2019 Kyosho UltimaRe-Release

Kyosho Ultima

The original 1/0th scale R/C car, Kyosho Ultima, was released in 1986. It won the 1/0th scale off-road electric World Championships in 1987. You can watch a video of it.

Kyosho re-released this model in 2019, Kyosho EP 2WD Kit Ultima (part 30625). It is the 8th model of the “Kyosho Vintage” re-releases, which is a part of their legendary series.

Tools to Build Kyosho Ultima

I bought the following items to help build the Ultima Re-Release, with my review of each.

Metric tool set
- Amazon.com: Dewalt – Screwdriver Bit Set with Nut Drivers, 71-Piece (DWMT73808)
- Recommended to have a single set; convenience for varying sizes.
Desk Lamp
- Amazon.com: JolyJoy – Modern Architect Table Lamp with Clamp, Swing Arm, LED, 9W Eye-Care Dimmable Light, Timer, Memory, 6 Color Modes
- Highly recommended! Bright light on a good background is crucial.
Pliers for Shock Absorbers
- Amazon.com: BTG – Multi-function Shock Absorber Pliers Ball Head Pliers Clip
- Recommended for ball joints.
Curved Scissors & Hole Cutter
- Amazon.com: FFCC – RC Body Reamer Hole, Curved Scissor & Straight Scissor RC Car Body Mounting 3pc Combo Set, 0-14mm Hole
Tweezers
- Amazon.com: Kaverme – 6PCS Precision Tweezers Set, Upgraded Anti-Static Stainless Steel Curved of Tweezers, for Electronics, Laboratory Work, Jewelry-Making, Craft, Soldering
- There are possibly better options, but it appears everyone has difficulties with C-clips.
Plastic Piece Cutter
- Amazon.com: Stedi – 4.7-inch Model Nipper, with Sharp Thin Blade and Blade Case Plastic Model Tools, Sprue Cutter
- Highly recommended.

Things Needed to Run Kyosho Ultima

The kit does not come with the following.

I have recommendations for each.

Electric Motor
- Recommended buggy/motor pairings:
  - Kyosho Optima Vintage – Kyosho Le Mans Motors Specifications
- Recommended for 2WD Legendary series:
  - Kyosho Le Mans 240S 19.5T
  - AMain Hobbies: Kyosho LeMans 240S Brushless Motor (19.5T)
  - Amazon.com: Kyosho – Le Mans 240S Brushless motor 19.5T 2WD (part 37031)
  - 240S refers to the classic running time of the motor: 240 seconds = 4 minutes. The entire race in the 1980’s would complete within 4 minutes.
- Recommended for 4WD Kyosho Legendary series:
  - Kyosho Le Mans 240S 15.5T
  - AMain Hobbies: Kyosho LeMans 240S Brushless Motor (15.5T)
  - Amazon.com: Kyosho Le Mans 240S Brushless Motor for 4WD 15.5T RC Parts 37032
- Recommended for 4WD Optima Mid Legendary series:
  - Kyosho Le Mans 240 GOLD 13.5T
    - Kyosho America: LE MANS 240 GOLD 13.5T Brushless Motor 37034
    - AMain Hobbies: Kyosho LeMans 240 Gold Brushless Motor (13.5T)
    - Amazon.com: Kyosho 37034 Le Mans 240 Gold Brushless Motor for 13.5T/4WD
  - Kyosho Le Mans 480 GOLD 21.5T
    - Kyosho America: LE MANS 480 GOLD Brushless Motor 21.5T 37035
    - AMain Hobbies: Kyosho LeMans 480 Gold Brushless Motor (21.5T)
    - Amazon.com: Kyosho 37035 LE MANS 480 Gold Brushless Motor 21.5T
- Kyosho recommends for Fantom Legendary series:
  - Le Mans 480T/480S Brushless 21.5T:
    - Kyosho America: LE MANS 480T Brushless21.5T w/480S 37033
    - AMain Hobbies: Kyosho LeMans 480T Brushless Motor (21.5T)
    - rcMart: Kyosho LE MANS 480T 21.5T Brushless Motor w/ 480S Parts
  - Includes aluminum parts and labels to convert 480T (torque-type) to 480S (speed-type).
  - Blue anodized front plate, end bell and label.
  - Remove 6 screws and reassemble to change the external appearance to the 480S.
  - Two types of labels for Le Mans 240S ESC are also included for coordinating with the motor.
  - Primary use for Kyosho Fantom EP 4WD.
Electronic Speed Control (ESC)
- AMain Hobbies: Kyosho Le Mans 240S 60 Amp ESC (KYO37051B)
- rcMart.com: Kyosho – Le Mans 240S 60A, Max13.5T, ESC w/ 200mm Sensor Cable (37051B)
- Amazon.com: Kyosho Le Mans 240S ESC (60A/MAX 13.5 Turns) with C Cable 37051B
- Kyosho America: LE MANS 240S ESC(60A/MAX 13.5T)W/C-Cable 37051B
  - Without sensor cable: LE MANS 240S ESC(60A/MAX 13.5T) 37051
- Different models:
  - Part 37051: does not include 200mm Sensor Cable.
  - Part 37051B: includes 200mm Sensor Cable.
- Was hard to find originally. Not possible to order from Kyosho Japan. Kyosho America was out of stock. Could only find it at rcMart.
Sensor Cable
- You likely already have one with your ESC.
- Also called “sensor wire”.
- Amazon.com: Search: Brushless ESC Motor Sensor Cable Wire Harness 200mm
Servo (steering)
- Kyosho manuals recommends:
- KS-5031-09MW
  - Models
    - Ultima
    - Turbo Optima
    - Optima Pro
    - Optima Mid
  - ~$31..$35 USD
  - AMain Hobbies: Kyosho – Perfex KS-5031-09MW Metal Gear Servo (KYO82273, part 82273)
  - Amazon.com: Kyosho Perfex KS-5031-09MW Metal Gear Servo
  - Kyosho America: SERVO KS-5031-09MW 82273
- KS-4031-06W
  - Models
    - Javelin
  - ~$25..$28 USD
  - AMain Hobbies: Kyosho Perfex KS4031-06W Servo
  - Amazon.com: Kyosho Perfex KS4031-06W Servo
  - Kyosho America: SERVO KS4031-06W 82274
- Both servos are the same size, so either will fit.
Receiver
- AMain Hobbies: Kyosho Syncro KR-331 Receiver
- Amazon.com: Kyosho – Syncro KR-331 Receiver (part 82135)
Radio Transmitter
- 2-channel minimum.
- 1st channel for ESC (throttle/brake)
- 2nd channel for Servo (steering).
Battery
- LiPo is recommended over NiMH.
- LiPo is newer technology.
- LiPo (lithium polymer) 2S or 3S battery.
  - LiPo 2S, 3S, 4S, 6S, 8S batteries are counts of 3.7V (Volt) cells.
  - 3.7V is the nominal charge. Full charge is about 4.2V. Full discharge is about 3.0V.
  - 2S = 7.4V.
  - 3S = 11.1V.
  - 4S = 14.8V.
  - 6S = 22.2V.
  - 8S = 29.6V.
  - Kyosho Ultima will support 2S or 3S.
- NiMH (nickel–metal hydride) are also possible.
  - 6-cell or 7-cell batteries.
  - Similar to the classic NiCad (nickel-cadmium) batteries used in the original 1986 Ultima.
  - Each cell is 1.2V.
  - 6-cell = 7.2V.
  - 7-cell = 8.4V.
  - The original Kyosho models often had a “Turbo” version (e.g. Turbo Ultima, Turbo Optima) which were meant to be stronger to withstand the 7-cell packs.
Charger
- Cheapest, reasonable charger:
  - Amazon.com: Spektrum – Smart S150 AC/DC RC Battery Charger, 1x50W: SPMXC1070
  - Caution: it does not have storage charge mode (unless you have a Spektrum Smart battery), therefore you need to discharge it completely, then charge it on your own timer for storage charge.
  - Storage charge = about 50% full charge, to avoid damaging battery.
- Decent charger:
  - Amazon.com: Spektrum – S1200 G2 AC 1x200W Smart Charger, (SPMXC2020)
- Make sure the connections (EC3/IC3 or EC5/IC5) matches the battery and connections inside the car.
Paint (Lexan Body)
- Unsure if these are the correct colors, but this is what I bought:
  - Black: Tower Hobbies: Duratrax – Polycarb Spray, Basic Black, 4.5 oz
  - White: Tower Hobbies: Duratrax – Polycarb Spray, Bright White, 4.5 oz
  - Red: Tower Hobbies: Duratrax – Polycarb Spray, Racing Red, 4.5 oz
  - Orange: Tower Hobbies: Duratrax – Polycarb Spray, Fluorescent Orange, 4.5 oz
Shock Oil
- The kit comes with shock oil.
- The manual and packaging does not make this clear, but you do not need to buy additional shock oil.