Wheel_Nut

Great pic. I also share nostalgia for the vintage Hornet gearbox. It’s a radical change to graft a DT-03 gearbox, but I understand why they chose it. It is sure to make it a better runner.

I saw a Japanese Tamiya video where MS / Paisen said it was possible to fit 12mm hex wheels on the rear of the Hornet Evo. I’m not sure if hex adapters are included in the kit. It would be smart of Tamiya to provide offset 12mm hub adapters with additional width, so at least you won’t lose track width when changing to modern wheels. The info could have been lost in translation though, and I don’t have proper comprehension in Japanese either.

I agree that’s generally true. Some people who race their cars have motor dynos for testing. If the product is used in a competitive environment, people will figure out what matters but probably not share the data. I’m not sure they are shopping for the Kyosho gold 480 motors.

If tests are done to proper tech standards it normally produces less “impressive numbers”.. Then it only appeals to a smaller proportion of tech-savvy buyers, so I don’t know if it will catch on. To properly test differences between motors I’d be more likely to trust independent testing rather than something from a manufacturer anyway.

Part of the difficulty about torque specs is knowing the motor supply voltage under real operating conditions where maximum torque demand occurs. High power motors will draw over 100A, and a large proportion is generating heat rather than torque and drive power. It depends so much on your gearing, battery resistance, ESC and wire resistance, tyre grip, etc. Even if the maker provides great product data, it’s hard to relate it to the real world IMO.

Did you try to revert the rear camber link position to original and use rear-most battery position?

Looks good. Maybe you can try the rear battery position too.

It seems a really good idea to get the front springs sorted. The geometry changes so much if the ride height setting is off. Hopefully some shorter front springs allow better geometry so you don’t compromise front grip, even though the spring rate is higher. In other words, It could be one way to improve grip at the rear of the car without any compromise (particularly in a low traction situation). Please post pics again when it’s updated, with the battery fitted of course.

JimBear, Thanks for the reference to my Hornet build. I’ve been surveying the parts of a Grasshopper 2 kit for my next build. (The same chassis and gearbox as the Super Hornet). I was intending to add a “Gearbox torque reaction arm” on the Grasshopper 2 as well. However due to battery cover arrangement on the GH2 chassis there isn’t quite enough space to adopt the same approach. I’ll probably adopt a 4-link rear axle setup instead.

It's hard to judge how much total demand there will be, and how broadly the product appeals to people. I'm not really sure if younger generation fans would be enthusiastic about it. However I expect the initial sales will go crazy, because there are people who are still very passionate about the vintage Hornet and Grashopper.

To me it looks like a bell crank and steering bridge system. I wonder if it could be similar to what I did on my build thread. You can see it in the video as quoted at 1:29:30 from the underside. Then later at 1:30:15 from the front.

It’s because the steering is at full lock when the suspension is demonstrated in the video. There is less bump-steer on the left side, but there is still bump steer on the RHS front wheel.

There is a MIP differential for the Monster beetle. Since it has one gear tooth more than those other buggies and also larger bearing size, it's not a direct swap. I keep thinking about custom gear case to adapt the MIP diff into the Wild One and some highly custom applications as well. It would be a good topic for another thread!

One good aspect of this kit is the body comes Un-Painted!! It means we have complete freedom to choose alternative colour schemes. The vintage 80's style "The Hornet" decal set can be used if you don't mind some extra cost outlay.

The above diagram is from the Rising Fighter instructions, I believe. Hornet Evo may be similar, but it does not show how the front camber links attach to the chassis. There is probably a second molding that attaches from the underside of the chassis.

Are the Frog driveshafts compatible?

They have made a huge change by adding the DT-02 gearbox and I’m not sure if the proportions are 100% spot on. However I can overlook that. Since I’ve already got a vintage re-release Hornet, I’m looking forward to try an updated version. From the youtube video promotion, the new suspension appears to ride the bumps very well.

Somebody wished for it. I wonder who it was?? https://tamiyablog.com/2023/12/guesses-and-wishes-for-tamiya-2024-releases/#comment-8523

Interesting comment about roll centre. It made me think that ride height change is likely to have a bigger effect on roll centre than a small change in geometry. Can you lower the rear ride height to improve rear grip? Some of the earlier photos you posted were confusing to me, since it seems like the battery wasn’t fitted. That causes a big change in ride height, and perhaps more so at the front than the rear.

I prefer the Mini 4WD Santa Claus. https://tamiyablog.com/2024/07/future-tamiya-mini-4wd-year-of-the-snake-2025-tamiya-mini-4wd-santa-claus/tamiya-mini-4wd-santa-claus/

Tamiya specialises in the best quality plastic injection moldings - That forms the core of their product designs. Most of their products are based on plastic mouldings with low cost materials and manufacturing, which creates some limitation in the performance of the designs. There are some nice Hop-Up parts available at high cost. However a compromised design with expensive upgrades generally does not result in the same performance as a product engineered for a single purpose from the ground up. There could also be a question about the type of engineering talents they employ. It seems like they are expert in manufacturing techniques, scale models, and plastic molding tool design, but not as talented in engineering of the chassis and vehicle dynamics. I recall that Cecil Schumacher had a previous career as part of Cosworth power transmissions, so he had exposure to real engineering in full size motorsport. I wonder if Tamiya have recruited someone with an actual motorsport background or vehicle dynamics qualifications.

If a model car with that slogan was sold in the 80s, it would need an M15+ language advisory. These days it would not be inclusive enough unless changed to gender neutral terms and pronouns. Then again, perhaps it doesn’t matter if Tamiya is only selling these to men aged over 50.

When my wife saw the “Anytime Baby” slogan on my re-release hornet, she said it seemed inappropriate. She suggested they meant to name the car “The Horney”. No need to reference an insect with a stinging appendage on its abdomen.

TT-02BR with every upgrade seems cool. But I’m concerned it’s too flimsy. I’d be more likely to buy a Top Force then upgrade the bell cranks and prop shaft set.

I think rear wheel flares should be 4~5 mm wider than the front guards on each side. So around 8~10mm difference in overal width.