Best Hop-Ups for Original Optima

[Mr. ED]

I'd suggest to add the slipper mechansme of the turbo optima if it's gonna be a driver.

Is that the same as a torque limiter?

If by torque limiter you refer to the special moter pinion... no. the part nr is OT-74. It mainly consists in a different topshaft,with slipper assembly on the outer gear.

[Bormac]

The most important part you'll require (PERIOD) is the hardened final pinion gear which sits on the top layshaft inside the trans casing. Without it you'll be a lot of trouble.
I run the belt conversion set, Option House Gold Shocks, Motor guard and a few other bits which go into making the car a little more reliable including a 48dp spur conversion set.
You can run Lazer ZX5 rims on it too.

[CNA75]

Thanks, Jason. Do you have a link/pic for the type of hardened final pinion gear you are talking about?

[Bormac]

Im afraid I dont. They are an Option House item. The kit version is alloy but more like cheese in my opinion. There are two types which I have seen. A darker coloured 'hard' version and then a 'teflon' bronze looking coated one. I am sure they are both equaly as good as each other and far far better than the kit item.
They rarely come up for sale but if you keep an eye out or perhaps ask other members here if they could spare one (even used would do).
I refuse to even run a kit item.

[CNA75]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Robinson 48 pitch counter and centre gear kits? Good / bad / differences?

[Mr. ED]

I have a couple and am far from happy with them: the countergear doesn't sit centered on the axle, and the spur gear gear s had badly centered cuts and couldn't fit on the backgear.
The hard pinion is available from Pargu or TBG now (don't remeber which of both)

[CNA75]

I have a couple and am far from happy with them: the countergear doesn't sit centered on the axle, and the spur gear gear s had badly centered cuts and couldn't fit on the backgear.
The hard pinion is available from Pargu or TBG now (don't remeber which of both)

Thanks. I see that Pargu is making the Final Pinion although it doesn't say whether it is hardened or not. Does anyone have any experience of Pargu's Final Pinion gear that they can provide feedback on?

[Mr. ED]

I think it says something about different colours being available. That would indicate the part is anodized. wheither it is hard-anodized is another story ofcourse.

[CNA75]

I think it says something about different colours being available. That would indicate the part is anodized. wheither it is hard-anodized is another story ofcourse.

Yeah. Not sure why one would want that part anodized. Presumably, it can't be seen once the car is fully assembled?

[Mr. ED]

Anodizing is primarly used to harden the surface. The ability to change the clour at the same time is just a bonus, though in some cases it's the only intent. To get a sufficiently thick layer of hardened material you need more time than to change the color. So some companies will save money by shortening the anodizing time... And that's when you get parts which you can almost scratch the colour of with your finger nail.

[Mr. ED]

Another recommendable hop-up: replacements for the cast knuckles upfront.
Towerhobbies had some for another car which fit perfect... oh my, how am I going to find that thread again

got it: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSD47&P=7
and these wheels to keep the original offset: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&W=001534853&I=LXNX95&P=K

And maybe one of the best hop-ups Kysosho Lazer suspension, plus not to forget: Kyosho RB5 CVD's

[CNA75]

Those blue front knuckles look great. My only hesitation is that they are not period hop-ups and I like to keep my cars true to the period. That said, I could be persuaded to make an exception here......I'll have to think about it.......

[jwscab]

strip the anodizing off, and they might look like a set of polished cast parts

[transamman908]

Heres a cool option house parts list: http://blog.vintagekyosho.com/optima-build/optima-option-house-parts/

And another cool site for the optima: http://theoptimahouse.blogspot.com/search/label/PARTS

[Mr. ED]

Pargu also makes another nice alloy part, I think it's for the bumper mount.
I'd love to make a killer otpima some day. I even once had a deal on a donor car, but the UK seller bailed out after I'd paid him : 'cause my paypal address wasn't certified (or whatever you call that). Not my fault though: only US addresses could be certified at that time

The dispute was ended with a refund but I 'd rather have received the car and let him keep the money.

Highwayracer has a super optima also: http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3619&p=33815