TA03R - Porsche 911 GT3 RS (996)

[ChrisRx718]

So, less of a build this one, more of a 'dig it out of storage and clean it up' thread.

As per my TA03F build, I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with the sealed gearbox, belt-driven, adjustable wheelbase chassis. I built my first TA03F, at the age of 15, to compete in the UK D1RC drift championship. As I've moaned about before, prior to entering the first round the organisers decided to outlaw the chassis. Bummer. All winter spent tracking down parts, wasted. Not completely without hope, I used some of the spare parts I'd hoarded together to build a TA03R, after speaking with the organisers, as this would be eligible.

At the time, you could still get the now illusive FRP Chassis Conversion, which, together with the TA03R B Parts (front gear case) was all that I needed to get this thing built.

I threw lots of hop ups at this car and only ever took it to one event before buying a more modern TA05R chassis. The TA03R, against popular belief, drifted rather well. I didn't get into the latter stages as I had a disaster with an aluminium ball connector shearing in the aluminium steering arms. Note - always use Tamiya black (steel) or brass ball connectors on anything which is being screwed into aluminium!!

I threw the Yeah Racing upgrades at this car together with some bits from GPM. It's sat on the shelf since - I think I used it in grip setup for some light bashing about 4 years ago and that was the last time it turned a wheel.

Rear-midship motor layout, weight balance is actually quite neutral. TA03F by comparison is front-heavy, as you'd expect.

The keen-eyed will have already spotted the Porsche Carrera wheels, which have alternate offset front-to-rear. I actually don't think these wheels do the car any justice, but tell me what you think...

Bodyshell is painted in Tamiya Blue Anodised Aluminium, which is a really hard colour to photograph indoors since it's almost chrome-like. Rear wing is from Boom Racing I think, whilst the mirrors and wipers are from Tamiya. The exhausts are Yokomo gunmetal items and the numberplates were from ABC Hobby. So all-in-all a pretty confused Porsche! This shell was originally available on the TL01 chassis as the VIP Cup livery (Becker). I really wish I'd done it boxart, as I think they look fantastic. But there's no going back now So it's a Japan-registered, road-going track weapon with a rear wing which is just ridiculous.

The rims bugged me so much that I took some more pictures with some spare sets I had. First, some Kawada -

Then some more classic BBS-style wheels. I didn't think this style would work, but I actually think they look the best of the 3 I tried! Ironically, they're the cheapest too, at just £3.50 a set!

So what's the plan?

Well, I'm going to have to partially dismantle it just to service the rear ball diff. I might even replace it with a gear diff whilst it's out, so temperamental are these ball diffs. Then, I'm going to run it. No point in it sitting pretty on a shelf, and I'm not that partial to the paint job anyway, so it's going to see some tarmac action!

I'll update when it happens...

[ChrisRx718]

Painted some Tamiya 2-piece mesh wheels which was what this car originally had on the TL01 chassis. Thinking of going extra wide on the back for an even more authentic look, but need some fat tyres.

[Wez-li]

Nice colour & wheels, chassis looks good too. not sure that spoiler suits the 996 though!

[volvotech]

I too have an unhealthy obsession with the ta03 platform. Oddly enough though, never had an R, but 3 F's. That body makes me want to convert one of them to an R.

Such pretty machines.

[ChrisRx718]

Yea the spoiler is still being debated in my mind. It needs one there, but the kit supplied one is a lexan item which looks much like the racing GT3 cup cars, so wouldn't suit a road car.

I have some smaller spoilers I could perhaps experiment with.

Volvotech - that's a nice looking 03F you have there. I don't know what is so captivating about this chassis that just makes me buy spare parts if I ever see them at a good price! I now have 4 different TA03s and enough parts gathered to consider building another one - I just need a lower chassis plate I think!

Interesting just how blue your drive belt is; I had one of those too, and after ~ 8 years the blue has all faded and it looks black anyway!!

[volvotech]

That's because that belt has never run. I bought it years ago when they were priced the same as a black belt.

I built this particular chassis as a shelf queen from spares I had and eBay finds I just couldn't pass up. In hindsight, I could've probably purchased a used PRO version with hop ups for less, but it was fun building it up and hunting down elusive parts. In all black plastics it looks fantastic. The black J parts battery holder was the toughest to find. Jason's store to the rescue.

Pictured- photographic evidence of poor financial responsibility: