Optima Mid rebuild project

[eddscott]

On the 23rd March 2011, this sorry specimen arrived at my workplace.




11 months later I've finally completed my Mid rebuild.

















Parts used:-

Fibre lyte carbon parts - chassis, top deck, motor plate, motor bracket, front and rear suspension mounts
RC Screwz Optima Mid stainless screw set
Lunsford Racing titanium tie rods
Lazer FS CVD driveshafts all round
Lazer FS velvet shocks
Alloy rear wing mount
Laser FS 2.2 white wheels front and rear
Schumacher mini-pins

Geared diffs installed but have ball front diff and front one way.

Hope you guys like it. Full rebuild thread is on Tamiyaclub. Cleared some space to start my Egress rebuild. Hopefully it won't take quite as long!

[gainsy]

Very nice work indeed
My fav vintage car

[alcyon]

wow, you actually used the velvet big bores on the mid! i already ordered them and still waiting for them, i thought i was the first guy to do that !
check out my blogspot for my optima mid build.
http://superturbooptimamidspecialzx-5.blogspot.com/

[eddscott]

alcyon - Have you fitted your mid with ZXR front and rear suspension? Was there a reason or just fancied the mod?

I notice you have the hoop front shock mount - I've been thinking about buying this for my mid. The OE shock mount is too low for the Velvets. If you look at mine I've put the shocks on the farthest out hole of the arm which isn't ideal.

I'm in two minds whether to use this or shelf it. If I use it I'd definately go for the hoop mount.

Thanks for the kind words. If I'm completely honest when I say rebuild I would say the only thing that made it from March to now is the belt

[Supercoolnothing]

That's seriously nice mate, I love the old optima mids I've had a soft spot for them since I used to race one in the early 90's

[alcyon]

Originally Posted by eddscott

alcyon - Have you fitted your mid with ZXR front and rear suspension? Was there a reason or just fancied the mod?

I notice you have the hoop front shock mount - I've been thinking about buying this for my mid. The OE shock mount is too low for the Velvets. If you look at mine I've put the shocks on the farthest out hole of the arm which isn't ideal.

I'm in two minds whether to use this or shelf it. If I use it I'd definately go for the hoop mount.

Thanks for the kind words. If I'm completely honest when I say rebuild I would say the only thing that made it from March to now is the belt

ed, if you read my blog you would see my reason. but i will still explain here to you, i love talking about the Mid ! The original optima Mids suspension is terribly outdated by mid 89. You see, the Mids competitors at the time like the Yokomo Yz-10 had long arms that had the outer hingepin placed inside the wheel. This gives the arm more leverage, so it absorbs bumps better. it also gives the wheel much less tire scrub. Tire scrub happens on the mids arms becuase the outer hingepin is way before the wheel, so the arm moves at a lesser radius, that means the wheel will actually go a little bit inside the higher up the arm goes. Kyosho used the original optimas arms and this was the problem. They only realized it later in 89 and corrected this on the Lazer ZX.
About the shock tower, its from fibrelyte and i have listed the part number on my blog. i used that tower becuase mr Instone said it would make the front gearbox stronger on the Lazer- i figured it would do the same thing for the Mid also. There is also more reasons to use this shock tower. There are so many upper shock mounting holes to choose from. There are 4 holes going horizontally in a downward arc, and in 4 columns! that means 16 holes for you to choose from! If you have long shocks or want to reduce your droop, you can use the upper holes. if you have short shocks or want to increase ride height and droop, use the lower holes. if you want the shocks to lean in more, use the inner holes. with the optima mid towers you only have upper or lower hole choices- thats it. but bear in mind you have to cut the front end of your body and you cant use the body clip. i just double sided tape the front end to the front gearbox. Look at my video i posted on the blog to see more !

[Gayo]

I'm pretty sure you could also fit FS/FS2 modern arms and hubs. I was thinking about doing that mod to my Optima (not Mid!) but I believe now that it is a bit overkill

I would do it to a Mid LWB though. Wish I still had mine

[alcyon]

Originally Posted by Gayo

I'm pretty sure you could also fit FS/FS2 modern arms and hubs. I was thinking about doing that mod to my Optima (not Mid!) but I believe now that it is a bit overkill

I would do it to a Mid LWB though. Wish I still had mine

i tried the ZX-5 arms, problem is, the ZX-5 does not give any option to reducefront trackwidth. also you must place a lot of spacers in the suspension mounts becuase the new arms are much more narrower. becuase of this, your inner hingpins will also bend easier. i have written all about it in my blog.

[Miggers]

Superb job with some very tasteful modern tweeks.

I just wish you 'orrible lot would stop posting up these fabulously
restored Optima/Optima Mids.

I'm sick of kicking my own arse for selling my Mid for £25,yes,£25
around 12 years ago..........

It went to live in Crewe(Cheshire)and I'd love it back!!!!

Mark

[oli4ke]

Hi guys,

Here is my new built Turbo Optima Mid Special
Built with 100% new genuine kyosho parts and costed me a small fortune....
Still looking for a genuine body and decals

Brgds

[alcyon]

Originally Posted by oli4ke

Hi guys,

costed me a small fortune....
Still looking for a genuine body and decals

Brgds

the original body is going to cost you another small fortune ! seriously, those original tyres with white lettering looks really mean. i beleive you wont run this car right ? its super clean !

[oli4ke]

Originally Posted by alcyon

the original body is going to cost you another small fortune ! seriously, those original tyres with white lettering looks really mean. i beleive you wont run this car right ? its super clean !

Thanks Rama, no runner for sure

[eddscott]

Originally Posted by oli4ke

Hi guys,

Here is my new built Turbo Optima Mid Special
Built with 100% new genuine kyosho parts and costed me a small fortune....
Still looking for a genuine body and decals

Brgds

Wow. Knowing how much mine cost, using all genuine part would have been so much more.

Looks incredible.

[alcyon]

[Welshy40]

Originally Posted by Gayo

I'm pretty sure you could also fit FS/FS2 modern arms and hubs. I was thinking about doing that mod to my Optima (not Mid!) but I believe now that it is a bit overkill

I would do it to a Mid LWB though. Wish I still had mine

Sorry to say it but the wishbones on the FS2 are an inferior product compared to the Lazer ZXR or mid. Dont forget the cars nowadays are built cheaper so the companies can make money on breakages. Still a very good idea though never the less.

Also I read somewhere the width issue so may be a good idea to replace the UJs with rebuildable MIP kyosho versions and get a slightly wider front and rear hex to widen the car a bit. I have done this using an HPI front hex and standard ZX-5 hex on the rear with my ZXS and it does make a big difference.

[alcyon]

Originally Posted by Welshy40

Sorry to say it but the wishbones on the FS2 are an inferior product compared to the Lazer ZXR or mid. Dont forget the cars nowadays are built cheaper so the companies can make money on breakages.

how so true, if you watch zeitgeist addendum they will say exactly that. in a fast paced world, continual obsolence is the norm, to make you spend more and more money. They just dont build them like they used to !