ZX5 to SP conversion
 

I may be able to get a ZX5 for virtually nothing, but it's an old one. I am right in thinking I have to get the FS conversion and then SP conversion? If this is the case then I assume that's a very expensive way of going about it.

Actually you need the SP conversion (which is discontinued, and pretty much not available) and then the FS conversion...

Will be a lot cheaper to just buy an SP or FS/FS2 directly instead of converting. And of those, FS2 is the best choice.

I have to agree with mof .... get an FS2 straight off, there is so little left in common with the original car and it is such a huge step up in performance that its hardly comparable!
Nothing wrong with FS if you can find one in stock at a good price, I've run the FS for the last 2 seasons and would be happy to again in 2011 but I will be building a new car so FS2 it will be :)

Ok I thought as much.

I can get a FS for about £100 less than a FS2

May try and order it this week (but wedding is Saturday)

id take rogers advise mate or you may aswell buy 2 zx5 diffs and a front and rear shock tower them buy an fs or fs2 bit by bit because thats all they share in common

ive used an fs1 for about 6 months before fully upgrading to the fs2 and theres not much of a difference in performance imo so id get an fs1 then upgrade to fs2 if you wanted i think it would still work out cheaper than buying an fs2 if you buy the parts from japan

OK I've done the sums for you.

I've looked at every different part included in the FS2, this is supplied in the supplementary sheet with the FS2, the kits include an FS manual along with a couple of extra pages full of FS2 parts and build instructions.

If you were to purchase all the parts, it would total in at just under £180, that gets you:

LA251 Blast Wing
LA261B Carbon Chassis
LA264B Carbon Upper Plate
LA272 Suspension Arms
LAW36 Alum Rear Suspension Holder
LAW37 Alum Rear Suspension Holder
LAB05 SHOOT Body
UM522 Swingshafts
UM519-2 Rear Hubs
W5183-65 Yellow Rear Springs
97021 4.8mm Ball Ends

You can upgrade the Lazer ZX-5 even the readyset to FS.

LAW38 is the conversion kit approx £145.00
If i had an ZX-5 already its definetly worth doing if you are on a budget.


A lot of the parts on the FS2 already exist. the rear wishbones hubs and driveshaft are from the Ultima.
LAW36 and LAW37 already exist and are optional alu so not really required as far as geometry.

Hi Guys,

I'am correct that you can use the Alloy rear hubs still on the FS2?
UMW510-O deg hubs

yes mate on the new fs2 hubs theyve moved the ball stud holes out so it uses longer rear links if you use the ally hubs you just get the option of useing the 2 new positions or the old 2 therefore you get 4 holes in the ally ones

It doesn't convert everything, it leaves a lot of the RTR crap in there (but it will fit, at least mostly)... which is why you also need (want) the SP conversion kit.

i was just about to say the same mof youd be left with the rtr wishbones,hubs,drive shafts,shocks(the rear shock bodies on an fs are shorter) and loads of other bits n bobs

The one I may have access to isn't the RTR version.

I'll be going down the complete kit route.

I converted an original zx5 to SP spec couple of years ago. About all that's left of the original kit is the shock towers, chassis and drive. There were no conversion kits left so it cost me about £150 to do. As the FS uses a different chassis and drive you'd essentially be left with an almost entire original zx5 that no-one wants and you can't use as spares.
Forget the conversion and buy an already built one (my opinion, but I ditched it all and bought a B44...)

If you have the cash then of course buy the FS2 kit.
just giving you some options to suit your budget.


1.Upgrade to FS1 £150
2. Buy a FS1 kit £260
3. Buy a FS2 Kit £385

Upgrade from what? SP?

What FS1 and FS2 upgrades are must haves etc?

You must just buy an fs1 or fs2 it's simple

Yes, since upgrading from anything else would not result in FS...

I am trying to remember fully but the LAW38 was released to upgrade the ZX5 or ZX5SP to FS. I am pretty sure the only thing missing was the latest shocks. But the basic geomtry was correct.

Is there any way of telling if my second hand ZX5FS (which is an amazing car by the way and handles so well!) is an original FS kit or an upgraded SP? I can post pics of any part of the car if needed.....

I just got the car, no manuals box etc over a year ago and it's the best off roader I've ever owned - amazing on grass.

Dan

post some pics up mate

But the car in question is not an SP, so it really needs nearly £300 in upgrade parts? Alternatively I'll rephrase the question! Does the upgrade kit include the revised geometry and driveshafts etc? I guess the answer to that is no.
This is the reason I ditched Kyosho - massively overcomplicated selling structure. If the car was designed correctly first time round there would be no need for constant expensive revisions.

Col,

I dont want to waste my time with you, This is a Kyosho forum to help and give advice, If you dont like the cars go and hijack another thread.

Agree :thumbsup::p

Neil is only trying to help & provide information

those constant expensive revisions you talk about is called development tamiya have done it with the 501x now the 511x etc etc hobbys cost money thats just the way it is i own associated cars my self and the quality is a million miles short of the quality you get with kyosho.

Yes, 501X, 501X WE, 511....

And the same goes for touring.

And for example Team Durango already has a new revision of DEX410...

Col - usually I agree with you, but you are a bit off with the 'development' crack, as the other posters have mentioned. It's a bit like saying Ford have it wrong by producing more and more improved Mondeo's year on year. (no Ford jokes please :( ) In addition K do us a service by offering upgrade packs, instead of forcing us to buy a new car.

I do very much agree upgrading from zx5 to FS2 will be very costly, hardly worth it even if the donor zx came for free.

I do still have an original zx-5 and now an FS2, new out of the box. Both are superb builds, not one thing missing, a few extras thrown in (may be a mistake) and no need anywhere for a dremel, hobby knife or file except where the manual indicates - and it drives superb, particularly for the less talented drivers like me.

I do think the differences from ZX5 or -5 SP to FS are immense, they are very different animals, but from FS to FS2 are minimal (unless driven by the very top drivers I believe)

FS2
 

P.S.
While I'm here, does anyone know why the FS2 additional manual pages advises cutting out a chunk of the front arms?

I've looked, pulled & pushed, but with the box manual setup nothing seems to hit the arms at that point ever!

Here you go.

Only things I've done to it is the alloy front/rear upper bulkheads and changed the springs, it came with yellow springs front/rear.

Cheers,

Dan :cool:

the ball studs only catch the arms mate depending on where you mount your shocks as kit setup they dont catch hope this helps matt

looking at your pics id say you have an origional fs there pal because when you convert sp to fs you dont get the proper turn buckells and ball cups in the conversion kit which you have:thumbsup:

Good to hear, cheers Matt!

I am tempted to buy the rear suspension parts and bodyshell to make mine more FS2-esque. ;)

Dan

its made mine ride the bumps a tiny bit better on the rear not that they could make it much better but i realy like the new shell loads more room inside to help cooling and fit your electrics in,if you have a look a an fs2 manual they tell you to build it with less anti squat that makes a big difference makes the car take the bumps loads better on power

Actually, I do like the zx5. Still own it (even if it is gathering dust)

That's exactly my point, though! Ford only changed the Mondeo a year or 2 ago after nearly 10 years with the old one! The same applies to Associated - the basics of the car (whether we're talking B4 or B44) are essentially unchanged from when they were released.

Anyway, it appears I've tread on some toes, so I'll apologise and leave the room.

Hi Bad,

I just checked out an FS2 tonight first time i seen one built. Cutting the chunk out the wishbones stops the bottom of the ball on the steering knuckle rub, I had it on my FS1 just dremeled a bit so when the shocks are at full droop the knuckle was free.

I Wish knew someone who built the FS conversion at some point. I thought Roger may be able to help as i am sure he run the SP.

I know the upgrade does fit the ZX5 onwards but i cant remember what was included in the bag. buttttt even so if you have a ZX5 converting to to a FS with LAW38 will make you a lot faster and a car which is much more up to date.

cheers guys - thx for the replies

Must be when the shocks are set inner/inner, cause all the other positions I've used and the steering knuckle can't touch the arms (not on mine anyway) :thumbsup: