2001 Subaru Impreza Rally

[frizzen]

Thanks to Hostile, i was able to get a hold of an Australian made in China "Eztec" brand Corded-remote control 1/15 scale - - 2001 Monte Carlo Group A Rally Car Subaru Impreza!

https://i.imgur.com/TfmeQoWh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/la0kqwDh.jpg

I started by gutting the stock steering garbage. After playing with a couple ideas i settled on flipping the stock steering Drag Link over so the pin faces up, cross drilled the base of the pin with micro drill, and slid a sewing straight pin in. I stuck a spectrum spms401 micro servo on the steering top plate with double-side tape. A little slop, though less than at the wheels/knuckles, also the straight pin is a cheap easily replaced fuse to save my servo.

I flipped the motor so the contacts are up, 3 gear trans already has lube. Steering motor is the same as drive, so i can smoke 2 of these before i have to buy one. Alright. Lets drop an esc that was already prepped for the fiero in there, and grab the radio off my VW Bus.

https://i.imgur.com/LdODlWAh.jpg

Dropped a 1500 mah 2/3A pack into it, and this thing is pretty quick. Also it has just hard enough tires it can do donuts and hopefully with practice drift nicely on my hardwood floors. Yeah!

This is a hardbody pan car, 4 screws every time to change the battery will suck!
Run the 4 body mount screws to full depth. File lower side of chassis hole until a rare-earth magnet fits, Goop/ShoeGoo magnet into chassis.
If i wanted a lowered car, i could trim the body screw posts and fine tune the height with tighter/looser screws without changing anything else.
It's a Rally car. I like Special Stages. So let's bring the rear up a little more.

Against the wall.
https://i.imgur.com/4SCzdAYh.jpg

I *can* do a fast build of something new and clean.

[skeeter]

Nicely done, on a SUPER fast conversion. Did you upgrade the motor, or is that stock. Since I haven't opened mine......yet, I've no idea what's inside it. Did you have to add any resistors/transistors to it, to prevent frying the motor? other then the steering mod, is the rest stock? I know LOTS of questions. I'm just a curious guy, ESPECIALLY since I will eventually be converting mines.

[frizzen]

Yeah, way less than 12 hrs between box open, and posting it's a runner. All my electronics were already setup, but even so... These are a GOOD base to convert!

Steering knuckle kingpin to draglink centers are 1cm, so use the servo horn hole closest to 1 cm centers.

I only added a 20amp reversable esc with brake option to the stock motor. It already had a Cap board on the motor between both poles and to the can. IF i smoke the stock motor, i can swap in the steering motor, and hopefully have a good one ready to drop in when i smoke that one. These motors look cheap, but we'll see how they do.

If you pull the trans, make sure the axle braces go back as Short wheelbase.

It's all stock except: a straight pin, some double side tape, a servo, an esc, radio, battery, 1 screw for the on/off switch mount, 4 magnets, and whatever battery hold-down i come up with.

I might decide to put in a few brass bushings to tighten up steering.
Maybe swap some longer screws / add some springs.
Maybe get crazy and brush plastidip/liquid latex on the tires for stickys, but i love the tread pattern look even though it's stiff.
Might even find some white vinyl and change the meatballs to a new number.

[skeeter]

Awesome! Thanks fir the info

[Hostile]

Awesome work as usual Frizz! Love how you've done such a quick conversion on it. Need a video of it doing doughnuts on the floor mate! As to the battery maybe you can cut the central section and hinge it for ease of access?

[frizzen]

Thanks, i absolutely couldn't have done it without you!

Battery access was taken care of with the 4 magnets set into the bottom of the chassis, they hold onto the 4 original body mount screws. They hold nicely, but release without a fight.

https://i.imgur.com/WLtBJSdh.jpg

Aluminum speed-tape skidpans and diff guard. It looked too naked for rally.

So now i can change the ride height by adjusting the screws. Which means i lifted it to here.

https://i.imgur.com/8323TJJh.jpg

[frizzen]

https://i.imgur.com/pR64Upqh.jpg

Bottom rear pic since i was asked about towing to help setup a sling

[frizzen]

I also pulled the steer axle apart and increased my steering throw even more. Getting more lock really helps it recover from going sideways.

Anybody up for some Ice / Snow racing...

https://i.imgur.com/IOW2sLmh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tsGQsJAh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iPXmT7Eh.jpg

Didn't go too well, but the pics look pretty good. Hot tires kept just melting into the snow, and really didn't hook up for anything.

[frizzen]

https://i.imgur.com/2SiOq12h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PcB7EbVh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Kn6E9kKh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dEsuTrch.jpg

[Hostile]

Thats fantastic mate. Looks awesome running in the snow and around with the big rigs. Total chick magnet too i see!

[skeeter]

Makes me want to get mine did. I think I still have 2 more of those cheapo Chinesse ESC units laying around. Between the 2 of them, I hope 1 will work without frying!

[frizzen]

Glad you like what i've done with it! (I still haven't found that mopar wing-car) The snow really didn't go well, but it looked great doing it. Girls like cute cars, and even with projectors and rally livery the Bug-eye Impreza is just cute. Besides, what doesn't look better with a girl on it?

You should, its fun chasing semis and being a 'darn 4 wheeler'. The hard part was staying that far out of the throttle and just cruise it. It was kinda funny spinning the tires up the bridges.

[Hostile]

Ill keep an eye out for the dodge daytona is you like. Depends if i can find 1 cheap. Just keep checking sites yourself. 1/16 fast and furious.

[Hostile]

This is what to look for. It seems youll have better luck pulling hens teeth rather than finding one of these!

http://www.carmodel.com/nikko/160191/1-16/dodge/charger-daytona-1969-dom-s-charger-fast-furious-6/68860

[Hostile]

Found one in germany - https://m.ebay.ie/itm/Nikko-35073-RC-FAST-AND-FURIOUS-6-Dodge-Daytona/142646061138?hash=item21365e2852:g:qaoAAOSwyc1ZoCx c

[skeeter]

That would be an AWESOME car fir you to convert next, Frizzy.

[frizzen]

Yeah, i've been looking, 24 come up WAY more than 16. Bad thing is i remember seeing the Daytona being sold in stores, but between the side exhaust and rims, not really doing it for me. Plus I didn't mess with this scale back then.

The sick part of me is saying i should pick up some FF current run like charger, supra. then some more aluminum oven liners, and shoe goo... gotta have something for the police or ambulance to respond to.

[Hostile]

Nikko's website has some good ones up. Also ive seen quite a few in the toys r us here in oz. Almost bought a 1/16 dodge challenger. Going to pick up fast and furious 1970 rc charger this weekend 1/16 rc. Will leave as is for a while before i mondify the battery set up etc. Ill message you for advice when i get to that point though

[Hostile]

These are a couple of the ones i mentioned. Fastlane 1/16 rc

https://m.toysrus.com.au/fast-lane-1-16-muscle-car-assorted_21576619/

[frizzen]

https://youtu.be/Qx9hkaLtKqk
I may or may not have photo-bombed his video a bit.

I dunno guys, i also seem to have a problem with being cheap, indecisive, and *really* have Project ADD.
I've got all the half-baked projects already in work, and then the list in my head is worse:
I want a Charger Daytona, maybe convert to Superbird.
I want a first gen Mustang.
I want a bobbed M-35 Deuce 1/2, or stretch it back to stock.
I want to make a Porsche 911 Safari, the rally kind.
I want to do a kustom Van, 70s usa mural or 90s japan fiberglass monster.
i need to save for the American Lafrance project.
I want a semi with a car hauler and a flatbed...

[frizzen]

So what makes Rally cars better?

https://i.imgur.com/D0hF8p6h.jpg

More lights!

5mm whites in the projectors
3mm yellow markers

Nothing at all in the back, not yet feeling up to making taillight lenses and buckets
(It might even get a special stage hood mounted light-pod before tail lights)

[skeeter]

That lil thang looks AWESOME, Frizzy!

The one I have has been out as a static prop a couple times. Other than that she's sat on the shelf in the garage. Your stickers still look good, whereas mine are all starting to peel. Is your garage climate controlled? Mine isn't, that's why I inquire...........Perhaps the difference between being in a heated garage Vs. being in an unheated garage.

[frizzen]

Thank you!
My stickers are peeling. It lives on a shelf or desk in the house. Shortly after arrival, i'd also gone heavy with rubdowns trying to get it to all stick, splitting at panel lines, rubber cement on the rear fender stickers... (i really like the factory team livery)

I'm not going to take pics / brag about it being cool without trying to get it all pressed flat. Even at that, some still lifted in that pic. Radiator vent got peeled and is sharpie. Intercooler scoop got sharpie until i decide it needs cut out. The star below side marker didn't have much sticky after i pulled it to drill light, so it's not back on either.

Eventually i'd like it to turn into paint, i'm just procrastinating a lot because that masking will suck so bad!

---

On the real WRC cars, the hood scoop is blocked off because front-mount intercooler. It looks wrong but should be solid front in blue.

[frizzen]

You know when somethings been sitting on a shelf a while with most of the electronics pulled out 'temporarily' for some other project... but you happen to look at some parts in a broken thing you took apart just to see if it had anything good.

What could a guy do with a pcb of 4x 5mm low profile leds?

https://imgur.com/4bneMZih.jpg

Some shoe-goo, and traffic cones from some bit-charg / zipzap / clone...

I always liked the look of a big ol' rack of PIAA or Hella lights hanging off a rally car.

[jerry56]

LOL...here we go.....we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, and were wearing sunglasses at night.....

[frizzen]

If you're the only guy at a meet that has a police car, the cops can't hassle you...
(Hoon responsibly.)

I don't have a retired Mount Prospect police car, and we're not on a mission from God.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.

[jerry56]

That's what I meant :D

[frizzen]

These are old reposts off the Matador adam-12 thread, but meh.

https://i.imgur.com/X1C8gmbh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nP8VqeBh.jpg

I'd like to come up with a magnet mounting system for the light pod, then probably tape the hood to prevent sticking and sculpt the fiberglass lightpod housing from jb weld putty