Today we are going to make a change to the Mini-Z AWD MA-020. Most MA-020 including this one come with drift tires. Mine has also been modified specifically for drifting. It's an easy and smooth AWD drifter, but I haven't done much grip driving with it. Let's try it out. In addition, let's convert its wheelbase from 90mm to 94mm. I've never done this with an MA-020.
Let's disassemble the gearboxes to replace the diffs. Optimized for drifting, the front was running an one-way diff. For grip driving though, a regular differential is needed. This is the original gear diff that came with the car. Part of the beauty of Mini-Z is the ease of modifications. It's easy to access the diff. There's also no play.
While the knuckles are out, I'm putting on the king pin spacers to lower the front ride height. The front is done!
Without the steering mechanism, the rear is simpler. Let's take out the solid axle meant for drifting. This is the same type of gear diff installed in the front. To extend the wheelbase, a longer spur gear from the RTR kit is needed. All the MA-020 kits come with spur gears for three different ratios at both 90mm and 94mm configurations. 98mm RTR kits come with additional parts that are otherwise extra purchases. With the spur gear installed, it's easy to see how it reaches back further by 4mm.
The gearbox is mounted using the second set of screw holes to go between 90mm and 94mm. The rear is done too.
I'm going to use the Subaru WRC 2008 body. It's 94mm, narrow front, with 2.5mm offset front and 0mm offset wide in the rear. I will use the rims that came with the body, plus Kyosho 20 degree radial tires. It's all completed! We now have a 94mm MA-020 with rubber tires. The gyro is still installed on the top. It's a pretty unusual sight, at least for me.
It's time to drive the car and see how it compares with the MR-03 experience. An AWD drivetrain for the Subaru body is perfect. On a freshly vacuumed floor surface and grippy 20 degree radial, the AWD generates pretty good traction. Especially with the gyro, I can really punch the throttle and it will accelerate and brake straight.
(Hi Loki!)
It's no joke that AWD has an inherent advantage over RWD when driven on a relatively slippery surface like this. What's also obvious is that MA-020 doesn't nearly turn as tightly as an MR-03. This is already at maximum endpoints. An MR-03 with 70% dual rate turns in better. Still this is a lot of fun to blast around. I've never driven an MA-020 this way. It's fun to exercise MA-020's duality of drift and grip. At some point, I will revert it back to a CS drift setup, but for now it's going to wear rubber tires.
This is Sammy and thanks for watching!
I love Mini-Z!
Music: "Instructions for Living a Life", Savfk ( • Instructions for Livin... )