Advice on strengthening a ZX-5 RTR

[budgio]

I have recently bought a RTR version (EP?). What upgrades to the chassis would be recommended to strengthen things up??

[RogerM]

I would get an LAW31 front pivot pin bracket ..... that is all that is "necessary".

Some people will tell you that an aftermarket ali front shock stay mount is necessary but the current spec plastic part (which you should have) is really strong anyway!

I would suggest getting a couple of spare front shock stays (LA216) as they are usually the first thing to contact in an accident and thus the first thing that will snap ... although again the current ones seem very good. I'd advise against getting the carbon ones, just stick with the normal plastic part.

I hope you enjoy the car!

[budgio]

Having looked underneath the chassis and seeing the spur gear visible ,would an undertray be advisable?

[jim76]

any undertray is unecessary. the gap around the spur is designed to let little stones through if they enter the car, so they don't get wedged in the spur.

The alloy pivot brace at the front is essential. As Roger said the alloy shock mount support isn't essential as the new plastic ones are beefed up a lot compared to the original.
However i would recomment an atomic carbon front shock mount, and fit this together with the original shock tower to double the thickness. This is how most people run the car and it makes the front end bulletproof in all except the most freak/vicious crahses.

I would also add diff balls to the essential upgrades as the kyosho standard balls are like rolled up bits of bluetak. Get some AE tungsten ones, or PM "old timer" as he does some nice ceramic sets cheap through atomic carbon.

If your car has the phillips head screws then contact Dom at DC racing as he does a complete hex screw set for £10 and worth every penny, the phillips screws will strip heads in no time.

think that covers most of the vital bits.

[RogerM]

Yes forgot to mention the diff balls. Do them at first strip down.

That said both my cars have the stock balls in and no problems yet, but then again I do build my cars more like people would expect somebody to build a satalite than a model car and the extra care and time (There is nearly 60 hours invested in building the Lazer for example ... everything measured, everything test assembled, checked and only then finally assembled ............ I will not tollerate a car failing on me!!!)

If you can please post up a picture of the shock tower mounts so we can tell you if you have the lastest ones or not .. on the car will be fine!

Only other thing I can think off is the driveshafts ... if your going to put lots of load throught them (powerful brushless or lots of hard on power landings) it might be worth getting the normal kit CVD style shafts. No point until you know if they are going to wear or not though as they will be fine with milder motors and general use.

If you do go down that route it is worth considering the SP upgrade pack as it's about the same price as 2 pairs of driveshafts and brings the rest of the suspension up to the latest spec.

Enjoy the car.

[budgio]

Cheers guys
What is included in the SP upgrade kit,how much and where from?

[budgio]

I,m looking into replacing the (part plastic) cvd,s all round for my rtr but i,m a bit confused about which ones to order :
LA231 68mm
LA232 65.5mm
LA257 73mm SP
LA258 60.5mm SP
LA245 62.5mm

Any help appreciated

[RogerM]

LA231 and LA232 are what you need!

[RogerM]

That said, for a simialr amount of money you could get the LAW35 pack which includes driveshafts and all the bits needed to convert the car into the latest spec ZX5-SP suspension ..... a truely world class package.

To me it's a no brainer ..... get the LAW35!!!!!!!!!

[budgio]

Cheers Roger

[Col]

Do this particular "RTR" is not ready to run, and has already cost more than the "proper" laser?

[jim76]

it is ready to run as it has all the radio gear, speedo, motor, cells etc in it. All you really need is the front alloy brace for around £12 to strengthen it. The LAW35 is an upgrade that will make it into an almost full spec ZX5 SP for just a few quid more than the SP kit but with all the electrics included.

you can run the car out of the box and be competitive at club level, but beginners are more likely to hit things and break front pivot blocks hence the advice for the alloy bit. It wil lmake their racing more fun as they will hopefully spend less time repairing the car

[Chris Green]

I didn't think it came with cells or a charger?

[budgio]

No it doesnt come with any batteries/charger but still a great buy at £125 all in

http://www.kyoshoamerica.com/carsand.../30861T1-B.asp

Now to track down a LAW35 pack.

[RogerM]

DC Racing will get you one .....

[Chris Green]

How much is the LAW pack?

[jim76]

around £60 i think - Roger?
the same price as two sets of UJ's but also has the new front end geometry and shock shafts, so a bargain really.

[RogerM]

Not 100% sure .... £60-£70 I think.....

It doesn't include the shok shafts and you can work around them too, I have kit zx5 shafts in my own car.

If you don't already have a zx5 then buy the bundle pack, great value!!!!