NYDriver

Well, recently I have purchased a Panda Cyclone on Ebay, really just a Grasshopper clone but with all the hop-ups I have been spending big money to put on my Grasshopper. Upon recieving it, I see that I installed the anti-sway bar completly wrong, so I cut out rear portions of the black hopper body for no reason. Anyway, at least now I have blue aluminum nerf bars for my grasshopper, wont make it go faster or handle better but looks good. They came stock on the Cyclone, so it must have been a really good performer back in the day.I also bought a Marui Manx, which is the same exact car as the Cyclone, comes with front and rear anodized aluminum shocks, anodized rear anti-sway bar, anodized aluminum nerf bars, front camber links and more. Interestingly, enough, I only paid $30 and $20 for these cars, and they both came RTR, yet I paid $30 alone for my NIP anti-sway kit, what a dumbass I am. I cant wait for the snow to melt for another speed test. I will be posting pics of all of these cars soon.

I put in the Parma Anti-Roll bar today, I really am not sure how this increases handling but it looks pretty cool, but now I have to modify any body I would put on her so they can fit.

Vintageracer: I would really like to see pics of that car, sounds really cool. A competition is interesting, but its really, really cold out her right now, it might be a while before I get to track test her again, but I will kepp you posted. BTW, how the badword do you get 12 cells in a grasshopper, I am still trying to figure out how to get 8 in there. Mastermind: Thats an awesome Grasshopper(whats left of it, anyway), thanks for sharing that site with us.

Just pickep up a vintage anti-sway bar set for this monster, cost me over $30 on Ebay, but you dont see those sets too much so I went for it. I will try anything to improve performance enough to achieve my goal speeds.

The fastest top speed I was able to record was 34MPH. But that was with less than optimal running surface conditions and size, and only using a 6 cell pack. I plan to fit in an 8 cell pack and am shooting for 40-50MPH.

Switch to a larger pinion, less torque, more top end speed.

The Beast lives again. I have to trash the runner body as it was broken to pieces, I replaced it with a Lexan GH runner body it great condition. I removed the wheelie bar as it seemed to do more harm than good. I installed a brand new vintage Pro-Track rear bumper. I also put on the stock nerf bars and a yellow front bumper, not sure of maker. I thinkg these will help protect the car better in case of crashes. I also replaced the stock shocks with oil dampered fronts and rears, not sure of maker but I think You-Gee or Parma. Last I replaced the stock steering linkage with a heavy duty set-up. I switched the front foam tires with nice rubber ones but left the rear foams on, I am open to suggestions for the rear tires. I still plan to configure an eight cell pack (or maybe even ten cells) to fit in the car.

Where can I get that poster???

Ok Everyone, I have fitted in dampered you-gee shocks all around, and an using Midnight pumpkin Transmission brackets with springs for less bounce in the rear, I also put in heavy duty steering linkage. I am putting a bumper and the nerf bars back on for more protection in case of crashes. I am also putting on a vintage aftermarket rear bumper. The body was smahed to pieces after several 30mph+ crashes and rollovers so I am going with a vintage aftermarket lexan body. I still have to re-do the 8 cell battery pack, hope to havepics up by this weekend, maybe even another road test if weather permits. Happy New Year. Tom

I bought this a while ago, but I have about a dozen half-finished projects lying around and have decided to sell this one. It is complet as far as I can see, but the following are included but broken and neeed to be replaced: front bumper; rear bumper; left rear swing arm. The body is in excellent condition, the car comes with full radio gear, but I have not yet tested, the box is in rough but very displayable condition, the manual is in very poor shape but still included, comes with alot of extra parts, original humpback battery, a quick charger and more. Very easy to restore. US shipping only is $25 as it will be shipped in two seperate boxes and includes insurance. Please contact me for more info and pics,paypal accepted. Price is $250 Thanks

I have noticed a large glut of these being sold on Ebay for the last couple of weeks, which is great, but the only problem to me is that the seller(s) are not mentioning the fact that these are re-issue. One of the sellers uses the word "New" but does not elaborate. I have emailed him twice asking whether they are vintage or re-issue but he did not reply. The set sold for $45, which to me is alot condidering you can purchase the entire kit for $100. If I was the buyer and I was expecting vintage and got re-issue I would be quite upset. On the lighter side, two weeks ago I cam across an auction for a complete set of VINTAGE Frog wheel and tires,assembled but brand new never used on ebay for a buy-it-now of $35. Of course I snapped that up and wound up buying a near complete partially built Frog (no body or stickers)from the same seller along with the wheels and tires. He was the original owner, started building the kit years ago, lost interest, so it sat uncompleted in a box in his closet all these years. Pretty soon I will have a new built frog to add to my collection, only cost me $100. New Vintage body anyone? Tom

I would also use a Super Rooster. I have three of them and thay have never failed. No motor or battery cell limit, and reverse too. They are also easy to configure.

Well, went out for a second outing with my brother yesterday. I picked a new spot which turned out to be even worse than the other as it was a little shorter and alot bumpier. After several flips and crashes into the fence behind us, I have totally bashed the "basher body", and broke a front steering arm. I had a very hard time trying to keep it straight because of the bumpy ground. The fastest clocked speed was 32MPH. My next step is to install a complete set of You-Gee oil dampers all around and a heavy duty steering linkage and CRP heavy duty front steering arms. I also plan to re-work the 8 cell pack so it can fit in the battery compartment. All of this will have to wait until after the holidays so I will keep you posted. I am going for 50MPH!!!

Well the first test is in the books but it did not go so well. Firstly, my brother cancelled on me so I had to do the test alone, which means I had to steer the car and use the radar gun at the same time. I also had to go to the local park, which as stated previously di not offer as much space as I would have liked. Upon the first rn with the 8 cell pack, it was obvious that control was out the window, after a couple of flips and some damage to the battery pack, I had to switch to a 6 cell pack. The control of the car was much better so I ran it thorugh a few speed tests. The fastest speed I recorded was 34MPH. I felt it could have gone alot better with someone else holding the radar gun as it was very difficult to keep the car straight and use the radar gun at the same time. Still it is a respectable speed considering the age of the car. I feel under better conditions and an extra hand I can definetely break 40MPH even with the 6 cell pack. I will keep you posted of the next outing. Thanks. Tom

I was able to fit a runner GH body I had lying around by simply cutting off the two rear bars that connects the roof to the rear wing of the car. I am not into wiring batteries and I have never locked a diff before, I will need more instruction for that, so the first road test will be done as is. I kinda like the placement of the 8 cell pack because it looks like a rear wing. I am also using an Airtronics MX-3 FM radio, so any problems with dialing in settings or glitchiness should be minor.

Here is a picture of "The Beast". I can not run it with a body because of the battery pack. I am also re-thinking the venue as I need a space with a lot of room to get it up to top speed. The local park I usually go to only has about 200 feet or so. I also had to add a lunchbox wheelie bar as the front wheels keep coming off the ground.

I also plan to use Foam tires and tire compound for better traction.

I am actually using the biggest pinion I could find, not sure of the tooth size, but I think its 20 or 21. I am hoping that the 8 cell pack strapped over the rear shocks will help the traction issue. I am only ruuning this car for all out speed on a flat surface. Hopefully I will test it this weekend.

I just installed an 8 turn Reedy KR motor, Novak Super Rooster ESC and an 8 cell nimh pack that I strapped over the rear shocks in my Grasshopper.The car is completely ballraced and I stripped off an uneccesary chassis parts. The tires spun so fast that they turned into the size of small bagels. I am hoping to break at least 40mph with it, which I can measure with my radar gun. As soon as I can do that, I will give an update. Tom

Quincey: Would love to but the days you are in NY are very difficult for me as I it is right before Christmas and I have alot of family to deal with. Have a wonderful vacation though, watch out for those New Yorkers. Newbie: Sounds great, Please contact me. Tom

Does anyone know how to install these??? Tom

I saw this auction the other day but lost track of it, anyone know what the final selling price was?

Where are you going to be in NYC? Those dates are tough as it is during the week and I will be working. Its also days before Christmas. Tom

If anyone has one of these they can scan or copy, please let me know. Thanks. Tom

I read alot about how pressed parts are "polished". Can someone tell me how it is done and what tools I require to do it. Thanks. Tom[)]