Mods for speed
Wow Jason, thanks for the info. My cadillac V-16 just got it's back axle bent some how and now the back right wheel isn't facing straight. So, I had to get a new one and the new one is nice and fast. You're giving me some ideas about how to mod the old one though. I'm thinking about switching out the axle for an FTE axle and just leaving the bling wheels on; however, that means I have to snip the end of the FTE axle to get the FTE wheels off. Any ideas on how to flatten the end of the axle once I transfer the bling wheels to them?Also, what do you use to add weight? My dad and I are thinking of using epoxy to fill in the inside of the car. Any suggestions on modding the Cadillac V-16 would be great.
http://hotworldcustoms.com/ has some really good write ups on various customizations. Granted most of them are from a shelf collector's point of view and not a racer's but there should be enough to give you some ideas.
I can vouch for the techniques on that site. That was one of the first sites I found when I was scoping around for customizing tricks. I actually took a lot of the info I learned there and re-hashed it on RDR but with racing perspective. Good stuff.
I dont normally just swap out the wheels. I'll take a little time and find a complete axle that will just drop in without any mods.
If I do have to cut an axle, then I will just cut it in the middle and then mound a piece of brass tubing to the chassis. I think it's 1/16". The stock axles will slide right in and are a perfect fit. Just a little dab of jb weld will hold them in the tube. You can crimp the tube once the axles are in place, but you risk bending the tube and throwing the wheels out of alignment.
Here's the 300
As for weight, I use lead. I'll take old fishing weights or used wheel balancing weights and melt them into molds. I make the molds with plaster using disassembled castings. I think I have a article on my site explaining this. Be very CAREFUL working with lead, there are precautions you need to take when melting and handling it. I'll see it I can fing the article and post a link to it.
Here's a post explaining the classes we run and the mods that are common in each class.
Wow, that is some serious modding.
I'm gonna try your tube technique when cutting axles. Just gotta find the brass tube that's small enough. Do you find that in Hobby Lobby type stores...like for jewelry making?
I would think that getting the two axle parts to be equal/level would be tough...or does that not really matter much?
axle length isn't very important as long as there is enough material to mount the axle securely.
Hobby Lobby carries the brass tubing in many sizes.
After some experiments I found that dry graphite makes a pretty significant improvement over stock.
Graphite on FTE's definately!
If you are modding cars, fixed axles is the way to go.
My ambulance is weighted with a couple of cut up car wheel weights (plenty in my shop) epoxied to the roof.
I put fixed FTE wheels/axles on it. Now if I could find on original with a metal base I think I would be golden!
Don't have a scale so I'm not sure what it weighs, but man it hauls out of the start.
I'm new here, but I've read a lot of reports of different lubes being used, such as graphite. I tried it on several of my cars, but nothing produced the results as good ole "WD-40"! Lightly put a small amount on each wheel give them a spin and a wiggle, then wipe the excess off with an absorbant napkin or paper towel. I would say almost every car I've tried this on has made significant improvements...and has turned slow cars into winning machines! It works for me, better than anything...and its cheap.
Preacher
I have not used WD-40 or 3 in 1 oil on wheels, but the WD-40 website suggest using 3-1 oil on wheels and things that move.
just a little useless trivia... WD 40 = water dispersant, formula attempt # 40...
Wow Jason, thanks for the info. My cadillac V-16 just got it's back axle bent some how and now the back right wheel isn't facing straight. So, I had to get a new one and the new one is nice and fast. You're giving me some ideas about how to mod the old one though. I'm thinking about switching out the axle for an FTE axle and just leaving the bling wheels on; however, that means I have to snip the end of the FTE axle to get the FTE wheels off. Any ideas on how to flatten the end of the axle once I transfer the bling wheels to them?
Also, what do you use to add weight? My dad and I are thinking of using epoxy to fill in the inside of the car. Any suggestions on modding the Cadillac V-16 would be great.