Tamiya 1/12 McLaren MP4/6 w/ upgrades

[Jose01jr]

I applied the decals on the bodywork and was happy with the results. I also applied CF on the underside of the bodywork and also added the foil. I will not apply a clear coat but just wax it to a nice buff. I also did the tyres which was pretty simple. I added tyre valves from RB Motion and added wheel weights. I will add the writings on the sidewalk at a later date. Also worked the floor. I decaled it with 1/24 scale CF. I will add the Top Studio upgrades at a later date. I’m holding off on the engine for another week to get some hardware. In the meantime I’ll start on the brake calipers. I’ll have details next week along with pictures.

[Jose01jr]

I’ve started on the engine a few days ago and as you all know I split the engine from the gearbox. I started with removing all the mold lines by sanding. I drilled all the holes that will take hardware with a .5mm drill. I test fitted the engine to the chassis to make sure everything is proper and it wasn’t. For some reason Top Studio added PE sheet for the rear bulkhead which I didn’t use however I did use the shims that go thru the mounting screws provided by Top Studio so basically when you mount the engine to the back of the chassis, the screw hole from the floor is not aligned to the screw hole in the engine by I’m guessing .5-.6mm. Don’t know if anyone has had this issue. I sanded off the mounts from the four points in the engine to compensate for the difference. Once I was able to mount the engine and able to screw the engine to the floor I applied primer. I checked for all the sanding marks etc and everything was good for the semi black paint. I use a wooded stand base while I work on the engine so I won’t touch it much when applying bits and hardware to it.

[senninha]

Yes I had the same problem concerning the screw hole on the undertray and the engine. Good you recognize it at this stage

[Jose01jr]

It must have had other consequences like exhaust to the floor exit not aligned Or suspension arms obstructing the rear side panels. Air box not located in the correct position etc. Always good to test fit parts. Wonder why Top Studio didn’t issue a warning for that detail

[Jose01jr]

More progress on the engine. Painted the insides of the valve covers flat white. Glued the exhaust flanges to the heads with Tamiya cement instead if using CA glue so that I can manouvre the flanges in place till I got them lined up correctly. I detailed the alternator even though you won’t see it. Also added the water pump on the left side. I will add the oil pump on the right side another time.

[Seema]

Looks good. I thought the inside of the cylinder heads are silver. But can not distinguish it from the reference pictures.

[Jose01jr]

According to my reference pics and my manuals it looks white to me and so
does the Honda lettering on the valve covers

[Seema]

I did not know that. Thank you. On my last 4/6 I painted it in silver according to the instructions.

[Jose01jr]

Tamiya doesn’t get the colors right on some parts. The radiator ducts are much darker than grey for example.

[Seema]

Thank you very nice. I will study my documents more closely.