Convert the Pioneer Mustang to N-Digital

I like Scalextric cars but they are a challenge for me to get running well without the magnet on my Ninco N-Digital track. That's not surprising because they are designed for magnet racing, they have fixed front bushings which don't fare well on Ninco track, the unique design of the guide makes it difficult to install the decoder chip and the guide flag is quite short and thick. So, when I took the Pioneer Notchback Mustang out of its case and removed the body it seemed to have "Scalextric" written all over it. My fear was that its no-mag N-Digital performance would be similar to what I have experienced with Scalextric, Carrera and the front-motor Monogram cars. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong!

Here is what I did:

• Removed the magnet (I still can't use a compass while that magnet is within a quarter mile of my house! :-P).
• Removed the guide and entire wiring harness from the motor.
• Installed a Ninco ProRace suspension guide without the spring. This requires the Ninco guide post diameter to be reduced slightly by sanding with a narrow strip of very fine grit sandpaper. The HSR suspension guide could also be used here, however, the guide post is rather short for the Pioneer guide holder which prevents the retaining screw from being turned all the way in, which could place stress on the top of the screw hole in the post. The Mustang comes with an alternate guide with a deeper flag but I believe that both the Pioneer guide flags are too thick for the Ninco slot. In any event, the Ninco guide seems to traverse the bumps, undulations and other anomalies of the N-Digital track sections better than any other.

• Installed one of the older N-Digital decoder chips. All my older chips now have the micro plug system that I use for quick swapping (the light[s] connector is now the Molex type that comes with the N-Digital light kit). The internal setup of this can be seen in the earlier Seat Leon article.

I was able to fit the chip forward in the area of the Mustang's DPR chamber by removing the DPR cover. The white arrow in the first photo below shows the chip in position under the output connectors. The chip is completely wrapped in electrical tape to insure that none of the chip's components can come in contact with any metal part of the car or the track rails. It should be noted that this conversion will work equally well -- in fact probably easier -- with the new, smaller format N-Digital chip in the red case which will also allow for quick switching between analog and digital operation. Also, the smaller format N-Digital chip should allow the DPR cover to be left in place.

The chassis screws were backed off by about 3/4 turn. The screws that secure the chassis to the interior were left out. This allowed a small amount of float without affecting the ride height, which I like on this car.

The resulting performance was like nothing I expected. Instead of a ploughing, lumbering car it was nimble and smooth, although slightly tail happy. It is fast and has good handling characteristics in the turns and stays in the slot remarkably well. It's still breaking in so I have not recorded lap times but I can already tell that it runs only a few tenths behind the standard-chassis Ninco GTs. IMO that is exceptional no-mag performance -- especially on my N-Digital track. I can run this car with the same confidence that I run the Ninco GTs with. The more I run it, the more I like it.

In summary:

• There were no physical modifications required by this conversion. All stock parts are in tact, allowing the car to be returned to absolute stock condition at any time.
• This has reinforced my opinion that the Typhoon 18 K RPM motor is the choice for a FC-130 replacement bargain-price motor for [NC-5 class] performance in N-Digital 'amateur' throttle profile.
• If you're an N-Digital user and have not converted a Pioneer Mustang yet, don't wait any longer. The cars look great and with only minor tuning and a guide change the Mustang handles at least as well on the N-Digital track as anything similar in my stable. Now I'm really looking forward to the Pioneer 67/68 Camaro when it's available.

by Michael Ashton

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