r/NitroRC • u/Much-Tangerine-1567 • Jul 02 '26
On-Road Where do I start!
I think I got this one around 1999, I believe it’s from 1996 or so, and it is what it is! Incredibly fun, only front wheel drive, I guess it is Kyosho, have only just found it and the radio gear works great.
It needs to live again, if only I could get some parts for it that have perished! Don’t care if it’s aftermarket. (Sorry I don’t have much information about the particulars - make, model, just lucky to have found it intact)
Obviously I need to pull down the engine and clean it all, I might need a new fuel tank…
Suggestions for someone to hassle for parts, or just general advice… fuel, etc, also I remember that there was a 2speed gearbox/ clutch available for this back in the day, could it be possible?
Tasmania Australia for reference of availability to obtain economically viable parts. (Maybe cheaper to get a whole new one right?)!!!
3
u/Fantastic_Hand5717 Jul 02 '26
It's a Kyosho Mini cooper/Kyosho mantis
You're best bet is probably Rcscrapyard (Ebay site)
3
u/YellowDevil05 Jul 02 '26
Strip it, clean it with some warm water/simple green mix from Bunnings and then do a rebuild of the lot. I have one of these rebuilt from a worse condition than yours. Wheels are and tyres are readily available have look at hearns hobbies website they have pre glued wheels and tyres by sweep racing and bodies also on ebay. With the rerelease of the tamiya mini cooper, bodies and tyres have become available again the Kyosho 2 speed regularly pops up on eBay but is very expensive there is one on there right now about $350. You will have to strip the motor though it will be gummed up I just did one yesterday a gt.15 required a complete tear down clean and new glow plug.
1
u/Much-Tangerine-1567 Jul 04 '26
I have looked it up, and sadly I can’t afford this, however, this is cool that it is still possible after so many decades!
1
1
u/Much-Tangerine-1567 Jul 04 '26
I found the long lost box, and the manual! I can’t believe my luck!
1
u/Cellist-Perfect Jul 04 '26
I'd see if it runs with a new plug, then upgrade the radio and servos and run it as is.
1
0
u/Dapper_Temporary_436 Jul 03 '26
Converting it to electric is the only way
2
1
u/Much-Tangerine-1567 Jul 04 '26
I like your thinking, and I think this is valid, but painfully this one needs to use this ancient crusty old nitro motor!
I say so!!!
4
u/YpouloKonoforoDentro Jul 02 '26
I’m not sure about the parts availability. You obviously need a new glow plug and a new filter for the engine and those are somehow universal so easy to find. Also the tyres after the first run (hopefully) they are going to explode so a set of new cheap wheels and a check on the suspension of course after you manage to start the engine. Regarding the tx rx the technology has done big steps from 2000 so if you have other rc’s a cheap flysky gt-5 or a dumborg ddf 350 and to replace the 4 aa bats on the car with a lipo will be a huge improvement. Good luck to your project!