Calling all M Chassis owners for body fitting advice

[Jason1145]

I now own 3 M03' but just 3 months ago I didn't own any... this rapid increase in ownership hasn't been matched by an increase in knowledge of this chassis.

This has led me to buying a beautiful TBG McLaren F1 210mm wheelbase Bodyshell which doesn't fit the M03 due to the low front of the shell not clearing the front shocks properly... at all!

I'm not giving up on this shell, as it's really nice, so what 210mm wheelbased M Chassis would you recommend that doesn't suffer this problem, i.e., has clearance for low bonneted cars?

[Badcrumble]

My first thought was M04 but you'd have to get @VagabondStarJXFVagabondStarJXF's Shapeways chassis for 210. Even then may not be low enough. 

The earlier M01/M02 have the horizontal front shock?

The M05 can be 210, is that low enough at the front?

 

[speedy_w_beans]

Personally I think it would be easier to take a modern RM01 chassis (201 mm wheelbase, 165 mm track width) and cut a custom FRP chassis plate to make the wheelbase 210 mm instead.  Then you'll have zero problems with body shell clearance.  It would be a workable solution for HPI's old Lancia Stratos shell as well.

[TurnipJF]

M-06 Has a pretty low front end and can be built at 210mm. Would that fit?

[AndyForbes]

HPI Cup Racer if you don't mind a non Tamiya car, if you can find one.

[Jason1145]

This has all egged me on to research a bit more, thanks for the help so far.

The M04 is 225 or 239mm so I don't want to add extra cost of the custom plates to shorten it to my required 210mm.... sheesh I'm buying a chassis to sit a shell on

i think that leaves me looking at the M01 or M02 as these have the single front shock layout so my McLaren'slow nose might clear that area... this also rules out the M05 and possibly the M06 because the front shocks look too high even they are angled down more than the M03.

 

I would love a HPI Cup Racer as they are designed for these low nose cars with lay down shocks.. but they are discontinued now and pretty rare to find so that's looking like a pipe dream

This leaves me hoping for some more advice on the M01,M02, heck I'd post my shell to someone who owns one of those for them to confirm it fits or not at my cost if it saves me buying a chassis that doesn't work...... or possibly the M06..... And failing that someone selling a HPI Cup Racer.

[Backlash]

Have you got a pic of the McLaren shell that you have?

The M01/02 is still quite high in the front due to the steering bell cranks being mounted on top of the gear cases..

[Theibault]

Well, since you have 3 MO3 chassis now, how about buying a body that fits those chassis rather then buying another chassis class to fit one body?

[Jason1145]

There is no rhyme or reason to the above... much like an addiction, it's purely mental.... which makes rational answers totally pointless and extremely unhelpful, but thanks anyway.

[Jason1145]

10 minutes ago, Backlash said:

Have you got a pic of the McLaren shell that you have?

The M01/02 is still quite high in the front due to the steering bell cranks being mounted on top of the gear cases..

On it.... 

[Backlash]

Is this it?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MCLAREN-F1-BODY-210MM-WB-MINI-RS4-CUP-RACER-SWITCH-RC-/150833542332?hash=item231e6134bc

 

[ncpantherfan71]

If that's the body,  it's too low for all the m chassis cars. It has bulges over the tires and the hood goes pretty low. 

[Jason1145]

43 minutes ago, Backlash said:

Is this it?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MCLAREN-F1-BODY-210MM-WB-MINI-RS4-CUP-RACER-SWITCH-RC-/150833542332?hash=item231e6134bc

 

 

40 minutes ago, ncpantherfan71 said:

If that's the body,  it's too low for all the m chassis cars. It has bulges over the tires and the hood goes pretty low. 

BAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yes that's the one ;(

I even treated it to my last can of Chrome mirror finish paint from the USA... did some wheels in it too.

Then I left the wing clear to make it even more reflective

M03 for reference

 

so all in all....this leaves with me a shell I can't use lol..... double bah again!

[ncpantherfan71]

I don't know much about HPI,  I think the switch can be set to 210 also and it might be easier to find.  I don't know. 

 

On a side note,  if that is the spazstix chrome, it has a tendency to flake off when used as a primary color over large areas.  I painted a touring car body where the entire front end had the chrome back to flames all in chrome.   It was georgous,  but the first time it flexes the chrome cracked and started to flake.  The instructions also call for a black water based backer to protect it because it scratches easy.  If used on the outside,  like your wheels it also needs a clear coat to protect it.   

[ncpantherfan71]

1 hour ago, Jason1145 said:

 

BAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yes that's the one ;(

I even treated it to my last can of Chrome mirror finish paint from the USA... did some wheels in it too.

Then I left the wing clear to make it even more reflective

 

Here is my TRF 102, I airbrushed most of it in the chrome,  but the F1 bodies do not flex much at all.   The area where it flexes around the body posts were done in pactra water based airbrush.

 

[Jason1145]

2 hours ago, ncpantherfan71 said:

I don't know much about HPI,  I think the switch can be set to 210 also and it might be easier to find.  I don't know. 

 

On a side note,  if that is the spazstix chrome, it has a tendency to flake off when used as a primary color over large areas.  I painted a touring car body where the entire front end had the chrome back to flames all in chrome.   It was georgous,  but the first time it flexes the chrome cracked and started to flake.  The instructions also call for a black water based backer to protect it because it scratches easy.  If used on the outside,  like your wheels it also needs a clear coat to protect it.   

But you reckon this shell won't even fit the M01 or M02 properly? 

With regards to the Spazstix Mirror Chrome I used their black ultimate backer, either way it looks like this shell won't be getting run in the near future.

Thank for the heads up about the wheels though, I'll throw some clear coat on them and put them to use somewhere else.

[ncpantherfan71]

No I am pretty sure it will not fit.   The hood is lower than the top of the front wheel wells,  I think it will hit the steering linkages and front body mounts.   I also also think the rear mounts are too high for that body. 

[ncpantherfan71]

Do you know what kit that body was originally designed to fit? 

[Jason1145]

2 minutes ago, ncpantherfan71 said:

Do you know what kit that body was originally designed to fit? 

It's sold as

MCLAREN F1 BODY 210MM WB MINI RS4 CUP RACER SWITCH RC

I'm going to try search that out... Cup Racer is the HPI True Ten series I think but there's nothing for sale anywhere... no idea about Mini RS4 or Switch?

[ncpantherfan71]

Looking at Google pics,  there is no way it will fit the mini rs4.  It's hard to tell about the switch. 

[ncpantherfan71]

Take a look at this kit, it might be close to what you are looking for. 

Other versions are still available I think. 

http://www.rcmart.com/hobby-25598-gambado-naked-rcmart-limited-cfrp-mini-p-63139.html

[speedy_w_beans]

20 hours ago, speedy_w_beans said:

Personally I think it would be easier to take a modern RM01 chassis (201 mm wheelbase, 165 mm track width) and cut a custom FRP chassis plate to make the wheelbase 210 mm instead.  Then you'll have zero problems with body shell clearance.  It would be a workable solution for HPI's old Lancia Stratos shell as well.

I convinced myself this is such a good idea I bought a HPI Stratos shell off eBay this morning and then bought a RM01 kit from RCMart.  I also picked up some of the fluorescent yellow RM01 wheels to go with the Alitalia decal scheme.  It should be easy enough to source some FRP and cut a new chassis plate... 

[TurnipJF]

With a bit of ingenuity, some custom shock mounts and omission of the front bumper, it looks like the M-06 can be set up with a monoshock up front, meaning that you wouldn't need to attach the front shock tower, which ought to make the nose low enough for the shell. The nose is pretty low already - after all it fits Tamiya's own Renault Alpine shell,which is hardly what you'd call tall at the front...

[Jason1145]

2 hours ago, ncpantherfan71 said:

Looking at Google pics,  there is no way it will fit the mini rs4.  It's hard to tell about the switch. 

I can only find a car called a HPI MICRO RS4, but not a Mini RS4? 

Anyway, that Micro RS4 is 1/18 and only 160mm wheelbase.

[ncpantherfan71]

6 minutes ago, Jason1145 said:

I can only find a car called a HPI MICRO RS4, but not a Mini RS4? 

Anyway, that Micro RS4 is 1/18 and only 160mm wheelbase.

Check out this thread. 

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=40528