First things first: the F104 front end.
Fits right on in the place of the F103 front end just like it should. I had the modify the servo mounts to add the rear ball link for the arms.
I will have to figure out another way to get the battery in an out, because the front mount of upper deck is secured now. Will probably go through the middle post. I also need kingpins, which I may have this week. On the rear shock mount I have used 3/4 inch bolts intstead of the 8mm's so I have more room to adjust shock mount height front or rear.
Thats all for now, I need to get more parts, the rear dampener isnt complete, kingpins, steering blocks, left rear wheel hub, and of course F104 wheels and tires. Im sure theres some more. But looking good so far. Hoping to get this on the track in a couple of weeks, and also for it to be used by those "F1 curious" types up at the track.
I will go in this week and look at the front end and make sure I have it all even. Its kinda "just in there" right now. Im sure I will need to adjust the way I mounted the rear arm, I stumbled through that little mod, and I know its not up to spec. Its definitley not Tamiya stock.