Quick update, change of plans with the chassis I've gone aluminium rather than plastic.

C/F parts are mostly here, chassis should be there tomorrow or thursday at latest.

All going well Two cars should be getting tested next week.

:thumbsup:

Hi all,

As you can see I managed to finish a car in time for RHR national (juuuust about).

It went on the track for the very first time in practice and I managed to get my best result so far by taking 3rd in the F final. The car had more pace however, but the manufacturing had taken its toll on the driver, it was a long and tiring week to get one car out for his race.;)

Well done that man, I've been drooling over the piccys Jimmy took for the RHR report,. My next question is When and how much for the conversion as i would like to have one? Will you be at the BRCs? I'd love to have a good look?

Hi Simon,

If you're on about the EOY finals, Richard Sharp shall be racing his own car at kiddy this week end.

As for production we're not there yet. I've already made a few amendments, mainly for clearance, but Niggs will be picking a car up at kiddy and testing it. Depending on what his feedback is we might have a few more changes, then make a third car with the amendments.

After that it will all come down to how much we can get the gearbox for, because at the moment it's too expensive to machine (we're talking 100 pound a gearbox here, lucky I made those two myself).

As for timeframe it's the big unknown, all I can say is that I won't sell a car that's done one meeting so far.;)

As long as i can have one by the time Petite comes around, LoL

That I cannot guarantee.

Looks very nice.Bravo Fabien!

"looks" ...?

I haven't seen a single picture of the real thing yet. Are they somewhere on display?? :p:p:p

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/2009n.../OOP_7199.html

I guess it is the builder himself?
Good work btw!:thumbsup:
I am very impressed!

/Mr. Pink

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/2009n...s/OOP_7201.jpg

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/2009n...s/OOP_7219.jpg

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/2009n...s/OOP_7204.jpg

thx Mr oOple.
You just beat me to it. I figured out I might find them in the album of an event, and just did. :)

awesome pictures and awesome X-ed RB5

Merki Ludo ça fait plaiz... :thumbsup:

lol, why in French?
I'm not native french-speaking. Are you?

Fabs is! :thumbsup:

Fabs, je viens de lire l' article sur le RHR avec plus d' info's sur ta bagnole fabuleuze :)
Il est mentionné aussi que tu pense a faire un kit.
Cela m' interesse tres fort, si cela ne devient pas trop cher eviddement.
Laisse moi/nous surtout savoir ou tu en est :)

and for the english-speaking people ... the same LOL

Unfortunatly I didn't have time to get my proto ready to run yesterday with me only picking it up Friday night, but am looking forward to getting it out on the track soon and will give feed back when I do.

Hat of to Fabs, all the hard work as paid of, you've done a great job.

One outing for the car so far in the hands of the designer himself, the car looked planted, handled well with plenty of turn in and for Fabs to get his best result of the year with it speaks volumes. :thumbsup:

well, I'll be saving from now on. Hope this kit won't get too pricy

Hi guys,

Thought I'd keep you updated on what's going on.

I've been quite busy making changes to the model, and I've pretty much finished now.

On the changes, I've mainly worked on providing more room around the motor. That includes a shorter T-plate and new battery strap (which I think looks neat). The pack is also now held by the chassis sides so there are less parts too. This will accomodate stick as well as saddle lipos.

I've modified the gearbox externally to move the shock tower rearwards to give the turnbuckles more clearance and this will also include tabs for the roll bar.

Motor mount has been modified for easier access to the motor screws.

I've designed brass plates to add 160g where it's needed.

Changed the chassis shape so the shell will fit better.

On the production side I've been looking at anodising for the aluminium parts, I'm just trying to find a way to make the gearbox affordable.

Nex stage is a small run of pre-production cars to verify everything fits.

Let me know what you guys think.

Oii Oii, slow down captain!! I haven't raced my proto yet, next week first outing! and your already developing it :o

Just kidding, the slight changes are looking good my son :thumbsup:

Just because you're lazy doesn't mean I am lol.

The car's good and Nathan showed us that :thumbsup:

Well, I'm no expert (unfortunatly) so I can't argue on the technical side, but it sure looks like a VERY nice job.
Must not have been easy and have taken plenty of hours designing, developing, ...
I just hope you can get this kit afordable, Fabs.

't a une idee vers quand tu pourrais produire ce kit?

ps: sure looks like LOTS of screws in the bottom of the chassis :)

Not just lazy Fabs, i'm wicked and i'm lazy :lol:

BUT I will get round to running her next weekend, can't wait. :thumbsup:

Hey Ludo,

There are less screws than on the first version.

ETA no idea, I have a few things to sort out first.

hey RSharpy,

we want a FULL report! :)

I can tell you what has been reported:

It turns in better than the X6, jumps very well and has a lot of on power steering, which is exactly what we want on astro.

This was reported by David Holmes who drove it at the F345 last week end (usually races an X6), and Nathan Ralls who drove it during a "features" race on that day between qualifying and finals, on grass.

No probs, full report/feed back will be given :)

have you done any tests on dirt/low tracktion tracks?

it looks awesome tho.. :thumbsup::wub

We'll be running on slippery floor indoors on sunday and the week after. The pre-production will also be tested on dirt.

looking very good.

1. Is there any bracket/holder that is going to secure the motor plate to the chassis? (e.g. think X6's small little "L" plastic piece, or the upgraded CNC-mchined E-speed one)

what i've found with midmotor set-up is the flex, especially in the axis of the motor plate.

2. i think a rectangular or "X" shaped battery shape is more secure than the "S" one, not to mention offer more rigidity to the chassis.

just my $0.02

can you still reuse the standard shock tower or the Atomic carbon one?

There is a carbon fibre brace behind the motor for the rigidity. I am still playing a little bit with this detail and might offer a stainless steel one for more rigidity, or maybe a 4mm thick brace instead. I am still unsure about how stiff this second car will be as I have changed the pick up point on the gearbox to make it stiffer.

But as standard it's already stiffer than the X6. I do not want the motor plate interfering with the chassis stiffness as this would be an assymmetrical addition.

The battery is secure as it is with the S shaped strap. In fact the brace is floating around the battery posts in order not to interfere with chassis stiffness.

Chassis is alreay very stiff as it is, on the prototypes I removed 3 out of 6 screws on each aluminium side to get some flex!

No the rear shock tower is specific but rest assured it's 4mm c/f and should sustain pretty much anything.

I know it may be awhile before there out but I know I would like to bring one of these State side, will you be shipping to the US?

about flex ...
X-factory just recently presented the plastic chassis with the intention to get some more flex.
IMHO a very stiff chassis will not be the best thing.

having driven the car on both astro and grass i found it to be very adjustable, easy to setup and drive. the kyosho shocks and geometry retain the supple easy to drive feel that the rb5 has but like the x6 going mid motored just reduces the laptimes as you can push so much harder. fabs conversion makes the rb5 have the steering agression everyone wanted from the rb5 but it still retains the safe rear end under power and thanks to the mid motor doesnt want to wheelie everywhere. i tested the car to the max at stotfold eventually running a 5.5 and even that didnt unsettle it so i know it will be a winner in most hands

Fabs,

am I correct in thinking that you will need a speedo which can run the motor reversed for this conversion? I'm loosing the racing plot lately so may be wrong!

Yep you're wrong I've designed a 4-gears gearbox...

I thougt so ...
when you design a new gearbox, might as easy be a 4-gear one :)

Fabs, can't wait to hear more about this kit :)
I just recently fell in love with the RB5 ... and think it would be great to have the best of both combined: the smoothness of the RB5 and the edvantages of a midmotor.
Maybe you should considering beginning a new company, called: Y-factory ;) LOL

Ha ha thanks Ludo, you do realise it's gonna be a few months before I can sell the car.

I mean, it's only been raced 3 times so far, and the pre-production cars will also need checking.

offcourse, sir, but just wanted to let you know you have a fan :)
I like working with or helping out motivated people :thumbsup:

Very nice work Fabs:thumbsup:. I just love it when Europeans makes RC cars now days. So much better than from the other side the pond.
I am very impressed with your work and if it is anything close to a Durango or Xray in build quality, you will easily get your invested money back. Put me on the pre order list.
Keep up the good work and god luck!

fabs - sorry, completely forgot that you are building a brand new chassis too. in which case, pls disregard my comments about chassis flex.

how does the standard body shell fit over the rear? do u have any pics of that?