Associated B5M Build thread UPDATED 23/03/14 pic heavy build

[wangerman69]

Well first step is pick up the car

 

 

Not gonna rush in to it today will start the unboxing and build tomorrow will keep you posted

Edited March 23, 2014 by wangerman69

[Alex97]

I dont suppose you got that from Herts ?

[wangerman69]

Yes I did sir

 

Think they have a couple in stock

[wangerman69]

Had a good read of the manual all looks simple enough stuff lots of pics taken for tomorrow

[wangerman69]

Well first impressions very nicely made. Most plastics are carbon as standard which were expensive upgrades on B4. All screwing together nicely so far instructions clear, supplied tools ok but prefer my Arrowmax drivers even though they are imperial and new car is finally metric.

 

First pic shows all the packets tyres were purchased from shop at same time

 

 

First bag open steering assembly and front end parts

 

Inserting steering ballstuds found this easier using my vice

 

 

Page 1 of manual complete

 

Really nice aluminium chassis big difference from standard B4

For comparison with standard B4 chassis (not +8 as never saw the point in the upgrade)

Page 2 complete starting to populate the chassis

 

Building up the front end steering you have a choice of 2 3 and 4 deg offsets 4 is standard also a choice of 25 and 30 deg front arm carrier all are included in packet

 

 

That's it for now have a date with the cinema need to keep family life going as well

 

I hope you have found this informative and useful so far

 

Many thanks for reading

Edited March 9, 2014 by wangerman69

[MAZ]

I really figured you as a zippo man rather than a purple disposable jobby...

[wangerman69]

I really figured you as a zippo man rather than a purple disposable jobby...

 

Lol got a zippo but always out of fluid petrol burns well but have no eyebrows afterwards

[QRC]

Is that a fan heater on your work bench, don't tell me you needed it on today, I was out in my workshop today, door open and still to hot !.

[wangerman69]

Quick update for this afternoon

 

Front arms assembled and on. Nice Gullwing arms unique to B5M so nothing else fits .Did notice front pin brace is plastic and recommended upgrade on B4's was the FT alloy brace so I guess that will come later as an option ?

 

B4 alloy pin brace next to B5M plastic

Front shock tower built and on, Again in carbon plastic. Had these as upgrade on my B4 over standard and never broke em so I guess if the inevitable carbon fibre ones will be for show queens

Rear tower on. Coming together now

Forgotten how fiddly making up ball diffs were but these are carbide (Buds Balls) as standard so will last a long time before I need to rebuild

Ball diff complete

 

Proper tired now so that's it for the day

 

Thanks for reading

Is that a fan heater on your work bench, don't tell me you needed it on today, I was out in my workshop today, door open and still to hot !.

 

 

Yeah but not switched on m8 been lovely today   

[QRC]

Must have been living in the dark ages, I see the hexes are now in metric.

[wangerman69]

Yeah finally after kitting myself out with all arrowmax imperial drivers associated have finally gone metric

[QRC]

The instructions look to be up to their normal standard, which I find excellent, simple, clear and understandable.

[wangerman69]

The instructions are excellent cant fault them at the moment a few minor points for instance when they state use black nut they are in fact anodized blue ally nuts but I guess the spec got changed a little and the manual was printed first

[wangerman69]

Ok quickie update if anyone is following this

 

Starting to build the gearbox up. I used a smear of molykote grease round the gears as didn't like to run them dry

Gearbox complete with VTS Slipper clutch. Have heard early reports that this is too harsh and some of the pros are going back to the old style slipper from the B4, I have spares so if necessary can swap over as shaft is the same. The kit comes with a choice of 81t and 72t Spur gears I went for 81 as i run a 23/81 setup in the B4 as my track has a few long straights and it is wicked fast.

Gearbox bolted in the car

 

 

Thanks again for reading ( if anybody is lol )

Edited March 10, 2014 by wangerman69

[wangerman69]

Just been doing a bit of a tally up.

 

If you price up all of the standard parts on this car and compare to the cost to upgrade your B4 to this spec this car is actually a bit of a bargain.

 

This comes as standard with Carbon Arms and shock towers an upgrade on the B4 of about

Edited March 10, 2014 by wangerman69

[shdaxner]

Good progress so far mate, I'm enjoying reading about/seeing your progress anyways. Keep it coming 

[wangerman69]

Thank you sir that means a lot I do hope for those of you who are waiting on your B5M's or are considering purchasing have found this useful

[QRC]

Might be off to the Herts shop tomorrow, have checked the website and it is showing stock.

[wangerman69]

Ok another quickie update for today

 

Just building up the rear suspension. Comes with adjustment for rear camber and you have option parts either two or three holes, infact I do have a large pile of option bits and pieces now but am sticking with the stock geometry as recommended in the book but it is nice to have these if I want to alter camber and castor etc

Just making up the turnbuckles for comparison I have laid the new style next to the old FT turnbuckles from the B4 and next to my RPM ones, I was hoping to reuse these but the ends are very different. I going to miss my bright yellow turnbuckles really stood out (Hint to RPM make some for B5 please )

 

the only criticism I had with the RPM turnbuckles were they did occasionally pop out after jumps or accidents but it could be mine were a bit tired, as you can see these are very very tight fitting

Associated are very specific about the lengths of these turnbuckles for instance the rears should be 23.85mm from back of plastic to back of plastic, got mine close with a tape measure but would like to borrow a micrometer to get them spot on

Lastly a couple of pics of the car as she stands now

 

Not going to attempt the shocks tonight far to fiddly for my big paws going to dedicate the time needed tommorrow

 

As always thanks for looking

 

Take care

Edited March 11, 2014 by wangerman69

[wangerman69]

Might be off to the Herts shop tomorrow, have checked the website and it is showing stock.

 

 

Excellent I know they ordered half a dozen and I was the first pre-order so may well have some. Most people don't realise they do stock  1/10 as they think of them as nitro specialists

 

Speak to Gary if he is in he will look after you

[Alex97]

What are you doing shell wise ?

[wangerman69]

Going to use the shell in the kit for starters it's basically a proline bulldog cab forward don't think there are too many options out at the mo as so new

[shdaxner]

Should look nice, I think I maybe a minority here but I really like the look of the cab forward shell's especially on the low slung sleek 1/10th buggies.

[wangerman69]

To be honest not seen much else on the Market for mid motor cars seems you have a losi centro or these etc you go cab forward

[Alex97]

I mean colour wise and are you getting it done by a pro