Optima Mid Runner (Almost Done, New Arms installed)

[bigjeepzz]

Hi all, first post here. I figured I would post some pics of the Optima Mid project I am currently working on. I started with a rough Optima Mid for a really great price locally. As i started digging into the car I realized even though the car looked rough, it was actually in pretty decent shape.

My plan with this car is to run it so there were some things I needed to do. First was to add a slipper clutch to the car. I machined a new top shaft for the car with allowed me to run a slipper assembly from an AE B4. I also used the B4 gear cover by drilling and tapping a new hole for the top 3mm screw.

I ordered new universal swing shafts, 68mm for the front and 62.5mm for the rear. A friend of mine gave me a set or Lazer ZX-R arms to get measurements from and I will be machining new arms for the car, the same length as the ZX-R arms.

I ordered ZX-5 rear hubs, front carriers, steering arms and wheels. After mocking up the car, I will end up with the proper track width between the front and rear tires using the new wheels with different offsets.

I added a LWB chassis and machined a new upper brace, lipos cradles, wing mounts, and wing buttons. Once I get my arms machined, I should be able to get the final assembly done. I hope to finish the car in about two weeks.

Enjoy the pics.

Jake

[HKS_TRD]

Wow

Nice work!

Are you able to get arms machined out of aluminium?

[eddscott]

That is fantastic work.

Any possibility that the top shaft and Lipo holders might be made in small numbers?

Would definately buy them here!

[bigjeepzz]

I made a few of the top shafts and selling on eBay.

The arms are actually being milled from Nylon 6/6 but could be milled from aluminum if I had the material.

I still have some of the material for the lipo cradles as well.

Hopefully, I can get the car finished in the next couple weeks. I just had my new wheel shafts delivered today and all I need to do now is rebuild the front shocks, and wait until next week to machine the arms.

I have access to a CNC mill but I have to travel to use the machine.

Thanks guys

Jake

[Dazzieboy]

Some great work going on there. It's great when vintage cars get new life breathed into them with a mix of old and new gear. I take it you have seen Luke's Procat? Mine is similar and on the Schumacher website under the vintage section

[oli4ke]

Originally Posted by bigjeepzz

I made a few of the top shafts and selling on eBay.

The arms are actually being milled from Nylon 6/6 but could be milled from aluminum if I had the material.

I still have some of the material for the lipo cradles as well.

Hopefully, I can get the car finished in the next couple weeks. I just had my new wheel shafts delivered today and all I need to do now is rebuild the front shocks, and wait until next week to machine the arms.

I have access to a CNC mill but I have to travel to use the machine.

Thanks guys

Jake

You did some great work Jake

[alcyon]

so you are the one who has been selling the B4 top shaft for the mid on ebay. i made one about 6 months back too but mine is one piece. I see you are using MPP LAZER arms, same one i am using. Unfortunately these arms seem to flex noticably. However they should not be easy to break. so far mine holds up fine. i am however getting fed up with the Mid as i always seem to find sand in the gearbox no matter how hard i try to seal the drive train. i run on extremely dusty and sandy tracks so the sand is very fine. However the good thing about the mid is with the use of the aluminium chassis, its practically unbreakable. i have thought of going to my Lazer ZX but i think in few weeks i will probably snap the graphite chassis. i will re seal the drive train one more time and re try again. I just found out that the pargu2000 alloy center gear i installed 8 months back is now chewed up thanks to the sand in the gearbox.. bummer.
oh yes, do read my blog on the optima mid and what changes i put the car through..
http://superturbooptimamidspecialzx-5.blogspot.com/