DF-03 winter project : some questions

[stefke]

I decided to have some fun this winter turning a DF03 into a racecar. I know many people tried this already but since I can't find a serious race report (besides Jimmy's, but that was with an almost bone stock DF03) and given the fact that I just LOVE the DF03 concept, I decided to give it a try myself.

I got a TRF501X to race so it's not going to be disaster if all goes wrong, and I end up with a good basher/training/foul weather car.

So I went to the internet and ordered the following at my usual HK supplier :

• DF03 Dark Impact kit (sorry for all the Keen Hawk fans, but the DI has a racier look )
• 3racing chassis kit
• 3racing universals
• Tamiya slipper (will use B4 spur)
• front oneway
• 3racing CF shock towers
• 3racing rear hinge pin brace
• 3racing front hinge pin brace
• Kanzen 3mm diff balls (OK, not from HK )
• 3racing Ti turnbuckles

Now from what I've read, the main issues in turning the DF03 into a top class racing car seems to be the following :

1. No anti-squad
2. No castor in the hubs
3. wheelbase 1cm too short.

Am I missing something ?

I'm going to try the car first with all the hopups and check a few things out for myself but I'm thinking about doing the following :

• Use TRF501X front arms and hubs (have to check trackwidth)
• Take my dremel and modify the rear gearbox so I can mount anti-squad hinge pin braces
• eventually, making my own chassis based on the 3racing chassis but longer and more side-by-side cell friendly

If you guys are interested, I'll keep you posted on the progres

Just got a message from the homefront : the postman deliverd a big package for me !

[V-Rossi]

Will you test it sunday in Arendonk?

[stefke]

Originally Posted by V-Rossi

Will you test it sunday in Arendonk?

Propably, because astro is the surface I want to build it for. The TRF501X drivetrain suffers a bit on high grip astro and all the tracks in my area are astro.

It could take a while though.

[budgio]

You may want to add the Df-03 hop up shocks to your project and the heatsink bars.

[stefke]

Originally Posted by budgio

You may want to add the Df-03 hop up shocks to your project and the heatsink bars.

Didn't mention it but I'll be using a set of AE B4 shocks. Those Tamiya plastic shocks are just a notch over "useless"

I forgot to order the heatsink bars. Thanks

[stefke]

Well, I came home from work and look what I found. Let the project begin.

[Rob H]

Originally Posted by stefke

I decided to have some fun this winter turning a DF03 into a racecar. I know many people tried this already but since I can't find a serious race report (besides Jimmy's, but that was with an almost bone stock DF03) and given the fact that I just LOVE the DF03 concept, I decided to give it a try myself.

I got a TRF501X to race so it's not going to be disaster if all goes wrong, and I end up with a good basher/training/foul weather car.

So I went to the internet and ordered the following at my usual HK supplier :

• DF03 Dark Impact kit (sorry for all the Keen Hawk fans, but the DI has a racier look )
• 3racing chassis kit
• 3racing universals
• Tamiya slipper (will use B4 spur)
• front oneway
• 3racing CF shock towers
• 3racing rear hinge pin brace
• 3racing front hinge pin brace
• Kanzen 3mm diff balls (OK, not from HK )
• 3racing Ti turnbuckles

Now from what I've read, the main issues in turning the DF03 into a top class racing car seems to be the following :

1. No anti-squad
2. No castor in the hubs
3. wheelbase 1cm too short.

Am I missing something ?

I'm going to try the car first with all the hopups and check a few things out for myself but I'm thinking about doing the following :

• Use TRF501X front arms and hubs (have to check trackwidth)
• Take my dremel and modify the rear gearbox so I can mount anti-squad hinge pin braces
• eventually, making my own chassis based on the 3racing chassis but longer and more side-by-side cell friendly

If you guys are interested, I'll keep you posted on the progres

Just got a message from the homefront : the postman deliverd a big package for me !

You are doing exactly what I am going to do over the winter, I am looking to make a lightweight racer out of the df-03 with new purpose made chassis.

I read some of your issues, I am new at this, interested in your comment chassis is 1cm to short?, what problems does this result in?, if you make the chassis longer presumably you will have to use a longer drive shaft, are these available. I have seen a kit conversion available fro 7 battery.

[stefke]

After seeing some video's of the DF03 on track and also from feedback here on the forum and from Jimmy's review, I found the DF03 looks jitterisch driving out of corners. A longer wheelbase gives more stability.

Making a longer driveshaft isn't doo difficult if you can use a lathe. But I also noticed that the driveshaft ends of my Hopup shaft from Yeah Racing are attached with pins. So all I have to do is push out the pins, remove the ends and find some alumiunium tube of the correct diameter and I can make any driveshaft length I want.

[Rob H]

Originally Posted by Rob H

I read some of your issues, I am new at this, interested in your comment chassis is 1cm to short?, what problems does this result in?, if you make the chassis longer presumably you will have to use a longer drive shaft, are these available. I have seen a kit conversion available for 7 battery.

This is the chassis I am talking about.

Out of interest on wheelbases anyone know how does the length and width of the df-03 compare with the 501x

[stefke]

Originally Posted by Rob H

This is the chassis I am talking about.

Out of interest on wheelbases anyone know how does the length and width of the df-03 compare with the 501x

Give me a few days. My 501 is in 10.000 pieces for its post season overhaul.
Wheelbase is a few mm shorter compared to a Losi XXX CR, but that's a 2wd off course.