Mini-Z FAQ

Here are some questions that are frequently asked about Mini-Z and race days at the club.

What are the different types of Mini-Z chassis?

As pictured below in the following order (top to bottom, left to right): MR-01, MR-015, MR-02, MR-03, MA-010 (AWD) and the MF-010 (Formula 1).

Mini-Z MR-01 Mini-Z MR-015 Mini-Z MR-02
Mini-Z MR-03 Mini-Z MA-010 Mini-Z MF-010

What batteries do Mini-Z run on?

4x AAA batteries for the car and 8x AA for most controllers. However, the KT-18 (2.4GHz) takes 4x AAA batteries.

What batteries do you recommend?

Based on popularity within the club, the batteries of choice are the Duracell 900mah or 1000mah rechargables, which retail from £7 to £12 at most good stores and supermarkets. You can get batteries for much cheaper, however, they tend not to deliver. We feel it is worth paying £3/4 more per set as they deliver optimum track performance and have a long life.

Can I put lithium-ion batteries in my Mini-Z

Yes you can and it has been done before. However, keep in mind that adding lithium-ions will render it illegal in many different types of Mini-Z racing, such as the HFAY and the club championships.

What is the average speed of a Mini-Z?

Most stock Mini-Z's will travel at around 15-23kph

What is a Firelap (iWaver) 0.2?

They are cheaper replicas of the Mini-Z MR-02. Most of their parts are compatible with the Mini-Z MR-02.

What's better, a Mini-Z or a Firelap (iWaver)?

A Firelap is much cheaper than a Mini-Z and is a good place to start the hobby. However, the electronics and plastic lack quality and the controllers lack range making them obsolete when used around Mini-Z controllers. Furthermore, the cars have more of a tendency to twitch unpredictably.

What chassis should I buy?

If you want a competitive track race car, then the Mini-Z MR-02 is for you right out of the box. If you are prepared to put a little more time and money into making a very competitive car then you may want to invest in a Mini-Z MA-010. The Mini-Z MA-010 is also the best option if you wish to build a drift car. Finally, if you only plan on driving it around your home and not competing, then there's not much of a difference between any of the cars: MA-010, MR-01, MR-015 and MR-02.

How good is a stock Mini-Z MA-010 at drifting?

With some drift tyres or insulation tape on your regular tyres, a stock Mini-Z MA-010 will drift very well.

What is MM and RM?

A MM places the motor above the rear wheels whilst a RM places the motor behind the rear wheels. This only applies to the Mini-Z MR-01, MR-015 or MR-02.

Mini-Z MM Mini-Z RM

MM or RM?

Each mount style suits different drivers, cars and tracks. MM is better for stability, control and holding higher speeds, whereas RM is better for traction.

What gear ratio is best?

As with MM and RM each gear ratio suits different drivers, cars and tracks. A lower gear ratio will provide you more acceleration and speed on the infield, whereas a higher gear ratio will provide you with more speed on the straights. However, if you have a motor with lots of torque it is a good idea to use a higher gear ratio to soften the acceleration and vice versa for motors with more speed than acceleration.

What is a wheel offset?

A wheel offset is how much a wheel sticks out from the axle. So if it's a +3 offset, the wheel is 3mm wider than a regular (0 offset) wheel. Different bodies are different widths and require different offsets to meet the outer walls of that particular body. It is important not to exceed the walls of the car as wheels will be more vulnerable to catching the barriers which may result in losing tyres, breaking a wheel, toe bar, knuckle or worse.

What are tyre compounds?

Tyre hardness/softness is measured in degrees, these represent the compound. Harder compounds last longer but have less grip. Softer compounds do not last as long but have more grip. Most tyre companies give their tyres degree numbers, like 8, 10, 15, 20, etc; the lower the number, the softer the compound. However, not every company uses the same numbers. For example, a Kyosho 20 would be the same as a PN RCP 6.

Rubber and silicone tyres?

This depends on the surface that you run on. If you are running on a short carpet like surface then silicone is best suited to you. However, at Stafford Mini Z Racers we use rubber tyres as we run on RCP track.

What tyres do you recommend?

Based on popularity within the club, the tyres of choice are Kyosho, PN or Atomic RCP tyres. Again, as with batteries, we feel it is worth paying the extra £1/2 per set more as they hold their grip longer and consistency between the packs is of a much higher standard.

Where does the seventh bearing go on my Mini-Z MR-02?

The four bearings go in the front two wheels whilst two of the larger bearings go inside the motor mount. The final bearing goes on the wheel closest to the gears. The other side uses the factory bushings since it rotates with the shaft.

What is the Mini-Z ASF or 2.4GHz?

The new range of Mini-Z ASF or 2.4GHz allow you to run your car without having to worry about crystals or an arial. The special controllers work with the cars to automatically select your frequency.

What do I need on race day?

The following items are highly recommended for race day:

What is the HFAY?

The How Fast Are You (HFAY) is a globally ranked competition where participating clubs race a different track each month to see who is the fastest. Basic rules apply to make the racing as close as possible. More information can be found on the How Fast Are You Website.

How much will a Mini-Z cost me?

The Mini-Z range varies in its cost. A brand new MR-02 or MA-010 will cost anything between £70 and £150 in most stores.

What parts do I need to make my Mini-Z MR-02 competetive?

The main components that are most important are tyres and bearings. After this, if you feel you want to go further carbon suspension-plates are a good option, as well as an adjustable motor mount and ball differential.

Where can I buy a Mini-Z and/or parts from?

Please see our useful links page for a comprehensive breakdown on Mini-Z stores that we have used in the past.