Weight reduction tips.

[Marchie 138]

Having a great time running my Avante Black Special, but I have to say it’s noticeably heavy compared to my other cars.

I’m wondering if anyone has experience reducing the weight on these? (Probably the same advice as for any car really)

I figured I want to trim 100g off to actually notice the difference, and I’m wondering if that’s even possible and at what price?
 

The aluminium rod ends look like an obvious starting point, perhaps titanium screws, but it seems I could easily dump $200 or more just to destroy the look of the car and only save 20g or so. Not opposed to spending, but would like to have a better idea of the potential gains before I do.

[Saito2 8338]

The Avante was always heavy. Many of the components Tamiya made as hop-ups back then were aimed at not only improving performance but also reducing weight. Its basically how we got the Egress. The lightweight wheel option (which the Black Special already has) was lighter than the original Cam-Locs. A titanium screw set (53010) was offered to shed weight. The carbon graphite chassis set (again, the current Avante features carbon) not only lengthened the wheelbase but also included all the lighter, simpler, more durable nylon suspension components later found on the Vanquish, Egress and Avante 2001. 

While flawed as a platform for deeper reasons, I don't think weight loss (at least what's feasible) will make a ton of difference in performance. You already have the lightweight wheels w/narrow fronts and ball raced steering and ball diffs from the Egress. The only thing lacking is the suspension arms and the longer wheelbase (which was aimed at adding straight line stability and calming the car's "twitchy" nature) and the added front travel afforded by the Egress's front shock setup.

[ThunderDragonCy 8991]

Biggest change you could make is going to a shorty lipo battery if you can get one to fit. Easily save 100 grams over most other batteries, and if it's possible to move it around you can play with fore aft weight distribution.

[Nikko85 4205]

28 minutes ago, ThunderDragonCy said:

Biggest change you could make is going to a shorty lipo battery if you can get one to fit. Easily save 100 grams over most other batteries, and if it's possible to move it around you can play with fore aft weight distribution.

Yes. I'm been using 5000 Mah 21700 Li-Ions which are very light compared to a full NiMH pack.

 

[Marchie 138]

I was thinking Lipo probably was my best option to save weight…

Guess I’m just too attached to zero-maintenance, zero-worry of nimh.

If I were to dip my toe into Lipo so to speak, could I get away with a simple charger like a G.T. Power B3? Or is that just asking for a house fire? ($100 battery plus $200 charger is a rich buy-in)

 

[magnumb 240]

I trim about 150 grams off almost all my Tamiya by replacing the standard 540 motor with ESC for the HobbyWing Fusion Mini16 2n1 Brushless system. Powerful buy small. 540 sized is just too big for most applications and a waste 

[cyclonecap 83]

On 2/7/2025 at 2:03 PM, Marchie said:

I was thinking Lipo probably was my best option to save weight…

Guess I’m just too attached to zero-maintenance, zero-worry of nimh.

If I were to dip my toe into Lipo so to speak, could I get away with a simple charger like a G.T. Power B3? Or is that just asking for a house fire? ($100 battery plus $200 charger is a rich buy-in)

 

I think you're over estimating the cost there. This charger and battery combo would be ideal and comes in at $106.

https://www.amainhobbies.com/gens-ace-imars-iii-pro-smart-balance-ac-battery-charger-6s-10a-100w-gea100wmpro/p1390629

https://www.amainhobbies.com/gens-ace-redline-2s-lihv-lipo-lcg-battery-130c-7.6v-4000mah-gea40002s13d5/p1451943

 

Beyond that you could also consider a low profile servo.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32963192117.html

 

After that I would start pulling parts off or cutting things like the rear bumper, although that will spoil the look.

[Juggular 5189]

If you are willing to wait a week or two for overseas shipping, iMax B6 with a powersupply can cost about $25.  Several years ago, I think I paid like $45 just for the charger without a power supply.  Mine came with all kinds of adapters.  You can look for the right plug for you, EU, US, etc.  

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808255651749.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.23.62ea5d0cNk06ua&aem_p4p_detail=202503171240194522030800214320003565342&algo_pvid=62b819fa-9c99-48cd-b816-b3ed63d6f8ec&algo_exp_id=62b819fa-9c99-48cd-b816-b3ed63d6f8ec-11&pdp_ext_f={"order"%3A"18"%2C"eval"%3A"1"}&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!46.74!22.44!!!336.25!161.40!%40210318e817422404194853729e492d!12000045149741415!sea!US!2630314545!X&curPageLogUid=9ojfOkdMDgU2&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A&search_p4p_id=202503171240194522030800214320003565342_4

ISDT PD60 is simple and cheerful, if you have a fast USB-C charger for tablets.  There are better models than this, but this might be a good starting point. I use this often because it's so simple. You do need a XT60 adapter. 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805918148298.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.83.62ea5d0cNk06ua&algo_pvid=62b819fa-9c99-48cd-b816-b3ed63d6f8ec&algo_exp_id=62b819fa-9c99-48cd-b816-b3ed63d6f8ec-41&pdp_ext_f={"order"%3A"141"%2C"eval"%3A"1"}&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!48.65!14.59!!!350.03!105.01!%40210318e817422404194853729e492d!12000035764391232!sea!US!2630314545!X&curPageLogUid=2orfM0M1jNLQ&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A