TurboTimmy

Here are the new CVA Short shocks....they were easy to build and fit like a glove. I needed to improvise the mounting on the bottom, so I removed the original shock plates (which were also about to break) and simply attached the shocks right to the gearbox housing, using the original plate mount holes. These units are only about 2 or 3mm longer than the stock shocks, so it was no problem. Hopefully the front shocks will arrive soon.......

Well, looky here.... Seems when I took my HornetHopper to the local hobby shop for a new servo,everyone wanted to see a vintage Tamiya..... It got quite a few compliments-but when we examined the chassis more closely, the right side upper shock/body mount simply fell apart!!! The store employee seemed very embarassed, as if it was his fault-but of course it was not-simply 30-plus year old plastic that was hammered on...... I have ordered a new set of mounts-and CVA shocks will replace the worn out original rears.....I'll keep y'all posted.

I have ordered some rear oil shocks that are Tamiya CVA units. Hopefully they will fit..... I would love to get some oil shocks for the front. Does anyone know what ones will fit? This project is starting to cost more money than simply getting a whole new kit-but it's the fun of bringing an old Hornet back to life. Thanks for any info regarding front Hornet/Grasshopper shocks.

Thanks for your replies, gentlemen-I do not remember where I got this motor, but I suspect it was probably a slightly hotter set up than a stock Mabuchi 540. Somehow I "associated" it (excuse the pun) with an RC10 motor.....As to its performance, I do remember it being a slight upgrade, but nothing too extreme. But it's been almost 30 years.......I had it in my Hornet, and it made it a little faster, but I don't remember it being as hot as a Sport Tuned motor. As WillyChang and Backlash suggested, it likely was a hobby shop that sold these from a magazine ad with a "Black Magic" sticker on it (pre-online shopping!!!!)....It still runs-so perhaps it will go in the next project......Of course, the proper electrical leads will have to be correctly soldered on to it. Take care.

This was the motor I put in my old Hornet years ago. I remember it running pretty well-but now I cannot remember what company made this motor or how it stacks up against a Sport Tuned 540, for example. I think it might have been made by Associated, but I can't be sure. Can anyone I.D. this motor? Thanks for any info.

Thanks, all for inviting me into the Tamiya Club...... I have been in the process of moving the past few weeks and re-discovered my old Hornet packed away in a box of stuff. It originally had a yellow body (photo 1) and a stock 540. I eventually put all ball bearings in it and a "Black Magic" Associated (I think) motor. After cleaning it up and finding all the missing parts, unfortunately I discovered that the original Airtronics radio bit the dust. So I decided to restore it with a new twist...... I always liked the look of the Grasshopper 2 body-and so I stuck one on the old chassis (photo 2) -it fits perfectly after drilling 1 hole in front of the Grasshopper 2 front post hole. And it goes well with the Hornet nerf bars..... Now she has a Sport Tuned 540 ready to go with a new set of tires (photo 3). The Black Magic motor still runs-so it'll be a decent spare...... I'm just waiting for a new Tamiya ESC and some new rear shocks.......Thanks, everyone, for taking a look......