Bringing back some memories here, had one of these along with a Avanti, ultima Pro, cougar, cougar 2 works, cat 2000, cougar 2000 losi xx. Absolute lived for racing 🏁 🏎 with my dad back in the day . Some incredible times with him R.I.P dad x
Nice and I agree about the kit, it's not a patch on the Turbo Optima in terms of special imo.......! All the carbon reminds me of my Schumacher Cougar LD2 Stock Spec......now that's something extra special that you need on the show, oooooooooh so blingy and o so special imo and goes together like a fine swiss watch, lovely!!
Awesome buggy! For those who want to use these cars much I think there is available aftermarket undertray keeping the inside of the car clean. Originally many racers back then preferred "saddle-pack" battery as these would represent a lower center of gravity compared with the "stick-pack" which had to be placed on top of the lower belt cover. Also, these cars were originally designed to have a relatively tight belt.
The car looks great and the color combinations are a throw back to the original car's release. Your review and build was thorough and concise. It's a car I will have to consider after I sell a few. Thanks.
I had to buy 2 so that I could also have a Turbo. I really want to run one of them...maybe I'll have to get a 3rd one, deck it out with options and slip back into childhood. I am 48 years old and didn't know that Kyosho had been re-releasing these cars until about 2 months ago when one of your videos popped up. I've been addicted since and now have all of the 4WD Optima cars...all are equipped with the Kyosho Legendary ESCs and motors . I haven't run any of them yet, although they are fully equipped and ready to go. Kyosho should really send you all of their 1/10 cars, as I know you've generated huge amounts of business for them.
Cool, welcome back to a fantastic hobby. Sounds like it’s been an expensive but fun few months. The Kyosho kits are lovely. 100% you should run one as you will be surprised how well these old racers still handle, especially using brushless motors and Lipo batteries. All that weight saving makes the chassis perform so well.
@@RCKickschannel - What do you use to seal the underbody after paint? The paint is incredibly fragile - I've tried the Tamiya cans and ProLine airbrush. I tried using a silver backing coat, but it was still much too fragile. Then I tried to put thick clear protective tape, but the weight of the tape is pulling the paint away. I'm definitely prepping the underbody thoroughly before painting.
@@RCKickschannel Not peeling, but just a fingernail touching it will scratch it from the inside. It never really hardens. I have a little bit better luck with Tamiya PS vs Proline airbrush. As mentioned, I tried covering the paint with a thick, vinyl clear tape, but the tape will pull the paint off, I guess from the expansion and contraction of the tape due to temperature fluctuations. It's just really delicate paint.
Lovely job, mine should arrive this week and I can’t wait. I have 2 original long wheelbase versions (custom and custom special) but never built a Kyosho kit. For the belt tension, have you tried putting the tensioner in the middle then loosen off the top deck end fixing screws a little. Put the car on your knee and push down on the ends to flex the chassis a little, do up the bolts when you have the tension as you want it. That’s how we used to tension them.
Wow 😊 If it wasn’t for you Gav I wouldn’t have gotten this beauty, but you absolutely sold it in for me ❤️ it will be a shelf queen but fully equiped with turbo livery and stabilizers, a 240 gold motor and the kyosho 240bls esc 😍❤️😊
I just built my runner today with the EXO kit. One thing worth mentioning is that you have to reverse the rear suspension arms due to the bulkhead requiring to rear mount the shocks - this reduces the wheelbase by several millimeters...this bothers me a bit as I'm not sure if the reduced wheelbase will make the handling twitchy. Not to mention that I had assembled the suspension arms normally per the kit instructions, then had to disassemble everything to reverse the arms. Also, the new EXO kits have eliminated the body clip nipple on the rear main bulkhead, so that's a good thing,
Built two now. Sadly my second build has a defective motor plate, the three locating holes haven't been tapped, and unable to tap at M3 0.5 as they are also drilled large. Very disappointing to see this from Kyosho, but I honestly feel this kit was rushed through. Still very impressed now and a new motor plate landed today.
Great video! I would like to know how much oil I should put in the diffs. Do I just fill one side, If I don't feel one side, do I use grease on the other side? I have 5000 weight and 3000 weight oil that I can use. Any help would be awesome.
just found one at my local hobby store... of course i bought it and man, it's confusing putting it together. or maybe it's the heat! 114F out here right now, so I got the diffs put together and took a break. it's gonna take awhile because the garage heats up fast!
Great build!! You are the reason I ordered one and it’s on the way. I do have a question for you. What paint did you use? Tamiya, I’m sure, but what is the number? And if you were to do the yellow, what number would you get? I’m trying to do both bodies and would like to know what exact colors would need to be used per the box art. Thank you for all you do I keep watching your build videos over and over. Thanks again
Yep the ESC and motor are loads of money. You can get a unbranded version of the Kyosho esc that's the same aprt from the case mirror finish. I have one in my Fantom.
Really good build videos Gavin. Are any of your Optima chain drive? Your really missing out if you don't run chain drive at least once. I have a very specific memory of Optimas on oval chassis, late model bodies, hard foam tires hand cut for dirt, running brushed open motors flingin dirt and sounding like a column of pissed off tanks. Good times! I know your about keeping it original so you really want to go drive one of these as a chain drive buggy, it's really part of the Optima experience. And scratches on the body is vintage correct.... Man you have really come a long way on the build vids. Your Optima build here is Hall of Fame.
Just finished my Optima mid build and it is beautiful! However I found some of the FRP and plastic parts quite fragile and had to order replacements mid build, not helped by the at times awful instructions. I will never run this car as I don't think it would last half an hour without something breaking 🙁.
What size/range of pinion gears does it take? I gave one coming for Christmas and have a selection of pinions from 24 to 32 tooth all 48dp, will one if them fit? Thanks
Actually, carbon fiber is an excellent heat sink. It's directional though, so it's good in-plane but not our of plane. In this case, I would expect it to out perform aluminum.
It was hard trying to figure out what Le mans motor to put in mine!. I have like 50 lol. I may have a problem !. First thought was 240s. ended up using My Franken Xspeed can that I fitted a brand new 12x4 5pole rotor with ceramic bearings. very quick! I am old school love brushed!!. Love my Le mans motors but they are old and tired. I swear magnets age just like Humans lol.
A small collection. Wish Kyosho would commission Sagami Corp of Japan to make another line of LeMans motors!!. Sagami manufacturing Corp is still around they made the original line of Le mans motors for Kyosho in the 80s and 90s!!. Also the Mega series motors and the Mad Science motors as well and don't forget the Xspeed!!.
On that screenshot you took showing the carbon LIPO shorty pack, did that car have Yokomo big bore shocks?! That would make it very plush!!! EDIT - checked their FB page. Looks like I could run myself broke looking at their kit conversion!
Optima Mid is the best and then the Avante is a close second. The Egress is nice but super simple so it doesn't take long enough to really savour the experience. If you are looking for the best build experience, I would take a look at the Turbo Optima from kyosho.
@@michaellee4722 Top Force is a super easy build but a lovely bit of kit. Loads of carbon and metal hi cap shocks to look at and let’s face it, one good looking buggy when built. It’s Nice to drive on smoother stuff vs the rough so keep that in mind.
doing this one now and have the exo carbon kit as well,dont think much of the instructions for the exo carbon kit as it doesn't give the information for everything that it used
My only question is - is that a 16610 SD? I considered them for a while yet settled on an 116610 for my 40th. It's a bonus to watching your great chanel seeing a beautiful SS Sports 👍🏼👍🏼
Hi, it’s a 16600 that was given to me by my family for my 40th. I have just been given my late fathers Datejust for safe keeping until my son is old enough to have it if he wishes.
I do the lower one first by pushing down on the rod onto the clip. Use the manual underneath as the clip will dig into the pages a little and stop it from zooming off.
Hi Gavin i must say you’ve done a Really nice job on the new 2022 optima mid it does look amazing the decals definitely pop even on camera. I wanted to know about the tuned diffs and how well it drives was it 7000 in the rear and 10000 in the front.✌🏻
Still waiting on kit releases from 2018 till present either they sell out or they just sell to resellers over seas like the 🇺🇸 market after all these years is like a tamiya kyosho red headed step child
For me your otherwise excellent build video was ruined by music. Maybe ruined is a bit strong but I gave up watching and skipped to the end to hear you talk again without music. I know this is where your channel is now but for me it is distracting and it seems you are trying to add too much. Perhaps most disagree. The closeups and the way you edit and everything is brilliant and has really come on but it seems there is less room for you. And believe it or not Gavin, I think that's why people tune in. If I want to listen to music I can find it. If I only want to hear and see you talk about RC cars what do I do? Watch one of your old videos? Hey, I'll remember we call this progress. :-)
100% agreed. Not sure why people think every second of video on the internet needs some crap music over it. It's distracting and when the music sucks it really takes away from what I am actually here to watch.
I’ll say I like your typical music choices ok Gavin but prefer it be quieter and more dialogue dubbed over it. This build in particular felt rushed and a collection of quick spin shots with not so many comments. Of course I’m a Kyosho fan boy so want all can get!
LOL Totally different kind of RC but its whatever makes you happy is what someone should get. We are at a time in RC when we have the most choice, be that crawlers, drag cars, bashers and vintage rere kits. :)
Fine car ...i owned this in 1988/89, Great to see a new release!
Very cool!
Bringing back some memories here, had one of these along with a Avanti, ultima Pro, cougar, cougar 2 works, cat 2000, cougar 2000 losi xx. Absolute lived for racing 🏁 🏎 with my dad back in the day . Some incredible times with him R.I.P dad x
Nice and I agree about the kit, it's not a patch on the Turbo Optima in terms of special imo.......! All the carbon reminds me of my Schumacher Cougar LD2 Stock Spec......now that's something extra special that you need on the show, oooooooooh so blingy and o so special imo and goes together like a fine swiss watch, lovely!!
Awesome buggy! For those who want to use these cars much I think there is available aftermarket undertray keeping the inside of the car clean. Originally many racers back then preferred "saddle-pack" battery as these would represent a lower center of gravity compared with the "stick-pack" which had to be placed on top of the lower belt cover. Also, these cars were originally designed to have a relatively tight belt.
Yes you can get under trays and 100% worth it.
The car looks great and the color combinations are a throw back to the original car's release. Your review and build was thorough and concise. It's a car I will have to consider after I sell a few. Thanks.
I had to buy 2 so that I could also have a Turbo. I really want to run one of them...maybe I'll have to get a 3rd one, deck it out with options and slip back into childhood. I am 48 years old and didn't know that Kyosho had been re-releasing these cars until about 2 months ago when one of your videos popped up. I've been addicted since and now have all of the 4WD Optima cars...all are equipped with the Kyosho Legendary ESCs and motors . I haven't run any of them yet, although they are fully equipped and ready to go. Kyosho should really send you all of their 1/10 cars, as I know you've generated huge amounts of business for them.
Cool, welcome back to a fantastic hobby. Sounds like it’s been an expensive but fun few months. The Kyosho kits are lovely. 100% you should run one as you will be surprised how well these old racers still handle, especially using brushless motors and Lipo batteries. All that weight saving makes the chassis perform so well.
@@RCKickschannel - What do you use to seal the underbody after paint? The paint is incredibly fragile - I've tried the Tamiya cans and ProLine airbrush. I tried using a silver backing coat, but it was still much too fragile. Then I tried to put thick clear protective tape, but the weight of the tape is pulling the paint away. I'm definitely prepping the underbody thoroughly before painting.
@@bharris0128 You have paint peeling off your bodies and you used Tamiya PS paints?
@@RCKickschannel Not peeling, but just a fingernail touching it will scratch it from the inside. It never really hardens. I have a little bit better luck with Tamiya PS vs Proline airbrush. As mentioned, I tried covering the paint with a thick, vinyl clear tape, but the tape will pull the paint off, I guess from the expansion and contraction of the tape due to temperature fluctuations. It's just really delicate paint.
Kyosho content. Awesome.
Lovely job, mine should arrive this week and I can’t wait. I have 2 original long wheelbase versions (custom and custom special) but never built a Kyosho kit.
For the belt tension, have you tried putting the tensioner in the middle then loosen off the top deck end fixing screws a little. Put the car on your knee and push down on the ends to flex the chassis a little, do up the bolts when you have the tension as you want it. That’s how we used to tension them.
I’ll give it a try
Wow 😊 If it wasn’t for you Gav I wouldn’t have gotten this beauty, but you absolutely sold it in for me ❤️ it will be a shelf queen but fully equiped with turbo livery and stabilizers, a 240 gold motor and the kyosho 240bls esc 😍❤️😊
It’s a stunner, that’s for sure
I just built my runner today with the EXO kit. One thing worth mentioning is that you have to reverse the rear suspension arms due to the bulkhead requiring to rear mount the shocks - this reduces the wheelbase by several millimeters...this bothers me a bit as I'm not sure if the reduced wheelbase will make the handling twitchy. Not to mention that I had assembled the suspension arms normally per the kit instructions, then had to disassemble everything to reverse the arms. Also, the new EXO kits have eliminated the body clip nipple on the rear main bulkhead, so that's a good thing,
Bro you are just hitting long balls! 3/3 with amazing kits!
Perfect looking Mid!!
I noticed you had the same problem as I did with mounting the belt dust cover mounts with the carbon chassis as the didnt go where there suppose to !
Can't wait to build mine, Mid SE was my first 4WD racer.
You are going to love it
That was my Dreamcar back in the Days. Sadly i never had a Kyosho. Only some Tamiya's.
Back in the 80s when I use to race. I would beat the weekly with my Thundershot.
just ordered the carbon set and turnbuckles👍
Built two now. Sadly my second build has a defective motor plate, the three locating holes haven't been tapped, and unable to tap at M3 0.5 as they are also drilled large. Very disappointing to see this from Kyosho, but I honestly feel this kit was rushed through. Still very impressed now and a new motor plate landed today.
I agree, this is not Kyosho's best work.
Nice Build Gav 😎👍🏻
Thanks Adam 👍🏻
Wow, what a fantastic looking buggy, nice job!!
Great vid as always 👍👍
I don't know much about Kyosho kits, but that looks really nice. 🙂👍🏻
Well worth trying a Kyosho kit. Lovely quality stuff.
@@RCKickschannel that one looks great with the carbon bits. 👍🏻
I see the carbon chassis gives a lot more room (width) for electronics to go in....... handy
Yep, loads of space.
Great video! I would like to know how much oil I should put in the diffs. Do I just fill one side, If I don't feel one side, do I use grease on the other side? I have 5000 weight and 3000 weight oil that I can use. Any help would be awesome.
Best to follow the manufacturer guidelines in the manual
just found one at my local hobby store... of course i bought it and man, it's confusing putting it together. or maybe it's the heat! 114F out here right now, so I got the diffs put together and took a break. it's gonna take awhile because the garage heats up fast!
Yep that heat will do it. The RCKicks studio has been like that over the summer when we get the freak 30-40 days in the UK this year.
Awesome build! Old Kyosho´s are very cool!
You should run it with the new tyres that comes with the kit, probably the best tyres I’ve ever tried on a buggy 😊
Sand Super 350/30/20 are super soft. I’ve got them fitted on some vintage 88 Avante rims so obviously the RC Gods are not happy with that lol.
@@RCKickschannel hahaha
Cool Video Gavin and a great final product!! Well done!!
Thanks 👍
Hi all did all the mids come with the extras
Great build!! You are the reason I ordered one and it’s on the way. I do have a question for you. What paint did you use? Tamiya, I’m sure, but what is the number? And if you were to do the yellow, what number would you get? I’m trying to do both bodies and would like to know what exact colors would need to be used per the box art. Thank you for all you do I keep watching your build videos over and over. Thanks again
Hi. Tamiya PS-1 white
@@RCKickschannel I’ve ordered the white, but what color number is the yellow? Thank you!!
Turbo Optima Mid Next!! ?.
If the belt is too loose you could use the Optima belt which I believe has one teeth less.
i had the original. was a fun car.
Great build, nice work and some good tips for building mine. Kyosho motor as ESC looks like almost £250 in the UK, not cheap!
Yep the ESC and motor are loads of money. You can get a unbranded version of the Kyosho esc that's the same aprt from the case mirror finish. I have one in my Fantom.
Very nice
Awesome 😊 it turned out perfect 😍 🤩👍
It's a good ;looking thing that's for sure.
@@RCKickschannel indeed :)
Really good build videos Gavin. Are any of your Optima chain drive? Your really missing out if you don't run chain drive at least once. I have a very specific memory of Optimas on oval chassis, late model bodies, hard foam tires hand cut for dirt, running brushed open motors flingin dirt and sounding like a column of pissed off tanks. Good times!
I know your about keeping it original so you really want to go drive one of these as a chain drive buggy, it's really part of the Optima experience. And scratches on the body is vintage correct....
Man you have really come a long way on the build vids. Your Optima build here is Hall of Fame.
My Fantom is chain and I love it as is my Turbo Optima. I like chain as it’s way smooth than you would expect.
Just finished my Optima mid build and it is beautiful! However I found some of the FRP and plastic parts quite fragile and had to order replacements mid build, not helped by the at times awful instructions. I will never run this car as I don't think it would last half an hour without something breaking 🙁.
What size/range of pinion gears does it take? I gave one coming for Christmas and have a selection of pinions from 24 to 32 tooth all 48dp, will one if them fit?
Thanks
seems impossible to buy that chassis kit in the UK, shame as it looks nice. The sup[plier you used doesn't even list the item now.
Actually, carbon fiber is an excellent heat sink. It's directional though, so it's good in-plane but not our of plane. In this case, I would expect it to out perform aluminum.
It was hard trying to figure out what Le mans motor to put in mine!. I have like 50 lol. I may have a problem !. First thought was 240s. ended up using My Franken Xspeed can that I fitted a brand new 12x4 5pole rotor with ceramic bearings. very quick! I am old school love brushed!!. Love my Le mans motors but they are old and tired. I swear magnets age just like Humans lol.
Sounds like you have a lovely Kyosho vintage motor collection.
A small collection. Wish Kyosho would commission Sagami Corp of Japan to make another line of LeMans motors!!. Sagami manufacturing Corp is still around they made the original line of Le mans motors for Kyosho in the 80s and 90s!!. Also the Mega series motors and the Mad Science motors as well and don't forget the Xspeed!!.
OT-66 tires fit to rere wheels? I though they were different size compared to originals?
They do fit. I ordered a set for mine.
awesome!
Thanks!
Remember back then when the Kyosho gold shocks were better than the platinum shocks?
On that screenshot you took showing the carbon LIPO shorty pack, did that car have Yokomo big bore shocks?! That would make it very plush!!! EDIT - checked their FB page. Looks like I could run myself broke looking at their kit conversion!
Where did you buy the exotek kit from? The Facebook group you linked doesn't work.
Cool
Do you have a part number or link for those pin tires? Thanks
marwanrc.com/shop/ols/products/kyosho-optima-javelin-sand-super-tire-tyre-ot66-optima-mid-stinger-ultima
@@RCKickschannel thanks!
The build resembles my 1989 Schumacher cat xls
I managed to find two re-release kits and maybe four upgraded transmission kits. I have no idea what I am doing.
Gav penguin bodies make a great undertray for the mid
any links for the chassis kit not in japanese?
Which one is more fun to build? (Not considering the price of the kit). Egress, Avante, or Optima Mid? Thanks!
Optima Mid is the best and then the Avante is a close second. The Egress is nice but super simple so it doesn't take long enough to really savour the experience. If you are looking for the best build experience, I would take a look at the Turbo Optima from kyosho.
@@RCKickschannel thanks!!
@@RCKickschannel thanks for the quick response! How about Top Force? where does it rank amongst these cars?
@@michaellee4722 Top Force is a super easy build but a lovely bit of kit. Loads of carbon and metal hi cap shocks to look at and let’s face it, one good looking buggy when built. It’s Nice to drive on smoother stuff vs the rough so keep that in mind.
@@RCKickschannel thanks again!
hi rc kicks, do you know if the kyosho hop up option parts are made in japan or is it also made in taiwan?
I don’t know sorry
doing this one now and have the exo carbon kit as well,dont think much of the instructions for the exo carbon kit as it doesn't give the information for everything that it used
Where can I get those tires????
My only question is - is that a 16610 SD? I considered them for a while yet settled on an 116610 for my 40th. It's a bonus to watching your great chanel seeing a beautiful SS Sports 👍🏼👍🏼
Hi, it’s a 16600 that was given to me by my family for my 40th. I have just been given my late fathers Datejust for safe keeping until my son is old enough to have it if he wishes.
@@RCKickschannel Beautiful 👍🏼 keep them in the family. I'm currently restoring my grandfathers 1940s Omega. Take care
I pre-ordered one. Do you know when the next shipment will be?
I see a load of Kyosho pets are due in July so I would think stone more kits will come with that shipment
@@RCKickschannel that would be awesome 👍 love your videos keep them coming.
Where can I find that under tray that fits the carbon chassis?
You can use the same one that works with the normal kit chassis
@@RCKickschannel looking at Team Blue Groove and there is an option for short wheelbase or long. It’s the short wheelbase right?
At 9:35... I'm dremeling. 😁
I am having a hard time getting one. However, I am finding extra parts easy to get. Not sure why? Thoughts?
Really, in the Uk?
Has Kyosho said how many the will be released? Are they a limited edition?
Don't you CA the sides of the carbon parts?
You should if you are going to run it at a track. Shelf queens and summer garden running it’s not really worth it.
do you have any tips for fitting the 2 eclips on the shock shaft i cant get the second one on its impossible
Perhaps you can try to innstal the lower E-clips first since it is easier access to the upper E-clips.
@@randomrodent9124 yeah I finally worked it out but lost many eclip in the process lol
I do the lower one first by pushing down on the rod onto the clip. Use the manual underneath as the clip will dig into the pages a little and stop it from zooming off.
Fyi...mount your shocks upside down to stop leaks
Hi Gavin i must say you’ve done a Really nice job on the new 2022 optima mid it does look amazing the decals definitely pop even on camera. I wanted to know about the tuned diffs and how well it drives was it 7000 in the rear and 10000 in the front.✌🏻
Hi, it was 10 front 7 rear.
Where can I get the Carbon Chassis kit from??? UK
Info is in the video.
@@RCKickschannel I guess you can't buy it from the UK?
www.fibre-lyte.co.uk/fl/cars/kyosho/optimamid.html
That’s not the same as the one I used. Check this one will work for you.
Where's that Tamiya Blazer part 3 build😁
It’s going to be a while as I’m having parts. Professionally painted and this can’t be rushed.
Ughhh still none here in the US yet 😕
A few more just arrived in the UK but still issues with shipping for sure. I still don't have my Tamiya Thunder Shot 2022!
Still waiting on kit releases from 2018 till present either they sell out or they just sell to resellers over seas like the 🇺🇸 market after all these years is like a tamiya kyosho red headed step child
that rear body mount they provide is just ridiculous how they put the rear shock mount holes in the same spot as the body mount they provide
Did you see Tamiya McLaren 58711 TT02? please get one!!!!
Yep it's coming to RCKicks :)
For me your otherwise excellent build video was ruined by music. Maybe ruined is a bit strong but I gave up watching and skipped to the end to hear you talk again without music. I know this is where your channel is now but for me it is distracting and it seems you are trying to add too much. Perhaps most disagree. The closeups and the way you edit and everything is brilliant and has really come on but it seems there is less room for you. And believe it or not Gavin, I think that's why people tune in. If I want to listen to music I can find it. If I only want to hear and see you talk about RC cars what do I do? Watch one of your old videos? Hey, I'll remember we call this progress. :-)
100% agreed. Not sure why people think every second of video on the internet needs some crap music over it. It's distracting and when the music sucks it really takes away from what I am actually here to watch.
I’ll say I like your typical music choices ok Gavin but prefer it be quieter and more dialogue dubbed over it. This build in particular felt rushed and a collection of quick spin shots with not so many comments. Of course I’m a Kyosho fan boy so want all can get!
Why are these so damn expensive! Double the price os a Tamiya.
Quality is higher for Kyosho. I would say it’s more like the higher end kits from Tamiya, something like the Avante 2011
@@RCKickschannel They certainly do look amazing and the quality does seem superior.
I’m so sorry but the money your spending I’d rather buy an arrma kraton or something or is that just me awesome vid tho please don’t hate me
LOL Totally different kind of RC but its whatever makes you happy is what someone should get. We are at a time in RC when we have the most choice, be that crawlers, drag cars, bashers and vintage rere kits. :)