speaking of car body weight

[zigzag]

So I have 2 cars I am planning to send in for the fire series (will be first time racing and will be in the BASX class) - I have one body cut from sugarpine weighing in at 20grams and one from a revell block at 15grams (both are cut with similar weight pockets , width, etc).

Should I lighten the bodies up ????

 

[TRE]

i would try to get them to 10 to 12 grams atleast

 

[Kinser Racing]

i would try to get them to 10 to 12 grams atleast

+1

 

[BulldogRacing]

can you post pics of the cars?

 

[zigzag]

So I lightened the sugarpine car a bit. Its showing 15grams on the scale which appears to measure in 5 gram increments so may need a more precise scale. Car is 5/16 thick -

Here are a couple of pics.

 

[561 racing]

Lose a lot of that front weight would be a good place to start. Nice job cutting pockets out.

 

[BulldogRacing]

I've never used a scale that does 5 gram increments. I would pick up a cheep gram scale from DD4H or harbor freight. You'll need one to get your car close as possible to 143.4 grams for the NPWDRL races. I like my cross braces a little thinner. If guys like kinser ang Tre tell us they like them at least 10-12 grams I would bet on it! JBD told us the other day that he hollows out most of the under side and has no problem with too much flex.

 

[BulldogRacing]

It's not gonna flex enough to even worry about most of my new cars are completely hollow in the middle

this is what he said. Thanks JBD.

 

[TRE]

5/16 is too thick

 

[BulldogRacing]

Tre do you use 3/16 cubes or are you talking about the middle of the car and the front?

 

[TRE]

I do mostly ladder bodies so mine are no more than 1/4 inch...if not ladder then you can go to 9/32

 

[zigzag]

Appreciate all the feedback - thought I would post a pic of the lightened body. Sanded it down a bit as well and its now a bit under 5/16 thick. I could still could take more off the front but will probably turn my attention to wheel and axle prep. I need a more precise scale but feel comfortable the car is now south of 15grams.....

 

[OPARENNEN]

IMHO, Get rid of cross bars, except for axle struts. With 1/64 wood top, they are not needed for rigidity.

 

[Fumbles]

One thing you could do is to go completely though the pocket areas and then re-cover the body with either 1/64 basswood, 1/32 balsa (and sand down to desired thickness) or with Econo/Mono-kote model airplane covering. Thin super glue does wonders to strengthen the wood after milling to desired shape too. It adds quite a bit of weight but it's rigid as heck once it soaks in and hardens. Most of my stick build bodies come in between 7-10 grams depending on the design and flex desired.