Sidewinder Javelin

[Wobble]

Where I race the Scaley Camaros are the benchmark for our T/A racing and a hard act to follow but I wanted the Javelin to at least finish on the same lap even if still in 3rd place. Getting lapped is worse than coming 3rd I reckon. Anyway, I tried an eight tooth pinion and there was some improvement in punch out of the corners and braking and the Javelin could at least finish on the same lap but I figured there was still something missing. So the next step for me was to convert it to sidewinder and I had an old Scaley Mitsi Lancer WRC sidewinder chassis floating about so I thought I'd introduce the 2 of them and this is the result. Still not quite up to the Camaro standard but I get the occasional, 2nd step of the podium finish, and I'm happy with that. I also had some Camaro axles from a Sunoco Camaro that is morphing into a Tiny Lund car and I added those into the equation as well.

[4424ever]

I’m curious do you notice a difference in handling from the conversion or does the car feel about the same just finishing better?
Almost forgot NICE work!

[Wobble]

I’m curious do you notice a difference in handling from the conversion or does the car feel about the same just finishing better?
Almost forgot NICE work!

Good question. Overall I do find it easier to drive because the acceleration and braking are better and what I'm accustomed to with other T/A cars. Although in saying that, I do wonder if it isn't a little bit of 'mind over matter'.

[SpeedyNH]

yes very nice.
i thought that the inline had pretty good balance (not to mention a better motor), but to beat a '70 camaro i think that a high profile car like the Jav (not that i don't like 'em) will be a stretch without some serious body/chassis work.

[Wobble]

yes very nice.
i thought that the inline had pretty good balance (not to mention a better motor), but to beat a '70 camaro i think that a high profile car like the Jav (not that i don't like 'em) will be a stretch without some serious body/chassis work.

Speedy, the way I've got the Jav hunkered down (includes slightly smaller diameter wheels) it's only 1mm taller than the Camaro. The rear axle is a slightly narrowed (2mm narrower) Camaro axle but I've narrowed it more than I could have got away with and I might have a look at that again. I've got about 5gm of lead right behind the Camaro front axle and the Camaro is 83gm all up and 48gm at the rear axle. The Jav is 82gm all up and 47gm at the rear axle so weight wise they're pretty even. I think the biggest difference is the length from guide to rear axle which is about 5-6mm more on the Jav.

The Javelin looks a bit taller than the Camaro but I had the camera on a bit of a lean as well which I didn't notice at the time.

[SpeedyNH]

interesting, thanks Wobble

[Mitch58]

I can get my Javelin to lap as fast as my Camaro, it's just getting it to do it 23/24 times in a row in a 3 minute heat that seems to be the issue for me. LOL

[War Eagle River]

Have thought about doing this soo many times. But my inline Jav is pretty dang quick, right there with the ‘70 Camaro’s here.

[Pepsi 62]

haven't noticed a great deal of difference between the Javelins and Camaro/Mustangs in our T/A class, all pretty close. Usually depends on the driver and car setup who comes out on top.
We did win a digital 6 hour enduro for Muscle cars, ( TheMoby 900 at North Brisbane Slots) with the #6 Donohue Javelin. 1417 laps winning by 25 laps fastest lap of 8.8sec

[Wobble]

The thought occurred to me that I have another Javelin that I've replaced the axle sets with some from Carrera, and here's the difference between original and new width axles.
5.7mm rear and 4mm front

[SlotCat]

Very nice mods Wobble! Love the look of my Javelin, but it's handling is lacking compared to my Camaro and others in our group have found same thing, not a great handling car. Javelin is longer, narrower and taller than both Scalextric Camaros, really hate the inline setup too, sidewinder is more efficient and easier to change gearing and move motor around. My Javelin is a shelf queen as I've lost interest in tuning it anymore, I'm sure lowering it like you did and the wider axles really help, especially the imo much higher quality Carrera parts. IME Scalextric axles are knurled (ought to be splined) and as such very difficult to remove (and especially reinstall) wheels without destroying at least the wheels. The other annoyance with the Javelin is that Scalextric decided to use a different motor than all their other TransAm cars. :/

More side shot comparions of your modded Javelins and a body off of the one using Carrera axles would be nice. What did you use to glue the chassis together, CA and a bit of black ShoeGoo?

[Wobble]

Very nice mods Wobble! Love the look of my Javelin, but it's handling is lacking compared to my Camaro and others in our group have found same thing, not a great handling car. Javelin is longer, narrower and taller than both Scalextric Camaros, really hate the inline setup too, sidewinder is more efficient and easier to change gearing and move motor around. My Javelin is a shelf queen as I've lost interest in tuning it anymore, I'm sure lowering it like you did and the wider axles really help, especially the imo much higher quality Carrera parts. IME Scalextric axles are knurled (ought to be splined) and as such very difficult to remove (and especially reinstall) wheels without destroying at least the wheels. The other annoyance with the Javelin is that Scalextric decided to use a different motor than all their other TransAm cars. :/

More side shot comparions of your modded Javelins and a body off of the one using Carrera axles would be nice. What did you use to glue the chassis together, CA and a bit of black ShoeGoo?

Slotcat, no Carrera parts in this car. The Carrera COT axles went in another Javelin that's still running inline

[SlotCat]

Yes, I understood that, but was asking about the other car although I suppose it looks very similar.

[HomeRacingWorld]

No to butt in....butt...

sidewinder is more efficient and easier to change gearing and move motor around.

So just how is a sidewinder easier to move a motor? It snaps in like a sidewinder. Unless you are shaving off some material from the mount?

And if you choose the right pinions and spur diameter, then no need for any of that?

Gearing? I see no difference in the effort to change out gearing in either setup.

IF you are changing gearing, then you have changed to aftermarket axles, gear etc. So with the crown being easy to adjust mesh...can't see the issue?

On my smaller track the Jav holds its own. But hard to compete with the Camaro when the width and ability to put monster wide rubber under it.

Just me butting in...and now butting out.

Oh except, nice job Mr Wob! Glad it turned out.

[Wobble]

Yes, I understood that, but was asking about the other car although I suppose it looks very similar.

OK I misunderstood your query. Here's the other Javelin but this runs in a different class. It runs with all manner of stockers and Nascar variants instead of T/A.