Cub scout car, trying to learn for next year

[bluhorshue]

I was hoping to get some advice for my son's cub scout car next year. This year we had the second fastest car in our pack (the fastest car won second at districts, so it was pretty fast for a cub scout car), but were soundly beaten at districts coming in 4th. I think the winner's cumulative edge was over .150 sec faster than our car, which seems to be a lot.

1) what is the best "not oily" lubricant? Is there something not oily other than graphite? How fast can a good graphite car go? Can it compete with oil? We used pledge on axles, hobby store graphite, NXT car wax to burnish wheels. Would better graphite have made the difference? I'm quite annoyed at myself for not planning far enough ahead, because I am sure I could have ordered zero friction graphite and at least gotten 3rd and a trophy, maybe even second. Did the winner likely use oil to be that much faster? (against our rules but two cars did have really clean wheels).

2) I hand drilled the 4 holes for an extended wheel base. I also hand bent all 4 axles. Would I have been better off just running them straight, or at least the rear ones straight? Our car was reasonably fast to get 4th, but the winner car was an order of magnitude faster. I suspect I'll need better tools next year.

Any insights would be appreciated.

 

[561 racing]

Just a general observation, but doesn't sound to me like the others were running oil. I think you are here, and this is a good place to start working for next years race. Read all you can, and this time next year you will be showing your boys first place district trophy for us to admire.

 

[ngyoung]

I hand drilled the 4 holes for an extended wheel base. I also hand bent all 4 axles. Would I have been better off just running them straight, or at least the rear ones straight? Our car was reasonably fast to get 4th, but the winner car was an order of magnitude faster. I suspect I'll need better tools next year.

Any insights would be appreciated.

Properly drilling the holes canted and using straight axles in your rear wheels could likely get you the speed you were lacking.

Another area to look at is your axle polishing. Many people that first do it end up over polishing and narrow the axle shaft. Using Revell axles without the crimp marks can make the polishing a little easier since you won't need to use a file to remove the crimping.

 

[Kinser Racing]

Honestly, you're better off using the slots (still not good) than hand drilling. I'll say it again, please do not bend the rear axles. I know how to tune a car and I would not do it, it will slow you down.

 

[W8NONU]

1) what is the best "not oily" lubricant?

That's a matter of preference but there are definitely better products out there than hobby store graphite.

How fast can a good graphite car go? Can it compete with oil?

That depends. If both cars have the same identical setup then the oil car will win.

Would better graphite have made the difference?

Possibly but you're best bet is to start planning now for next years race by following this advice.....

I think you are here, and this is a good place to start working for next years race. Read all you can, and this time next year you will be showing your boys first place district trophy for us to admire.

 

[bracketracer]

When you say you hand drilled the axles holes do you mean you literally drilled them freehand?

Most everybody on here spends a lot of time making sure the axle holes are perfectly aligned to max out the speed. How much does it matter? A coworker asked me to help his daughter with her powderpuff derby entry. She chose a thin plank and I showed her and her dad how to polish and align the parts. Had to use the slots and run four touching with the stock box parts. She won every heat by around .090 sec and set four track records. Her cumulative time was over .530 in front of second place after her last run. That's how much difference proper alignment makes even with stock parts.

 

[Vitamin K]

bluhorshue, can you post your rules? Folks can better offer advice if they know what constraints you've got.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I also hand bent all 4 axles. Would I have been better off just running them straight, or at least the rear ones straight? Our car was reasonably fast to get 4th, but the winner car was an order of magnitude faster. I suspect I'll need better tools next year.

When I first started racing here, I was bending my rear axles. I can tell from experience that running straight axles with the rear holes canted or straight will be faster. I personally do not believe you can align bent rear axles, and if you get lucky to do it, it will be a complete nightmare. I've tried.

If you really want to speed up, race with us. You'll get experience building cars and be able to learn what works through your own experience. You'll improve - guaranteed.

 

[Kinser Racing]

If you really want to speed up, race with us. You'll get experience building cars and be able to learn what works through your own experience. You'll improve - guaranteed.

/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif And, you might find that you love your new hobby!

 

[BulldogRacing]

I love my hobby!