Kids had pretty much totalled my Tamiya Beetle body, so it needed some freshen up. But instead of buying a Beetle body, I really loved the idea of getting a HPI Porsche Carrera RSR body to it. Problem was that Beetle has wheelbase of 239mm and Porsche 210mm, so they wouldn't mix straight on. Luckily I found the instructions to shorten the Tamiya beetle wheelbase on the net. So this is how it goes:
First thing is to remove extension block from the chassis to get the wheelbase down to 225mm. This WB has some cool bodies too, like the BMW 2002 Turbo, Datsun 240Z, and Datsun 510 from HPI and Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT from Tamiya.
Then you need to flip the upper arm to the other side of it's joint to chassis. Like this:
Then assemble the lower arm by using two longer suspension screws like this:
Here you can clearly see the change to WB.
Spot on with HPI RSR body!
Which wheels would you choose, Fuchs or the Minilites?
First thing is to remove extension block from the chassis to get the wheelbase down to 225mm. This WB has some cool bodies too, like the BMW 2002 Turbo, Datsun 240Z, and Datsun 510 from HPI and Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT from Tamiya.
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But this is not enough for the RSR body, shortening the WB from the 225 down to approximately 212mm is handled by tricks to the front suspension. So following the instruction on http://www.rc-mini.net all you need is these extra parts!
- A Pair of 15x3mm screws, I ordered these with the RSR body from http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/
- Long Suspension screws from Tamiya M-chassis. I bought a set Stainless Steel shafts (see the pic below), used them on rear suspension, and that's how I got extra screws. (Stainless shafts cannot be used for the front end modification).
- 2mm spacer rings
- Extra front suspension lower arm front pieces (one left, one right handside).
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This is the only cut needed, sorry for the shitty pics. |
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| After the cut screw in the 15x3mm screw with a HEX driver. |
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| Then join two same side parts as the new lower arm. |
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| Comparison to stock lower arm. Now do the same to other side. |
Then assemble the lower arm by using two longer suspension screws like this:
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| Note the location of the 2mm plastic spacer on the inner screw. I used a spring from a pen on the outer screw to keep the play out, but that's probably not needed. |
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| As I previously had Tamiya Mini Cooper slics on it, the bottom is sraped as F*ck. Need to meke some protection plate. |
Spot on with HPI RSR body!
