Turbo Optima mid SE

[XLR8]

I was going to get the Wing Stay ＆ Bumper Set (OPTIMA Mid) OT268, but some purchased all 10 available before I could purchase.

Hey Chuck, Kyosho currently has OT268 bumper set in stock.
... and shipping is quick.

[radioactivity]

All assembled and no problems.
Took 1 less shim.

I could have used the original case with the threaded inserts. Nope
I could have paid a king's ransom for a new vintage case. Nope
Or have a brand new case with clean threads and a couple upgrades.....

And blue bearing seals

Right click image. Open link in new tab. Get the BIG picture
Chuck

[radioactivity]

Found a few more parts.

240ST should be appropriate. No rust, no solder burns on the endbell.
Needs a new label on the motor and the terminals cleaned up.
Commutator cleaned up nicely and the motor seems to run well.
Hope this makes at least one person on the forum happy, maybe two

Really nice set of Platinum shocks.
I already cleaned the internals. New oil and green slime for the O-rings.
I pretty sure the original oil (smelled like hypoid lube) was still in them. It was very clean for their age.
The lower shock eyelets are correct and in very good condition.
Outside could still use a bit of polish but won't take much.

And a pair of W5061 Universal swing shafts. Very clean and very little wear.
The car had dog bones up front when I got it, but no longer.

Chuck

[XLR8]

Looking good Chuck.

Those Platinums look sweet.
I bet Derek is grinning from ear to ear.

[radioactivity]

I got lucky again in finding a donor Turbo Ultima that got me the platinums, universals and motor.
Looks like the 1st owner assembled the car drove it till it broke and shelved it.
Even the springs are nice.

I will be getting the OT268 but also new arms if I can get the ones with the sway bar holes in the front arms.
Last year I ordered arms for the Optima and they did not have the sway bar holes. So not yet sure when/what to order for arms.

I think the re-re front trans case may be a solution for your broken case?

Chuck

[XLR8]

Hey Chuck,

Not sure if your last comment was direct toward me but if it was, it's the rear trans cases I have with the broken wing mounting bosses.
I believe the re-re's rear cases have been changed to the point they won't accept vintage internals (gears and bearings are all different). Anyway, I have a workaround until I happen upon some unbroken parts.

... if it wasn't directed toward me, well then carry on.

[radioactivity]

Yep Doug

I thought you wanted a front case for some reason

What I can confirm is that the re-re rear case will probably not work with vintage internals. Gear spacing is one, idler mounting is an other.

Chuck

[radioactivity]

I took a couple pics of refinishing the older one piece pressure plates found in the ball diffs of vintage Kyosho diffs.


Wet sanded on a flat surface with 400 to remove grooves

Wet sanded with 1000 to help remove sanding marks

Placed in drill and polished on an 8" polishing wheel with coarse and medium grit polish.
Both the drill and the wheel spinning.

Assembled the diff with new diff balls and it is very smooth.
Way better than the new original one piece pressure plates.


Chuck

[coxbros1]

Looking good Chuck.

Those Platinums look sweet.
I bet Derek is grinning from ear to ear.

Yup...and with the motor!

[coxbros1]

I got lucky again in finding a donor Turbo Ultima that got me the platinums, universals and motor.
Looks like the 1st owner assembled the car drove it till it broke and shelved it.
Even the springs are nice.

I will be getting the OT268 but also new arms if I can get the ones with the sway bar holes in the front arms.
Last year I ordered arms for the Optima and they did not have the sway bar holes. So not yet sure when/what to order for arms.

I think the re-re front trans case may be a solution for your broken case?

Chuck

Chuck, how will u restore the Turbo Ultima without those parts?

[radioactivity]

Hey Derek

The wife says sell it. I'm a little on the fence.
It needs quite a few parts. Towers, deck, wheels, tires, electrics, body, universals, chassis restore (Duralumin ) etc.
Plus side - suspension parts aren't bad and the trans is done.

Those pressure plates are actually from the Turbo Ultima. I had forgotten to take pics of the Optima's front internals before assembly.
The Optima's front was done the same way.
I did catch one of the plates with the buffing wheel and it went flying... 3 hours later I found it.

That trans (Ultima) is back together now. After removing a pound of really nasty grease, replacing some bearings and properly assembling, it isn't too bad.

Got to finish Optima first... At least parts are starting to come available.

Chuck

[RichieRich]

I'm currently finishing up a Turbo Optima Mid SE restoration that I started years ago. It's just about finished. The only re-re part I've used is the body set. I think I may replace the front bumper with the re-re version. Is the bumper essentially the same as the original?

[radioactivity]

Though I can't say with absolute certainty, haven't purchased a new Wing Stay ＆ Bumper Set yet, I think it will fit.
Waiting on a couple of the new items to come available and can't determine the pin to pin width of the new front arms.

The new front diff housing and vintage bumper holes align.
So unless the front of the new chassis is wider than the vintage chassis it should fit. I kind of doubt that it is wider.


Chuck

[XLR8]

I'm currently finishing up a Turbo Optima Mid SE restoration that I started years ago. It's just about finished. The only re-re part I've used is the body set. I think I may replace the front bumper with the re-re version. Is the bumper essentially the same as the original?

The hole spacing on the new bumper is 18mm and it's 6.5mm back from leading edge of the recess -- this is identical to the old bumper.
As such, it will mount on an old car with no problem.
I think it's awesome that we can finally buy new bumpers for our old cars.

[RichieRich]

I ordered the re-re bumper parts tree. The bumper does fit. It's a little different than the original but it's 1000 times better than the beat up one I was using. I'm almost finished with the restoration. Just need to finish the wing.