From Static to Speedy

Transforming a 3D-Printed Dummy Car into a Drifting and Racing Machine with DIY Mods and Coding Fun

Welcome to this exciting DIY project, where we’ll transform a simple 3D-printed dummy car into a fully functional drifting and racing machine! This project combines the magic of 3D printing, the creativity of hand-crafted modifications, and the power of coding to bring the car to life.

Designed with kids in mind, this project offers a hands-on learning experience that’s both educational and fun. By adding controllers, adjusting components, and programming the car’s movements, kids can explore engineering concepts, electronics, and coding in an engaging way.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned maker, this guide will walk you through every step of the process, from initial fabrication to the final racing-ready car. By the end of this project, you’ll have not only an awesome drifting car but also a deeper understanding of how technology and creativity come together to create something amazing.

Let’s get started and turn your 3D-printed car into a thrilling, track-ready masterpiece.

Get the STL files from: https://www.myminifactory.com/stories/toyota-gr-supra-full-3d-printed-model-1-10-61ae138bf0775

Components

3D Printed Parts

1. 3D-Printed Car Body – Designed or downloaded from a 3D model repository (https://www.myminifactory.com/stories/toyota-gr-supra-full-3d-printed-model-1-10-61ae138bf0775).
2. Axles – Compatible with your car body design.
3. Doors
4. Roof
5. Fenders
6. Chassis
7. front and rare bumper
8. Wheels and tires
9. Mirrors

Electronics Components

1. DC Motors – For powering the wheels.
2. Microcontroller – REV Control hub, REV Expansion hub, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32 for programming and control.(You can use any of this micro-controller but for the project I used the REV Control hub)
3. Battery Pack.
4. Servo Motor – For steering control.
5. Game pad

Fabrication Materials

1. Plastic Sheets or Acrylic – For additional support or reinforcement.
2. Screws, Nuts, and Bolts – For securing components.
3. Glue or Epoxy – For non-mechanical attachments.

Wiring and Connectors

1. Jumper Wires – To connect electronics.
2. Heat Shrink Tubing – For safe wiring.
3. Soldering Kit – For secure electrical connections.

Coding and Control

1. Laptop or PC – For programming the microcontroller.
2. USB Cable – For connecting the microcontroller to your computer.
3. Game pad

Tools

1. Screwdrivers – For assembly.
2. Wire Stripper – For preparing wires.
3. 3D Printer (if printing parts yourself) – For creating custom components.
4. Cutter or Hobby Knife – For trimming or adjustments.

Optional components

1. LED Lights – To add cool effects.
2. Buzzer – For sound effects.
3. Sensors – Ultrasonic, IR, or accelerometer for advanced features like obstacle detection or stability control.

This mix of components will allow you to craft, customize, and control your car for drifting, racing, and endless fun.

3D Printing the Car Body and Parts

1. Prepare the 3D Model:
2. Slice the STSL files of all the components.
3. Ensure the to use stable position for the slicing into G-codes
4. Set Up the 3D Printer:
5. Use PLA or ABS filament for durability. (except for the font, rare bumper and the tires)
6. Use 3D filaments such as TPU to print the Tires, mirrors, front and rare bumper,
7. Adjust print settings:
8. Layer height: 0.2mm (or finer for smoother details).
9. Infill: 20-50% for strength.
10. Use 100% infills for parts like the bumpers and rims
11. Supports: Enable for overhanging parts.
12. Print the Parts:
13. Print the sliced car body parts and chassis,
14. Post-Processing:
15. Remove supports and sand rough edges for a clean finish.

1. Inspect and Prepare:
2. Check all printed parts for accuracy and fit.
3. Trim any excess material using a hobby knife or cutter.
4. Drill Holes:
5. Drill additional holes for screws, axles, and wires if needed.
6. Melt some part in hoof to accommodate your fabricated steering mechanism
7. Strengthen Parts:
8. Use plastic sheets or acrylic to reinforce weak areas.
9. Paint (Optional):
10. Apply spray paint or acrylic paint for a professional finish.
11. Create a steering mechanism using any DIY means you know (for the sake of this project i used LEGO brick as shown in the image above)

Create the Steering Mechanism (using any material or method you know or available to you . In this project i used LEGO Parts to assemble the steering mechanism)

1. Gather LEGO Components:
2. Collect LEGO Technic beams, connectors, and a small servo motor.
3. Build the Steering Mechanism:
4. Assemble a pivoting structure for the front wheels using LEGO parts.
5. Attach the servo motor to the pivot point for precise steering control.
6. Test the Mechanism:

1. Use LEGO gears or 3D-printed gears for the mechanism.
2. See how I created a mini gearbox that can be used on this 3D printed car here on Instructable

Assemble all parts together using glue: You can take a look at the video of how to assemble all the parts here

After assembly. To turn the car to a moving car. carryout the following

1. Install Motors:
2. Attach DC motors to the gearbox and wheels.
3. Attach Wheels and Axles:
4. Mount the wheels onto the axles and secure them to the car body.
5. Install the Steering Mechanism:
6. Connect the LEGO steering mechanism to the front axle and to the servo.
7. Place the Gearbox:
8. Fix the gearbox to the rear of the car body.

Install the micro-controller of your choice. (in this project i will be using REV control hub)

1. Mount the Control Hub:
2. Secure the REV Robotics Control Hub inside the body of the car
3. Connect Electronics:
4. Wire the DC motors, servo motor, and other components to the control hub.
5. Use extension cables to extend the wire connections
6. Add the Battery:
7. Place the battery pack into the car body.
8. Connect the battery to the control hub.

Coding the servo that controls the steering mechanism and the motor that powers the drive wheels will depend on the type of micro-controller used

Coding the Car

1. Set Up the Programming Environment:
2. Install the REV Robotics software and necessary libraries on your computer.
3. Write the Code:
4. Program the control hub to:
5. Control the DC motors for forward and backward movement.
6. Operate the servo motor for steering.
7. Include drifting functionality by adjusting motor speeds.
8. Upload the Code:
9. Connect the control hub to your computer via USB and upload the code.

Testing. Tuning, Racing and Drifting

1. Initial Test:
2. Place the car on a flat surface and test all functions (movement, steering, and drifting).
3. Adjustments:
4. Fine-tune the code for smoother operation.
5. Modify the gear ratio or steering mechanism if needed.
6. Final Test:
7. Test the car on different surfaces and ensure all systems work as intended.
8. Safety Check:
9. Ensure all components are securely fixed and wires are insulated.

Watch video on how it moves and drift here.

1. Unveiling
2. video 1
3. video 2
4. Drifting
5. The making
6. Fun

This project showcases how creativity, technology, and hands-on learning come together to transform a static 3D-printed dummy car into a dynamic drifting and racing machine. Through 3D printing, crafting, and coding, you’ve explored key concepts in engineering, electronics, and programming.

By completing this project, not only will you have a functional and fun toy, but you’ve also gained valuable skills in innovation and problem-solving. Whether you’re racing your car, demonstrating it to others, or using it as a platform for further experimentation, the possibilities are endless.

Now, take your creation out for a spin and inspire others to build, learn, and have fun.