Optima Mid Shock tower..

[Mad Racer]

Im restoring my Optima that i raced back in 88.

I have set of Kyosho Gold shocks but i think its from a Lazer as they are longer.

Is it the first generation Lazer shock tower that fits.

Any help much appreciated.

thanks..

[highwayracer]

The optima mid either came with gold or platinum shocks. Both shock sets were the same length. So, either you have the wrong towers mounted on your car, or the wrong length shocks.

Wrong towers - make sure that the towers are mounted correctly (rear). I've seen cars that had the towers mounted in the wrong place or even upside down.

Wrong shocks - The lazer rear shocks are the same as the optima mid. I beleive that the lazer zxr used a slightly longer front shock and needed a longer front shock tower. The kyosho gold shocks actually came in 4 lengths:

short - regular gold front shocks that fit the optima mid, ultima, tourbo optima, etc..
medium - front shocks for the triumph & lazer zxr
long - standard rear shock for the optima mid, ultima, tourbo optima, etc..
extra long - this is used on the rear of the burns. It uses the same shock body as the long shocks, but shock shaft and springs were different.

If you have the ability to, please post a picture.

btw...yes, the first generation lazer shock towers (black aluminum) fit the optima mid.

Regards,
highwayracer

[adam lancia]

highwayracer: Don't all the Lazer series (except the ZX5 of course) shock towers fit the Optima Mid's? The bolt pattern is the same from one to the other but when using a Lazer rear shock tower on a Mid you have to flip the rear arms around backwards so the lower shock mounting holes in the arms are facing rearwards. You also have to mount the shocks on the rear side of the shock tower, not the front side like on a stock Mid.

[highwayracer]

The bolt patern is the same between the lazer series (not zx 5) and the optima mid. I've built all of the combinations including flipping the shocks from the front of the tower to the rear. I did it so that it gave me more room to fit the slipper.

In this case, I think we need to determine why the shocks are too long (front, rear or both). I think it can be a number of different thinks including having the wrong shock end on the shock shaft (using the ones from the turnbuckles).

Either way, I'd love to see pictures of the progress. I've built several mids and I've regreted selling each one of them. I'm sure this will also apply to the LWB mid that I'm building right now

Regards,
Roger

[Mad Racer]

Thanks Guys.

Im sorry didnt metion that i have the correct golds all round.

I herd a mod a while ago that a a Lazer front tower with medium length gold shocks helps the Mid a lot more.

While rebuilding the Mid a came across a set of almost new medium front golds.

So i have the shocks is it just a Lazer tower i need. Im not sure which lazer model thats all.

Thanks again for all the help.

Cheers.

Mark..

[optimaforever]

It was the lazer ZX-R which came with medium shocks at front.
Not sure if it will look as beautiful with medium shocks however.
Am not fond of the medium shocks at the front, it gives a "truck" look to the buggy.
Of course it's all about personal taste