Micro T Firebird Stock Car 56K warning
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- bitProphet
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Micro T Firebird Stock Car 56K warning
Ripper7777777 over on R7R built a custom dirt track micro t that was just way too cool! He used a ford 3 window coupe to make it a vintage ride and after he finished his build he decided to offer the chassis. I was going to build my own but I really like the way his looked so I ordered one asap. So, I figured why not post a build thread?
When decided to get one of Rippers micro t chassis I'd planned on doing a Camaro stocker. I had it all planned in my mind; I was about to order a resin body on ebay, but luckily I needed to go to Walgreen's and pick up a prescription...while there I saw they had their scale models on sale, they had some really cool choices for a stock car build. I almost went with a Malibu, they also had a Dodge Charger that would have made a good General Lee, but then I saw it...a 74 Trans Am. Close enough to what I had planned and on sale for $11!
So, first off, the chassis is very nice. It was cut well and the holes all line up! That's something that even large manufacturers sometimes don't manage to get right so thanks Ripper for taking the time to d this right. I cut my original chassis back a little further than Ripper did so that I could keep the section that aligns the servo. I think it probably adds a little strength too.






So, now that I know I measured the chassis pretty close, I may have been a mm or two over; but once I radius the wheel wells it should be about right. I started on the body: cut the inner fender wells and fire wall, mocked up a sheet metal interior, offset and slanted the body.




I need to radius the fenders still, then I'll start working on the rollcage. I think I'm going pavement short track with this just because everything I usually do is geared towards dirt. But I do like the open rear of the body, I may go dirt...I'll have plenty of time to decide while I build the cage.
When decided to get one of Rippers micro t chassis I'd planned on doing a Camaro stocker. I had it all planned in my mind; I was about to order a resin body on ebay, but luckily I needed to go to Walgreen's and pick up a prescription...while there I saw they had their scale models on sale, they had some really cool choices for a stock car build. I almost went with a Malibu, they also had a Dodge Charger that would have made a good General Lee, but then I saw it...a 74 Trans Am. Close enough to what I had planned and on sale for $11!
So, first off, the chassis is very nice. It was cut well and the holes all line up! That's something that even large manufacturers sometimes don't manage to get right so thanks Ripper for taking the time to d this right. I cut my original chassis back a little further than Ripper did so that I could keep the section that aligns the servo. I think it probably adds a little strength too.






So, now that I know I measured the chassis pretty close, I may have been a mm or two over; but once I radius the wheel wells it should be about right. I started on the body: cut the inner fender wells and fire wall, mocked up a sheet metal interior, offset and slanted the body.




I need to radius the fenders still, then I'll start working on the rollcage. I think I'm going pavement short track with this just because everything I usually do is geared towards dirt. But I do like the open rear of the body, I may go dirt...I'll have plenty of time to decide while I build the cage.
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Yeah the Malibu may happen soon too. I keep thinking of cool things I could do with it, but I have a really special build planned after this. I still haven't found all of the pieces I'll need but it should be something no one else has done...but I think I'll wait until this is done before announcing that build.
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I've been playing with some paint schemes, I know the photoshoping is rough, these were just really quick drafts to see what it might look like.
Simple:

More involved:

I think I like the first one better, but I haven't decided on anything yet. I'm open to suggestions.
Simple:

More involved:

I think I like the first one better, but I haven't decided on anything yet. I'm open to suggestions.

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Thanks, I'm pretty happy with the bars considering they were bent with pliers and a cigarette lighter.
I ha plans for a more accurate method, I was going to clamp the tube to an outline and heat it with a hair dryer but it didn't get hot enough and the tubing would crack. So, I tried a heat gun but that just made puddles of smoking goo. The lighter worked when holding the tube in pliers but when I tried it with the tube clamped down it only melted one side so...
well, anyway, I have another build planned after this and I'm planning on doing enough research o find a more accurate way to make the bends.
I was pretty happy with the way the interior looked sitting on the chassis, because it reminded me of building the interior sheet metal of my first late model...well, except this is straighter.
I'm working on more paint schemes, I should build a couple of bodies so I don't have to decided.
I was thinking of doing an American flag car, but I think that is beyond my painting and masking skills. 

well, anyway, I have another build planned after this and I'm planning on doing enough research o find a more accurate way to make the bends.
I was pretty happy with the way the interior looked sitting on the chassis, because it reminded me of building the interior sheet metal of my first late model...well, except this is straighter.

I'm working on more paint schemes, I should build a couple of bodies so I don't have to decided.


The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. - Ayn Rand
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Ok, I learned something, if you don't use your painting skills for long periods, you lose your painting skills.
That being said, I'm pretty happy with the way this has come out. I need to find a better way to mount the board so that I can still move it to adjust for weight but not have it bounce loose as the car runs. The wheel wells are radiused for bigger wheels and tires, which I have on the way...I was going to use the DT tires but it when I was testing I found these work better...so they will probably be my running tires and the others will be the "sitting on the shelf" tires. I wish I'd tried these tires before cutting the wheel wells, but... well anyway, if you are going to do something like this try Losi's street meat tires first. If you mount the front tires backwards and the rear the right way (they have a directional tread) it makes the car do perfect four wheel drifts on smooth concrete. well, at least t does with this body, but if you change the weight by using something else???? It's worth a try anyway. If I had a working video camera I'd show you what I mean but for now I guess it will have to wait.





That being said, I'm pretty happy with the way this has come out. I need to find a better way to mount the board so that I can still move it to adjust for weight but not have it bounce loose as the car runs. The wheel wells are radiused for bigger wheels and tires, which I have on the way...I was going to use the DT tires but it when I was testing I found these work better...so they will probably be my running tires and the others will be the "sitting on the shelf" tires. I wish I'd tried these tires before cutting the wheel wells, but... well anyway, if you are going to do something like this try Losi's street meat tires first. If you mount the front tires backwards and the rear the right way (they have a directional tread) it makes the car do perfect four wheel drifts on smooth concrete. well, at least t does with this body, but if you change the weight by using something else???? It's worth a try anyway. If I had a working video camera I'd show you what I mean but for now I guess it will have to wait.





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Thanks guys.
I was thinking of servo tape but wasn't sure if it would hurt anything, as you may have gathered since I've been here, my electrical knowledge is limited to soldering.
I was thinking of servo tape but wasn't sure if it would hurt anything, as you may have gathered since I've been here, my electrical knowledge is limited to soldering.

The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. - Ayn Rand
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Re: Micro T Firebird Stock Car 56K warning
im going to make a stock car that looks like my brothers 79 pontiac pheonix. and im going to make 1 that looks like my mini stock honda.
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Re: Micro T Firebird Stock Car 56K warning
I didn't know you race, cool. Post some pictures, you can never have enough race car pictures on a forum 

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Re: Micro T Firebird Stock Car 56K warning
Your expanded metal driver screen seems HUGE.
Maybe Drywall reinforcement patch tape, or smaller expanded metal like they sell at craft stores?
Maybe Drywall reinforcement patch tape, or smaller expanded metal like they sell at craft stores?
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End genital mutilation, don't circumcise. Restore your fore'
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End genital mutilation, don't circumcise. Restore your fore'
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Re: Micro T Firebird Stock Car 56K warning
my familie has always raced stock cars. my grandma my grandpa my dad my mom my brother my older cousin my uncle so pretty mutch my whole familie. my brother races now but im buying my mini stock. i will be racing next year. do you think i should get a 82 mustang a honda civic hatch back a ford pinto.sidewinder wrote:I didn't know you race, cool. Post some pictures, you can never have enough race car pictures on a forum