neverfollow 599 Posted January 15, 2014 Thanks! They have foam in there Dave, used the foam from my original Avante wheels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sidewaysdave69 188 Posted January 15, 2014 holy dog poo! I hope you have somewhere open to run it! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted January 15, 2014 It's definitely going to be a true test of that transmission and clutch to say the least! At this point, I'm thinking the more weight the better Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sidewaysdave69 188 Posted January 15, 2014 I would get some weight on the front end, maybe a wheelie bar on the back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted January 16, 2014 That's always a possibility Here's some pics of what I did over the weekend..not too much, but making progress. Just odd how some of the least expensive parts are the last to arrive..but anyway, here's the pics This is my reverse engineered front sway bar. Wanting to retain as much Astute parts/technology, I left it on, flipping it over and using TA-04 links. I found these 3racing turnbuckles for an M chassis and figured they could work and benefit franken-stute And came up with this Here you can see the TA-04 bell cranks I found these Manta Ray alloy bell cranks and giving them a go in hopes to add some weight to the front Another angle A view of the original Astute bulkhead Now with a Super Astute support The retrofitted Astute battery holder Swapped in favor for the more practical Super Astute parts Another angle Avante double ball ends replacing the threaded single end Up front Had to be reversed for the rear Made a brace for the control arm mountings Front bar fitted Rear bar fitted And using this Dyna Storm upper brace for inspiration/ideas for my upper deck. I scrapped my old idea of a big plate and plan to make it look sleek like this...the gears are turning in my head.... Well, that's all for now..thanks for looking 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted January 20, 2014 Got just a little more done today...waiting for my carbon fiber plate for my upper deck, I became impatient. With all the turn buckles I've purchased, I had an idea. And it works, too! So no more carbon upper deck, in favor of these rods. They tie the front end very nicely to the center of the chassis. Additionally, they'll add some more needed weight to the front. Here's a couple of pics from today.. The turnbuckles.. With these mounted, there is zero flex, and now the chassis is rigid. Mission accomplished. And with the body on to check for clearance issues..and thankfully, no issues Now I'm just waiting on the servo saver and body shell. Decals and paint waiting for application. Thanks again for stopping by to take a look. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grastens 2795 Posted January 20, 2014 It looks great! But do the braces also handle torsional flex? It looks like they are excellent for longitudinal warping, though from here it looks like the chassis can still twist... Then again, you are building this car and I can only speculate from photos. What is next for the buggy? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddaenen1 278 Posted January 20, 2014 A question from my side. Are hicaps an official hopup for the Astute? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Percymon 2184 Posted January 20, 2014 A question from my side. Are hicaps an official hopup for the Astute? They were and the rere hi caps are silky smooth in operation and visually look great (I never was a fan of the yellow cvas on the astute) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted January 20, 2014 They were and the rere hi caps are silky smooth in operation and visually look great (I never was a fan of the yellow cvas on the astute) I totally agree! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted January 20, 2014 It looks great! But do the braces also handle torsional flex? It looks like they are excellent for longitudinal warping, though from here it looks like the chassis can still twist... Then again, you are building this car and I can only speculate from photos. What is next for the buggy? Honestly I did not check for torsional flex, I was more concerned about longitudinal-for jumps, etc. So I just gave it a firm twist just now, and it is still solid. After the body gets here, it's paint and decals, and then done. Once the weather warms up, it will be first on the list to run, iPhone video camera in hand. Thanks all for the kind words. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sidewaysdave69 188 Posted January 20, 2014 thank god for re-re hicaps my king cab, astute, avante, and terra scorcher all say thank you Mr T but you cant seem to get them anymore and I have a dyna storm looking for a set of 4 long ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted January 22, 2014 I agree with Dave..they are definitely getting harder and harder to come by, as well as more expensive if you do find them. But well worth it! This will be my second vehicle with hi-caps. I run them in my Avante, and try perform remarkably. They are holding up well, too. No signs of leaks or fatigue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveB 151 Posted January 22, 2014 This is turning into a 2WD Avante!! (not that I'm complaining..) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grastens 2795 Posted January 22, 2014 Better than that, I think - the last time I had a 2WD Avante, the prop shaft had fallen out and it was very disappointing. But this purebred rear-wheel driver is much more inspiring! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted January 27, 2014 Latest update..finally got my high torque servo saver that I'd been waiting over a month for.. Next up, the body and decals.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruebiracer 1046 Posted January 28, 2014 Very nice Astute, like the hop ups and improvements. I like this partly hidden improvements, that are not obvious on the first look. It´s so much more fun with those old beauties, if you can fix the worst bugs out of them. Wait for more pics... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted January 29, 2014 Thanks for the kind words ruebiracer! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted February 9, 2014 Well, I am just about done with project Franken-stute I had some time early yesterday and I'd say I'm about 98% done with him. I was able to do a minor front suspension modification, and cut/trim/paint the Kamtec repro body kit. Also applied the repro decals, along with some "borrowed" decals from another Tamiya vehicle. (can you guess which one?) I have these left over braces I made for my TL-01 project, and wanted to put them to use. I decided to mount one between the two upper control arm mounting points Front body post sits higher now, but that turned out in my favor since I needed a little more body clearance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted February 9, 2014 Here's the Kamtec body kit, which might I say is top notch. Thicker and more durable than the original, it is perfect for this project. Roughly cut, test fitting Ready for paint My decal dilemma For the color, I decided on PS-23 Gun metal. I wanted to go for a "Black Special" look or an evil twin brother look I am very pleased with the color and application Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted February 9, 2014 The finished product So that's it! I had a great time with this build, it was very enjoyable. I have many, many members here to thank for all of their generosity, sharing so much helpful information and experiences. Cheers! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo 1217 Posted February 9, 2014 Well done and great thread, much enjoyed it. That is one seriously modded Astute. Great to see some more unique ideas being used to effect here. Now go out and get it dirty ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted February 9, 2014 Thanks Thommo! You were a great help during this. I definitely will get it dirty, and hopefully get it on video during it's maiden run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grastens 2795 Posted February 9, 2014 Excellent work - that is definitely an Astute to be proud of! But: why no 'Awesome!' on the rear wing? Is it not? Though I suppose it is so clearly awesome enough on sight that it need not be further advertised... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sidewaysdave69 188 Posted February 9, 2014 cool as ! I have never seen an astute done in gunmetal grey before. it looks amazing with the black custom decals, I really must dig my astute out, this built thread makes me want to finish mines off. great job! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
