ZX-1R ready for Pro Series

[Mayor Frithe]

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh143/rcmayor/Caster%20ZX-1R/th_IMG_0576.jpg (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh143/rcmayor/Caster%20ZX-1R/IMG_0576.jpg)
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http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh143/rcmayor/Caster%20ZX-1R/th_IMG_0557.jpg (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh143/rcmayor/Caster%20ZX-1R/IMG_0557.jpg)

[vnmsgt]

Did you countersink all your screw holes on top?? Looks really nice!

[Mayor Frithe]

Ya, I usually do that where I can. Also drilled the rear arm blocks and set the pins, this tightened up the front end quiet a bit.

I had to countersink the motor mount screws because those were the only type of screws I had. Since none were included in the package.:confused:

[vnmsgt]

I noticed that with the hinge pins too. Cool! Mind if I post these pics on RCU for some to see?

[Jason Porter]

Looking good Mayor! Got mine put together and ready for the KS State series. I see you went with the older style towers, any particular reason? I didn't even play with those towers, I just went strait to the new ones. What shock set up are you starting out with? I put 1.4 pistons all around with Losi 40wt and blue spring in front and Losi 35wt and yellow spring in rear. Not sure if the rear setup will work, feels pretty soft on the bench. May try the 1.3 in the rear with the same oil/spring if the car seems to want bottom out to easily.

[bc24fl]

Ya, I usually do that where I can.
I had to countersink the motor mount screws because those were the only type of screws I had. Since none were included in the package.:confused:

Mayor, besides producing a flat surface, any other benefits to using countersunk screws?

[Mayor Frithe]

Hey Porter, Kyle said his came with another tower also. This one seems to fit the suspension pretty well, it is the only one that came with mine though. I will have to check out the other one next week. It has good down travel and up travel but I did unscrew the front shock bottoms 2mm. I went with Cam and Dave's suggestion of 1.4s all the way around, 50wt front 45wt rear, both AE. I put the yellows on cause they look cool, lol, but will probably end up with the blues. I always tend to start on the softer side of suspension, then stiffen up the front end, then the rear and see what feels the best. The setting I couldn't decide on is the front width, I ended up with 275 mm, 2 degrees camber and 1mm toe out per side. It has been a while since I have ran a pivot ball setup, I knew there was a reason I kept the Hudy setup stuff, lol. Knuckled cars are so much easier in this area, but are limited in their settings. I have read about a bump steer issue with the car, and mine ended up with some, I will see how it works stock then toss a couple washers under the rack and see how this changes things.

The stock Caster tires look pretty cool and mounted up nice. Gotta love that Caster bond, sorry I bought it all. haha. Dave didn't even get any.

[Mayor Frithe]

I noticed that with the hinge pins too. Cool! Mind if I post these pics on RCU for some to see?

Sure, doesn't matter to me.

[Mayor Frithe]

Mayor, besides producing a flat service, any other benefits to using countersunk screws?

I've always felt they stiffen things up a bit and are harder to work loose. And if done right they center up the screw really well. It is also easier to clean since the surface is smoother, and it looks cool. I have always used stainless in my cars, it looks better than the black stuff and never gets that orange cast to them if a little water is left in some areas. I also re countersunk all the bottom screws as some of them were a just above the surface of the chassis.
Another thing you should always bevel is the fuel outlet on the bottom of the chassis. It helps keep dirt from packing in there lessening the effectiveness of the fuel drain.

[bc24fl]

Is there a manufacturer that sells countersunk screws or is it a visit to the nearest hardware store item?

[Mayor Frithe]

I have always bought from mscdirect.com, and mcmastercarr.com has most of the same stuff. Your local hardware store would have to be way better than the crappy ones around my area to have screws the size, material, and lengths we need and at a good price.

[slick4time]

is that a go tech motor

[Mayor Frithe]

No, it is a Novarossi P5 with a King Headz low profile head.

[skeller]

Is there a manufacturer that sells countersunk screws or is it a visit to the nearest hardware store item?



Tony's screws

[Jason Porter]

Hey Porter, Kyle said his came with another tower also. This one seems to fit the suspension pretty well, it is the only one that came with mine though. I will have to check out the other one next week. It has good down travel and up travel but I did unscrew the front shock bottoms 2mm. I went with Cam and Dave's suggestion of 1.4s all the way around, 50wt front 45wt rear, both AE. I put the yellows on cause they look cool, lol, but will probably end up with the blues. I always tend to start on the softer side of suspension, then stiffen up the front end, then the rear and see what feels the best. The setting I couldn't decide on is the front width, I ended up with 275 mm, 2 degrees camber and 1mm toe out per side. It has been a while since I have ran a pivot ball setup, I knew there was a reason I kept the Hudy setup stuff, lol. Knuckled cars are so much easier in this area, but are limited in their settings. I have read about a bump steer issue with the car, and mine ended up with some, I will see how it works stock then toss a couple washers under the rack and see how this changes things.

The stock Caster tires look pretty cool and mounted up nice. Gotta love that Caster bond, sorry I bought it all. haha. Dave didn't even get any.

Sounds good Mayor,I don't have all that fancy dancy measuring tool stuff I just eye balled with a flat ruler. From the looks of where your threads are on the pivot balls I'm pretty close to the same width and camber. Did your car come with what I believe is the newer akerman plate? It's already raised on the ends where the linkage attaches. I have a bit of bump steer also, but nowhere like my MBX5R was.

I want to try out these treads, they do seem to be pretty cool and they do sit on the wheels nicely.

Good luck in Nebraska, do us proud?&^

[Mayor Frithe]

Ya I think my ackerman plate has the step in it, but I don't know if it is the newest one.

[Mayor Frithe]

Tony's screws

I am pretty sure Tony has always been against stainless...

[vnmsgt]

Ya I think my ackerman plate has the step in it, but I don't know if it is the newest one.

If it is the one in your pics of your buggy then that is the old one.

[razzor]

not a fan myself .
Have had screws break or sieze in parts but only with stainless and others have experienced it too.

Maybe just bad luck but havent had any hassles since changing back to std or mild steel screws.

[Mayor Frithe]

I have personally never had much trouble with stainless as long as you take care of where you use the 3mm ones at. The 4mm size have never been any trouble anywhere. It is still all steel. You sometimes have to watch the screw heads though as they can get a little wollared out after using them for a while.

[Mayor Frithe]

If it is the one in your pics of your buggy then that is the old one.

Dammit, my car is an out of date clunker already and it hasn't even been on the track. :)

[vnmsgt]

LOL! If you are team driver call Cam, he has them. If not I have one in stock.

[Mayor Frithe]

What is different about the newer one?

I should be at a race with Dave and Cam this next weekend so I will have to check it out.

[Jason Porter]

looking at your pics again, I might still have the old one. Does anybody have a pic of the newest ver. akerman plate (Skeller)? I was thinking the one with the stepped up mounting was the upgrade, and the older ver. was simply flat.

[vnmsgt]

Here are a couple pics of the new plate.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/vnmsgt/ACKERMANPLATE002.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/vnmsgt/ACKERMANPLATE004.jpg

[bc24fl]

vmnsgt, I have laying around my house an ackerman mbx5t plate. What do you think of these?

[vnmsgt]

I really do not know anything about them. It might fit, not sure. I try and put as little Mugen parts on my Caster as possible.

[Oasis]

I'm running one on my K8T..I thought it worked great..I dont have to many Mugen parts on my Caster..;)..I am trying a few things but the suspension, shock angles, Arms are all Caster..so to all who think that my Caster is more Mugen than Caster.. <*&..lmao

[Mr Fusion]

What is different about the newer one?

I should be at a race with Dave and Cam this next weekend so I will have to check it out.

Where are you from? I should be there too, btw.

The Caster team is going to have a very nice showing I think. ?&^

Especially if they let me run my electric car... otherwise I might not be going. I'm still waiting to hear back on that one. My nitro isn't really ready for racing. The motor isn't running good at all, and I pulled the servos a couple weeks ago. So it's dead weight at the moment.

But I'm getting my EX-1R ready to rock and roll... <*&

[bc24fl]

I really do not know anything about them. It might fit, not sure. I try and put as little Mugen parts on my Caster as possible.

LOL, :&!@ no props to grandpa company. So disrespectful Chris!

[vnmsgt]

I absolutely despise mugen!!! Long story but I will NEVER own a Mugen! Has nothing to do with mugen themselves just someone I used to know who had one and he thought it and HE was the $h1T and I HATED that guy with a passion so when I hear mugen I think of him LOL!

[bc24fl]

I absolutely despise mugen!!! Long story but I will NEVER own a Mugen! Has nothing to do with mugen themselves just someone I used to know who had one and he thought it and HE was the $h1T and I HATED that guy with a passion so when I hear mugen I think of him LOL!

vnmsgt, do you know anger is a secondary emotion. Feelings of hurt and sadness occur first. What did mister mugen do to you? Also tell us how that makes you feel? :rolleyes:

[Mayor Frithe]

Fusion, I am from the KC area, Dave and I are driving up Friday morning. See ya there, Carlton usually is pretty lax for someone wanting to run an electric. I believe Sturgeon ran a brushless electric truck in the Gas Truck class in Iowa.

[hakmazter]

Are you sure that is the right ackerman plate? I thought the holes were not supposed to be connected?

confused webguy.....

[Answer-RC]

... Another confused Ackerman plate viewer here.

Some clarity would be good - maybe its a CAm question.... CAM!!!!! Come out wherever you are!

I was under the impression ZX-OP16 was an older optional item not the newer one...

Pete

[vnmsgt]

That is the same design as the OLD OLD version, not what is on there now. That is the one Cam sent me to replace my plate on my buggy. Yes it does have connected holes but the holes are a full 5mm thick instead of like 2mm on the current ones so they will not break.

[razzor]

a pic of teh 2 ackerman plates for referenec will be nice as well as the difference with the shock towers.

[hakmazter]

I just know that all new kits will come with the correct plate. Mikey and Cam had a long discussion about it. I'll get Cam to pop on here and let you guys know what plate is the correct one.....

[skeller]

If no one posts the new plate up today I will take some pics of mine tonight and post.:#$

[skeller]

Hak....can we get the emoticons from the chat room on here to use....they kick ass!!!

[vnmsgt]

EVERYBODY HAPPY NOW!

OLD ONE
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/vnmsgt/ZXOP-16-01.jpg

NEW ONE
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/vnmsgt/ACKERMANPLATE004.jpg

[razzor]

so the difference is just that one is recessed and the other is not ?

[Jason Porter]

If those pics are correct then I have the old one. So whats the purpose of the newer ver.? Was the older one a weak point, did it change akerman angles, bumpsteer?

[skeller]

If those pics are correct then I have the old one. So whats the purpose of the newer ver.? Was the older one a weak point, did it change akerman angles, bumpsteer?


I was told that the geom. was different with the new one. I have them both at home and have compared them....new one does have different geom..

[razzor]

it changes the position of teh ball for bumpsteer.

[Mr Fusion]

Fusion, I am from the KC area, Dave and I are driving up Friday morning. See ya there, Carlton usually is pretty lax for someone wanting to run an electric. I believe Sturgeon ran a brushless electric truck in the Gas Truck class in Iowa.

I'm not sure now if I'm going.

I emailed Carlton about running electric and he gave me thumbs down. He doesn't want any controversy which I understand.

It's too bad... most people think the electric 1/8 cars are pretty cool, some used to laugh at it, but now they are afraid of it. Actually, I think very few racers would have a problem running with an electric, but it only takes one guy bitching to cause a big problem.

I might still come down to hang out, but this kills the weekend for me. I was pumped to finally get some serious time on a big track with the Fusion.

Scrambling to get my nitro going doesn't sound good to me right now...

[Mr Fusion]

The "new" plate (which is actually old...) or what we are calling the "USA" plate

The US spec plate is thicker where the holes are, and the holes are tight/connected instead of spaced apart. Other than that, I think it looks identical.. same shape if you pay one on top of the other.

There is also a third plate that is a completely different shape. It has the holes more toward the rear of the car.

[hakmazter]

But our intent is to have only one. No reason to have 5000 different things. These all exist for racing development. There are a few custom shock towers floating around also.... Just had to figure out what works and why...

[hakmazter]

Tell Carlton to let you run. It's not like you are going to win anyways.......j/k. Is he planning on having a separate class next year?

[Mr Fusion]

He already gave me the thumbs down.

No I wouldn't win, but I could very well make the A and that might be a "problem" in the eyes of some racers. You know how it is... nobody cares unless you beat them. Then it's a big deal.

Remember the big stink in the PGA over the handicapped golfer who wanted to use a cart? Same deal... some PGA guys looked at it like he was "taking" a spot from someone who deserved it because they could play within the rules.

[Mr Fusion]

Carlton's email if you want to talk to him

nitrooffroad@rcprosites.com