This is an easy body to properly trim and fit. It is tunable between large super ovals or tight bullrings. However, the certain order of steps in the process are necessary for the desired results. I ruined several bodies using traditional mounting techniques trying to consistently achieve the irregular tilt I wanted for maximum performance.
Tools you will need are an assortment of scissors, round file or Dremel tool with assorted tips, some sort of sanding board or files, sharp pins to make pin holes and a tech block.
The first step is to make sure your front axle is in the front chassis holes providing the 3 1/4″ wheelbase or the rear hole for 3″ wheelbase. Check your rules. For this tutorial I am using the 3″ wheelbase. But the process is the same regardless.
Start at the rear driver’s side of the body. Cut past the edge of the quarter panel about 1/4″ and follow the angle up. This becomes an inner side spoiler later. A passenger side spoiler is already molded into the body. Continue to trim around the rest of the body leaving all of the wheel openings in place. Trim slowly because once the material is removed there is no putting it back. Sand the bottom smooth so the body sits flat on your tech block.
Using a round file or Dremel tool, put a small hole where the door panels meet the top fender cut line. This hole will help prevent cracking once the mounted and raced.
Cut from the bottom of each door up to this hole. Cut a short wheel opening and over to the top of the fender removing that piece. We will open the wheels to the correct size in a few steps.
Remove the rear tires and axle from the chassis. Square up the chassis using the driver side and rear edge of the fender tops. Locate the drivers side pin holes and insert the body pin.
Re-square the body from underneath again and locate the passenger side rear pin hole. Lower the front right corner as far as you dare and locate the forward pin hole. The body is now mounted square to the axles.
Cut small “U” shaped wheel openings for the rear wheels and insert the rear axle without the tires.
Place the tire on the axle loose. Trim tight around the tire with the scissors and do a fine trim with the Dremel and sanding drum. It may require removing the body several times for a nice tight fit around the wheel.
Trim the front wheel openings in the same manner
Place the car on the tech block and go back to trim the lower right front corner and bottom of the passenger side door if needed. Recheck all wheel openings and trim as needed. Bend the driver’s side rear inner side spoiler over as shown.
If you plan on taking aerodynamic advantage of the beveled interior, cut your windows out now. I used the Dremel tool and assorted files. You can use a sharp Exact-o knife if you like.
Trim the fitted interior along the cut lines. Place double sided tape or glue in the white circle areas inside the body or on the interior itself. Do not attach the passenger side or passenger front corner of the interior. This is designed to hang down and catch air from under the body sending it up over the beveled interior and rear spoiler. Use the air cleaner well to index the fitted interior properly to the body. Press firmly until the glue dries or for firm adhesion if using tape.
Remount the body so you can place the rear spoiler. You have the option of mounting it straight across the rear or tilting it toward the passenger side for maximum downforce. Check you rules before doing so. Use double sided tape or glue for a solid mount. Sand the bottom of the spoiler smooth for a good fit. I use CA (Super Glue) on mine. Glue the 3d printed air cleaner in place.
The result should be as follows. The body will be tilted forward and toward the right front corner taking advantage of aerodynamics in the corners just like the real cars do. There should be a bend curving the passenger side door scooping air up over the body. Additional tweaking (creasing) of the door panel can be played with for maximum performance. You can also create more curve by adding additional body armor to stiffen the driver side door. You are ready to Git-R-Sideways!
