Tamiyold

I do have the carbon shock towers for the TT02B that came with a full set of turnbuckles so I could tune the suspension, it's just that battery position... I think I will persevere with the TF for now. I don't have the speed tuned gear set ATM, I can add that to the list of hop-ups! Is a carbon chassis worth the investment or would I be better off sticking with the FRP and spending the money on other upgrades? I was considering the TFE type shock towers to give more options for damper top mount positions.

Thanks for the input Jonathon it is useful, the TF suspension does seem to be a bit more adjustable, especially since I got the hicaps. I'm considering going to thicker oil in the front shocks to get a bit more damping. I think I may be backing off a bit too much over some of the jumps, the car nosedives off the bigger ones if I go a bit too slow. To speed things up a bit I've ordered an Absima 14t motor which is pretty much as hot as I can go with the Quicrun 1060 ESC, although I'll still lag behind the brushless guys with their 9t speed machines! I'd like to go brushless and lipo but funds are tight so that will have to wait - especially as I still have to buy a transponder and I don't want to shred the gearboxes!

Good evening fellow Tamiya racers I have just started indoor racing again after a break of about 15 years and as the title suggests, I have a Top Force (2017) and a TT-02B. My first two race meetings have been with the TF, and apart from the kit motor being a bit slow it hasn't been too bad on the flat bits bit the jumps have been a bit more challenging set up wise. If I keep on trying with the TF what's the best set up to cope with jumps and still give grip on the carpet? I have hicaps with 40wt oil and two hole pistons on the front with three on the back together with Tamiya block spike tyres. I'd like to try the TT-02B but the stock steering isn't enough, I've seen extreme steering angle arms for the TT-02 drifters but I think they might be too extreme for the buggy, plus it still seems a little under damped with 40wt oil in the kit shocks. I'm interested to know what you all think. Mark

The postman brought me the TF Evo turnbuckle shaft set today. Hope to start the build soon, when there is less painting, plasterboarding etc to do! And if I can find a suitable table or desk to use.

Thanks for the suggestions on dampers guys. Another decision I’m trying to make is whether to paint the shell as per the box art or choose a different colour, gun metal looks pretty good with the kit decals. What do you think?

Well I happen to have a set of DF03 aluminium shocks arriving soon for the TT02B, I wonder if the fronts will be long enough for the TF though. I may look into using the TRF shafts as well, that sounds like an inexpensive way to improve the cheapo kit shocks.

Another proud owner of a 2017 Top-Force.... Just wondering, should I keep it fairly standard or upgrade it with things like the Fibre Lyte carbon bits and Hi-Caps? That little lot is going to cost at least £200 I reckon! Maybe I'll just stick with bearings and the plastic gear set for now, haven't even decided if it'll be a runner yet (more than likely will!)

Apologies for my absence, and thank you for the interest! I decided to sell the Manta Ray as I was worried about breaking bits I couldn't replace! Having said that, I am expecting a Top Force 2017 to arrive any day now (wanted one when they came out originally), still have one or two spare Manta Ray bits that'll fit the TF. Also got myself a Neo Scorcher last year and am in the process of hopping it up, I'd say more here but the TT02B probably isn't classed as vintage so I'll save that for another section. Anyway, since you asked I have attached a couple of pics of the Manta Ray... kinda miss it really so looking forward to building the TF. Mark

Hello all, Thought I'd share my Manta Ray restoration with you. I bought the car in 1991 and spent a fair bit on upgrades. The car has languished in the attic for a good few years. I stopped racing about 15 years ago and sold most of my gear and other cars I had about 5 years after that. I still have enough of the car left to start rebuilding it: Highlights: Original Manta Ray gearboxes, Top Force wheels with Kyosho H pattern tyres, RW Racing double deck chassis and carbon prop shaft, ball diffs front and rear, Tamiya Hi Cap aluminium shocks and Top Force style rear shock tower. So far I have replaced most of the plastic gears and rebuilt the rear diff and shocks and given it a bit of a clean up. I am now trying to track down replacement fron universal drive shafts but they are proving elusive, is there an alternative I can use from another Tamiya car? Not sure if I am able to post pics yet but I'll try and get some up at some point soon. Thanks for reading. Mark