Race Bodyshells...?

[Sammy]

Hi All.

Now, if I was choosing a bodyshell for a basher, I'd go for a car I liked the look of.

I am however choosing a bodyshell for my new Race Car - a Schuie Mission.

I personally love the look of Lotus Elises, but will the handling be much cop?

Below are the list of choices of bodies I can get.

Protoform (Proline):id="blue">

Nemesis

Mazda 6

Cadillac CTS-VR

Dodge Stratus

ABC:id="blue">

Subaru Legacy B4 (cheaper than above)

What I'd like to know is what would be your top 2 to buy - I'm going to get 2 as I'll probably mash one the first week []

Cheers,

Sam

*EDIT* Also, for a very cheap price, I can have a Focus WRC '03 shell (tamiya)... what would that be like on the track?

Cheers

[minijosh]

All of the above bodies from Protform are great for racing. I have raced the Caddy, Mazda 6, Dodge Stratus and I have the Nemesis freshly painted waiting for me to get off my butt and cut the holes for the body for my xxx-s. The Lotus is a **** car for racing. I tried it in my TA04 and it just sucks. Looks good though sitting still. I have a Corvette C6R NIP just waiting for me to paint it for my TA04.

[Sammy]

Cheers Josh.

Just outa interest, are Raybrig bodies any good?

[BiggusDitchus]

I would stick with the protoform line of shells, Nemesis, Stratus, Cadillac, Honda, Mazda are all good shells all have slight handling differences.

I personally use the Nemesis.

[Sammy]

Cheers for the replies guys.

I just had a thought regarding shells:

I'm a novice painter, and am likely to make a mess of the paint job.

I'm a novice racer, and am likely to screw up the body quickly.

Hence:

Need I buy a high quality, posh shell - which could run me up to about £25 once I've bought the paints, or should I just buy a cheapo modelsport one (Vectra STW / Honda Accord 99 / Nissan Altima) which are all going for £12.99....

Any views on it?

Sam

[jozza]

The best shell I've used has been the Protoform Dodge Stratus. This is a mild shell, gives good handling characteristics and is ideal for a beginner in racing.

The Nemesis is a good shell, but fitting the rear bodyclips on is a real pain, unless you have fingers like ET []. Mazda 6 is also a good shell.

I always go for Protoform shells for racing, they are slightly less detailed than the HPI shells, but seem to handle better for racing as they are a bit smoother. I used to use HPI shells because they had better quality decals but found out after a while that when you are racing, the accuracy of the decals is not the most important thing. Most racers put as few decals on as possible - I just do the lights.

You're quite right about the Lotus shell, looks good but the handling won't be up to much.

The Protoform shells should set you back about £17.99, that's about what I pay for mine. And go for a single colour paint scheme and you are looking at a couple of quid for a tin of paint. IMO it's not worth buying a decent shell to start with, as you will find that it gets a bit bashed up and the paint will probably get scuffed and thin/flake at the front of the car.

Vauxhall Vectra is a nice shell too.

[Sammy]

Cheers Jozza.

So at about £21 per shell, is it worth it...?

I mean there are some ProtoForm shells going for £12.99, so would be more like £15 when painted... I know that shells like a Honda Accord 99 aren't going to be as aerodynamic and sleek as a Nemesis, but is the proce worth it, bearing in mind it probably won't last long on my car []?

Cheers,

Sam

EDIT:

I can get a Vectra STW for about £13, and have included a picture:

http://www.rccarsandtrucks.co.uk/l.aspx?k=1127632

What do you think of it? Would it be OK for beginner racing?

Sam

[blakeyx]

If you are going to be using the car for indoor carpet racing, the dodge stratus 3 (there is a carpet version and normal version) is spot on. I have used this on my TB-02, TC4 and now my TA05. I have also tried the Alfa romeo shell on my TC4 indoors and it was like driving on ice (without changing anything else). However this shell with the same setup is great for outdoors.

A good tip for shells that get bashed alot is to use the Tamiya reinforcing tape around the wheel arches and front bumper, This is where it cracks more often. I also always use Tamiya paint (whatever the make of shell) It is the best stuff going and stays on the shell far better than the common paints such as custom. But in answer to your question it may seem alot but yes it is worth the money and if you do decide to get 2 shells get 2 the same.

Although you are just starting to race getting the setup of your car right is the most important thing and its amasing the difference a shell makes and by swapping from 1 to another after a few months can put you right back to square one.

[Floyd]

Since we are on a body subject . Has anyone had any experience running the HPI Vauxhall Astra body . I allready have a Stratus on my Xray and didnt want a twin so I picked this one up , though if it sucks for handling Ill just use it for a runner road car ....

[DJTheo]

Really, it almost seems like a rule of thumb, the more ugly, more boring and less detailed a body looks, the better it handles on a track, another reason that I left racing, multi floroucent painted Stratus bodies make me ill... [] LOL

Cheers

[tt-01owner]

heres a cheap one 9.99usd

https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/...ns&pn=PFM146800

[Sammy]

Thanks, but after shipping, it's not economical to buy from the uS.

Plus, I've sourced one - thanks for the replies guys.

Sam

[ArdVark]

If you want a slightly thicker shell to race with than I recommend the Titan boy shells from

microtech. They are heavier but not buy much and after quite a few crashes, they haven't cracked. I still like protoform but when indoors, I like to use a stronger body. I won't race the tamiya shells as they are too nice to scratch.

I normally use stratus shells and sometimes the mazda shell if I'm looking for more steering.

[DimmaDan]

Ive just been given a protoform Stratus but i think it may be an odd version as its 200mm wide. Can you get them this size still?

[terry.sc]

quote:Originally posted by DimmaDan

Ive just been given a protoform Stratus but i think it may be an odd version as its 200mm wide. Can you get them this size still?

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id="quote">id="quote">

Yes, 200mm wide bodies are made for 1/10th touring IC cars. the old 235mm wide IC tourers have died off and the big IC on road class these days is 200mm tourers.

[DimmaDan]

cool, its just i can only fint 190mm one now.

[WillyChang]

quote:Originally posted by Sammy

Below are the list of choices of bodies I can get.

Protoform (Proline):id="blue">

Nemesis

Mazda 6

Cadillac CTS-VR

Dodge Stratus

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id="quote">id="quote">

I prefer Mazda6 over the Stratus (v1/2/3), 6 gives more steering.

quote:ABC:id="blue">

Subaru Legacy B4 (cheaper than above)Cheers

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id="quote">id="quote">

wow, you get ABCs cheaper than Protoform?? Lucky fella.

Bought ABC's B4 before, the lexan is quite thin.

Don't think the rear wing's any good for racing like Protoform's.

[Sammy]

So the general concencus is a Protoform Mazda 6?

Sam

[WillyChang]

quote:Originally posted by Sammy

So the general concencus is a Protoform Mazda 6?

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id="quote">id="quote">

M6 works for me. Run them on EvoIII, rubber on tarmac.

Make sure you cut the wing about 5mm *inside* the molded lines.

Stock wing is so big it makes so much drag you'll be dog slow. [xx(]