Kyosho Inferno 1992 (MP3) Build

[K-Max]

Hi everyone, I'd like to share my build on the 1992 Kyosho Inferno. This is the first Inferno buggy designed by Yuichi Kanai-san, and the one that started the World Championship winning streak. I purchased this as a NIB kit. I had one back in the day, so this was a nice build for me. Unlike my MP5, I never held on to my own MP3.

I still have the Kyosho Catalog from 1992. Here are some pictures of the Inferno in it. I always liked the body shape of this and the Turbo Inferno the best.

[K-Max]

A couple of pictures of the box. In those days kits had so much box art, I recall the sense of occasion when getting to take home that RC car kit you'd wanted.

[K-Max]

Interesting, this kit came with the shock absorbers pre-assembled. The differentials too. So assembly was quick and straightforward.

The shocks have a nice, brown anodized color.

The gearbox halves slide together easily. The rear comes with a sway bar, and I added the optional front sway bar too.

[K-Max]

A few more optional parts that I was able to find off ebay. The ballraced steering system, special tie rods and steel shock bushings.

[K-Max]

Optional parts from the 1993 Kyosho Catalog.

Note the BSW-60 special main chassis. This would be used later in the Turbo Inferno (MP4).

From my MP5 project parts hunting I was able to find BSW51 engine mounts and BSW52 brake discs so these could be used in this build too.

[K-Max]

Next I added the radio tray. I fitted it with the optional purple radio posts so they match with the engine mount. The Inferno came with a Lexan wing, but instead I fitted a nylon one from later series. The color would match nicely with the stock yellow wheels.

[K-Max]

I sourced an engine from the same period, the OS RX-B, from Japan. During that time these engines had exhaust port outlets that could be removed and re-fitted with tailored manifold designs like this one from Kyosho. I liked the fact that the manifold could be bolted to the crankcase... no retaining springs needed!

Took me a while to track down the BSW-48 custom silencer. Eventually I found a pair from Australia.

[Lavigna]

Very cool find and build. Some nice upgrades as well. I'm also a big fan of the Inferno series. The vintage blue headed OS engines look right at home on these buggies.

Great photos and thanks for posting.

[K-Max]

Thanks Lavigna!

I’m so impressed by your Turbo Inferno builds. I’m glad to be able to contribute these early Kyosho Inferno series builds.

I’ll be hunting for period-correct servos, perhaps Futaba 9302. Then have the shell painted next. I hope to get this car completed with radio gear as well.

[K-Max]

At long last I was able to find these option parts that I had in my Inferno back in the day, the BSW-55 center diff mount and the BSW-19 steel gear.

The radio plate would require some trimming to make way for the brake lever arrangement of the center diff mount. Actually it seems the indicated 15 mm still doesn't provide enough clearance.

Before and after:

[Lavigna]

Looking great! Those BSW55 center diff mounts are beautiful pieces, and difficult to find. Can't wait to see this completed.

[K-Max]

Thanks Lavigna!

For the longest time I couldn't find the BSW-55, but then I saw it bundled together with an assembled Turbo Inferno on auction (with a new BSW-60 blue chassis too).

Now I'm trying to find period correct electronics, with the Inferno I'd look for the right receiver too since it's visible and not hidden from view in a receiver box.

Here's an excerpt summary of equipment used that I found from an article in Radio Race Car magazine on the 1992 1/8 Off Road World Championships in Usingen, Germany where the Inferno started its winning streak.

Something more trivial to share, a commerative key chain:

[Dadio]

At long last I was able to find these option parts that I had in my Inferno back in the day, the BSW-55 center diff mount and the BSW-19 steel gear.


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The radio plate would require some trimming to make way for the brake lever arrangement of the center diff mount. Actually it seems the indicated 15 mm still doesn't provide enough clearance.


20211020_152619_remastered.jpg


Before and after:


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20211020_204715_remastered.jpg

Those friction disks on the breaks look very like Asbestos , still in use in the 1980's early 90's , might be worth checking , lovely build , great to see the old school stuff right out of the box fresh as the day it was made .

[K-Max]

Thanks Dadio. They are indeed made of asbestos.. thanks for pointing that out, I'm going to change them out just to be safe.

[K-Max]

I've found my perfect radio gear for this build, a Sanwa Mzechs system with ERG-XT servo for steering and ERG-XS for throttle. This appears to be what was used by Kokushi Toge in his World's winning Inferno.

Took a little extra care to get all the throttle and brake linkages to all come together.

Job done, and now moving on to getting the body shell painted.