OS's DF03RA 240z Rebuild

[OldSchoolRC]

Picked this up a while ago and was using it for drift duty...just to be different. Ran it a few times and put it on the shelf as I have a dedicated drift machine and this didn't hold a candle to it. I just picked up a 240Z Rally body for another chassis (TB01) and I completely forgot it was a short 251mm WB body. Doesn't fit the TB, so I decided to repurpose the DF03 for what it was meant for.

I picked up a set of Pirelli rally tires with the body, and slapped them on some stock car wheels and bolted them up - looks pretty good imo. Of course, nothing is ever easy - I hacked the body mounts a while ago to fit the NSX drift body, and they are nowhere near tall enough to fit the Z...so a quick call to TamiyaUSA and a new N tree is on the way, along with a Dark Impact body for an undertray.

Chassis as it sits...Few mods here and there. So clean! That won't last, lol! Have limiters and 90wt oil in the shocks from drift duty installed. Definitely going to have to change that around. Going back to stock length, springs, and 40wt oil and see how it feels. Never actually built it in the stock configuration.


Wheels look great, but I'll have to change the offset a bit - they are tucked in way to far. Especially in the back! Have a set of TG10 long axles here somewhere that should solve the issue.


Love the shape of these cars, and the detail of Tamiya's body is as usual stunning! Nailed this one perfectly imo. Do plan a full light set-up, though torn about adding the light pods on the hood. While they look cool, I kinda like the clean look without them.


Paint scheme TBD...may stick with stock, may try something different, not sure yet.

[wyoming]

Looking great so far

[OldSchoolRC]

I love the look of this chassis. Don't know why per-se. Has a nice rake to it with the shaft coming down the middle at an angle. Almost hate to cover it up!

[OldSchoolRC]

240z is coming along...rebuilt the shocks for rally duty so it's back to the right height, and added in 60/40wt oil as a starting point. Got in the body mounts and undertray this week.

Undertray ... still need to sort out the electrics, forgot how tight it was under there. May just leave it clear, not sure yet.


...and got the body sprayed. Decided to forgo the kit red and go with "Datsun Brown....not sure how I feel about it yet. Always looks better after some detail work though, so withholding judgement. Need to trim the foam a bit so the body can drop down. Not sold on the wheels/tires yet...might try some other options. Blue nuts REALLY need to go!! Drifter bling has no place on a rally car.

[OldSchoolRC]

And done! Really don't like the hood light pods....the lens is clear, so all you see is a LED sitting there. Totally ruins the look of the car. Might make them opaque and hope it diffuses the lights somewhat. Only thing I can think of.



Got everything crammed in there, I had to shorten the motor wires quite a bit (soldered directly to the motor) and the new 2.4 receiver is so small, opened up a ton of room. Think getting the undertray to fit on over top the electronics was the hardest part. Added velcro on the sides later to hold on the undertray. No plans to paint it. I'm just a set of parts away from a DI should I ever want to go that route.


Took it for a spin in the driveway tonight after work, and it really needs more dampening in the front shocks...they bottom out everywhere! Car looks great zipping around though! The base HPI ESC I have stuffed in there was not at all happy about the lack of airflow and the lipo though. Had to be close to thermalling - I could barely touch it. Might cut a vent out.

[cobaltleo]

that looks awesome. paint job on that body looks sic* like the real deal.