Get Hemi'd!

Radio Control Car Action, Mar 2003 by Hetmanski, Kevin

THE TRUCK STOPS HERE

Nothing says "power" like a big, blown engine poking through the hood, with its butterfly valves ready to take in a deep breath for the supercharger.

Unfortunately, RC engines don't have superchargers, and even if they did, the engine is always in the rear of the vehicle, far from the hood. But don't let that stop you from adding a supercharged engine to your truck! I'll show you how to make Parma's Hemi engine kit rise realistically from the engine bay of your four-wheeler. It's easy to do and sure to get double-takes at the track.

STEP 1. Position the hood cutout

Cut this template out of the magazine, transfer the template shape to a piece of cardboard or any sturdy flat material, then use it to create an opening of the correct size in the hood where the blower will pass through. Center the template on the hood, and tape it into place; check the view from all angles to be sure that it is positioned property. Once you're satisfied that it is, trace the outline with a permanent-ink marker.

STEP 2. Cut the opening

Use a body reamer to make a hole at the inside of each corner; this gives the opening a nicely finished radius. Make sure that the holes don't go outside the line you drew. Connect the holes using a sharp hobby knife and a metal straightedge to guide the blade. Remember that you only have to score the Lexan; don't cut all the way through it. Bend the Lexan down along the score line and snap it away from the hood. Smooth the rough edges around the opening with a piece of sandpaper; I use an emery board for jobs like this.

STEP 3. Attach the blower

Make a mount for the blower out of plastic sheet; use the same score-and-- snap technique as you used before. Attach the blower to the center of the mount using clear silicone. Then, glue the distributor next to the blower. You may have to cut the bottom off at an angle to get it to sit low enough.

Once the adhesive has set, attach hook-and-loop tape to the edges of the blower's base and paint the base flat black. Trial-fit the blower through the hood to make sure that it passes through easily. Pull the protective backing off the top pieces of tape to expose their sticky backs and stick the assembly to the underside of the hood. Apply firm pressure to the mount to help the adhesive stick to the body and the blower mount.

TALK TRUCK!

Send your "4x4" questions and comments to Kevin Hetmanski, kevinh@airage.com

HPI RACING (949) 753-1099; hpiracing.com.

PARMA/PSE (440) 237-8650; parmapse.com.

TAMIYA AMERICA INC. (800) 826*4922; tamiyausa.com.