Alright so almost everyone loves this model, but you gotta admit, the engine is kinda sad. So from the moment this model was announced, I planned to buy one and upgrade it. I think I got it a couple months ago, took it apart, and since then it's been waiting its turn.
I took the entire day today, and even skipped gym, to pretty this baby up. I only focused on the engine cause that's all I care about lol. I am annoyed with the steering wheel and the plastic seatbelts, but not enough to go to work on them.
First things first, here are some before pics. It lacks colour and texture almost completely.
So let's begin...
First things first, we apply some Nuln Oil for that weathered look.
After that we use a pin vise to drill some holes in the carburetors for the rivets.
Then we use some brass paint to add accents to the parts of the carbs that won't be drilled out. Hard to see here, but it is quite nice in person.
Then we install 12 brass rivets using either forceps or cuticle nippers (I prefer the latter).
The I applied a layer of Tamiya Clear X-22 to the air intake and the battery, and used a radiator cap from the Nissan R390.
The strut brace looks kinda crappy so I decided to add 8 rivets to that.
Looks a tad better now.
Then I scratch built some parts like the throttle linkage, using the usual steel tube, shrink tubes, and some old cell phone parts, which had to be Dremeled into shape. Some radiator tubing and the two sad hoses on the right side were replaced with braided wire.
Then the radiators received some mesh.
Then I glued those parts on, applied some more Nuln Oil to the auxiliary bottles, added a couple more rivets here and there, painted the lids on some things, colour coded the battery a bit, and created a metal shield for the yellow bottle thing.
Gotta get more slender braided wire next time.
Then I added the strut brace and used an insulated wire and a random reservoir lid from the Nissan R390 (again) to connect to the valve cover.
Then I reassembled the model.
The whole process took about 8 hours. I'm pretty satisfied with the result. Thanks for looking!
Improving the engine on the AA Wangan Devil Z
- StratosWRC
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Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Very nice Wes!
- Zondaracer
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Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Looks great! In 8 hours! Agree on the stainless hoses. But doesn't seem to be the size but more the lack of weave. I've bought some for my GT90 and seems to be okay. Just haven't been able to find those couplings. Look awesome.
- StratosWRC
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Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Thanks guys.
The weave seems to come apart when the hose is bent. Eh, oh well
The weave seems to come apart when the hose is bent. Eh, oh well
Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Nice job!
I think theses lines are twisted lines not braided lines, the angle of the weave and the density is different so they don't come apart when bent.
I think theses lines are twisted lines not braided lines, the angle of the weave and the density is different so they don't come apart when bent.
- StratosWRC
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Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
ah okay, I'll look out for those next time. These I got at a hardware store I think, or fished out of a wire
Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Wow, that looks fantastic! I don't think I'd have the patience or skill to attempt something like that.
- StratosWRC
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Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
I used to say the same thing. But once you try it, it becomes an addiction and then a diseasedtg11 wrote:Wow, that looks fantastic! I don't think I'd have the patience or skill to attempt something like that.
- StratosWRC
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Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Turned out I did have thinner gauge braided lines after all. Looks much better. Before and after
Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Awesome! You wouldn't happen to have a before and after shot of the engine in the same angle would you?
- StratosWRC
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Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Hey, nope I don't think I do. Just the above shots is all I have
Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
your mods look amazing! I recently purchased one of these but not confident in my skills to perform similar mods.. maybe I can manage the strut brace rivets! hehe!
- StratosWRC
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Re: Improving the engine on the AUTOart Wangan Devil Z
Honestly it's not that hard. Just drilling holes, gluing things. If you don't get a part right, try again. Most important thing is tools. Not having the right tool for the job can be very frustrating