Turbo Optima?
 

Hi Guys,

I've always wanted an Optima since I first started out with R/C cars; and I've finally managed to get hold of one, with the intention of restoring and rebuilding it.

I think it's a Turbo Optima, is there anything to look out for, other than the Gold shocks and anti-roll bars to help identify it properly?

Thanks, Colin

Hey Colin, It looks like a Turbo Optima to me, it has the guard under the chassis. What motor does it have? It could be a Salute, they were pretty much the same car but with a different body and they didn't come with a motor in the kit.


Keith ;)

Hi Keith, Thanks for the reply. It has come with an aftermarket motor, not sure about which one as the label is badly damaged. I'll try and get a better look for you during the tear down. It has also come with an aftermarket bodyshell, not even sure it's a Kyosho shell, so that doesn't help identify it either.

That's a good thought on the Salute, did that have a chain or belt drive? I know that this has a belt drive.

Colin

If it has a belt the it's converted. I don't think any kit came with that stock. The arms where also reinforced on the Turbo Optima.

Scans are always nice inspiration. Here's the Turbo from the Kyosho Catalog back in 1987.

http://joppis.dyndns.org/turbo_optima/catalog1987.jpg

Man I gotta get me some of the old Kyosho catalogs, awesome pics.:thumbsup:

As Joel said, the belt drive was an upgrade offered by Option House. All the rear motor version Optima's from the original Optima up to the Optima Pro came as chain drives.

I have a nearly complete Turbo Optima project myself as well as a NIB one, seeing those pics makes me wanna get my project's body painted.

Keep us updated with the strip down and rebuild.


Keith ;)

Hi Joel,

Thanks for the scans, you're right they do give some inspiration for the re-build. I had a feeling that the belt drive was an option, so I seem to have fallen lucky there.

When you mentioned the arms being reinforced, do you mean with ribs or the material itself?

Keith, will gladly keep you updated. I've not raced for a couple of seasons now, and wanted to do this as a way to keep interested in the hobby. The Optima does seem in pretty good condition (if a little grubby), the only part that seems to be missing is the front bumper.

I did have an old Le Mans 600E motor, but I think i gave it away! But I do have an old HPI UNO motor that may get fitted.

I may be back on to question you guys regarding part numbers and issues I may have if that's ok?

Colin

You are right...the belt drive is the nicer option especially for running. The chain is a bugger to get right and skips. Rare to find the belt conversion kit and if you do goes for a lot of wonga.

Your HPI UNO sounds interesting! Forget about the 600E Le mans...not a good motor for the optima..an endurance motor found with some 1/12 setups. Get a one of the 240/360 Lemans for 4wd instead.

Been doubting myself all afternoon now with that motor. Anyway, after a bit of delving around I managed to find it stashed safely away with my old ZX-R. :thumbsup:

Here's a couple of pictures, not sure on the wind though.

Colin

http://www.hpiracing.co.jp/contents/...d_list0808.xls

Maybe this useful list could help?

The original Optima had wishbones made with thin sections with no material between them to beef them up. The Turbo and Salute wishbones have thicker arms and extra webbing bracing the wishbones. The Optima Mid arms are even stronger and include cutouts so you can use metal collets to keep the Optima inner pivot pins in place instead of relying on the grub screw into plastic.

To answer most of your questions you can find the manual here http://www.retromodelisme.com/manuel...ma-kyosho.html

Plenty of old Kyosho catalogues to browse through on Retromodelisme.
http://www.retromodelisme.com/liste_doc.html

Hi Terry,

I've managed to get hold of a manual thanks, that was the main reason behind the post to be honest, so I made sure I was looking for the right parts.

Are you aware of any newer parts that may retrofit the turbo from other models. Such as drive shafts, cups etc that may be hard to find, if I need them?

Thanks, Colin

The whole suspension is used on the Mid, along with the diffs used in the belt drive conversion. The Ultima uses similar gearbox internals, if the final pinion has had it the plastic Ultima one with the Ultima layshaft is a good replacement if you can't find a hardened final pinion. The driveshafts, axles, diff internals were still used in the Lazers as well, and there are very few parts that are hard to find.

Started the stripdown tonight, so thought I'd post some pictures of the Optima along the way. It does seem in pretty good (if dirty) condition; fully ballraced throughout, and the gearboxes and belt covers were sealed with silicon - so someone took some care of it at some point.


The only problem during the process was a sheared ball stud on one of the steering knuckles.:thumbdown:


Just got to start cleaning, and checking parts to see if they can be re-used, then onto the re-build.

Colin

Great ! The 80's cars were the best ! You'll need some Coca Cola for the screws, the turnbuckles and the driveshafts :) . I think that your motor is an old Trinity Speed Gems.

Thanks for that, I was trying to figure out what motor was in the car; but half of the label has perished.

Out of interest what will the coca cola do for the screws, turnbuckles and driveshafts - is it just a quicker way of cleaning them?

Colin

Looks like it'll clean up well Colin, having a straight front brace and lower guard is a bonus too. Looking forward to seeing it all cleaned up and finished.


Keith ;)

It's a Trinity Speedworks machine wound budget modified. A better photo of what's left of the label will give a clue of what wind it is.

It is supposed to be a rust remover, but citric acid or oxalic acid are much faster and cleaner to use. Plenty of videos on youtube demonstrating their use. Wash afterwards with a baking soda solution to neutralise the acid.

Hi Keith, you're right; it is all pretty straight (rails and plates etc). I have found some bent drive shafts, but hopefully I can find replacements for those. The only thing that is missing is the front bumper, and I believe those are as hard to find as hens teeth.

Colin

Thanks for that Terry, I'll give everything a run through the cleaner first to get rid of the majority of crud and rubbish, then see what I'm left with.

I'll have a closer look at the motor tonight, and post another picture if needs be.

Colin

Hi Colin,
Great to see another Optima fan out there :thumbsup:
From looking at the pictures, here are some things you will need;

Belt drive lexan cover(expensive for such a part)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/W-0105-Lexan...item5d3fef760d

Stabilizer bar link(complete, not partial, you only need the link)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kyosho-OT-54...item439bf72c30

Gold shock collars
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kyosho-W-501...item460ed47966

Or you can clean them really good and dye them also

And the correct rear springs.

Maybe you can find most parts here.

Like Keithrc said; "Looks like it'll clean up well Colin, having a straight front brace and lower guard is a bonus too. Looking forward to seeing it all cleaned up and finished."
That's a bonus!!!

:thumbsup: