Cyclone build and tune

[Broman62]

That 92 is looking sweet Prox!! Just my 2 :twocents-mytwocents:...if your gonna apply Future on that body, spray the clear coat on first or that black sharpie will run like Forest Gump with just the Future application...I know and it’s not good!! :angry-screaming: :angry-screaming: :angry-screaming:

[goosenapper]

End of day one of the Cyclone builds, and it doesn't look like I've done much. Hood has been fitted, as has rear valance, and putty has been added to smooth the whole thing over and cover up the many places where I slipped with exacto-knives and a dremmel. The car kind of resembles a freshly shaved face covered in tiny bits of bloody toiletpaper. I copied Ken's work on the rear of his #92 car by smoothing out the rear lights to create a flat surface. I ground off the door handles, side indicators, and chrome trim, as well as opened up the wheel arches slightly. A hole has been drilled for the fuel fill.



Although the body is still in the beginning stages, the chassis is complete. It's a Carrera Torino, or was. Ken mentioned that this chassis could fit but that much cutting was involved. He wasn't kidding. This photo shows a stock chassis on top with the altered one beneath:

The rear mounting posts have been sliced off flush against the chassis. This allows the rear of the chassis to sit flush in the small lip on the underside of the rear bumper. As is evident, much of the front has been removed. Also of note is that the front bumper needed to be hacked up a bit to allow for the guide to fit, otherwise the ride-height would have been rather high. Cutting the bumper like this would be unnecessary for a street build as a high ride looks fine, but not on a race car.

By way of tuning, the rear tires have been replaced with Paul Gage PGT 22103XD. The fronts are stock. Both sets of wheels and tires have been trued on a Tire Razor. As this car will be run exclusively on Carrera track against stock releases, this is the extent of the tuning.

Tomorrow should bring final sanding and hopefully painting of the first color. That may be a bit overly ambitious as yardwork unfortunately has to take priority, but that's the plan at least.

[dw5555]

Excellent write up Goose. This is exactly the kind of info people need. :text-bravo:
Dave

[ccobra]

It sure makes me feel guilty for I'm still modeling up the chassis. Give it a few minutes and it'll change.

[TuscoTodd]

Great write up and pics!
I have my parts in "wash" and plan to go hopefully make some headway on them today mixed in with yard work duties!
:D

[slothead]

Goosenapper - while reading your post and scrolling down to see the first photos I thought you were doing a very imaginative sky and clouds livery. It took a moment to see that was just how the sanding of the putty came out.

Work on my Cyclones has stalled for 2 very good reasons. First, I'm now retired and time no longer has any meaningful dimensions. The things I think will get done on any given day may get done by November, or April. Secondly, every work surface in my mancave is so cluttered there's no place to do anything. But, not to fear, the plan is to get them cleared off tomorrow, or ...

[goosenapper]

[waaytoomuchintothis]

"First, I'm now retired and time no longer has any meaningful dimensions. The things I think will get done on any given day may get done by November, or April. Secondly, every work surface in my mancave is so cluttered there's no place to do anything. But, not to fear, the plan is to get them cleared off tomorrow, or ..."

[slothead]

I actually got 12 square inches of space cleared off on my work surface, and put one of the Pioneer Charger chassis on a setup block to take a look at. It has the deep wood track guide on it, but it's loose and there's nothing to hold it in place.

I started another thread to ask this question of anyone with experience using this guide.

To anyone who's installed the deep wood track guide included with Pioneer cars - how is it stabilized and held in place?

[waaytoomuchintothis]

[goosenapper]

[slothead]

Actually made some progress on the 1st Cyclone build today after being up all night then getting a morning nap. I solved the issue with the guide on the Pioneer Charger chassis (see the other thread) and then ran some laps with Maxx Trax M6 silicones on the rear and Scalextric Trans Am tires on the front. It ran similar to my 'Ace of Spades' Pioneer Charger so I'm happy.

Then I removed flashing from the wheel wells and window openings and Dremeled away some material from the front and real of the chassis. With the body mount posts screwed to the chassis I'm fiddling with the stance, which is okay but even though the new tires are smaller than the originals, it might look better with a little more lift in the rear.

I'll post progress photos after my camera battery recharges. So far it's a fun project and looks good.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I got ambitious today and swapped the Pioneer wheels for silver Revell NASCAR steel wheels and modified the Pioneer tires to fit. So now I have the authentic wheels and tires. And the chassis by itself flies around the track. And I get 4 Pioneer spoked wheels for spares as well as the Revell tires. Win-win.

[slothead]

Nice wheel and tire swap. I only have 2 Revell Nascars, both Fairlanes, and I don't want to sacrifice anything from them for the Cyclones. I don't think the Ford execs would approve of the Mercury subdivision impinging on the parent company's race efforts.

While I'm going to stay with the Pioneer wheels for now, I'm not happy with the Maxx Trax silicone tires I put on them yesterday. The traction is good but having rear tires smaller than the fronts isn't a look I'm okay with.

There must be silicon tires that are a size match for the original Pioneer Charger tires. I wouldn't mind some even slightly beefier tires, as long as they'll fit on the stock wheels.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

back when the Carrera, first, then Revell stockers came out, I bought a supply of every color of the wheels sets for both. Steel wheels in 1/32nd have been a subject of moaning and groaning for decades before, so I pounced on the chance to stock up. The same was somewhat true of the American and Cragar mags we all wanted, so when Pioneer came along I pounced again. I made a tool for pulling plastic wheels from knurled axles, and away I went.