134 replies to this topic

[Pablo]

Finished August 2013:

 

Here's how it all started:

Going crazy here in MS, no place to race or test, and can't even travel much right now.

 

Would anyone mind if I do a new flexi build here? Would anybody even care?

 

Cheater already showed us how to master a Champion T-Flex. JK website already has great instructions on how to build a Cheetah car.

 

If I build a very light car designed to win one race, would the Pablo fans laugh ?

 

Those of you who are getting your clocks cleaned in weekly racing may learn something here. Not saying I'm good, just sayin'...

I'm a mid-pack racer.  This car may get me on the GTP podium some day. I'm going to start building it tonight, with or without a write-up.

 

Bored in Mississippi !

 

Your input, as usual, is the only thing that matters...

[John Streisguth]

Go for it!

[Greg VanPeenen]

Show us what ya got.

[SlotStox#53]

A non-period Korrect, non-vintage build!?!? Have you lost your mind?  How can you?

No Russkit bracket or Riggen wheels... can you handle it??

Can't wait to see what ya got, Pablo!

[Pablo]

OK. Here we go. You may be very sorry you allowed me to start this.   I like to explain things. Those who are experienced flexi racers may be bored, but if they pay attention, maybe they can pick up one or two tricks, who knows? 

 

First step: the Rules. You absolutely cannot build a race car without a set of rules.This car will be for GTP class at The Dungeon Raceway, and here are the rules:

 

GTP body, stamped steel chassis (unaltered, may use lightweight pans, may add weight and bracing), Falcon 7 or Hawk 7 motors, front wheels must hang below chassis and be 1/2" min OD, .032" clearance entire car, checked with braid on block. No minimum rear wheel OD.

 

Second step: Parts gathering. This is where it gets interesting... 
 

[Pablo]

Mark my words, Paul, you are going to meet some new friends here soon.

Flexi racers don't usually spend a lot of time looking at Cukras replicas. 

 

Racing legends like Danny Zona and JC Martin will be attracted to this like flies to a white lightbulb.

I mean that in a good way,    I don't mind constructive thread drift and I love a good conversation.

 

I started out with the following from PCH Parts Express, e-slotcar.com:

 

Koford hollow qualifying axle

Parma cut-down guide flag

Koford drilled aluminum flag nut

TQ flag clips

JK Hawk 7 motor

ARP 13t 64P angled pinion

JK thin spur gear, 64P, 35t

JK center section, C11, .JK250132C, 025" thick

JK alum pan, JKX24PA .030" thick

Prime Racing braid

[mdiv]

Go for it, Pablo! Balls to the wall!

[SlotStox#53]

  Looking forward to the ensuing pilgrimage of the racing legends. 

 

Looking at the parts gathering list from Scott at PCH sounds like you've got a serious contender on your hands. 

 

*Hollow axle*...    

[Bill from NH]

Have you chosen a body yet? Good other choices. I might have chosen a Flex-Kar chassis with .025" steel pans,

[Pablo]

BentLee, .007", Bill, I'm going for overall as light as I can go.

 

This will be one car I absolutely cannot crash. A couple bad hits and it will be over.

[Dominator]

Actually that's not a bad set-up. Some of the NECC guys for a long time would run all .025" frames and did well when set up properly. Personally I like the idea of using the .030" center with .030" pans. That should give it pretty good balance.

[Pablo]

Thanks, Dominic.

 

The .025" center is, of course, lighter than the .030" center. That is what it is going to take to win this class at this particular track (The Dungeon). Namely, an extremely lightweight car with tall gears, and zero deslots.

 

I laid a straight ruler from the center of the flag hole right down the V section and notched the absolute center of the rear section.

 

 

Then marked it with a Sharpie. This will make centering the rear wheel assembly easy.

 

 

This is flexi building 101 - very basic stuff.

[Pablo]

Used the BIG plate to check for flatness.  Both pieces were almost perfect and required just a few minutes of tweaking by hand to lay flat. Kudos to PCH for selling parts in good shape

Checked hook heights and front tab lift, good to go with a little persuasion.

[SlotStox#53]

Sounds like its all systems go Pablo

Raced the original Parma flexi 1 on my home wooden track, they used to run very well. May have to do a modern flexi build like this or a champion turbo flex..

Look like they can really burn some rubber !!

[Pablo]

Let me remind you, this is going to be a special, purpose-built car designed for one track to beat about 3 specific people.

I don't even recommend it unless you like building a new car every race.

Much better idea would be to build a Greg Wells cheater T-Flex car which will finish a tough race.

If this car works for it's intended purpose, I'm going to be buying C11 .025 center sections and .030 alum pans by the dozen.

 

Paul, I have a Flexi One that Bill gifted me and I completely cheaterized it.......it has beat many many T-Flexes and JK's in it's time.

It's all in the details.....any stamped steel chassis can be made to work great.

[SlotStox#53]

Good to know Pablo Always liked the flexi 1 ... As you say everything within reason can be made to work well, in particular any stamped steel chassis, it's just all in the "details" 

 

Funny you mention Gregs' T-Flex tips & tricks , downloaded the PDF of tips just the other day after reading this thread through again

 

Doesn't hurt to have a well set up flexi car

 

Here's to this lean mean stealth machine working for it's intended purpose *taking notes*

[Ralph Thorne]

Even if you us SS tubing that aluminum pan is going to fold right up.

 

I prefer the .030 center sections myself. I know your trying to save weight but the .025 centers just aren't as predictable across all lanes to me.

 

Good luck on the build and at your race.

[Pablo]

Thanks Ralph.

If I was building this car for any other track, it would be the .030 center section.

In the GTP races at The Dungeon, the cars that win are doing it with ZERO deslots.

And I know the guy I'm trying to beat is using the .025......

 

Single digit inside decals to satisfy the rules, nothing else. No driver. Too much weight high up

 

[Pablo]

The nub that routes the lead wires had to go, it adds weight

[Pablo]

Advanced Body and Chassis jig:

 

[Bud Greene]

Pablo put some bearings in that axle

[Pablo]

Thanks Bud, I got some Koford 7 ball unshieldeds here just arrived from Scott Salzberg

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee !!

[Pablo]

Tongue doubler before......

some ATF to keep it from sticking......

.....and after......

[Pablo]

Koford 7 BB unshielded set up with R-Geo jig blocks.

.720" for .063" clearance makes about .032" clearance for .690" rears... don't quote me on the math.

[SlotStox#53]

Coming together nicely, Pablo.