1/5th scale Berg Cup mk1 project!

So i've still got another month till I go to uni, figured i'd do a little project to run alongside my mk1. Translated the wheelbase, width  and length of the R/C car against a mk1 and lo and behold it's nearly perfect! The 1:1 RC buggy would be 20cm wider on each side which means that either the golf shape would have to be stretched over the wheels or Berg cup-esque arches would have to be made, i'm opting for the latter. The wheels will also be slightly too large in proportion to the car although I do have some smaller wheels which would be the equivalent of 205/55/16 wheels.

So here is the base for the project. HPI Baja 5B that is now far from standard, 30.5CC engine that's had a fair amount of time invested internally. Power is roughly around 5-6bhp (around double that of a standard motor) but the torque is enough to make the buggy stand on its back wheels from a full throttle launch. It's essentially a strimmer engine on steroids and should be more than upto the task of lugging around a heavy GRP shell. The drivetrain has been strengthened throughout with hardened steel gears, aluminium differential casing and a titanium layshaft. A hydraulic braking system has also been installed on the front to help bring the car to a quicker stop as it is considerably heavier than a standard model. Far too many upgrades to list every one of them but suffice to say it's a solid starting point.

First step was to strip everything down





And built back up after sitting like that for a good year or so with fresh oils and lube as well as all the parts that had been sitting there waiting to get fitted (after having to wait a few days for a new plate for the LSD has i'd lost that somewhere!)


Apologies for the pictures taken by a potato camera







Got some plywood knocking about somewhere so tomorrow I will get some side front and rear profiles scaled correctly and printed off whilst i'm in uni and then mark everything out on the ply and start cutting (which will probably be the easiest step). Or it may be easier for me to make the whole thing out of some metal and avoid having to make a wooden mould.

Anyhow, progress shots soon!

Is there anything you can't turn your hand to?  

This should be awesome when it's done - put it in for COTM  

(How you going to fit in it though?   )

Hairyarse said

Is there anything you can't turn your hand to?  

This should be awesome when it's done - put it in for COTM  

(How you going to fit in it though?   )

I get bored easily, need something to keep me busy!

I'm sure I can borrow my nieces tractor cart trailer and tow it behind this  

     

Templates made today. Total length is around 880mm plus bumpers. Car itself is around 830mm so I've got plenty of room. Shell is around 400mm wide as i've kept it perfectly in proportion. Width of the model is 480mm at the back and 460mm at the front so it'll need some pretty wildly flared arches, although the smaller diameter wheels i'll be using also have far less offset so would reduce the width by around 20mm although they need adaptors to fit onto the existing hubs.




Hoping to get some 0.7mm thick cold rolled steel next week or weekend and make a start on the sides. Once I get the curves done on those the rest should be easy. Then I need to think of a way or reinforcing the shell. Which is where this should come in. 2x2 weave carbon kevlar!



Just need to find where i've put the bloody stuff     

This is going to be a monster of an R/C car!! How will you cut the weave? Kevlar is soooooo strong!!

.....or is it strong only in strand length, not width?

I've got some very very sharp tailor scissors which are perfect for this, it's not cutting it that's the problem, when I used it last time on another rc project (100mph for as cheap as possible!) I kept on fraying the ends and distorting the weave. I hope these scissors will help prevent that.

Might try get a cardboard mock up done if I get spare time this weekend 

Oh and the benefit of having a Carbon Kevlar mix rather than standard carbon fibre is the Kevlar gives the composite a bit more ductility and durability so the shell can flex a bit. The carbon provides the strength.


The more you know 

Good idea mate but shell wont last long with a baja 

My old baja 

I know mate, won't get bashed about though!

Looks awesome with those wheels and that GBE side bleed!

Ooo nice one too!