Scale engines for your SRB chassis

[Toykid]

So as most of you know I have created a 3D printed scale engine to fit around the Tamiya SRB gearbox.

I have now created 2 exhausts, the Sidewinder and the vertical Sand Scorcher style. I have 2 more in the works, but would be interested to know what other style of exhausts people might be interested in?

The Classic Manx Sidewinder style

The Iconic Sand Scorcher style

Reverse bend, great for preventing snapped pipes after a roll

Similar to the style found on the classis Bel Ray Bullet (aka rough rider)

[XV Pilot]

When I built my fullsize Baja Bug, I opted for a 4-into-one reverse bend design, but as it was for street as well as offroad use, I integrated a silencer into the downward diagonal portion, and put a bend at the end so the exhaust blew rearwards rather than down.

Another popular design was the "twin cannons" system, a pair of 2-into-1 exhausts fitted to either side of the engine.

[backtomyroots]

Awesome !

Me want.

[Toykid]

Thanks guys,

Something like this?

James.

[Toykid]

The twin cannons should work for the Super Champ and standard Rough Rider bodies. You can only fit the trun scale rough rider exhaust if you cut the back of the body to match the real 1:1 body. I don't know about you guys, but I didn't want to cut mine

James.

[XV Pilot]

Thanks guys,

Something like this?

James.

Just like that, yes. Excellent work. Makes me want to get a SRB. Unless of course you are considering doing something similar to fit the DT02 Sand Rover/Street Rover?

[super gripper]

Just like that, yes. Excellent work. Makes me want to get a SRB. Unless of course you are considering doing something similar to fit the DT02 Sand Rover/Street Rover?

+ 1 for an engine for the DT02 SR & HB

[Tamiya1/10]

excellent work especially the heat treatment on the exhaust pipes.

[Toykid]

Thanks Guys,

I have some cool new projects that should be a little easier on the wallet planned for 2014 The dt-02 could definitly do with a little Knight Customs treatment I think.

I am thinking a suspension arm conversion set to get the suspension fitting the wheel arches better, a new driver option and of course a scale flat four out the back

I just sent all the above new exhausts to print so it'll be cool to see how they turn out. I'll post as soon as i can but it looks like that won't be until the new year now.

James.

[Zac_F83]

Cut the body like this?? I cut this section out in 5 minutes with a fresh blade in my hobby knife.. (using the mold line as a guide)

This also shows my exhaust tip I made after the maiden voyage first roll over in my yard lost the "kit" exhaust tip haha

If that Manx exhaust will fit a SS or if you plan to make a "race" inspired exhaust PM me with payment details for a motor!

[Toykid]

Zac,

All my exhausts except the sidewinder will fit your Sand Scorcher (I love the way you cut it at the back, very cool).

You can get my engine though shapeways:

www.shapeways.com/shops/knightcustoms

Check it out and let me know if you have any questions?

James.

[Zac_F83]

Here is another view of the cut panel..

I'll be honest $115 + shipping is sure stopping me from getting one.. Why is it priced so high?

[Toykid]

Hi Zac,

Your rear mod looks great.

I am afraid the prices are so high because 3D printing isn't yet at a point where it can compete with mass produced injection molding. Shapeways have to make their profit and there is a little in there for me too. The cost is driven by the number of parts, how big they are and the materials I use.

I could buy a printer to get the cost down but I would actually need to buy 2 types of printer to make this engine plus a 3rd finishing machine for the polished parts.

You could get these parts cheaper if you really shop around, but no one can deliver internationally so cheaply (shapeways have a factory in Europe as well as the US) or with such good customer service.

I do realize this cost stops many from being able to buy this engine and I am constantly working on ways to get the cost down but still keep the quality. The good news is that 3D printing is getting cheaper all the time and as they do I will be passing that saving on to the customer.

Best,

James.

[Zac_F83]

I see - They come unpainted as well?

I see the motors "right side" replace the spur/pinion cover - does the other side replace the clear motor cover as well?

what are your other exhaust ideas planned?

[Toykid]

Yes, both gearbox covers are replaced with my parts that have engine detail built in.

The parts come unpainted but the finish is now good enough that you can paint directly on the raw parts with no need for sanding unless you want a really shiny exhaust. In the images above only the exhausts were sanded. Everything else was just spayed or painted without sanding.

As for more exhausts. I have just ordered the 3 above to be printed. Takes shapeways about 2 weeks normally to get me my stuff. I am adding a week due to the Xmas break. That'll bring the total to 5 different exhaust options once I have made sure everything fits and works properly. I figure they should be ready to order around feb if all goes well. If I get other requests I'll look at them too and add them if I think they are different enough.

James.

[Shodog]

I love the engine, just have to save up the coin and buy one

[Madmat]

Just regarding the pricing, I have had parts made in the past by Shape ways and even though the parts were very small and I was using the cheapest material, It still cost quite a lot for them to be made. I think these are fairly priced for the moment, considering the amount of work that was put into them by James. I'm sure in the future the price could come down, but that is totally up to James. I know when I am no longer an intern I will be having one of these for an SRB

[Toykid]

Thanks for the words of support guys.

2013 was more about figuring out how to build stuff with the best quality and reliable delivery. For 2014 I have a couple of projects in the works and they all involve trying to reduce the cost of my kits so more people can enjoy adding a little more scale to their rides

Many of the 3D printing patents expire in 2014 too, so the hope is that this will allow much more competition in the market and push the cost down for everyone. Much like a good quality printer used to cost $10K and now only cost $200, everyone expects 3D printing to follow a similar path. You could see parts half in price every 2 years. Meaning that my $120 engine could be $30 in 4 years

FYI if you order from Shapeways.com in Europe you get them printed in Holland, shipping to the UK is about 9 Euro and I don't think you'll get hit with customs

Best,

James.

[redzone]

So want one. So broke though!

[Madmat]

From my experience, the minimum shipping cost is ~ €7.50 in europe no matter how small the item (as I found out in my disastrous first order), so if you were to order the engine parts you would be looking at €7.50 on top of the purchase price as I reckon it would all fit into the smallest box they send out.

[Toykid]

Thanks Madmat, and yes, the engine fits in the smallest box

So I now have 5 different variants, one for each of my SRB's (not including my Super Champ as it has the cool suspension out back).

I have 2 more engines on the way and once I have them all painted up and installed I will make sure I get a good picture of them all together. The project was originally planned just to be put in the back of my Class 5 Baja Sand Scorcher, but one thing led to another and now they have worked there way into my box art shelf queens. I am having a really hard time looking at my Rough Rider, without an engine in the back - it now looks naked. Blasphemy I know, sorry. Here are the 5 types and which models I intend to fit them to in my collection:

1: Sidewinder. This is already installed in my Knight Customs Beach Buggy.

2. Classic Vertical Stinger. This has already been installed in my Mk1 Sand Scorcher Shelf Queen.

3. Short Vertical race exhaust. Destined for my Rough Rider and modeled after the one used in the famous Funco Bel Ray Bullet Buggy.

4. Full length turned down exhaust. I first saw this version of exhaust in Volksrod classic red Baja Sand Scorcher and always wanted one ever since. This one is going in my Class 5 Baja SS, cause it won't snap if I roll the car

5. Twin Cannon. These bad boys are going in my full cage race Manx shown here (thanks to XW Pilot's suggestion)

Comments always welcome and please follow me on Facebook and instagram (knightcustoms) if you do that sort of thing

https://www.facebook.com/knight.customs.RC?filter=1

[mtbkym01]

these are fantastic, cant wait to see them all painted up

[Toykid]

The big issue I have right now is that the exhaust planned for my Rough Rider still will not fit without modifying the body - and its an original so I may have to make up a Re-re and cut it

James.

[Zac_F83]

Post a pic of the Rough Rider exhaust please! So No.3 "race style exhaust" you say is based on a 1:1 real car's exhaust system?

That's what I'd like for my SS as I based mine on a modern classic/ restoration 1:1 build (what a real baja Sand Scorcher bug could look like - real sponsors and scale details, ect..)

[SteveU30]

I can see these being very popular in years to come when the price drops, for now I'll just drool while I decide which one I'd like first!