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Having a brain storm here. Can anybody compare zx5 arms to optima mid arms, or zx arms? ZX5 parts are cheap, and they would look cool on a mid. Unfortunately,, I aint got zx5 parts on hand anymore.

Thanks!

The hinge pins are the same diameter, but the arms will need a lot of spacers to fit properly, as they are much narrower than the Mid arms.

I was toying with kx1 arms on the 3rd mid today. Those are a great fit and almost as wide as a stock mid. I still like the idea of zx5 arms though. It would be possible to tune for ultimate travel and optimum sag,,, possibly resulting in a fantastic handling vintage buggy.

The Optima Mid is already a fantastic-handling vintage buggy, it can hold it's own with modern buggies on some track conditions. I doubt you'll significantly improve handling by changing the arms. What are you aiming for? Longer arms for a wider track? Do that and you'll also be changing out the dogbones or CVDs for longer ones.

GPM makes alloy rear arms for the Tamiya DF-02 that are an almost perfect swap for Optima/Turbo Optima & Mid rear arms. You'll need to drill a hole in the rears of the arms to mount the stabilizer assembly, and get a set of 3Racing 68mm CVD's for the Lazer ZX-5 to compensate for the extra 5mm length of the rear arms.

The CVD axles are drilled for crosspins & 12mm hex hubs so you can mount modern hex wheels.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ALLOY-REAR-LOWER-SUSPENSION-ARM-B-TAMIYA-DF-02-DF02-/400345568422?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d367494a6

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/3-Racing-Front-Swing-Shaft-Heavy-Duty-For-Lazer-ZX-05-/160919391439?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25778b0ccf

As far as fronts go, I haven't been able to source aluminum arms anywhere that would be an easy swap for the Optima series' front arms, that don't alter the geometry significantly.

If you can find them, aftermarket arms for the Kyosho GP-10 cars will work, since the GP-10 used Optima arms in the first place...

Im not looking to acomplish anything in particular. Original intent was to use what I have on hand to save $$ on the last build, but even that will cost a small amount to get rear hubs for the kx1 arms,, or I could go 4w steering and use kx1 fronts all around.... its tempting,, but would still likely have to scrap together some swing shafts to match. I like the look of the df arms. Wondering about that pretty blue steering set up too. I would like this last op mid build to be different from the others, and cost fewer $$ too!

That blue alloy bellcrank is also a Tamiya part; it's ball-raced and silky smooth and works as good or better than the stock steering assembly, and more beefy. I paid less for it than people were asking for the A & L yellow nylon one. It mounts right to the existing chassis plate holes, but you'll need to use a servo-mounted servo saver. All the details are listed in the OptiMutt thread in my signature.

I have tried zx5 arms on my mid if you have read my blog . While its entirely possible to fit them , the problem is after you add so many spacers, the hingepins bend easily. By contrast, with original arms or lazer zx arms, i dont bend any hingepind. Besides, the wheel rate of the zx5 arms are all wrong for the mid or zx. They will cause your suspension to be too hard.