As promised Jim ;)

So I've done some more work on the Optima Mid tonight. I've stripped and cleaned quite a few bits and my first batch of replacement parts arrived in the post this morning.
Attachment 73827

These are definitely the wheels I'll be going for.

Thanks for the info :thumbsup:

I noticed the thread concentrating on the mid, but must say you've got some very nice other cars inthere too.
The hotshot with that chassis is the rarest of the bunch, and thereby my favorit. But that Yokie is following close behind: excellent vintage race machine, and a classic optima is something every rc enthusiast loves on his shelf.

Thanks for that. I've done the mid first because it was the most complete. As soon as I started it I realised there was a lot wrong with it but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. The car I really want up and running is the Yokomo which I will start in the next few weeks. I never really thought of the Hotshot as rare but I suppose they are.

The Hotshot is not rare by itself (especially with the re-re a couple years back), but that custom chassis is rare for sure.

I got given that car when I was about 12 or 13. I've done some research on the Internet and it looks to be a TMS chassis. I don't really know much about it other than that?

YZ870?
 

Just wondered if you were considering selling the 870?

Sorry but I can't. That's the one car I really want to get back up and running.

No worries, had to ask!

So most of the parts have arrived for the Optima Mid and it's coming along nicely. New parts so far at this stage on the build are: chassis, drive belt and full screw kit. Thanks to Oli for the diffs and gearbox parts :)
Attachment 74039
I've got some new drive belt covers but should I fit them if I'm only running the car indoors?

fit them because carpet fibers could damage your gears too.

Won't that Lazer rear shock tower interfere with the gear cover btw?

It shouldn't do as its mounted on the rear of the mount, the normal mid tower is mounted in front of the mount (closer to the gear cover), with the top-link mount sitting on the rear.

You're right, I overlooked that the tower is mounted to the rear. I was thinking about a car of mine that has a Corally chassis, and similar shaped rear shock tower. The previous owner did mount the upper shock on the front and had to cut a part of the motor plate and gear cover to make room for the shock mount.

I'll fit the covers this evening. I never really thought about carpet and dust fibres.

I thought about changing the shock towers for Mid ones but the Lazer ones look to have loads more adjustment.

These are also more rigid, due to the different shape. The stock alu ones tend to bend with a hard impact, and the fiber upgrade parts can develop hairline cracks. Dan (Danb4) use(d?) to run 2 self made fiber ones, in sandwich construction for better durability.

I'm also in the process of giving my Mid a make over.

I feel 2.2 inch wheels look a bit out of proportion on the short wheelbase Mid, though it might also be the picture, as the front right wheel seems much bigger than the other wheels, due to lense distortion no doubt. The Ultima RB5 body looks pretty sleek on it. I wasn't expecting that to fit this well.

Nice car and the body looks cool too!