Optima Mid Shock Oil Weight?

[toyolien]

Just started building up the shocks for my Mid. The manuals say to use 7.5wt oil. I'm no expert but that seems very thin to me. Can any Mid users off advice on oil and springs?

Initially it'll just be fun running but I'm looking at racing it, if I can find a reasonably local outdoor club. 

 

 

[Anthroxoid]

That’s a good find. And a good question. Timely as today I’m also doing my shocks. The ‘22 Mid uses #200/17.5wt which is also pretty thin but seems to work alright in the skinny bodies. I have a few shock spares so I’ll build up my shocks in a bit then let you know if think that they’re too quick to rebound. @canyoncarver was having problems with his ‘87 feeling bouncy on the track and also bottoming out. I think that you’ve just found the problem.  How very odd that Kyosho made this decision to keep the suspension so “quick”—I’d be curious to ask what the logic was for this ReRe, say in keeping with the actual setup that their team cars used in the 87 Worlds for authenticity vs …optimizing for good running on a dirt track. But if the latter then you’d think we’d have been given real OT66 tires. Consider my curiosity piqued.  

[toyolien]

6 minutes ago, Anthroxoid said:

That’s a good find. And a good question. Timely as today I’m also doing my shocks. The ‘22 Mid uses #200/17.5wt which is also pretty thin but seems to work alright in the skinny bodies. I have a few shock spares so I’ll build up my shocks in a bit then let you know if think that they’re too quick to rebound. @canyoncarver was having problems with his ‘87 feeling bouncy on the track and also bottoming out. I think that you’ve just found the problem.  How very odd that Kyosho made this decision to keep the suspension so “quick”—I’d be curious to ask what the logic was for this ReRe, say in keeping with the actual setup that their team cars used in the 87 Worlds for authenticity vs …optimizing for good running on a dirt track. But if the latter then you’d think we’d have been given real OT66 tires. Consider my curiosity piqued.  

The shocks I'm using are actually the 60th gunmetal shocks, but bought in a packet.

 

It's in the instruction sheet that came with these that it recommends 7.5wt. However, looking in the '22 manual, it says #200 to #300, so I'll perhaps start somewhere there. 

Thanks for your reply.

[Anthroxoid]

3 minutes ago, toyolien said:

The shocks I'm using are actually the 60th gunmetal shocks, but bought in a packet.

 

It's in the instruction sheet that came with these that it recommends 7.5wt. However, looking in the '22 manual, it says #200 to #300, so I'll perhaps start somewhere there. 

Thanks for your reply.

@toyolien I wonder if you simply discovered a misprint in your manual. Did the Koswork’s kit come with that kerosene-weighted silicone as well?

[toyolien]

Aah, maybe you're right. The oil that comes with the kit says #200cst/17.5wt.

[Anthroxoid]

2 minutes ago, toyolien said:

Aah, maybe you're right. The oil that comes with the kit says #200cst/17.5wt.

Good to know. #200 seems to run fine for regular off-roading without huge aerial maneuvers whilst utilizing the lighter brushless/LiPo combos in these older, heavy chassis, though buy a few shock seal replacements for when you go to change out oil weights for large jump racing; the included seals are delicate and easily damaged so you don’t want to open your shocks routinely without having new gaskets on hand. You’ll probably want a bit more dampening for big jumps. 

[toyolien]

Just now, Anthroxoid said:

Good to know. #200 seems to run fine for regular off-roading without huge aerial maneuvers whilst utilizing the lighter brushless/LiPo combos in these older, heavy chassis, though buy a few shock seal replacements for when you go to change out oil weights for large jump racing; the included seals are delicate and easily damaged so you don’t want to open your shocks routinely without having new gaskets on hand. You’ll probably want a bit more dampening for big jumps. 

Thanks. I have bought a couple of packets for spares 

[GTodd]

I've found that using 40WT front and 35WT rear with the same pistons used front and rear is a great base line for buggy shocks be it 2wd or 4wd.  Basic set up for the 511 from team drivers is 40/35.  I now use this for all buggies whether for track or yard use. It's a really good base line.

[toyolien]

20 minutes ago, GTodd said:

I've found that using 40WT front and 35WT rear with the same pistons used front and rear is a great base line for buggy shocks be it 2wd or 4wd.  Basic set up for the 511 from team drivers is 40/35.  I now use this for all buggies whether for track or yard use. It's a really good base line.

Thank you.  I was going to go 35 fr and 30 rr as a start. I'll see tonight what oils I have. 

[GTodd]

4 hours ago, toyolien said:

Thank you.  I was going to go 35 fr and 30 rr as a start. I'll see tonight what oils I have. 

If you have that, it will likely work. Don't go out And buy more oil.