Thanks. I'm quickly approaching a stand still with this thing until I can get some wheel sleeves machined. I came across some old messages on a car modeling forum I frequent. Hopefully the guy is still willing to have a look at my parts and see what he can do.

How about some new pictures and an update. I've made some headway one the Turbo, it also looks like I may have created a centrifugal supercharger as well in 1/12th scale, the compressor housing could be used as just that with some slight modification. There will be 3 primary parts, the compressor housing, the turbine housing, and the center section. The center section will have the oil feed and return connections, as well as have the turbine wheel on both ends so that they are visible. I've been hunting down as many reference shots as I can on the net, if anyone sees any errors or details I need to add, please chime in. I've not seen a turbo close up with intention of making a scale replica...

Current assembly from the side

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF6962.jpg

Current assembly from the front

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF6963.jpg

Close up of the rear of the compressor housing

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF6967.jpg

Current state of the 3 pieces

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF6965.jpg

How about a statistical update as well, this build is posted on 3 different forums. A car modeling forum and 2 car enthusiast forums:

The build started in November of 2005 with hopes of completing it within 12 months.

It has been viewed 51622 times and spans 33 pages between the 3 forums.

looks really awesome.

I can't wait to see it on a motor.

Thanks guys. Still a long ways to go. Especially since I'm still having some trouble finding someone to machine the wheels. I wonder if forgeline will sponsor the project and make me some 1:12th scale replica's?!? lol

Marty, let me know when you want a replica of the syborg!

Just say when and I'll send you the pictures and a 1/20 Die Cast of the truck

[email protected]

Well I think its about time for an update on this thing. I've taken some time off to try and re-arrange/begin re-modeling my house. As well as working on some smaller 1/24th scale masters to cast and sell. I've also found someone who is going to machine the wheel sleeves for me. As soon as I get those back, I will get started on the third set of wheel centers. I also need to work out a template for the bolt pattern so that when I go to drill all of that stuff it is correct this time around.

I dug out the old brake molds and cast some of those parts. I want this car to be as realistic as possible, incorporate cutting edge technology and not break the bank. Well I thought the perfect place to cut back on cost would be the brake rotors. Instead of having 4 rotors machined out of aluminum, I decided to re-use the resin casts I had for the front rotors. I found a picture of a ZR-1 Corvette's front carbon ceramic rotors:

http://image.automobilemag.com/f/mul...mic_brakes.jpg

To be honest, looking at this thing a second time, I may do my best to duplicate those rotors as well. I think that anodized blue look will fit right in behind the wheels. Anyway, after getting some help on how other people are achieving this look, in scale, I devised this method:

I started with a base of flat black. Then I dug out some Duplicolor Gunmetal. I held the can away from the part so as to only get some spatter of color, repeated until I had the desired effect.

And now the finished part:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF7029.jpg

Now that I see them side by side, they need a little bit of work, more of a metallic look than a black look...

Looks awesome

Have you considered/tried copper tubing from Home stores? They come in many different sizes and take plating very well!
Here is one of my old builds, a replica of Charlie Lillard's #3 ZL1 Camaro
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...oquarter-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...L1engine-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...roengine-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...co/Camaro3.jpg
I'm actually working on a 1/12 Camaro now, much like yours but not quite so awesome! I don't have pics yet, I'm planning to debut it at the Salt Lake GSL.

Blast from the past! Copper tubing I don't think is an option. We are talking 1.5 - 2" in diameter. I've not worked on this in QUITE some time. And actually all of my stuff is in storage at the moment.

G-machine
 

Got a little more done on the tranny. the main body is complete. all that is left now is the tail shaft. and then all of the ribbing and details. I'm seriously considering scratch building an LS1 for this is the best......Since this is going to be my dream car in scale......but time will tell. Also did some of the body mods. I opened up the marker lights and they will all be flush with the body.

Wow, not sure what steve was trying to do there, but I see he is banned now! If anyone is still following this, I'm trying to resurrect it. I'm looking for someone willing to try and machine some wheels for me... Any takers? Anyone know someone who might try?

I have been following along for a while and i feel your dissapointment with the wheels. I too have had no luck with wheels. All i did was go to my local hobbie shop to see what they have and this is what I found. These are RC wheels with Tamiya tires. Looks like they are 18 inch wheels.I had to modify the tires to fit the wheels. Maybe you can modify the wheels to fit your inserts. If i were you i would stick with your original engine if you still have it. It was coming along nicely. As for the turbos you are doing an awsume job. Dont stop keep going. Like you i been on this thing for 4 yrs now. Recently tryed doing the Rally sport option with the results you see. If you have any question about the wheels i will be more happy to answer them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/model038.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/model018.jpg

I found a guy locally who said he was willing to try and machine them for me, we have yet to discuss cost. I also found www.micronitro.com I believe thats the guy I've been talking to. He makes a lot of 1/24th scale custom machined aluminum wheels. He said that he could make my 1/12th scale wheels, It would cost $125 for him to create the CAD and CNC files, then $35 a wheel. Not too outrageous. I'm currently looking for someone who can make the cad and CNC files that would be compatible with his set-up

Not a lot to update here. Still fighting with the wheels, as I need to get them done to finish up the suspension geometry so it is some what correct. This one is still a bit on the back burner, however I had a lot of interest on this here, and a lot of people following it. I just want to let you guys know that I haven't forgotten about it!

I stopped by Wild Bill's in Irving today and browsed around a little. I came across some HPI Wheels that I thought were the right size. From there, I went to Rockwall and stopped at Hobbytown USA for some more plastic tube. There, I found some HPI tires, Falken Azenis I believe. After spending too much money, here is what I came home with, They are bigger than what I was hoping for though hopefully I can make them look right. Not quite as impressive as fully machined, or scratch built, however, It will hopefully save time and get me motivated for this thing.

The HPI wheels and tires
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0072.jpg

With the 1/12th GT500 wheels
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0071.jpg

A couple of views showing height/size difference
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0073.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0074.jpg

Finally, a couple of shots of the wheels under the body. The GT500 wheel and tire in the back, the HPI wheel in the front
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0075.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0076.jpg

One thing I have learned with model cars, more often than not, bigger wheels typically look better, not sure how I feel about the HPI wheels though. I think they are on the verge of too big.

and a pic of jackass that shows that, in all reality, they aren't all that over sized.

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/q...5/DSC_2635.jpg

My intention is to remove the wheel centers and re-work them a little bit, creating a ring for the center that will have the bolts (think 2 or 3 piece wheel), once that is done, have someone machine some "sleeves". Just some aluminum cylinders that will serve as the outer part of the wheel, along with those sleeves a thin aluminum ring that I can adjust the depth with and fasten in place some how

The more I look at that picture of jackass (the full size Camaro I posted), the more I think the wheels may be ok the way they are, and just alter the width of the fronts.

Then change the body color back to the original sunset orange metallic or going with cyber gray metallic and paint the wheels aluminum with a gunmetal center....

I found some people who could cnc machine what I wanted. The problem was that it was going to cost about $300. Which, with what the machine fittings and goodies already planned are going to cost, would put this build over $1000. I will get some better pics up this evening. One thing Ive learned with model cars is that there two kinds of correct. Technically correct (proper scale measurement) and visually correct. Technically is typically visually small. Visually is typically technically big. I think these wheels would scale out to nearly 22" or more. However, when the tires are compared to those in the new revell gt500 kit, the OD is nearly the same.

I plan to strip the body, take care of a few things that bug me, re-prep for paint and have it sprayed either sunaet orange or cyber grey

I've got one more lead to follow up on for the wheels. If I did cyber gray and kept the same wheels, I would paint them aluminum in color so as not to over do the gray. Not sure, I want to make sure I do whatever is going to pop the most on a contest table.

I will get some pictures up with the "big" wheels in just a bit

Here are a couple of better pictures. I think that with them done with "aluminum" lips they will be ok. that gray is a little much right now. Also, as expected they look a little big, even as full scale goes. The last two pics show the original plan for the wheels/tires from earlier in the build. Just ran the numbers, the RC wheels scale out to ~25" wheels

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0115.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0116.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF6950.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF6951.jpg

probably the same design. though with more detail and some offset. I have an extra set of wheels from the new GT500 kit and am thinking they can be modified to ZR1 wheels. im not sure yet. I am open to wheel options

What would be even better would be for a vendor to hook up with this and machine me some 1/12th scale replicas :unibrow:

I just sent a message to steven rupp to see if he had a good contact at forgeline that he thinks might be able to help me. We will see what comes of it

A little update on this. As awesome as it would be to say that the wheels are fully machined, I've found an alternate route. www.shapeways.com offers 3-D printing services. Basically you upload a 3-d image file and they sell you prints of the design. I've spent the last couple of days teaching myself solidworks and working on a design for a wheel center. I'm not sure if I will go so far as to make the wheel "sleeves" or not, or if I will have someone machine them for me.

Here is a picture of what I'm working on:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...%2012/2JPG.jpg

The great thing about this is, the possibilities are nearly limitless once I'm proficient at solidworks. Some things will still be scratchbuilt, however, the items that I have trouble with, or can't get proportions right, they can simply be printed!

Still no physical modelling as of yet. I've been working in solidworks and learning its nuances and ways to get this all done. I have been able to create a new wheel center, wheel sleeves that are 11" and 9.5" wide, as well as a wheel stop. The way this will work is, the wheel stop is adjusted to the depth I need for the backspacing I want, then it will be mated to the outer sleeve. Once that is done, the wheel center will be mated to the stop. I've got the stop "drilled" for bolt heads, to mimick the wheel being blind fastened from the back side. Those bolts will be machined pieces.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...012/11assy.jpg

Another big hurdle for this build were the brakes. these are modeled after ZR1 corvette brakes. I got the "hat" and front rotor done last night. hopefully I can get started on the front caliper tonight.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...frontrotor.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/rotorhat.jpg

I'm not sure if I will have the hoops machined or not. That was the original intent. My plan is to use the printed pieces to get the suspension set up, as well as determine the backspacing. Once all of that is taken care of, I will decide whether to have the "sleeves" machined or not. I've got a few machinist friends so that may happen. As for the tires, at this point, my plan is to model them, have them printed, and then molded and cast in rubber. The only problem is $$$

3D printing.

Essentially, you create a 3D file, CAD/Solidworks drawing. Send it to someone and they print it in plastic. The machine essentially uses plastic wire to "print" the part!

It has been a while since I've done a cost analysis on wheels. The lats time I got an estimate to do it start to finish, sleeves centers and all was $250-300. For just sleeves, I would like to think I could get them done for $50 or so. but I'm afraid its going to end up closer to $100. Tires, to get them printed, it should only cost $20-30. I would get a pair of each printed so that they could be molded in pairs. I've heard rumors of the capability to print in rubber. That would make it much easier. Anyway, once I got the 3D prints, I would send them to someone to make molds. I know some people who create and sell resin copies of parts for the large scale models. I would essentially pay for the mold to be done and leave them with them and work out some deal to allow them to sell them. Typically molds cost anywhere from $50-200+

Still not sure about the color. It will go back to sunset orange or get sprayed with cyber gray.

Well, I got a little package in the mail today. My prototype parts arrived from the 3D printer. It turns out that the mating ring for the wheel face wasn't printable in its current format so I will have to tweak it. The plastic I had these printed in prints very rough not near good enough for finished quality pieces. I have learned quite a bit so far from looking at these pieces. The most important: the wall thickness isn't as much as it appears on the screen! the sleeves are too thin IMHO. I am also on the fence about the overall look of the wheels. I feel like the spokes are too thin. I like the general design, I just feel that maybe the spokes could be a bit wider. As far as wheel size, this is what I've mentioned about scale correctness not always looking correct. These should be 20" wheels, though they still look a tad bit small.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0136.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0137.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0144.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0148.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0138.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0142.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...2/DSCF0143.jpg

I re-worked the centers and sleeves last week. I re-ordered those parts along with some trial runs of the brake components I have completed so far.