TT-02d Handling

[Old_Corny]

Having completed the Racing by Post circuit 51challenge, I find that my skills are somewhat limited but improving - which is positive

However I noticed that the car doesn't have the greatest turning circle, traction or road-holding - something I would like to address at minimal expense. I have read so many comments about upgrading the TT-02 to a reasonable level being something less than cost-ffective, and have decided that I will look for an improved chassis for my next build (another post coming!).

So, the TT-02d chassis was built as stock with the exception of the prop-shaft. It comes with bearings all-round and I fitted road tyres rather than drift. The oil-filled dampers have the 3 hole pistons which appear to provide little in the way of damping, so I will swap them out for the single hole ones. Is it worth spending a small amount on softer springs?

What else can I do to improve the handling? I have very limited understanding of the mechanics and physics of I and am keen to learn - are there guides/posts I can look for on here?

I'll leave it here for now and see where the conversation goes, don't want to overburden my brain

[Grumpy pants]

This might help a little - 

 

[Old_Corny]

20 minutes ago, Grumpy pants said:

This might help a little - 

That's brilliant, thank you! The various replies confirm that it's a good chassis and a great start - very reassuring! I have to say that I do like driving it, but having seen some really nicely "planted" cars racing in the past and on video, I can see that there is room for improvement (and in my skills!!).

 

[Kowalski86]

51 minutes ago, Old_Corny said:

However I noticed that the car doesn't have the greatest turning circle, traction or road-holding

Is it worth spending a small amount on softer springs?

I can't really add much, other than I've had that same experience while trying to run a few TT02s.

The cheapest upgrade for you right now would be to take your stock servo saver, glue the three pieces together, and create a "servo horn". It'll still do its job as a servo saver in an accident, but it'll be a lot more precise when you drive.

[skom25]

Aluminium rear uprights with 2.5 or 3 degrees of Toe. It is total gamechanger. Stock uprights make car almost not possible to control on slippery surfaces, like dirty/ dusty asphalt.

[MadAnt]

As stated before, toe in rear uprights.

Tires may be a good upgrade too, along with a spring set to dial the suspension in. 

[TurnipJF]

A set of touring car springs is a good investment as they can be used on other cars too.

I'd also vote for toe in rear uprights. They make a huge difference on my TT-01s, and my TT-02 type S came with them as standard. 

Playing around with front toe settings is a zero cost option that might improve matters. I like running a tiny amount of toe out on tight tracks.

You might also try stiffening the font diff action with AW grease to help pull the font end around. 

[Old_Corny]

14 hours ago, MadAnt said:

As stated before, toe in rear uprights.

Tires may be a good upgrade too, along with a spring set to dial the suspension in. 

Which tyres are recommended? Slicks of some description? Being new to racing, it's all unknown for me.

[Old_Corny]

14 hours ago, TurnipJF said:

A set of touring car springs is a good investment as they can be used on other cars too.

I'd also vote for toe in rear uprights. They make a huge difference on my TT-01s, and my TT-02 type S came with them as standard. 

Playing around with front toe settings is a zero cost option that might improve matters. I like running a tiny amount of toe out on tight tracks.

You might also try stiffening the font diff action with AW grease to help pull the font end around. 

Thanks, it seems I have a few things to try.

Both axles were built with AW grease, maybe I should change the rear?

[Old_Corny]

21 hours ago, Kowalski86 said:

I can't really add much, other than I've had that same experience while trying to run a few TT02s.

The cheapest upgrade for you right now would be to take your stock servo saver, glue the three pieces together, and create a "servo horn". It'll still do its job as a servo saver in an accident, but it'll be a lot more precise when you drive.

Interesting, I never heard of servo savers until I got my first rc car - in aircraft it was just a straight crank.

[alvinlwh]

11 minutes ago, Old_Corny said:

Interesting, I never heard of servo savers until I got my first rc car - in aircraft it was just a straight crank.

That is because aircraft are not usually expected to hit a wall or each other whereas with a car, it will. 

Having said that, I had done away with savers whenever I can. Servos are cheap enough now to just replace them when they explode. 

[alvinlwh]

15 minutes ago, Old_Corny said:

Both axles were built with AW grease, maybe I should change the rear?

Locked rear gives good traction on loose surface in a straight line but poor turning performance. 

[Kowalski86]

34 minutes ago, Old_Corny said:

Interesting, I never heard of servo savers until I got my first rc car - in aircraft it was just a straight crank.

You can use a straight crank or horn in a TT02D, but I prefer to use the kit servo saver since some horns are too short (and it's free!).

[Kowalski86]

25 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

Locked rear gives good traction on loose surface in a straight line but poor turning performance. 

One of my better postal runs was with a stock TT02D and a stiff rear diff (tiny bit of foam in it), the cars poor stock turning radius, understeer, and lower speed made it easier to powerslide around turns Initial D style.

[Old_Corny]

47 minutes ago, Kowalski86 said:

One of my better postal runs was with a stock TT02D and a stiff rear diff (tiny bit of foam in it), the cars poor stock turning radius, understeer, and lower speed made it easier to powerslide around turns Initial D style.

Interestingly (to me!), when I turned down the power to 50% I put in substantially faster times because I wasn't over-shooting or braking too hard.

What I did find with more power is that the car juddered (seemed to lose some traction but not quite sure which wheels) when powering out of a corner

 

[skom25]

What motor do you have?

Probably you found, that if you want to achieve good results on track, top speed on straights is not so important.

That was an issue with Super Stock motor in my TT-02. It was super quick, but I was not able to run it smooth.

[TurnipJF]

In the short term, depowering your car by limiting the throttle or fitting a weaker motor should improve your cornering by stopping the car from applying too much power and juddering as the wheels spin when turning.

However in the longer term, learning to modulate your throttle through the corners is a better idea, as then you get smooth cornering plus access to full power down the straights.

[Old_Corny]

23 hours ago, skom25 said:

What motor do you have?

Probably you found, that if you want to achieve good results on track, top speed on straights is not so important.

That was an issue with Super Stock motor in my TT-02. It was super quick, but I was not able to run it smooth.

It's a sport tuned, and you're right about the speed - not required!

 

22 hours ago, TurnipJF said:

In the short term, depowering your car by limiting the throttle or fitting a weaker motor should improve your cornering by stopping the car from applying too much power and juddering as the wheels spin when turning.

However in the longer term, learning to modulate your throttle through the corners is a better idea, as then you get smooth cornering plus access to full power down the straights.

Yes, I need a lot more practice modulating both steering and throttle

I thought i was getting there until I drove on a damp surface this morning

[Old_Corny]

On 10/25/2024 at 10:10 PM, TurnipJF said:

Playing around with front toe settings is a zero cost option that might improve matters. I like running a tiny amount of toe out on tight tracks.

Did just that today and there was a noticeable improvement (even for me!) thank you

Just need to rebuild the dampers and fit the springs