Beginner Modder for Speed - Fender/body Sanding and other Qs
Just trying to wrap my head around some of the basics for customizing after studying the beginners guide.
After reading, it seems you lose more speed when the body rubbs againts the rails of the track compared to when the wheels do -
Now when im looking at most of my models the fenders are sticking out further than the wheels. - should I be reducing the body so the wheels stick out further? or just trying to finding a base model that have the wheels sticking out further than the body of the car..
Sanding wheels is another practice im trying to understand - Im pretty sure you're just really trying to sand out any imperfections in the wheels so it sits completely flat correct? just wondering if this is neccessary - and im one of those guys that likes to have every advantage I can.
Negative camber is even more of a confusing concept for me - I mean..you're racing on the edge of the wheel with less wheel friction - but I feel like this would be an advantage with heavier models - is this a correct assumption?
33g seems to be a REALLY common stock weight for a large portion of my models. Most of which have cheap plastic feeling bottoms..kind of bugs me..thinking metal/metal is the way to go when you can?
Discussion
And maybe you've already clicked through, but check out the Tips and Tricks Modders Guide too. It's not really that deep or mind blowing, but it's a good list of extras that won't hurt.
Some really good points. I've already done quite a bit of messing around but theres always that stock car in my collection that seems to burn out most of my models no problem lol!
I'm using archive.redlinederby.com/fantasy/car-rankings.php to select a baseline model to work with when modding - Has this ever been updated? I love this down to every detail - some hard work went into providing those stats whoever created it!
Watching stock cars blow by my modded ones is easily the most frustrating thing! It really demotivates me, honestly, to the point when I just start using stock cars in races anyway. It's easier and takes less time...maybe a little less rewarding but if I'm after wins, hey. Lets just say I've had more wins with stock cars than my own modded cars. And sometimes I just add weight inside a stock to help me meet spec or whatever, then glue it back up - minimal modding, I guess.
That database stopped getting updated around 2014-ish when I stopped racing the fantasy league game that went along with it. It's definitely a good starting point but given it's age, you might be hard pressed to find some of those castings now.
I'd concentrate on mastering/perfecting one or two techniques as you get into modding...it makes it easier to pinpoint what you're doing well and what you're not...also getting a timer system is important, as you start with a baseline speed/data and then compare your modification results to that baseline...you really just learn as you go and see improvements over time...main thing is to have fun with it.
Peace and Speed - League of Speed
- I agree with league of speed, focus on one modification at a time . Once you figure out how to get the most speed from that modification then you can try your next one. It will take a lot of failures before you are able to develop a routine that consistently works for you. When I first started I used my fastest stock car as a gauge to measure my mods again. If it couldn't outrun my fastest stock then it would get torn down and redone. — Red_Pill-Racing
First off, welcome to the site!
Having a metal chassis the definitely the way to go. I always use a metal chassis when I can. I have yet to do a comparison, but I even wonder if having a metal body is that important...I'd like to do a plastic/metal vs metal/plastic race to see which is really faster on average. But seeing Mattel trim more and more metal for plastic is a shame...makes those older castings even more valuable now.
I tried to go hardcore-ish with modding in the past but I just didn't see the returns. I focus on the axle/wheel friction and keeping that as smooth and silent as possible. I wouldn't worry about body clanging...if you have a wide enough body that will help and you won't need to sweat it.
I mean...every little thing helps, I'm sure, it adds up. I don't have the tools (or time) to do the trial-and-error necessary to see what makes a difference. But, having seen hundreds of modded cars race down my track over the years, I can tell you that axle/wheels and weight placement will make the biggest impact.
Keep the weight low and the wheels smooth and the rest is gravy.