Rising Storm hop-ups

[Bornhall]

As with the Gravel Hound query in http://www.tamiyaclub.com/xforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22452, I'm also interested in hop-ups and stuff for the DF-02 chassis, especially since I'm thinking about buying a Rising Storm (kit no 58334).

What I'm thinking is this:

I want the basic RS, although with the aluminium dampers (#53701). But, I read somewhere (can't find it now), that the TT-01 ball differential (#53663) would fit in the DF-02 chassi, in place of the standard gear diff.

Now, assuming this is true (correct me if anyone knows better, please), could I also use the TT-01 front one-way unit (#53671)? And if so, can it be used with the DF-02 universal shafts directly (Shafts #53791, Cup joints #53790), or must I use the TT-01 cup joints (#53806), which are mentioned as "ball diff cup joints for universal shaft"? If anyone has tried, or can shed any light on this (I don't yet own a DF-02, nor a TT-01, so testing is limited), I would really appreciate it.

Apart from the dampers, ball diffs and universal shafts, are there any other "necessary" items I should consider from the hop-up options (see link to Gravel Hound topic at the top)?

Also, I'm considering plagiarizing the HPI wheels from other Rising Storm owners, and I assume it is the HPI Part #3032 that has been used? Where can I find other tires (apart from Tamiyas own) that will fit the standard wheels as well as the HPI wheels?

I should probably also mention that my intention is to try and race this car, so it's not just for show...:-)

[blakeyx]

I'll be honest with you if you want to race it, don't waste your money on a DF-02! I had one and hopped it up to its full potential (yes the TT-01 ball diffs fit but do nothing). I spent over £300 hopping it up (from hong kong, buggy was uk bought) and although I could keep up with the B4 and losi XXX4 at my club. I had no chance of beating them. The suspention is terrible, no matter what you do to it. I ended up selling mine for a mear £75 to another TC member. Look in the members pictures for the blue one. I had taken a fair bit off of it. All I can say is I'm glad it went to a good home and not someone who wanted to split it up to resell. I put alot of time and effort into my DF-02 and am sorry to admit it wasn't worth it as a racer. If you look into other makes you can pick up kits for good prices which don't need hopping up. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Bornhall]

Thanks for the reply blakeyx! Very informative! As for the racing, I'm aware of the fact that it's not the best choice, but I wanted to start out somewhere, and the Rising Storm seemed like a rather good choice. I have a japanese friend who can buy it at about half the price compared to uK/US, so it wouldn't hurt the wallet too much.

Anyway, I am more or less committed to buying one of the following once I get into the swing of things a little (I've been "away" for 15 years when it comes to R/C cars):

TTech Racing Predator X10

JConcepts BJ4

Schumacher CAT 4000 (whenever that comes out)

X-5 from www.4wdrc.com

Owning an old ProCAT now, I know the quality of Schumacher's cars, but I'm a little bit tired of the belt drives. I'm gonna start saving up now, and see where I end up once spring comes around next year. I'm also considering going brushless, which has a rather high price tag here in Sweden...

Oh well, I think I'm gonna dosh out a little now on a Rising Storm and a TT-01 or TA-05 (probably the F430) to keep me interested during the long, cold Swedish winter...:-)

Thanks again for any comments!

[blakeyx]

Hello again.

I see what you mean about the DF-02. I loved mine to bits but was just dissapointed that it reached its full potential so quickly.

Anyway on another point you mentoned a TT-01 or TA-04. I will have a fully hopped up TB-02R for sale in 1-2 weeks time. It will probably be put on e-bay for around £150 very good price for all the alu and carbon its got on it (hardly looks like a Tamiya at all now)[8D]. So if you are interested let me know and I can e-mail you some pics or keep an eye out on the e-bay part of this forum. I always put up a link when selling.

[Tipsy]

quote:Originally posted by blakeyx

I'll be honest with you if you want to race it, don't waste your money on a DF-02! I had one and hopped it up to its full potential (yes the TT-01 ball diffs fit but do nothing). I spent over £300 hopping it up (from hong kong, buggy was uk bought) and although I could keep up with the B4 and losi XXX4 at my club. I had no chance of beating them. The suspention is terrible, no matter what you do to it. I ended up selling mine for a mear £75 to another TC member. Look in the members pictures for the blue one. I had taken a fair bit off of it. All I can say is I'm glad it went to a good home and not someone who wanted to split it up to resell. I put alot of time and effort into my DF-02 and am sorry to admit it wasn't worth it as a racer. If you look into other makes you can pick up kits for good prices which don't need hopping up. Good luck whatever you decide.

---

id="quote">id="quote">

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...d=36487&id=1532

I love it[]. Great piece of kit, and has stopped me using my Cat 3000. Drives great and looks great too. I dont race it competitively, but have taken it to a local track, and running a 12X2 goes fantastic. Very pleased I purchased it from Blakeyx, but got to say, must of cost a fortune to build in this form. There are probably better racers at lower cost, but at least this made a standard DF-02 far better looking and stronger and a better racer.

[Tamiya Learner]

I agree with blakeyx, I have also spent loads on hopups and mods and all its made the RS look is good ; for racing nothing, even got the GH shell which also looks good. so I will eventually either sell or stick it on the shelf.

[blakeyx]

quote:Originally posted by Tipsy

I love it[]. Great piece of kit, and has stopped me using my Cat 3000. Drives great and looks great too. I dont race it competitively, but have taken it to a local track, and running a 12X2 goes fantastic. Very pleased I purchased it from Blakeyx, but got to say, must of cost a fortune to build in this form. There are probably better racers at lower cost, but at least this made a standard DF-02 far better looking and stronger and a better racer.

---

id="quote">id="quote">

Hi Tipsy.

I'm glad your happy with it. Yes it did cost a small fortune to build. You got an absolute bargain. Its also nice to know that its still being run. I had to get rid of it fairly quickly due to having no room at home, otherwise I would have split it up and sold it seperatly. Another reason why I sold it was as I said before you cant race these competitvely which is what I do with my cars. My TB-02R has also been hopped up to this standard and cost a small fortune to do so but it runs very well and I have to say I will be sorry to see this go as well. Just felt as though I needed to upgrade to another make of touring car really. (Occording to the wife its because I have run out of things to hop up and need another project to start on).