Budget Buggy Shocks / Dampers

[JatoTheRipper 95]

Which budget shocks or dampers would you recommend for a rear wheel drive buggy such as a Tamiya DT-03, Kyosho Dirt Master, etc?  I used to love 3Racing stuff including their shocks, but it has been years since I used any of it.  There are also a bunch of new brands that have popped up as well in the last few years.  Yeah Racing seems to get decent feedback.  I'm open to all feedback on inexpensive shocks.  Definitely don't want anything that leaks.  Thank you!

[alvinlwh 7038]

YR is OK. 3R is too stiff according to this.

I recently started using Boom Racing stuff and quite like them.

Dual rate springs, 3 + 1 set of spring options, Ti coated shaft, just to name a few of their features.

[Kowalski86 4074]

1 hour ago, JatoTheRipper said:

Which budget shocks or dampers would you recommend for a rear wheel drive buggy such as a Tamiya DT-03, Kyosho Dirt Master, etc?

For a "budget", I'm usually satisfied with the stock plastic shocks on most buggies, it's just a matter of choosing the right springs/shock oil.

What I can say is to avoid using lithium grease (aka green stuff), lithium is petrol based and not reccomended for use on plastic/rubber.

[skom25 1876]

CVA + TRF Pistons - Red O-Rings.

I have direct comparison between mentioned set and Aluminium TT-02B Shocks and when used by amateur, there is almost no difference.

[JatoTheRipper 95]

Thanks for the replies. Stock CVAs are good budget offerings, but I like anodized aluminum bling. 

[Kowalski86 4074]

6 hours ago, skom25 said:

CVA + TRF Pistons - Red O-Rings.

I have direct comparison between mentioned set and Aluminium TT-02B Shocks and when used by amateur, there is almost no difference.

I had a set like that on an M06, a "stealth shock" setup, they actually felt pretty good despite being plastic.

[Juls1 1716]

Adding trf pistons to cva’s assuming you’ve got red or blue orings brings them up 95% of a tamiya alloy shock. I’ve not used any of the cheaper aftermarket shocks. (3racing, yeah, gpm, etc etc) that i thought where worth the money they cost they where all cheaply made. Tamiya alloy dampers have always proven to be worth what they cost. But you can get most of the benefits for $10 spent on proper pistons for stock cva.

[skom25 1876]

Just remember, that for CVA you need TRF pistons on front and if I remember correctly, Big Bore pistons on rear.

[ThunderDragonCy 8126]

The yeah racing bire bore dampers on my Hotshot2 are good dampers, but the springs are useless. Way too stiff and swem to not match in pairs i.e. different left to right on the car. I changed them for Core RC springs and seem ok. The rubbers (oil seals and o rings) are very soft, but when they fail just replace with good tamiya rubbers and you will be fine.

[JatoTheRipper 95]

3 hours ago, ThunderDragonCy said:

The yeah racing bire bore dampers on my Hotshot2 are good dampers, but the springs are useless. Way too stiff and swem to not match in pairs i.e. different left to right on the car. I changed them for Core RC springs and seem ok. The rubbers (oil seals and o rings) are very soft, but when they fail just replace with good tamiya rubbers and you will be fine.

Do the Tamiya springs fit the Yeah Racing shocks?

[ThunderDragonCy 8126]

2 hours ago, JatoTheRipper said:

Do the Tamiya springs fit the Yeah Racing shocks?

CVA rear springs fit big bores, but front CVA are smaller and don't fit. Tamiya Big Bore spring sets would work

[BuggyGuy 1139]

For my DirtMaster I got a brand new set of Xray XB2 dampers from a kit breaker. With shipping from Florida it will still cheaper than buying the DF03/Aeration/BigBoers from 

[RichieRich 772]

I really like Tamiya's TRF shocks but regular plastic CVAs are fantastic. Usually, I like to use the same brand shocks with same brand of kit. In the past, I would to buy used AE hard anodized shocks and put them on my buggies because they were easy to get, aluminum and performed quite well. I don't think they are as cheap and easy to find now.