ZX5 to SP conversion

[DanB4]

Is there any way of telling if my second hand ZX5FS (which is an amazing car by the way and handles so well!) is an original FS kit or an upgraded SP? I can post pics of any part of the car if needed.....

I just got the car, no manuals box etc over a year ago and it's the best off roader I've ever owned - amazing on grass.

Dan

[mattb]

Originally Posted by DanB4

Is there any way of telling if my second hand ZX5FS (which is an amazing car by the way and handles so well!) is an original FS kit or an upgraded SP? I can post pics of any part of the car if needed.....

I just got the car, no manuals box etc over a year ago and it's the best off roader I've ever owned - amazing on grass.

Dan

post some pics up mate

[Col]

Originally Posted by Col

Upgrade from what? SP?

Originally Posted by mof

Yes, since upgrading from anything else would not result in FS...

But the car in question is not an SP, so it really needs nearly £300 in upgrade parts? Alternatively I'll rephrase the question! Does the upgrade kit include the revised geometry and driveshafts etc? I guess the answer to that is no.
This is the reason I ditched Kyosho - massively overcomplicated selling structure. If the car was designed correctly first time round there would be no need for constant expensive revisions.

[Neil Skull]

Col,

I dont want to waste my time with you, This is a Kyosho forum to help and give advice, If you dont like the cars go and hijack another thread.

[carlin]

Originally Posted by Neil Skull

Col,

I dont want to waste my time with you, This is a Kyosho forum to help and give advice, If you dont like the cars go and hijack another thread.

Agree

Neil is only trying to help & provide information

[mattb]

Originally Posted by Col

But the car in question is not an SP, so it really needs nearly £300 in upgrade parts? Alternatively I'll rephrase the question! Does the upgrade kit include the revised geometry and driveshafts etc? I guess the answer to that is no.
This is the reason I ditched Kyosho - massively overcomplicated selling structure. If the car was designed correctly first time round there would be no need for constant expensive revisions.

those constant expensive revisions you talk about is called development tamiya have done it with the 501x now the 511x etc etc hobbys cost money thats just the way it is i own associated cars my self and the quality is a million miles short of the quality you get with kyosho.

[mof]

Originally Posted by mattb

those constant expensive revisions you talk about is called development tamiya have done it with the 501x now the 511x etc etc hobbys cost money thats just the way it is i own associated cars my self and the quality is a million miles short of the quality you get with kyosho.

Yes, 501X, 501X WE, 511....

And the same goes for touring.

And for example Team Durango already has a new revision of DEX410...

[baD]

Originally Posted by Col

But the car in question is not an SP, so it really needs nearly £300 in upgrade parts? Alternatively I'll rephrase the question! Does the upgrade kit include the revised geometry and driveshafts etc? I guess the answer to that is no.
This is the reason I ditched Kyosho - massively overcomplicated selling structure. If the car was designed correctly first time round there would be no need for constant expensive revisions.

Col - usually I agree with you, but you are a bit off with the 'development' crack, as the other posters have mentioned. It's a bit like saying Ford have it wrong by producing more and more improved Mondeo's year on year. (no Ford jokes please ) In addition K do us a service by offering upgrade packs, instead of forcing us to buy a new car.

I do very much agree upgrading from zx5 to FS2 will be very costly, hardly worth it even if the donor zx came for free.

I do still have an original zx-5 and now an FS2, new out of the box. Both are superb builds, not one thing missing, a few extras thrown in (may be a mistake) and no need anywhere for a dremel, hobby knife or file except where the manual indicates - and it drives superb, particularly for the less talented drivers like me.

I do think the differences from ZX5 or -5 SP to FS are immense, they are very different animals, but from FS to FS2 are minimal (unless driven by the very top drivers I believe)

[baD]

P.S.
While I'm here, does anyone know why the FS2 additional manual pages advises cutting out a chunk of the front arms?

I've looked, pulled & pushed, but with the box manual setup nothing seems to hit the arms at that point ever!

[DanB4]

Originally Posted by mattb

post some pics up mate

Here you go.

Only things I've done to it is the alloy front/rear upper bulkheads and changed the springs, it came with yellow springs front/rear.

Cheers,

Dan

[mattb]

Originally Posted by baD

P.S.
While I'm here, does anyone know why the FS2 additional manual pages advises cutting out a chunk of the front arms?

I've looked, pulled & pushed, but with the box manual setup nothing seems to hit the arms at that point ever!

the ball studs only catch the arms mate depending on where you mount your shocks as kit setup they dont catch hope this helps matt

[mattb]

Originally Posted by DanB4

Here you go.

Only things I've done to it is the alloy front/rear upper bulkheads and changed the springs, it came with yellow springs front/rear.

Cheers,

Dan

looking at your pics id say you have an origional fs there pal because when you convert sp to fs you dont get the proper turn buckells and ball cups in the conversion kit which you have

[DanB4]

Originally Posted by mattb

looking at your pics id say you have an origional fs there pal because when you convert sp to fs you dont get the proper turn buckells and ball cups in the conversion kit which you have

Good to hear, cheers Matt!

I am tempted to buy the rear suspension parts and bodyshell to make mine more FS2-esque.

Dan

[mattb]

Originally Posted by DanB4

Good to hear, cheers Matt!

I am tempted to buy the rear suspension parts and bodyshell to make mine more FS2-esque.

Dan

its made mine ride the bumps a tiny bit better on the rear not that they could make it much better but i realy like the new shell loads more room inside to help cooling and fit your electrics in,if you have a look a an fs2 manual they tell you to build it with less anti squat that makes a big difference makes the car take the bumps loads better on power

[Col]

Originally Posted by Neil Skull

Col,

I dont want to waste my time with you, This is a Kyosho forum to help and give advice, If you dont like the cars go and hijack another thread.

Actually, I do like the zx5. Still own it (even if it is gathering dust)

Originally Posted by baD

Col - usually I agree with you, but you are a bit off with the 'development' crack, as the other posters have mentioned. It's a bit like saying Ford have it wrong by producing more and more improved Mondeo's year on year. (no Ford jokes please ) In addition K do us a service by offering upgrade packs, instead of forcing us to buy a new car.

That's exactly my point, though! Ford only changed the Mondeo a year or 2 ago after nearly 10 years with the old one! The same applies to Associated - the basics of the car (whether we're talking B4 or B44) are essentially unchanged from when they were released.

Anyway, it appears I've tread on some toes, so I'll apologise and leave the room.

[Neil Skull]

Originally Posted by baD

P.S.
While I'm here, does anyone know why the FS2 additional manual pages advises cutting out a chunk of the front arms?

I've looked, pulled & pushed, but with the box manual setup nothing seems to hit the arms at that point ever!

Hi Bad,

I just checked out an FS2 tonight first time i seen one built. Cutting the chunk out the wishbones stops the bottom of the ball on the steering knuckle rub, I had it on my FS1 just dremeled a bit so when the shocks are at full droop the knuckle was free.

[Neil Skull]

I Wish knew someone who built the FS conversion at some point. I thought Roger may be able to help as i am sure he run the SP.

I know the upgrade does fit the ZX5 onwards but i cant remember what was included in the bag. buttttt even so if you have a ZX5 converting to to a FS with LAW38 will make you a lot faster and a car which is much more up to date.

[baD]

cheers guys - thx for the replies

Must be when the shocks are set inner/inner, cause all the other positions I've used and the steering knuckle can't touch the arms (not on mine anyway)