RC10Talk - The Net's Largest Vintage R/C Community

Got a delivery from the US yesterday containing a Kyosho Slingshot. I know it was made for dirt oval racing and doesn't seem to be a very common model and parts aren't that easy to find. At least not compared to Optima Mid parts. Found a scan of the manual in this forum which will help a lot.

Note that I'm not planning for a traditional restore. Instead I'll craft my own parts like chassis, top deck, shock towers etc. I have not seen this model in white fiber glass so I think I'll try that out. Might look kind of unique. May also give it some accent colors.

It came with a locked rear diff and a one-way in front which I think is the stock setup. Short gold shocks (both front and rear) in shape like new (thanks to the protecting body I suppose). Of course it will get a complete tear down and clean up.

Will post some photos later.

Link to the Slingshot instruction manual added by LTO_Dave (thank you!):
http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=22739

Update with a few images showing how it arrived and even some disassembly. The bumper and front mounting posts are not stock parts. I think they are home made. Belts are old and dried out so they might be replaced. Or does anyone know if they can somehow be softened?

Looks like you've got a good car to start with. Who makes that motor? Looks like a sealed enbell from the photo.

The bumper is the stock part, except that some holes have been drilled in it. I have a spare brand-new one that I don't use, if you need one.

What's with the arms? I thought the Slingshot used Optima arms, but these look like machined nylon.

1300GT wrote:Looks like you've got a good car to start with. Who makes that motor? Looks like a sealed enbell from the photo.

Yes, it looks good. It has been run for sure but not abused

I don't now anything about the motor yet. I can share more photos of it.

EvolutionRevolution wrote:The bumper is the stock part, except that some holes have been drilled in it. I have a spare brand-new one that I don't use, if you need one.

What's with the arms? I thought the Slingshot used Optima arms, but these look like machined nylon.

I'll send a PM!

The arms looks like the ones from first Optima. According to the manual it should have the beefier Turbo Optima arms. I think. Thanks for pointing that out

Long front axles and nylon spacers- that's not stock.

Also looks like it has trinity steering pillow balls (with e-clip retainers) but it could be the pic

Universals at the rear...also an upgrade. Again tho, may be the pic.

j0pp3 wrote:

EvolutionRevolution wrote:What's with the arms? I thought the Slingshot used Optima arms, but these look like machined nylon.

The arms looks like the ones from first Optima. According to the manual it should have the beefier Turbo Optima arms. I think. Thanks for pointing that out

Yep, plain-Jane stock original Optima arms, lacking the strengthening webbing, extra shock mounting holes & stabilizer holes of the Turbo's arms.

j0pp3, you're gettin' lazy...I see remnants of servo tape stuck on that servo! It just ruins the pretty photo!

I'm impressed, gomachv!

Universals at the rear (maybe Optima Mid univs). Longer front axles with spacers (someone wanted a wider stance in front).

I also noted that the wheels/rims had holes drilled but only on one side (I don't remember which). Probably due to the nature of oval racing where you setup the car differently at the inner/outer side.

Wheels have been painted gold with paint that easily go off so initially I'll give it a try to restore them.

Did not know the origin of the pillow balls. Good to know!

Thanks!

gomachv wrote:Long front axles and nylon spacers- that's not stock.

Also looks like it has trinity steering pillow balls (with e-clip retainers) but it could be the pic

Universals at the rear...also an upgrade. Again tho, may be the pic.

Coelacanth wrote: Yep, plain-Jane stock original Optima arms, lacking the strengthening webbing, extra shock mounting holes & stabilizer holes of the Turbo's arms.

j0pp3, you're gettin' lazy...I see remnants of servo tape stuck on that servo! It just ruins the pretty photo!

Hah! Even if it was intended this time to show you the "raw" starting point of the project without any cleaning up yet, I see your point now

Thanks for backing me up on the arms topic.

That paint on the wheels should come right off with Easy-Off and a toothbrush. You'll end up with nice, shiny white wheels, as the paint probably protected the white nylon from fading.

Your front axles are probably from the raider/rocky. They also use the tapered axle, but they're slightly longer...so a spacer would be needed.