Optima Carpet Oval Time Capsule

[Charlie don't surf]

I'll check out my Twister shells for you, they seem a good 1 1/2" wider than a standard shell. Whatever it is, It fits that Optima it came on really well.

[highwayracer]

I just bought these off of eBay. I've never seen them before or even heard of the company. The package says they fit the Optima but not specifically which.

As the label says, those parts were made by CRM which was a company based out of the UK. When I first saw those, I questioned the rep why they would build a plastic part instead of just using the aluminum part. If you've ever raced and maintained an Optima though, you'll know that the aluminum hubs are very easy to strip. This piece has been molded so that a 3mm nut is placed on the inside of the hole. So when you use the shoulder screw, you'll be attaching it to the metal nut instead of the plastic.

They had a bunch of interesting goodies including 48 pitch Tefnol gear conversions for the Optima/Ultima series, along with a gold aluminum box chassis for the Hotshot.

[Mr. ED]

Hey Roger, are CRM and RW-Racing the same?

[highwayracer]

Hey Roger, are CRM and RW-Racing the same?

Hey Erik, I'm not sure... They might be. Just like S&K began selling the Andy's products. I remember you picked up some Tefnol gears a few years ago. I don't know of any other company that does Tefnol.

As for these parts, the catalog states:

206-1 OPTIMA STEERING BLOCKS - Comprises one right hand and one left hand block together with four fixing nuts. Fits bearing correctly. King pins will not strip. Very Strong $4.15 (back in 89)

There's also part 206-2 which is the same part for the Yokomo. So these parts were probably designed for the Yokomo but sold for the optima as well. And of course, they can be used as rear hubs on the Yokomo cars.

The address on the catalog is from Cathedral City, CA... Which makes sense having a US distributor if they want to make a dent in the US market.

Regards,
Roger

[Charlie don't surf]

I measured my 2 new Premier shells, the Super Wedge is 20x9 3/4, the LD Wedge is 21x10.

[Lowgear]

Thanks for taking the time to get those measurements for me!

It's been over two years now since I got this, and I still have not done a single thing with it. As a matter of fact, today was only the 3rd time I've had the body off.

The reason for this updated post is I was looking at the motor again through the guard, and I figured out what it says. I can make out that it says Engineered Performance with MIP sandwiched between those two words. Does anyone have any info on this motor? I'm having a hard time finding anything about it.

[j0pp3]

Isn't it easier to just take the motor out, and take a better picture of it?

[Lowgear]

But of course. I just didn't want to take this apart yet until it's next in line to be restored. I've learned my lesson (somewhat) from previous experiences. Once I start taking something apart, it has a tendency to never go back together again.

[Lowgear]

Since I've owned this, I've never done a single thing with it, and it's closing in on 8 years now. For some reason out of nowhere it started bothering me that I've yet to clean it of it's 30+ year old grime. I think I felt it needed to be cleaned or the finish might start becoming permanently affected. I carefully cleaned it somewhat the other day in the sink just to get the heavy stuff off at least. I really need to take it apart and do a better job.

I finally took the motor out and cleaned it separately. I was right that it is an MIP motor... Well a motor with an MIP label on it anyway as I don't think MIP ever made production motors? There's no other markings on the can or end bell.

[tintin74]

Awesome project, please do post picture of the rebuild, if you get around to it! Would love to post the build on my website: www.kyosho-optima.com !

[Lowgear]

I'll definitely be posting some pictures during the process. It won't be for a little while though as I've decided to reconfigure my R/C work area.

I never realized that was your site. I've visited it numerous times in the past. It's really nicely done!


In other news, I also just realized that this Optima has the belt drive conversion as well!

[tintin74]

Thanks for your comment about my site!

It's great that the belt drive is also in there! Great piece of history you got there!