SLOT CAR TUNING TIPS

Take the car apart and start with the
guide. Replace the braid. Make sure
the braid is flat and smooth. The braid
should make good contact with the track
but it should not push the car up.







Take the front tire off the rim and inspect
for smoothness. There should be no
flashing or any rough spots that would
cause tire to be out of round. If there are
any rough spots, sand down the rim by
putting the rims on an axle and use a
dremmel at low speed. Make sure the sand
paper is flat.




Next, put the tire on the rim and make sure
it is smooth. If not, lightly sand down the
tire. The front tires being smooth are very
important to a non-magnet car. In the
turns, the car leans on the front tire. If it is
out of round, you will have a vibration
causing poor handling.



Next, move to the rear bushings.
Use brass bushing as these have
the best fit to the axle and the
smallest amount of play. I
recommend drilling part of the
bushing out.












- 1 -


Use a drill larger than 3/32 but do not
drill all of the way through the bushing.
This helps to minimize any axle
binding.
















Glue your bushings to the chassis. I use
super glue. Put some on the bottom of the
bushing. If you ever have to remove the
bushings, you can cut the glue with a razor
knife.















Next, check for play in the rear
bushings. Insert the axle you are going
to use and move the axle up and down,
forward and backward. If you have any
play, you can eliminate in by the
following steps:





1) Put a very small amount of super glue in the
bushing.
2) Take an axle with one wheel installed on it and
lightly oil the axle.
3) Insert the axle through both bushings and
quickly spin the axle.







- 2 -





























For the next step, you will need some type





The axle should feel very tight
spinning but you should be able to
turn the axle. If the axle binds, the
super glue can be removed by
scraping it with a hobby knife. Start
the process over again until you get it
right. Perform this for both bushings.
of abrasive. I use polishing compound for a
car but tooth past will also work.
1) Cover the axle with the abrasive and put
some in the bushings.
2) Chuck the axle in the dremmel and push
through both bushings. You will feel some
resistance as you put the axle through the
bushings.
3) SLOWLY start to spin the axle. Be
careful not to spin it too fast as it will break
the bearing loose from the chassis.
4) Work the axle in and out and slowly
increase the dremmel speed. Slowly work
up to full speed making sure to go in and
out with the axle.
5) Remove the axle and clean the abrasive
from the chassis, bushings and axle.
6) Oil the axle and slide into the bushings.
7) Check for play again.

You should find no play in your axle but it
will slide easily through the bushings!







- 3 -
Your next step is to install
your rear tires and gear. I
highly recommend using Slot
It rims as they are true and
you have a wide selection of
tires and sizes to use. I also
recommend using only Slot It
S1 or PPR tires as they seem
to have the most grip for both
wood and plastic tracks.
Please note if you are using a
sidewinder, you should
purchase the taller rims to
make sure you have enough
clearance for the gear.










Your front tires play a very important role in the handling of your car. Install your
front tires and rims on your car and check to see if there is any up and down
play. If there is, take steps to support the front axle so there is no movement.
Here is an example:

1) Using styrene, drill 3/32 holes to act
as bushings.
2) Put the axle through the styrene and
install the rims and tires on the axle.
Install the front axle assembly onto the
chassis.
3) Set the chassis on a test block with
your guide and new braid installed


4) Push the wheels down so they are
touching the test block.
5) Superglue the new styrene bushings
in place.
6) Make sure the font tires are touching
the block the chassis appears level.
7) Lube the axle and spin the tires to
ensure the axle is not glued to the rim

You may find that a car which comes
equipped with some type of bushing
may still have play. This setup can be
used with almost any type of front end.
- 4 -



























This next check is important and is the
key to the previous steps you have
taken. On a test block, push down on
the front corner of your car. Look at the
opposite rear tire. The tire should not
come off the track. The key here is the
front tires are clearly used as outriggers
to keep the rear planted on the track
when in a corner. Though this setup
may reduce your top speed as the front
tires may add drag, the handling gains
should offset your loss of top speed.






Using a test block, look closely at the
front tires. The front tires should be
clearly on the track with NO space
between the tire and the block. If
there is any space, make sure to
check that your braid is smooth.


Please note that this setup is good in a low grip situation which is most plastic or
non-glued wood tracks.

Next, hot glue your motor in place.

Pimping your Ride for Dummies

Author: Mike Rosania

Not only are floor mats a relatively inexpensive accessory for your ride, but they can greatly increase the appearance and life of your interior. As awesome as it would be to have everyone checking out your whip as you’re rolling down the street on some clean, chrome 18’s, you’re the one that has to live with the inside of the car. And like my momma used to tell me, “It’s what’s on the inside that matters.” No one wants to step into a car with a filthy floor. Gum, grime, dirt, and gunk can really foul up your floor—and can be a real nuisance to clean. Do you really want to spend your time scrubbing the dootie stank out of your car because your buddy was oblivious to the brown mound he just stepped in? Car floor mats nowadays are made from practically indestructible materials like thermo-plastic rubberized vinyl (fancy for ridiculously strong). With the amount of science and planning that goes into the construction of these mats, you would think NASA was lining their shuttles with them. Companies like Husky, RubberTite, Weathertech, and Hexomat all custom tailor their mats to fit the make and year of pretty much any car. This means that the sturdy form of the mats will contour perfectly to your car, eliminating the awkward fit of generic mats. In addition a great fit, some mats have a honeycomb design that can hold an amazing 6-8 cups of liquid without allowing the mess to reach your carpet! They come in come a variety of colors and styles, giving consumers a good selection to find the right mat for their car. So before you go dropping the big bucks on pimping out your car, consider making a valuable investment on a relatively inexpensive product that can provide some serious benefits. You’ve just been pimped. – Mike Rosania

About the Author:

Delve into the world of car floor mats and cargo liners online and start searching now.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Pimping your Ride for Dummies

2003 Lexus IS300 - Let It Be Known [2]

The reloaded version of Billy's IS300 is the complete opposite, and it could have something to do with the fact that he no longer stays at home. Billy is now damned socialitet and traces of it can be seen in his car. "It's mores showy; it more pop," he laughed. "I absolutely wanted to include 'woah' factor in this rebuild. I wanted to show its full potential without hiding it in detail. Plus, I wanted to raise the bar for all IS300 owners to show them that whatever you may have it is not Pinnacle. This is the Pinnacle. "

All about IS300 is now focused on performance, style and function. The 2JZGTE no longer sports the HKS T04Z turbocharger, it is now replaced by a more slender HKS T51R KAI turbo, which helps produce the 748 horses to the wheels when increased to 30 psi. Billy took great pains extensively to modify the engine, but he argues that Veilside intake manifold, it is immediately distinguishes it from all other IS300 in the street. He has also added some customized components such as oil pan, ADF intercooler and custom CHOP-welded pipes, radiators, hoses, and a carbon fiber one piece drive had.

The most visible change is of course played a role in appearance. "I did not want a paint job like everyone else," he described, "I did not want a 'candy-it" or "iridescent-it." I wanted a color that was bright, flat, and something you can not look at IS300s, "thereby Laguna Seca Blue layered over the car Charge Speed Japan front lip, side skirts, wide fenders, hood and carbon fiber roof wing vortex generator. Lowering the chassis is super-functional HKS Hipermax II front and rear coilovers to further stiffen the ride-through RTD sway bars and bushings. The new wheels also push IS300 that attention-catching levels. A set of 19 inch Volk TE37s with Toyo T1R tires sit under wide body chassis. "I love these wheels," Billy says, "the concave appearance rear wheel is something you rarely see, much less a Lexus. "

The interior also a lesson in pageantry. Gone is the stock gauge cluster of old. Replacing it is an innovative custom gauge cluster, which is equipped with an HKS Camp 2 Driving Monitor, which shows the car's vital signs in the ultra-sexy shape. Protection of the cabin is an eight-point roll cage with polished add-on side bars. "I installed the roll cage to protect me when I race a quarter mile," Billy finally resolved, "Sure, it's a flashy car, but one of my passions are racing, which is why I am still laughing, when I take my car to shows and judges shake roll cage as if it was not bolted on. Everything is functional on this car and used for the reasons it was done. "Unlike most cars with aftermarket Rat, Billy's Key's flat-type 325mm steering wheel has a horn that actually works and it still shocks people when pressed, it does not just fall off the wheel.

Luckily, Billy has now been officially change his IS300. With the goal of making 2NR cover has already reached his only add-ons would come in the details and call-in power. He hopes to break the 900 horses and his personal best quarter-mile record by the time you read this. For now, he is just happy with what he has ahead of him. His journey from obscure IS300 gearbox head to cult icon among Lexus owners have made Billy one of the most implemented tuners out there. Not only is he no stranger to the limelight, he also announced that he does not shy away from it.

2003 Lexus IS300 - Let It Be Known [1]

Billy Shea Put The World On Notice When He Built His 2jzgte-Powered Lexus Twice Over

By RC Faderoga

Photography by Steve Demmitt


Shea Billy is no stranger to the limelight. Driving to one of the most recognizable IS300s Lexus can do to a person. Therefore, you can win first place in the Nisei Week Showoff, which is often considered the most competitive car not only show in LA, but in the country. So can the general respect for his fellow harmony, respect and praise of websites that focus solely on all things Lexus. These are the types of recognition that Billy unfazed by the spotlight. In the unlikely world of import tuning, where the possibility of blowing up big as thin as the page you're holding, Billy is kind of a big business. So when he landed a full expansion last year in our sister publication Super Street, which catapulted the independent contractor from Chino Hills, CA, to super stardom pitch, putting the nation on notice. So why we are still talking about him?

Three years ago, when Billy started to build its IS300, the one and only goal was not to be recognized on the street, winning trophies, winning the respect of his peers and websites, or even score a function of some random magazine. All they wanted was to get on the cover of Import Tuner. "No matter what measures should be taken," said Billy. "A 2NR cover is the highest honor, and I just had to get on the cover."

But when the Super Street feature kiosks concerned, is almost sealed his fate. There is an unwritten rule among the major publications include the same car, so get on the cover of import tuner was almost impossible, with the exception of two options: 1) Billy could buy a new car, to reach that build the high standards to cover a car, and I hope we pleased the editors of the magazine or, 2) Billy IS300 could rebuild his car in a completely different appearing in Super Street, to reach the high standards of build a car cover and hope that the pleasure of the journal editors. Both options require a lot of patience, hard work and creative genius - not to mention a lot of money.

"I've never been the type to quit," says Billy. "Therefore, to rebuild everything on my ES. Everything, in addition to the seats has been changed - the engine, suspension, exterior, and a lot of custom pieces. I went this route because they can not participate with my SE. Right when he left, it was like love at first sight. I remember test driving the Nissan 350Z and I felt cramped inside. The IS300 is quite the car I just felt comfortable in "

It is also no surprise that these are the major changes were a reflection of the growth of Billy as a person and a tuner. The first version of this car was a show of elegance. "I wanted to be subtle, but fast," Billy clear. "I wanted to focus on the details that someone would have to look closely to notice the improvement. I wanted to yell out,` Oh shit! Not even notice that first! "Of course, these are the days when I Saturday at home a lot and chilled with my friends. "