GTodd

Seven!!!! Wow, Ive used two on each side since the truck's release, it'll last. Just need to give it some juice now.

Im using the same set up that I have in my DS, it is a 13.5 Sensored Novak. The rumor that the Astute/Egress/Kingcab diffs are week is just that, a rumor. Built properly they can with stand alot of power. I found that running an extra concave washer on each side of the diff pretty much rendered the diff bullet proof when I use to run high power modifieds. In the Egress and Astute extra shims as indicated in the directioins is the answer for those cars. The weak point in the Astute and King Cab/Monster Racer is the plastic bracket that holds the idler gear, I got two robinson racing metal replacements years ago that solve that problem. One more tip for the diffs, when tightening the three tiny screws do so with the diff out drive in it. The key to even wear is making sure that the drive stays centered by tightening the screws evenly. I went on tower hobbies site last night and found Lipo made by Associated that fit stick pack sized battery boxes. They are a little pricey, does anyone know of any others. Id like to go with m 5400s but lower is ok for me, just want to blast around the local track a bit. Thanks!!!

I've pulled my old monster racer off the shelf from my old bedroom at my parents house, restored it, and added hicaps and a novak brushless. The only thing I need now is a LIPO or LIFE Battery that will fit! I already ruined one chassis and one lipo pack (dont ask) trying to make it work. Does anyone know of a Lipo or life battery that will fit the chassis?

Oh man, where is the ASTUTE???!!!!!!

Wierd, mine doesnt at all, get another set. Maybe you got a bad batch.

WIth in the last year the club has gone through three track designs, this is the best. Before it was a beast only good for 1/8. There is alot of stadium trucks now so they've re-designed to meet the the demand. Here is a link to the club/track http://www.philhurdraceway.com/ Does anyone ghve a set of the ube rare front lower Egress Shock Mount? Ill even take the replica if someone has it.

No I dont have a tripod, no Im not going to purchase one. Either take my word for it or you are out of luck. As if Id get anything out of not telling the truthe?????

Because my wife wont come with me anymore Thats why I posted pics of a dirt Avante.

Ill update this as time goes by and as I upgrade the car. Ive had two track sessions with the car since building it and it is a blast. The first outing I ran it completely stock except for modern rubber suited to my track. Out of the box it was a pretty neutral handler that could handle the doubles just fine when I hit them correctly with a tad bit of bottoming, ill try smaller pistons. The one way makes the steering right now quick if not a little touchy. I filled the shocks with Lossi 50 wt in the front 70 wt in the rear with the biggest spring spacers front and rear and manual recomended shock pistons. Electronics consist of Novak 8.5 Brushless with a nod to the old school a S148 steering servo! Juice is provided by a 2 Cell Venom 5400 7.4v lipo that gives about 15 minutes of run time on the stock pinion. For the second outing I installed a vintage center ball diff from my shelfer. I liked running the center better than the one way. The highly responsive steering was replaced with a tad bit of understeer and alot more stability when hauling the mail down the strait. After two outings and four runs I have zero breakage, and 100% reliability, Brushless Horsepower seems to have solved the weigh issue and modern materials have solved the fragility. Next outing will be after Christmas and New Year, with Egress lower arms front and rear for a little less weight and piece of mind. Future mods will inlcude the re-re hicaps, and in the future a complete Egress Conversion. Oh yeah just for info, Ive been running a spare set of well used vintage ball ends to preserve the new ones for its days when it goes to the shelf, no bends yet!

It looks like Tamiya was paying attention, did you email them or something? Most of those issues seem to have been resolved wilth better materials and redesigns such as the rear shock tower and knuckles.

Astute, it was my first Tamiya, and their first "race" oriented buggy. It was a little over engineered in the same vane as the Avante. It was fun to drive, and the TRF 201 wouldnt be here if it wasnt for it. I still have mine!

All over this forum for years ive heard about the weight, that it understeered like a pig, and that it was fragile. Maybe the new material, big beefy knuckes, and the horse power available in new motors has made it's side effects less noticiable. I love the front one way, Im going to combine the older center ball dif to see if it changes it's characteristics at all.

I’ve owned an original Avante shelfer for years (2003) it has seen some light running just so I could see that beautiful body in motion but I was afraid to put it through its paces out of fear of braking hard to get parts. Not to mention that I’ve read for years that it was a pig that didn’t like to turn or jump. I was waiting for the Egress Re-re but when we got the Black instead I jumped all over it with every intention to drive it. I finally have! My Avante Black is fitted with a 6.5 brushless Novak for motivation. It has proven to be very durable on my local 1/8 scale track that features flowing turns, single, double, and triple jumps. The Avante turns aggressively, and the steering response is right now. Sure the front end could use more suspension travel; an adjustment in driving style is all that is needed. FUN CAR!!!!!!!!! Would it win an A-main against a TRF 501, Lossi, or RC10. No but it would hold its own and look a lot better doing it.

Sorry no videos, my wife and son were in Cali at the time, I didnt have any one to vieo record while I was playing. But what a blast, and the Avante didnt show any signs of not being able to handle the 6.5 Novak Brushless horse power. Going back this Sunday! Ive installed the Egress lower suspension arms for more strength, going to go after the jumps with a lttle more enthusiasm!

I need this now! Please see pm.

Back from the track, that was alot of fun!!! The DS handled well, I adjusted the suspension as recomended, I also recently installed NIMROD Racing's longer rear arms that aided in stability. The DS pushed a little, that was caused by running the stock front tires. Can anyone recomend a set of front weels that fit that will alow me to instal more modern rubber? The Avante was a blast. Racecars arent twitchy, they are responsive, and thats exactly how I would call the Avante, turned in agresively (thank you one way!), hit the double on the back strait with out issues, and hit the other jumps as singles. As you can see its a flowing track that suites the DS and AVante well.

Thanks!!! Thats exactly what Ill try Sunday. I have the HICAP spring set, Ill fit the hardest spring to the front shocks (they do fit the DS only sleaved shocks), and go with 70 front and 50 rear weight oil.

Gee guys its not that dire if your careful and dont launch it off off the tablle top Ive driven the DS there before and once going it was good, not enough rear traction though as it over steered failrly easily, snap over steer would be a better term. Im going to stiffen the rear suspension to help if from bottoming on the one jump it can handle at 100%. The Avante Ill go with 50 in the front shocks and 70 in the rear. Actually with the shocks laid down, Ill do 70 in both the front and the rear. Ill report back!

Happy Holidays all! Next weekend Ill be taking out my brushless Avnate Black and Dyna storm as my brushless 801xt is still awaiting parts. The Avante is running the standard Re-re shocks and the Dyna Storm is using it's standard shocks as well. The track is a 50/50 dirt clay with big jumps (its a 1/8 track mainly) decent straits, and medium curves. I have at my disposal 50 and 70 weight lossi shock oil. There isnt much tuning to do with Avnate's diffs as it has the ball dif, one way set up. The Dyna's diff is set up per the manual, with the slipper slipping for about two feet. What do you guys recomend for shock settings with the available shock oil I have, I dont have spare springs but I do have all the pistons to make said oil stiffer/thinner. Thanks for the help guys!!!

If you have the Technigold toss it in the Astute! That is a match made ini heaven!

I spent an hour waxing it last night with Meguires! It's like a real car, wife just roles her eyes! She'll be sad when Im in the garage wrenching on my kit car cobra daytona coupe vice waxing a model next to her.

What do you guys think about the black fender flares that companies like RC4WD offer? I plan on installing the "Hop Up" Black Bumpers from Tamiya, and painting a set of side steps black. Will the flares be too much black? Look good, opinons?

Thank you for all the compliments, I got my wife a fish eye lens for her D5000 for Christmas. I should have the mirrors, wipers, and interior done by then. Ill take some pics with that beast of camerra. I got the tailgate stickers from RC4WD and yes they are pre-cut as well as the factory decals. The stickers are included with the decal sheet with Re-re Bruiser. I didnt want to touch the Bruiser's Decals though as Im going to paint my other body box art.

My decals arrived!!! The decals were an absolute joy to apply, thick and easy to apply, alot easier than the ones on my Black Avante. I debated for a second if I should use these or some others but what the heck, Tamiya didnt make these to stay in a package! The Chrome gave me a bit of a fit, but I think they turned out prety good. Ill be on the hunt for another set if they turn up. I still need to install the rear view mirrors, add decals to the interior, the steering wheel, TOYOYA to the windshield, and the plates. I enjoy taking my time, this has been a true blast to build. In my most humble opinion the only better Re-re will be if Tamiya makes one. Now for the pics:

Very nice, thank you for doing it justice. Id use your body for the shelf and the old one to run. It just needs some re-re hicaps to finish off!