New Conversion Kit for Tamiya DF-03 Dark Impact
 

A big chassis from KM-RC.com :o
I saw it on this web link!! It's attractive enough to buy~
Dark Impact Conversion Kit

- High Quality KCI Graphite Chassis

- Shorter Linkage between the Steering part and the servo

- Structure weight redistributed with saddle packed battery

http://www.km-rc.com/oscommerce/cata.../DIK-100-2.JPG

http://www.km-rc.com/oscommerce/cata.../DIK-100-3.JPG

yea it does look nice, the cells look nice and close together to keep it narrow. the last time I saw it all the alloy was silver, I guess this is the finished item ?!?
Looks ace, I hope the servo fits under the newer shells like the Keen Hawk, I guess it should.

You have seen this chassis before?

This is the KMC conversion, that moves the cells from central to 3+3 arrangement, plus it moves the servo much further forward, although I do think the servo will fit, what put me off this conversion is the fact that the weight distribution and component placement has changed, and the one reason people like the DF-03 was the component placement and weight.

But I am sure Jimmy would be willing to test it, if not, I would!!!

I quite fancy this conversion myself, was considering buying a DI and seeing this, has made my mind up. Just concerned about the steering servo fitment with the stock shell, would any other shell fit???

Is the conversion release date, 15th November, a confirmed realease date?

I saw this conversion at a hobby show many months ago, I think it had SSG carbon chassis and didn't look anywhere near as nice as this. I was also looking at it last week and all the alloy was raw and not anodised, these photos must be very recent because afaik they weren't there last week.

The weight move isn't a big issue for me - and might even be better since the weight is more centralised (front to back) so might turn quicker, it looks great. I'm sure they tested the servo placement with the Impact shell but a shell like the Keen Hawk might be a little different up front. We'll have to see.

wonder if them servo mounts will fit a xx4/x5.. could make a few bob on them if so.

I have to get me one of these! Lee Davies at Oswestry has a DI and the carbon conversion has sold it for me. Are you doing a review Jimmy?

YES!
I will be reviewing the KEEN HAWK (just different shell) around late december time. Along with a host of upgrades for a follow-on review, with the KM RC chassis conversion, Yeah Racing alloy upgrades, Square carbon towers and alloy CVDs, Tamiya option One Way / Slipper / Shocks (if I can afford them).

The exact details are to be decided

Everything thats good basically. :)

Thanks to RC Square (via RC Champ) - KM-RC - Yeah Racing, for their help.

Jim, when you come to it, grab me on MSN for some build tips, I am going to wrag mine around in the break between rounds tomorrow, haven't used it for ages. got the Tamiya centre one-way, Tamiya shocks, B4 turnbuckles, DF02 CVD's, Carbon towers, if it goes well, I will get the 3Racing conversion, I like their stuff (shame they wouldn't send stuff to you to reveiw, maybe I should get on them Jim, lol)

I certainly will mate, its one of the most exciting cars around I think - almost wish I had reviewed my Impact earlier, ah well.

will do, it is silly stuff like shock limiting, dremmeling etc....

Are the df03 shocks the best ones to get ? Or are tamiya coming out with more ? They look different to those on the TRF 510x is why I ask.
Can the car accept different types of springs, like Associated ?

I've not ordered the Tamiya hop ups yet - I was waiting for the front one-way but I've yet to see it for sale.

I can try, they seem to be a standard size, and the DF03 shocks are rather good, although they do give a little too much drrop (freaking loads more than you need on the rear), so may cause trouble with running dogbones, but some fuel tubing solves that. The DF03 shocks are top notch to build, fill and bleed.

Hey this is good news an OFFICIAL Oople review of the DF-03 chassis. They are always very indepth and very class.

I've had a DI since the middle of the summer and it's my favorite car. Apart from some mechanical difficulties it is very sturdy and flys like a Harrier.

I'm new here, is there a place I can formally introduce myself?

I've been lurking around these parts for a couple of years, I signed up to the Doughty boards to get info on the CML racetrack and thought I'd sign up here to heap praise on Jimmy and his magic camera (outstanding work mate, you make the cars look so cool). I'll keep my replys short and infrequent because I may have bored DCM off the Tamiyaclub forums with my ramblings about the Dark Impact. :)

Elliott.

ah, I lost me log-in on there dude, so haven't been on in a while.

I just got the diff out-drives this morning (with the postie grumbling about MORE asian packages...) so will post to let you know if the front outdrives fit the rear.

are front are rear diffs different ?

the parts they use are different, but when built up, they look the same, I will have a look later and build up the rear diff with the front outputs and see if it works.

'TrevCoult' from Tamiyaclub pointed out something interesting the other day, particularly if you want to run a 'balls out' motor.

The Super Astute pinions, which go down to about 18 or 19T are the same 0.5 module type as the kit DI gears. They are still available on the 'Bay for £5 a pair. These:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1&I=LXEX40&P=K

should also work.

Elliott.

The front and rear do seem a bit different. Sorry bout pic quality. Click the image for a better pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...Ioutdrives.jpg

or run the RW layshaft with a B4 slipper and run 48dp gears.....

I know they are different, but when built, I think they may give the same size...

Did you say it is possible to run 48dp with .5 module steve? as thats what I'll have to do since I have no .5 pinions

you can, but it will be noisey and bugger up the spur within a few runs.

Sorry for the questions guys, but there is a definate learning with this Dark Impact for me as my background is messing with crawlers;)

But, it looks like I might plum for the "RW layshaft with a B4 slipper and run 48dp gears". So can someone PM me with regards to what is a good size pinion/spur to use and also where/how to go about getting the needed parts.

Again my apologies for the nooby "Q's":confused:

Oh well, .5 pinions it is then :jimmeh

I would think a range of 24 to 29 would do you, that would cover stock/19t up to a 10 or a 12 turn motor, go with the 78 or 81 tooth spur gear.

www.rwracing.co.uk and either email or call him, the shaft isn't up on the website.

TAM DF-03
78 81
PIN 17 14.02 14.56
18 13.24 13.75
19 12.54 13.02
20 11.91 12.37
21 11.35 11.78
22 10.83 11.25
23 10.36 10.76
24 9.93 10.3
25 9.53 9.90
26 9.16 9.52
27 8.82 9.16
28 8.51 8.84

who makes .5 pinions ? I trust its not just tamiya ?

Jimmy,

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...r+12t&FVPROFIL=++

Robinson Racing do. They do a full range as well.

They work in my Madcap and Vanquish.

Elliott.

I nearly have enough bits to get started on the build of my Dark Impact - just waiting for postie to fetch the last bits.

My spec looks like this ...

Single piece rear diff outdrives (from stellamodels)
3 racing stainless turnbuckles
3 racing motor plate
centre one way
white wheels (bound to be faster)
Tamiya spring set
DF02 universals front and rear
yeah racing locking hex hubs
RW layshaft and B4 slipper

I have dremelled my chassis to accept my LiPo pack (looks stock unless you look closely)

I will be using the std shocks (with the Tamiya spring kit) and towers etc for the 'Q-Ship' effect.

Steve can you suggest a ratio for a 11x2

Robinson calls these "Metric 48 pitch" but they really are the same size as Tamiya 0.6 module (Tamiya calls them AV pinions nowadays).

They are NOT 0.5 module and they are a lot bigger than imperial 48 pitch.

If you dig out your Tamiya pinions from your M-03, DF-02, TT-01, TB-01, TA-05 (stock), you will see what 0.6 module looks like.

DF-03 is 0.5 module. As far as I know DF-03 and Super Astute are the only cars with 0.5 module, so I don't think Robinson are going to make these pinions.

I'll what the 48dp pinions fit like, but I cant see it being too hard to fit a b4 spur on the tamiya slipper, but we'll see! Not much point reviewing a slipper that no one can buy.

I'm wrong about the Robinson pinions fitting the DI then. OK. I was intending to check them last night. But didn't get round to it.

Elliott.

Make everything 48dp I say

Rob, 78/23 I would start with and go larger on the pinion from there, I ran a 78/28 on a 19t on the weekend.

Thanks Steve

This is my B4 Slipper in place....

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...lipperDI-7.jpg

Any chance of a build up or part numbers for the B4 slipper and RW layshaft.

Looks good btw;)

you need to email RW Racing for the shaft (www.rwracing.co.uk)([email protected])

B4 Slipper Hub x2 (alloy bit) 9604
B4 Slipper Pad x2 9603
B4 81t Spur 9651
B4 Slipper Spring 9605

The layshaft also uses an M3 nut to keep the hardware metric.

Just to let you know, the front Diff outdrives fit the rear, no problems, I just fitted mine, that will stop the diff plate slipping on the plastic holders, best I go find a hairy motor then!!!

Thanks for the parts numbers, much appreciated ;)

Im on the case :cool: