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Thommo

Super Astute Rebuild

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This one has been a long time coming, firstly because it took forever to find a suitable car. These seem pretty rare now but gladly I nabbed one at last with the only auction bid of $204 back in December 2013.

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So here is what arrived. Included a good box, manual and a heap of spares including a NIP D parts tree.

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TTC intact with a damage free cover. The Technigold went straight into my Egress.

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Dirty but mostly damage free with only the undercowl going straight in the bin.

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Great find mate, rare buggy now, especially boxed.

I look forward to the build. :)

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Yep - awesome find. Even the colour isn't *that* bad!

Are the shocks plastic on these?

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Thanks Gent's, I'm pleased to bring it to the forum. A quick search here for Super Astute brings up very little in the way of original Super Astute builds.

@Cplus, yes M8 they are grey plastic 1st series CVA dampers unique to the Super Astute. As for the green PS paint, well that is one of the other reasons this build has taken so long to get started !

With no cracks in the shell and mostly intact decals, I knew I had to have a go at restoring it. Most products for removing paint from PC shells will affect the plastic. Brake fluid can cloud the PC or make it go brittle and crack. Nitro fuel will ruin the decals so what to do ?

Chip it off using a scribe or pick, flake by tiny little flake for a very long time.......until your finished.

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By this stage in late December 2014, I'm getting close to having a complete car stripped and ready for build.

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Super Astute just has to be white for me ! There was no abrasive rubbing inside the shell with this method so it just needed a clean and then I spent an afternoon masking her up and smashed a whole can of PS1 into it. A few decal cover ups to be done using bits from other sticker sheets and this body will be ready for the end of the build.

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So into the build now and the very first thing I do is align the chassis with the undercowl and drill the holes using the chassis as a template. This is a must for any Astute build using the same replica undercowl as it's not a perfect fit and the dimples just don't line up.

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Onto the front end and this is where TC member Origineelreclamebord hits one out of the park. Thanks so much Paul for your assistance with the improved 3D printed parts Mate, champion effort. These parts are a game changer for me being able to run this car and others.

Otherwise the front is built as standard with the inclusion of M3 hex screws throughout and some bearings inside the steering bell cranks.

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As per my other Astute runners, the D1 rear suspension blocks are replaced with Blitzer parts. They are actually the disused parts from the C parts tree (Stadium Blitzer / Blitzer Beetle) and are exactly the same as the Madcap part but just a whole lot easier to get your hands on. No mods necessary when using Madcap or Astute rear arms however these are the original Super Astute rear arms which are beefier and so the blocks do require a bit of trimming for clearance. Just trim the round extrusion off the outside center of the mounting block so that the outside edge is straight and flush. I've also used a longer screw in the front of each block, enough to fit a flat M3 nut with a bit of threadlock for extra security.

The plastic rear battery tray has been ditched for Astute alloy stand-offs which are supplied with the kit. Also some neoprene bumper tape for the battery to sit on. I use some more of this tape later on, to get the LiPo brick battery pack to fit super snug.

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TTC gear train is next !

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Cheers wood5tock for the ups.

@jeekelemental, I can say that they fit very good. They must be stronger than 25 year old plastic surely. I know also that they can be printed in black. Did your one come with TTC and Super Astute arms ?

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@jeekelemental, I can say that they fit very good.

Good!

They must be stronger than 25 year old plastic surely.

Fine! I asked for a "special" spec but I have to wait before say anything :)

I know also that they can be printed in black.

I'm moved :D

Did your one come with TTC and Super Astute arms ?

I've purchased a Super Astute with TTC (but without any pinion <_< ) it has SA arms back and it was downgraded to Astute arms in front :ph34r: .

If I'm not wrong I have a full MadCap arms set waiting somewhere.

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Shame about the missing front arms but the pinion is easy to find.

Take a look at this...

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Enjoyed building my first TTC system today and broke out the first of the new parts bags, a NIP clutch bag. The gear diff got packed completely full of anti-wear grease to slow down the diff action and keep drive to both wheels.

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Here it is all fitted to chassis. Another new part here being the 3D printed rear bulkhead. Fit and quality is excellent.

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And here is a better look at that rear bulkhead for those interested. M3 nyloc nuts replace the standard kit press nuts which is cool.

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The rear hubs, upper arms and driveshafts are next up. I've reduced the amount of negative camber from standard. You also have the option to alter the wheelbase by moving the rear hubs forward or back. I've gone with the standard setting for now but I will try out the longer wheelbase later, when running a faster motor.

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These hubs also have some toe in which will be interesting to see if it makes much difference. The hubs carried over to the Dynastorm and TR15T as well so they must have been pretty OK.

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Time to get some more new bits out of the box. Can't say how relieved I am that you can finally get the gearbox cover new. This was a big issue for Super Astute resto's for a long time. The GT tuned motor is a swap out with my Egress which now has the RX540VZ Technigold in it. I'll just have to run the biggest pinion that I can until I get a faster motor. I'm keeping my eye out for an Acto pink motor eventually. I have a good selection of pinions there now after some searching and some help from kontemax to get the right ones, cheers Max.

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I remember that TTC gear cover episode well - some fine collaboration between TC members! Hopefully this will see some more of those lovely gearboxes appearing in such well-presented restorations as these!

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I remember that TTC gear cover episode well - some fine collaboration between TC members! Hopefully this will see some more of those lovely gearboxes appearing in such well-presented restorations as these!

I think you mean TC Legends !

Small update: The motor is fitted and the 25t steel pinion from the OP-922 set fits beautifully. The manual only shows up to 23t and my searching found only one Super Astute that had a 24t pinion but I'm pleased to confirm that the 25t pinion does fit and you can adjust the gear mesh without filing out the motor plate.

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Super Astute was intended for hot motors on short straight lines tracks. For these reasons it had so small pinion gears.

Max

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Great, works are ongoing!

I've started to collect parts for mine (asap I will get a full 3d print set), two question:

are you using rubber shielded bearings for steering?

Do you think that eliminate the rear battery tray, using rounded edges Lipo, could be fine?

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I used Chinese metal shield bearings in the steering. The standard metal bushes work well also.

Re battery tray, yes you could use some foam tape on the chassis and under the rear upper deck to sandwich the battery. I also use some foam tape inside the front battery tray to stop side movement. You can always use foam donuts over the alloy posts if you have too.

I'll be using the Turnigy 3600 LiPo brick pack. These are 136mm long and just made to fit, snug between the rear suspension pin ends.

I look forward to seeing more of your build M8. Ciao

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You can always use foam donuts over the alloy posts if you have too.

Great idea! Thanks ;)

I look forward to seeing more of your build M8. Ciao

Ok, but, first, I prefer to look at yours work :)

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Quicrun 1060 ESC and GT tuned motor fitted and running today.

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Here is a closer look at the sponge tape padding for the LiPo and general layout. ESC wire is run under the battery and held down with body tape.

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Dampers to come ! Next job on the list...

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Hi, do you think that these printed parts are strong enough?

Max

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Hi, do you think that these printed parts are strong enough?

Max

Hi Max, I think they are strong enough but more importantly they are available as replacement parts if I do break one. Now I have original D parts spare for other cars including a complete D parts tree for a shelter some day!

Very clean Thommo - looking great! :)

Thanks Quandry, It's much cleaner now than it was in post #1... :D I was lucky the car was fairly complete and damage free to start with, makes all the difference. Dry stripping the paint from the body was the toughest assignment and it gave me time to collect parts so Happy Days !

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Looking good. Great resto! Do you intend to run the car? I only ask, because I think you might find the GT Tuned motor's speed a little slow when coupled with the TTC gear ratios, even with the 25t pinion.

I have a Stock TZ in mine with a 25t pinion, and the car flies. (modded Madcap) It might be a bit too fast for my capabilities and I'm thinking of gearing down to tame the car a bit.

I have no idea what either car would be like with Tamiya's recommendation of a 10x2 Dynatech. It must be an absolute rocket.

How sloppy is the steering on the Astute? On the Madcap cap there is too much play, unlike the Dyna Storm which has a solid steering set up with no play whatsoever.

I'm not sure what cause it on the Madcap. Is it the 4mm ball joints as opposed to 5 or 6mm, is it the bell cranks, or is it the geometry?

I'm thinking it's the bell cranks, and want to try some Top Force ones, if I can find them.

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Yeah the GT tuned is just temporary. It will get a hotter motor soon enough, hence the extra pinion gears. How long before the TZ gets hot with the 25t pinion in your Madcap ?

Astute steering is sweet as long as the alloy posts (stepped bushes) aren't worn. These 3D printed bell cranks are a perfect fit on the bearing too so really nice smooth action.

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