99 replies to this topic

[Pablo]

Track test #1 results:

It's a tilting pile. It "turned turtle" at such slow speeds, my buddies were calling it "The Turtle"

Good thing the decals are on the inside, and the TrueScale body is thick - it actually traveled further on it's back than in the slot

My diagnosis:

-way too much grip with the SBR donuts

-gears are too tall (no brakes, and too much acceleration wheel spin)

-motor runs great (more power than it needs, but I hope to harness it)

-drive train is absolutely perfectly smooth (thanks to Dennis Samson for his advice on JB Welding the bearings to the uprights )

My solutions:

-change from SRB donuts to vintage tan or orange

-change gear ratio

-needs more low weight to counteract the top heavy zero downforce body and 2 3/4" wheel widths

 

Those are just my theories. The only truth is lap times.

[Samiam]

Pablo,

I have seen racing 'Cucs from back in the day with brass plate under the pans. With that motor weight is your friend. Lead would be the easy fix but some shiny brass would look more sano.

[Pablo]

Thanks, I'm on it .....after I build this Jupiter, that is.....

[Pablo]

Gator Bob was right (post # 59) - loading the center section with the weight of the entire car using foam pieces is a joke.

So I drilled holes in the cross-member and used machine screws secured with nuts underneath

 

[Pablo]

Rear axle was bound up in the (soft aluminum) uprights after track test #1.

So I tinned and bent a piece of .055 wire as a brace.

The jury is still out on JB Weld to aluminum, but Dennis Samson's suggestion of using it to secure the needle bearings didn't fail, so.......

 

 

 

[Bill from NH]

The J.W. Harris Co. & others sell aluminum solder & flux if you should need it. Not cheap, but Amazon has some of both.

[MattD]

And to think all I do is re-solder all the wires, cut a piece of lead to put into the frame area behind the guide (where the foam goes) and a set of silicone tires, and I'm ready to race! Those old cucs still run super and the piece of lead in between the guide section rails makes it handle much better. I use the same weight setup in the rtr 2-E I run on the big track.

[Pablo]

Funny you should mention weights, Matt, because that's what I was working on when you posted

This time, I went hog wild with it

 

 

 

 

 

Changed the SBR rubber to vintage tan

 

[Bill from NH]

Aren't those tan donuts also colored SBR rubber? Those I bought in the past were.

[Pablo]

I've no idea. They certainly aren't as fresh as new SBR, so even if they are, they'll have less grip (I hope)

Here is the new "Pablo blueprinted" motor setup, currently awaiting a Havlicek arm:

 

[MattD]

I find the weight behind the guide makes these cars very driveable I have a couple runners that we race for fun, but it would be fun to race them in a cuc series. I guess at the time they were the trick of the month for rtr cars and maybe best rtr ever sold. This design was issued about the time I graduated to a real job and car and forgot slot racing for the next 15 years.

[Pablo]

Ready to rock, when the motor is done.

Vintage police are nowhere in sight, so I swapped the Cox flag for a Jet Flag, and attached it with a Classic weight

 

[MSwiss]

At least you have analog gauges. Lol

[Pablo]

Motor is done. Havlicek arm, Pro Slot can ball bearing and brushes, Champion light springs, Tradeship endbell with 36D holders, Mura magnets.

It runs cool and smooth, draws 1.8 amps at 3 volts, and sings real nice when revved.

Another grand slam home run armature, thanks John !!!!

 

[don.siegel]

The Vintage Police have got our eyes on you Pablo... 

 

A jet flag in a Cuc? Well, I never...

 

Don 

[Pablo]

Want a hot rod? have John Havlicek wind you a hotter than stock arm & then replace the stock magnets with something stronger.

Bill's advice is always right on the money

 

Uh Ohhh, the VP showed up out of nowhere

Hi Don I can always change the Jet flag back to a Cox

[Pablo]

She passes the drivetrain test with flying colors, thanks to the Parma crown and JK (press-on) straight steel pinion.

Yes, Bunky, that is a genuine Ralph Thorne Racing setscrew 

 

 

Had to Dremel some clearance from the chassis in a couple different places.

I'm only showing these pics to annoy the VP

 

 

 

I'll have to have a talk with my armature guy about the sloppy winds, they are messing up my photos

Just kidding, John

 

 

 

 

[Pablo]

Ready for track test #2. Hopefully it will spend more time in the slot than it did on test #1

 

 

 

[Maximo]

Pablo,

 

Just now found this thread. I love the La Cucaracha and have four of them! I once had five MINT in five colors but that was back a few years before I hit the wall!

My all-time favorite RTR.

 

Love your version!

 

 

 

-maximo

[havlicek]

Really lovely Pablo.  I like how you did the motor in all black...it looks...serious!

 

-john

[Pablo]

Track test #2 for "The Turtle" was today. Results:

Bingo Runs great, handles as good as one can expect from a 2 3/4" wide car.

The Havlicek arm is real peppy, runs perfect, and compliments the mods I did. I couldn't be any more perfect.

Gearing was perfect. Level of grip with the tan donuts was perfect. The additional weight helped.

This time I think I nailed it. Mission Accomplished.

[Pablo]

Track test report from the happy new owner:

 

"Paul,

I have been able to track test the Cuc extensively.. You were right it must be one of the best Cuc's on the planet.

The road holding is simply amazing and when you think the car is going to fly in the scenery she stays planted in the slot.

I am sure I haven't found yet the limits of the car.

Thank you for a fantastic car.."

[Pablo]

Report from the owner is, the car finished second out of 30 Cucarachas in a race in Italy recently

[don.siegel]

That's no mean feat Pablo, congrats! The Italians are excellent drivers and mechanics and a couple of the best have pretty much dominated the Bordo vintage race for years... 

 

Don 

[Gator Bob]

Gator Bob was right (post # 59) - loading the center section with the weight of the entire car using foam pieces is a joke.

So I drilled holes in the cross-member and used machine screws secured with nuts underneath

 

IMG_8290.JPG

 

 Up-Stops, It's a handling thing.

 

Happy to contribute to success.

 

Way to go on your 2nd place run "Lucky".