March 29, 2008
 Power Slot 'Set Up' Chassis Quick Look By Eric Cropper I got a pre-production version of one of the “Set Up” Nissan 350Z cars to look over. First, I must say that I didn’t receive a complete version of this release. So, some of my review is going to be speculation. I advised Michael of EMI that going forward an actual production car would be best for review if we really want to give a complete and fact proven review of the Power Slot products. APPEARANCE     I really like the color combination on the Nissan. The paint and finish of the car and its logos have greatly improved from past PS cars we’ve seen roll through HRW. Clean crisp printing with no runs or overspray visible on this car. The only thing that’s noticeable is the 2 holes in the front of the hood. These are the mounting holes for the fog lights on the rally versions of the Nissan. Cost savings involved with a new mold is the obvious reason for them being present on this version. Now the wheels on my car are actually from the 1st 350Z I reviewed for EMI. The tires were an issue on that car and were also a problem on this one too. So, I swapped them out to the white rimmed ones for testing purposes. From pictures I’ve seen of this car from PS it will most likely have black rims and also the new and improved tires that came on the Opel I reviewed not to long ago. There was also a note taped to the bottom of the case stating that the final wheels would be different. Also, from other pictures the new tires will also be on the VW Polo.   PERFORMANCE The first thing that should catch your eye is the new angle winder combination instead of the inline motor that was in PS’s prior Nissan releases.  Screws!!! They do serve a purpose and they’re very limited compared to the GSLOT I reviewed. So, don’t worry.  Below is the “Set Up” Chassis in all its glory.  The motor pod allows for back to front adjustment and up or down height adjustment. The picture below shows all the screws that once loosened, not removed, allow the entire pod to slide forward and back. The blue arrows show the gap and amount of movement the pod can achieve.   The above shot shows the motor pod/suspension/spacer towers. The yellow arrows point out the screw that holds each tower together. The photo below shows these towers removed from the chassis. Below the red arrows point to the stock spacers that slide over the openings in the chassis marked by the yellow arrows. The tower posts then go through the spacers and chassis. This is also where the suspension springs would fit if I had any to test. (missing 4 springs and 2 additional sets of spacers in varying heights) This is why we got to have a complete production car to review. I can’t give an honest yes or no on whether this new feature actually does what it is suppose to do. I speculate that it would affect how the car runs, but just how well is yet to be known.  Below is a shot of the motor pod removed from the chassis.  The components of the “Set Up” Nissan have pretty much stayed the same. The rear axle uses brass bushings while the front axle is adjustable via 2 set screws on the top and bottom of the axle posts. There is a set-screw gear and axle stop too. It still has the same 25K RPM rated motor and it is held tightly in the pod with 2 screws on each side of the pinion. The pinion is a 12 instead of a 9 and the gear is a 30 instead of a 27.  Below is some info w/pix issued by Power Slot. It shows some of the pieces that my pre-production car didn’t have with it. PS does say that depending on the pinion used in conjunction with the pod adjustability that a gear as small as 12mm and as big as 18mm can be used on the new chassis. I honestly don’t know what that translates into regarding tooth sizes.  TRACK TIME Since my car was minus all the parts that allowed for adjustments to be made I can’t really comment on how those features might affect the 350Z’s performance on the track. I’m pretty much comparing it as I got it versus the inline version I previously reviewed. I ran the new version Nissan in Lane #2 of my Sport track which has a lap length of a little over 57 feet. The first thing I noticed is the increased torque of the angle winder set up. There was some loss of traction if the trigger was smashed hard coming out of a turn. This torque also translated into incredible braking. The 350Z had similar acceleration and handling characteristics to the inline version of this car. I ran it non-mag because these Nissans just require it to be that way. All the non-mag gurus in our local club have made the same comment, “No weight and it runs that good.” “YES”, I respond. I’m not just gilding the lily folks. These Nissans run great non-mag!!! Keep in mind this is on plastic. I haven’t had the chance to give one a go on The Dark Slide. Lap Times Inline version fastest lap was 7.2 seconds Angle winder version fastest lap was 7.5 seconds Note: I used the same white rimmed wheels on both versions to achieve these lap times Dan’s Track  As you can see in the photo above, Dan’s track is compact, twisting with elevation changes, and a challenge to run any car upon. It also has surface variations since it is both Sport and Ninco track pieces. The inline version I reviewed ran a very fast 10.3 seconds on this track. However, the angle winder version was having trouble just getting around the track. The curves going down the elevation to the tunnel and going through the corkscrew turn at the bottom of the picture were trouble for the Nissan. We thought it might be hitting some of the scenery foam, but that wasn’t the case. I’m pointing the figure at the chassis in regards to this issue. The new chassis has all those screws and bolts that lock the motor pod down. I believe that this has made the chassis very stiff and on uneven ground less forgiving when powering through the turns of the above mentioned sections of Dan’s track. This problem might have been solved if I had all the suspension parts for this car. However, I can only speculate about it. The inline chassis does have more flex to it and like I said, without any additional weight being added, kicks butt on Dan’s track. JUDGEMENT DAY  Change has again come to the Power Slot line of cars. They are working on making improvements with each new release. This is good and bad. The good is that for a new up and coming company they are reaching for perfection. The bad is that the constant improvements could mean that previously released versions may not be up to par with the new releases. Luckily, it seems the new tires that were present on the Opel are going to become standard for all the new releases in 2009. I like the Power Slot line and not just because I get the cars to review. I think they have made major improvements to the cars they are producing. They may not appeal to everyone, but they obviously appeal to those of us who like something different from the norm. I know a lot of people are turned off by the price with some of the issues my reviews has raised and I can appreciate it. I can also agree with it. Importing anything causes prices to go up. I don’t know how many hands these cars go through before EMI gets them. However, I’m sure it’s a couple and each one raises the price to make a profit. I don’t know what folks would consider a good price point and since I’m that in the position that EMI is in…won’t begin to debate it. I’m just acknowledging it because of all the debate with Ninco’s prices recently on HRW. Cincy Slots has the Opel at $70 and the inline version of the 350Z at $55. I don’t have $70 to drop on any brand car right now. Also, if I did…don’t know that I would pay that kind of money for any car. I’m hoping that as PS improves their cars, folks might see that the price is more acceptable for a car that doesn’t contain any flaws and has the parts that some brands still consider aftermarket add-ons. They’re trying to do just this and I think they’re getting there folks. Now when is that yellow Lola coming out?!!! Thanks to Euro Model Imports a quick look at this pre-production version of the new “Set Up” chassis. Also, any questions or comments are welcomed at the email below. Eric Cropper AKA legionofone AKA HRW Minion ecropper@hotmail.com
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