reenmachine

I've now raced these spools several times and they work great. No complaints at all.

I asked Tamiya USA and they said no.

As far as I can tell it looks all new. The price on the package is 2,400 JPY if that's any indication. Plus, it's marketed towards drift use (in the rear of the car) and I think that's a relatively new phenomenon.

Well, I came across a new spool for the TB02 on eBay recently and ordered two. They fit and work perfectly! Aluminum body with hardened steel outdrives -- the perfect spool IMO. I am a happy camper. TECH Racing part number TBD010.

We're forming a spec class at our track for open-wheel Tamiya F1 cars. The handout motor is a custom 27T 30 brushed. I am installing this 93t spur: http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=53104 I believe the 0.4 module spur is compatible with standard 64p pinions (is this correct?) Medium-sized outdoor asphalt track with decent grip, 8-minute mains. Any suggestions for pinion size?

Tamiya DT-02 Sand Viper w/Extras Lightly Used 1/10 2WD off-road buggy, NIP ball diff, Futaba S3003 servo, and front pin spikes. I bought this to try out off-road racing but 2WD buggy isn't big around here and I'm way into on-road so it's gotta go. You can tell by the minimal wear on the original rear tires how little use it has had. I've run about a half-dozen packs through it, all on a proper track, and it's VERY clean. The bottom has the typical scuffing that it gets after the first run, but there is no structural damage whatsoever. Replacement tubs are like $8 on eBay when the time comes anyway. It's box stock save for the shock setup. Additional preload spacers, 80-wt oil, and bump stops drastically improved the handling. It also really needed a ball diff, so I bought one (~$30) but haven't put it in. It's included. I'll leave the standard Futaba steering servo in there. A set of Traxxas pin spike front tires will also go with it. I just took the car completely apart, cleaned everything, and put it back together again. Kit: $145 Servo: $11 Ball diff: $30 Pin spikes: $8 TOTAL: $194 $100 or trade for Futaba BLS351/BLS451 (or similar) servo or Hyperion AC/DC charger.

I have the MuchMore version of this charger and I love it.

My question was answered elsewhere, but here's a great resource for the record for anyone else interested:

Hi all- We're running a spec silver can vintage class and the most effective combo for our track seems to mean running a FDR of about 6.5. This is great for most of us, but some are running TT-01s. Is there a way to get this FDR, or close to it, out of a TT-01? TIA.

I got a TA-05 to try my hand at touring car racing a few months ago. I didn't know if I'd like racing so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a "proper" racing chassis. Now I'm totally hooked on racing and finishing top 3 in Sportsman stock with the same TA-05. It's stone stock except for a front spool, real tires, and a racing body. I've been running 27T brushed when the other front runners are running 13.5BL, and I'm in the process of going brushless. I expect to be able to win some Sportsman races and move up to Expert Stock with the brushless setup. I get endless satisfaction out of the carbon fiber/titanium/whatever guys coming over to scope my car and seeing the plastic shocks and tub! The point is that a regular TA-05 is a great car in my opinion. I have never broken anything yet and if you build it very carefully to the kit specs it is a stable, forgiving car. I'm sure I'll want to upgrade at some point but not for a while yet.

OK, so what I'm trying to confirm is that "yellow is yellow is yellow" so it's all the same, soft yellow 400. On a related note, what's up with the numbering system? For example, is Tamiya 800 equivalent to 80 weight from other brands such as Associated?

I've got a bunch of the little bottles of shock oil that have come with various Tamiya kits. They all just say "Tamiya Damper Oil" on them with no mention of weight. One larger bottle that came with my DT-02 says "Damper Oil Soft". They are ALL the same color, sort of yellow-ish -- does this mean they are all the same weight? If so, what weight are they? Tamiya wouldn't make different weights of oil the same color would they?

It'll be raced, so it certainly will see some abuse. I already have some spare cups so I'll probably try the above approach anyway. I just wish there were something nice and beefy!

Yeah, I was thinking of doing that, but those outdrives are fragile enough as it is without taking away the give of the diff. My TA-05 spool has hardened steel outdrives.

I've been racing my TA-05 with a spool and realized a drastic improvement on our track. I'm putting together a TB-02 as a Vintage T/A racer and I'd love to put a front spool in it as well. Is there anything that will fit?

Wow, that's crazy. My mini goes completely through a set of tires in maybe 6 packs racing on tarmac with a hot silver can. I recently used a set of the new 3racing mini tires and liked them. The traction level is somewhere between the kit tires and the Type A slicks (more towards the kit tire level) and at $8.33 for 4 (with foams) you can't beat the price. http://www.3racing.hk/products.php?products_key=2228

Yep -- it's as straightforward as you think. Red to positive and black to negative. Most of the chargers I've seen caution against doing this with the car running, so leave the key off while charging. It won't even make a dent in a good car battery so don't worry about stranding yourself . I just got back into the hobby as well, several months ago, and one of the things I've learned is that with chargers you pretty much get what you pay for. I also bought a Duratrax charger from Tower, this one: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXUF43&P=ML It false peaks like crazy and my experiences with it basically mirror yours, except I don't have any readout telling me anything. I'm in the process of sending it back under warranty (5-year) and they said they can give me credit instead of a replacement. I will put the credit towards a real charger such as this one: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...=LXTYX8&P=K As you're learning, once you get those packs broken in and charging properly they'll improve vastly. I have a couple of 3000 packs I use for bashing and they're just fine for that. Have fun!

Yes, I was impressed with the TB-02 for what it is. Quite similar in general design to my TA-05 but clearly superior for the street bashing that he will use it for. The shaft drive and much-less-exposed drivetrain seem to add up to better durability and resistance to debris. I gave him a spare TEU-101BK I had in the drawer and he knows how to swap the receiver. I'm sure he'll tire of that and buy another radio before long.

So here are the photos, the final analysis, and the inevitable twist ending! He quickly mastered the car with the 380 and ran it about as well as it could be run on our local dirt track. He was certainly ready for some hop-ups. The next day I made him do the ball bearings without changing the motor just so he could see the difference it makes (well, really because I wanted to see ). He ran a pack through it and then I gave him the 540 that used to reside in my re-re Frog. Obviously the change was huge! We headed for the track again that afternoon and now he could make the double if he got the approach right vs. having been nowhere near it with the 380. After a while some other guys showed up with much faster cars (and I ran my Sand Viper with a 19T) but he got more laps in than anybody overall. They'd blow right by, and then when they were on their lids or fiddling with whatever he'd hum right past, smooth and reliable. There's another "benefit" to the Grasshopper that I hadn't thought of beforehand. It is a tremendous tool for teaching about oil dampers, bump steer, camber gain, independent suspension, etc.! Boy is it easy to explain bump steer with a Grasshopper as a visual aid, and nothing demonstrates the benefits of damping like bouncing back to 80% of your peak height after landing a jump! I had my Sand Viper handy to show the differences (not that it's a shining example...) and he was quite handy with it as well. Here are the pics of the adventure, and read on afterwards for where it has taken him next... So, he drove his 'hopper quite a bit on the tarmac as well and rather enjoyed it. As I mentioned earlier, he had been eyeing the TT-01 Enzo and I figured that would be a good starter on-road car for him. We went to the LHS to scope it out but came across something else... They had a few TB-02 Porsche Carrera GTs on the shelf for $80 so we took a look. Hmmm...TT-01 for $90 with plastic bearings, friction dampers, and gear diffs or TB-02 with full ball bearings, oil dampers, and ball diffs for $80...I bet you can guess where this went! Even though he had built and twice rebuilt his Grasshopper with minimum difficulty I had doubts about moving him all the way up to ball diffs and the like, but he had a day or so left to his visit and I figured we'd get the difficult steps out of the way while I could help him. This time it was his own savings and the utility of the upgrades had been made obvious to him by the Grasshopper so who was I to say no. It turned out to be a non-issue. He got the TB-02 mostly together before leaving. As I readied my TA-05 and Mini Cooper for Sunday's racing he worked on it, and I just checked his work after each step. Again, there were only a couple of minor picky points to correct. I did the first damper to show him and then he did the other three, and his came out smoother than mine did so I had him re-do that one. It looks like we've got another R/C addict to add to our ranks! I have sent him everything via UPS and today he emailed me photos of the R/C workshop area he seized and organized in the family garage in the mean time. Thanks again for everyone's help and input -- I say this is "Mission Accomplished!"

Well, the jury is in and the Grasshopper was the perfect choice after all! I gave it to him Sunday, we worked on it a couple of evenings, and he finished it up this morning (Tuesday). He built it entirely by himself while I sat next to him at the bench rebuilding my TA-05. I checked his work after each step and there were only a couple of places where he had slipped up, and they were things that wouldn't have really affected the function of the car (Uncle Pete is picky about those steering rod lengths!) The only decal he didn't apply was the driver name as he preferred to write his own name on with a fine-tip sharpie. Tonight I'm going to make him paint the driver figure in the name of tradition and to build some character! The 380 is much peppier than I thought it would be and it's perfect for him to learn how to control the car. The 3300 nimh pack I gave him lasts forever with it too. I gave him some old street slicks I had around to run on the pavement to learn the car and get a feel for the controls, which he instantly mastered (darn these kids and their catlike reflexes!). We set up a small plywood ramp too. The car is screaming to me for oil dampers, but it doesn't make a lick of difference to him. In a bit we're headed for the track to introduce him to dirt bashing! Provided it survives that, I have a 540 and full ball bearings for tomorrow's project. Thanks again to bakaguyjean and civilguy for the 18t pinions! After his first pack's worth of running he was hooked and I see the first signs of addiction. He says he'd like an on-road car as well and he's eying the TT-01 Enzo Ferrari at the LHS... I've been taking pics and I'll post them up when I get the chance. Cheers, we're off to the track! I may be close to having my DT-02 sorted too so that's the other mission.

I went with the 'hopper! It's here along with everything else needed. I have two 18T pinions thanks to bakaguyjean and civilguy. Thanks to you both! It's great to be part of a community like this. He arrives this weekend and I'll post up pics of the build Cheers!

Unfortunately, if you do a search on "Sand Viper underwhelmed" you'll find a lot of posts. I've used the exact same word myself. On top of the slowness there's the massive understeer and constant bottoming. I've about got the understeer and bottoming sorted through suspension tuning (see various threads) and with a 19T motor it feels suitably quick. The general advice from the DT-02 veterans (I'm getting there) is "don't fret you'll get it sorted." The platform has potential but it takes a bit of work to unleash it.

I love silver cans. One of the classes I race is Mini Cooper where we must run a silver can, and yesterday I TQ'd and won with a Johnson I bought on eBay for $2. If we weren't half a world apart (shipping $/) I'd buy the lot from you.

Our club is starting a spec racing class for the Slash (no modifications) and I probably won't be able to resist. This may be my first non-Tamiya R/C! I love the scale looks and just wish it came as a kit. I guess I'll just take it all apart to see how it all works and then put it back together again.

I'm pleased to say that I had my first really fun bashing session with the Sand Viper yesterday. I've done some simple things based on everyone's suggestions that really made a difference. First, the obvious. I traded into a new 19T Orion Method R motor and suitable ESC and that killed the slowness problem. I added a stack of o-rings to each damper shaft (on the outside) to limit the suspension travel. The shock bottoms on them just a hair before the chassis bottoms. This really helped the feel of the car as the bottom isn't constantly banging off the ground and upsetting everything. The o-rings make for a "soft" stop though so there's no jarring when it hits them. I left the stock spring spacer on the front shocks but added a bunch more on the rears to stiffen them up a lot. If you've built a few cars you've got extra ones laying around, or you could put a zip tie or 2 above the stock spacers. I put 80 weight oil in all 4 dampers. I originally intended on only putting it in the rears, but the front was so underdamped that I filled those with it as well. The soft front springs let the weight transfer so the car steers but the thick oil absorbs those big hits. So, stock soft springs up front with thick oil and hard springs in back with thick oil really made a big difference. The understeer is drastically reduced. I just ordered a set of pin spikes for the front and I think that'll get it the rest of the way there. I'm going to take it to the track this weekend so I can really gauge the improvements. I already feel much better though!