D-Like RE-R - Under the hood! Part #5

I have new knuckles. Well old ones actually. One man's trash is another man's treasure. Arigatou!

Too much?

Enough. Can't wait to enjoy this! Everything is coming together.

Here is the screen for the telemetry, You can get real time data or a logged session.

Max One - Super Slow Mo.

I was lucky enough to help out in testing the super slow motion camera at Tokyo Max One.

 The Surging XX Supra looks awesome. Thanks a lot for the imagery!

D-Like RE-R Setting @ Max One

This is the path from frustration to fun! Learning to drive @ 1.7 Counter Steer and new settings and a new wheel radio all at the same time. Yes it took some getting used to, but It was worth it.

I checked the setting with the F.Dorsche and then once it was dialed in I switched to debut the Surging 200mm Celica Supra XX... It is AWESOME!

I swapped the springs to give more rear grip on this track, super soft in the rear for here. It seemed to find a sweet spot for me. There's a little more adjustment in it. maybe some more neutral brake I can dial in, but for now I've got a consistent package I can really attack with.

This shot is AWESOME! It really shows the colors as intended.

I was getting a lot more angle right from the start with the 1.67 and over rotation was an issue, so I dialed in 10 degrees camber up front and a bit more rear grip with the super softs springs and it helped a lot.

The radio is awesome too. Smooth and direct. I can feel a small difference, but not so much. The telemetry is cool I guess, but a bit of a gimmick. I got up to 7500 RPM on the spur. The telemetry logger graph is interesting. On a big circuit you could use it to check gear ratios etc.  

But it's good to show people your blip blip throttle input.

Anyway, I put in about 2 hours on track and by the end I was getting into some great tandem action. I have really found the point where I can play with the big guns. I'm not so nervous than I'm going to slow people up. I'm trying to get side by side, run inside and keep a good line.

So what does it take. Patience, Help and Practice (and a little money).



Near the end of the session I put these new TE37 on for a change. The size really suits these older cars but I still love the Panasports on this car, the color is great.

So I am more than happy now. I'm ready to rock hard for a long time. Just a few more small things to go.

D-Like RE-R - Under the hood! Part #4

Today's job was to setup the sensors and get everything tested.

Thermometer sensor is simply taped to the motor.

RPM sensor is a light sensitive device. luckily I found a mounting solution. An old servo crank worked very well and adjust position easily!!! YAY RUSS!!!

So it's all installed. I need a soldering Iron to get everything shortened and sorted, but for now it's functional.

Unfortunately my Futaba Switch is incompatible so the lights are half off at the moment. It's a mess under there. I'll need a driver to hide everything.

D-Like RE-R - Under the hood! Part #3

Well... Today was early Xmas for me... I went to many shops in Akihabara to get a new controller and I found a 50% off this monster Sanwa MT-4 with receiver and telemetry sensors!

If you haven't heard about this new TOP LEVEL radio then go here. You will be amazed at the spec and functions.

I ended up paying little over $200 and that afforded me the latest  SRG-BL Brushless SSR Super Response High Torque Servo all for under $300

So now there are no excuses. I should be able to dial in the chassis and motor perfectly with the gear I have.

What brand is it Santa?

I'm unsure of the usefulness of the telemetry system yet, but I'm sure I can work out something.

Included are 1 temp and 1 rpm sensor.

Maybe someone could hook it up to measure angle rather that RPM... Interesting?

I'm stoked that I can get all this for the price... I had almost decided to get the MX11 but it's heavy and awkward.

Time shall tell. the manual is 50 pages.

Soon the install.

D-Like RE-R - Under the hood! Part #2

Next step in the upgrade process was springs. I already had the Yokomo aluminium set so I needed some better spring rates.

I went for this combo for now. Long springs 29mm for better travel and they required some 2mm lower seats. More blue alloy is good!

Front are HSS Long Shock Spring "Black" --> Super Soft

Front are HSS Long Shock Spring "Yellow" --> Soft

More to come in Part 3.

D-Like RE-R - Under the hood! Part #1

Lets check the latest upgrades to my D-Like RE-R... under the hood. Part 1.

I feel I've been on a big learning curve with this D-Like RE-R chassis. Instead of the pinion spur / crown pinion sets, the belt ratings and CS% is hard to work out. And more so, finding a sweet spot that is more FR than 4WD is difficult.

Previously I had upgraded from the stock 40/14 14/40 50:50 setup to the 40/14 20/36. This was done to keep the stock belt set and as suck resulted in CS around 1.5 with the Yokomo one way front axle.

That setup was fine, but it was still a bit 4wd in nature (especially mid corner) and the stupid plastic rear gear had derailed a couple of times, so I decided to go close to what others are running and settle for the 14/40 20/32. The D-like rear pulley is a nice piece of kit, but is quite pricey.

But it had o be done.



I'm quite happy with the result so far. Here is the ARD rear axle and the Pulley before install.

the adjuster is underneath for battery clearance.

These 20T are quite popular so finding a matching set is proving a waiting game.

Next step Shocks.

280 ZX Livery

Designed the livery for the 280 ZX today. I can't wait to get this on track. I think it will beat the supra into action.

Kazama D-Link II

 Took my beast up to Kazama's new indoor track. Wow! the large space makes everything more difficult.

Dino brought the Speed Hunter for some action. It looks awesome and stood up well to the punishment. we just have to get it on a decent chassis next... OTA ZEON!???

Sliding around, the Porsche is strange, but cool once you get used to it.

It's fat but makes quite the impression.

The track doesn't have elevation anymore, but the big flat area showed my insufficient setup on my car.

I really haven't spent the time yet. So luckily some very kind locals helped me with toe angle / ride height and other stuff. It really makes a difference. some new springs coming. Super soft front, medium rear.

BUT, the big issue was my Propo. It was out of range and getting interference. It's an entry spec unit, but didn't expect that. Kazama told me Yokomo 2.4 ghz systems had lots of claims. So guess what. It's getting the turf.

next week. Maybe Santa / Sanwa will come early.

I leaned a lot tonight so it was a great experience. These guys are so awesome. Above is an Overdose chassis DRB with every conceivable modification. heavy but getting my attention. Thanks for the help!

I'll end with a bit of shakotan dori.

RWB - G-Force 9 Update

Well, this project is still in progress. I did the final sanding on the fenders and it would be ready for paint...

However all those people I "listen to" want side skirts on this one.... GRRRR

So I left the bottom section rough in readiness for the side skirt. I did a test bend of some Lexan and it should work, relying one curve of the material to find the right natural curve.

That should take another week or so...

then paint. I have all the detail trim pieces done, so after that it should "bolt together" quickly.

Street Jam 37SL +10

Street Jam have just released these 37SL in  +10 offset. Why buy these. Because they are coooL!

they are about 17" instead of the huge sizes available. they look great on AE86 which require that smaller wheel look and also on smaller scale bodies.

They have some great detail also.

I mounted them up ready for a trip to Kazama D-Link tomorrow.

280 ZX Shakotan Livery

I've been thinking for a while about a livery for the 280ZX. I almost gave up and went for a single colour, But. I think I have a solution.

I love the Japanese fighter image with the red Japanese sun. (Yes, the sun IS red in Japan) and I wanted a race style + the Shakotan image is unavoidable. So I sat down today and sketched something with a biro.

The only bit I'm unsure of is the head light area. Red or Black? Maybe I'll go black. Red maybe a bit much.