whale22

Thanks and great advice on not buying all the shiny stuff. It looks pretty but I imagine that it's a waste of time. Reckon I'll throw and dirt tuned or sport tuned into it and go!

Thanks. I link would be super helpful. Or links... !

Arrgh...But it looks so...nice. OK...that's really good/great advice. What should I do with the suspension...if anything?

I think I'll give the hobbyking thing a go and just run the DF-02 stock for a bit. Although I think I might get carried away with these: http://www.asiatees.com/model?Tamiya-DF-02-Upgrades-Parts-Hop-Ups&brand=Tamiya&model=DF-02 There's currently $120 worth of aluminum parts in my cart. As far as the DF-02 goes I've read ground clearance is an issue. Longer shocks then?

Speedy is wise! Better than any google. I recall reading reading here you liked your DF02. What radio do you use for that????

I like the pistol grip models, 2.4 Ghz, and a receiver with an internal antenna. Tower has a decent one for $80 but I've seen others at hobbyking for around $40....

Don't be mad...I just bought a df02, rising storm. Guess I AM stuck in the past. Just like bashing and lapping around the track. Nothing too serious. I'll grab a decent brushed motor, 5000 mah NiMH, and go. Maybe once my driving gets better I will get a better buggy. It's not the money...I just like building the things and driving them. Good advice all!

Hi looking for a decent handling 4WD Tamiya that I can bash and take to open hours at my LHS track. I've only ever had a Hornet and Dirt Thrasher and like the 4WD handling and cornering. I also like adding hop-ups and tweaking the car. I'd probably stick with a low-turn brushed motor and my NiMH batteries for the time being but wouldn't mind going brushless at some point... Thanks in advance.

Hi- I seem to recall the gearbox on my old hornet having a small tab of plastic that would have worked with this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360487176132&item=360487176132&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466 The new hornet gearbox has no such tab. I can't imagine the rear stabilizer would work without a mod. Anyone recall?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360487176132&item=360487176132&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466 What does the rear stabilizer accomplish in this regard, if anything?

Thanks for the advice. I AM in the USA. Just outside of Boston...

OK...Assuming I go the Zahhak route and want to keep my NiMH batteries/charger/radio. I imagine I'd need a new receiver, ESC, and motor. The Zahhak must come with bearings, right? I know tower hobbies sells the receiver I use in my Hornet. http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/towl0224.html The radio can connect with more than one of these without crystals (how I have no idea!) What ESC and motor should I get? I was thinking the following: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGZX1&P=ML And http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNUG7&P=7 Ot I could always go brushless...whatever that is. Yeah...I'm a noob. I have to admit...my heart was kind of set on the Sand Viper b/c it's got almost everything I need in the box and I would add a better motor. Not sure I want to race yet rather hit the track during open hours and see if I can make it around. The Hornet would end up an obstacle for the other cars to get around. I thought the Sand Viper...while not race worthy was advanced enough that it could negotiate the track reasonably well. If the Zahhak is the car I want then I'm happy with that. Thanks again.

Thanks...Looks like the Sand Viper is a non-starter...I'll keep an eye out for prices. Both the Zahhak and the TRF201 seem like better options...Certainly better than my $250 hornet that bounces and flips. The non-Tamiya option is interesting but I seem to want to stick with them...

HI all, I'm 40 and a "backyard basher". I recently got a re re Hornet since it is what I had in the mid 80s. I'm embarrassed to admit that it's probably a $250 hornet with all of the "upgrades" I've put in it. CRP Front shock kit, anodized nerf bars, sport tuned motor, rear stabilizer kit, JunFac adjustable axle mount, full bearings, and the heavy duty steering arms that won't pop off. I think the sport-tuned, bearings, and steering arms are the only things that were "worth it" for this car. Anyway...I'm thinking of getting something I can actually control at a track and prefer to use my current Tower Hobbies 2.4 Ghz radio, 5000 mah NiMH batteries and charger. I'm torn between the Sand Viper and the Zahhak. If I get the Sand Viper I'd probably keep the stock ESC and get the best motor it can handle and upgrade it as I go. That said, I think the Zahhak has more potential and is a car that won't get me laughed off the track. FWIW I enjoy adding upgrades almost as much as driving theses cars. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Hi again, Thanks for the info so far. One more question about ESC's and motors. I am thinkig of a Futuba MC230 ESC / Futuba radio setup for the Stadium Bllitzer. Any thoughts pro or con would be appreciated? Thanks. I def. want an ESC with BEC so I can save on time, batteries, and weight. One limitation might be that it can only handle motors down to 20 turns. Is that a big limitation? I Guess what I'm asking if you had two identical trucks/drivers and one had a 15T motor and the other had a 21T, would the trucks speed be drastically different? Thanks so much, Whale

Can someone recommend an ESC for my Dirt Thrasher? I have a JR Python 27 Mhz radio set-up and am using the receiver/servos that came with it. My motor is the Tamiya Sport-Tuned. Would the Tamiya 101BK be compatible with my set-up? TIA, Whale

Hey, Thanks for the tips so far. I have a bid in on an aluminum motor mount on ebay for the DT. I'm also looking for an ESC/motor combo for the blitzer. Great info so far. Thanks and I'll check back soon.

Hello all, I have both a D. Thrasher and a S. Blitzer. Aside for ball-bearings can anyone suggest good hop-ups? The Thrasher has a "Sport - tuned" motor already. Not a big deal but better than the 540. Perhaps ESC's and new motors? Does the ball differential make a huge difference for the Thrasher? I am also looking to replace the stock plastic shock on these buggies with metal ones. Can anyone suggest where I can find thrid party aluminum shocks? Thanks so much, whale22