Twistedteddy

So I found this car in a storage unit. Ive had a few planes and when I was younger I had a hobbygrade car but this is older. And I could use some help with info.it came with the original novak t4. But had no motor, or center gear. And all the shock clamps were broke. Well I got board one day. So I put zip ties on the shocks to keep the clamps in place. I had an old 18v black and decker drill motor which bolted right in that I rigged the novak to and threw in my 11.1v 2100mah lipos in it and its alive! Lol! It has no reverse and the plastic center gear I rigged is now babys bottom smooth due to the torque but this hing FLIES! I can no longer drive it till I get a new center gear but thats prob a good thing. What kinda damage is being done to this esc, plus y no reverse? The drill had reverse. And any help with info or parts would also be greatly appreciated. I really wanna get this thing back to good working condition with upgrades. I here u can convert it from chain drive to belt. Any info on that would be great. Unfortunately all I have is a phone thats not allowing me to post pics... so no pics yet.

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

The ESC has no reverse programmed into it. And the 3S battery is a lot of voltage. You would want 7.4 volts max. The drill motor might be fine, but it depends on the ESC. I'd just get a new everything.

ESC; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Traxxas-XL-5...item1c43780272

Motor; http://www.amain.com/product_info.ph...rushed-Motor-1

Radio/Receiver; http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store...dProduct=15141

Servo; http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store...arehouse_.html

Battery; http://www.atomikrc.com/collections/...universal-plug

Charger; http://www.amain.com/product_info.ph...Charger-4A-35W

Adaptor; (optional, as Venom's packs all have Uni-Connectors) http://www.amain.com/product_info.ph...male-XT60-Plug

Twistedteddy

Thats what I figured. I just like to have lots of different facts, opinions, and options. Anyhing anyone may hav to add. Like the belt drive kit. Ide really appreciate it.

Twistedteddy

Also. I have grade A charger power supply and charger. I can charge your car! Lol! Anyways. Why no lipo? Lighter and more power. ..

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

That car can't handle the power of a LiPO, due to its age and plastic drivetrain. And okay, lol. Belt drive kit? As far as I know, there isn't one. Even if there is, I wouldn't go for it. Belts are a pain in offroad cars. Landing after jumps wrecks havoc on the belt and gears.

Twistedteddy

Well I definately dont want to ruin the car. The rear end seems to work fine. The front drive shafts were missing from the front so its only 2wheel drive right now. Im prob just gunna get it in decent running condition then sell it for something modern. If anyones interested I can txt pics. And I still appreciate any other info based on this cool vintage.

Big Alice

The belt/chain is completely enclosed in the Optima. No trash can get in. It came out with a chain that needed constant adjusting but they did make an after market belt kit for it. I have one in mine. It's well worth the money if you can find one. I raced mine for a couple of years with good sucess with the belt in it. Then they brought out the mid and the old Optimas were toast. The mid could turn a lot better. The mid only came with a belt. Anyway, I've bought parts for my Optima from these guys. I bought their last center gear, though. http://sabulatech.com/storefront/

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

Not about dirt getting in; its the landings off jumps. The change of speed makes a mess of your diff/belt/chain/whatever you use.

Big Alice

Well, you probably know more about this car than I do. I've only had mine since 89.

Twistedteddy

I was born in 89. And ive never heard of that being a problem in any rc car before... atleast not a decent one. I mean the promo video said time in the rc world will be known as before optima and after optima... like B.C. and A.D. so how can taking a jump cause ur dif to eat itself up. And how do I make sure the chain is tensioned right? Is there a tensioner?

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

(Like I've said before), when you put throttle on after going on a jump, the wheels will be spinning faster than the ground. When it lands, that puts a whole lot of stress on the drivetrain. This may cause your belt or chain to slip and cause premature wear. Same thing with sudden accelleration; I've ruined several belts on belt drive cars from this stuff.

Big Alice

You don't have to explain how a jump works. I raced this car for two years. The belt isn't the weak spot on this car. If you put brushless in there you'd blow the center gear not the belt. The Option House belt is very tough. You just have to have it sealed up to keep trash out.

Twistedteddy

Yall r referring to the optima mid with the belt. I doubt ill do the belt swap for my optima OG. I would like to know more about the chain adjusting method. Ill prob get the front axles to make it 4x4 at some point, so I need all the info I can get.

Big Alice

Refering to the belt kit for the Optima, not the Optima mid. http://theoptimahouse.blogspot.com/2...or-optima.html Here's a manual. page 26 shows how to adjust the chain. It's for the Turbo Optima but it's the same car. just pimped out a little. http://www.robobugs.net/wordpress/wp...ima_Manual.pdf

Twistedteddy

So I go to tension the chain loosen all the front screws and pulled the bumper like the manual shows and I decide I wanna take a look at the chain. I pull the cover and staring up at me is a belt... now this isnt the optima mid. The motor is in the back.. so doesthis mean someone has already made it belt drive? Or is this a different model? Everything in the manual matches though...

Big Alice

You got lucky. Someone already converted it to a belt. All the mids came belt drive from the factory. All of the originals had chain drive. The chain required constant adjustment due to stretching. After a while you have to start removing links cause it's too long. Becomes a real pita.The belt eliminated a lot of that. The Optima, Javlin, and Salute are the same car under the body. Lots of good info here. > http://theoptimahouse.blogspot.com/

rhylsadar

thx for that link. makes me feel very nostalgic. :-/
i can only pray that kyosho, now that they have re released the scorpion, will have a heart with all the die-hard optima fans and comes up with a re release of the original optima.

bye
rhylsadar

Twistedteddy

So for my optima I need a 39 tooth steal center gear. Preferably with bearings. Could even be any make aslong as diameter and tooth pattern are right. Not having the gear is literally why I cant drive it. Also. Its for sale or trade for short course truck. Somehing I can beat on and not feel bad about destroying a vintage...

Twistedteddy

Or better yet. The stock center gear it comes with. How many teeth is that supposed to have? I see dif. Sizes all the time and I kno the wrong size wont fit. The counter gear is a 28 tooth. What center gear do I need? All the help is appreciated.

Big Alice

kinda spendy. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kyosho-w-011...5#ht_624wt_798 If you're going to trade or sell it, it might be better to sell it as is.

Another one. It's cheaper but not as good as the first one. Same guy in Portugal. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kyosho-UM-1-...d#ht_509wt_784

Twistedteddy

Ive found metal ones on ebay for around 20$ just need to kno how many teeth for center gear to match counter gear. How much is it worth as is? Want it? Lol!

Big Alice

This is my old Optima. We were oval racing that day so it's setting low. The wing is laying there somewhere. Teddy, you have a pm.

Twistedteddy

The buggy this thread was started over is for sale on ebay. If I dont get what I want out of it as a whole ill part it out and prob make more. Min bid is 100$. Buy it now is 200$. Look up brookegriffin395. Its black with blue windows. With the belt drive kit installed this should b very desirable.

Big Alice

Cool, somebody bought it. Check this one out. A little above my pay scale but cool none the less. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIB-Vintage-...#ht_3021wt_798

Twistedteddy

I havent recieved payment yet. He said monday so it might get relisted. If I dont recieve it by then.