Team Associated TC3 = TTech Predator P8 design

[FC5687]

Hello!

Someone online claimed that the Team Associated TC3 is based on the design of Tenth Technology Predator P8 off road buggy. Is it true [?]

I remember my friend told me the difference between 1/10 on road and 1/10 off road is that 1/10 off road buggy has a longer suspension arms and longer shock set up. [:I]

After visiting the Team Associated webpage, they have a conversion kit for turning TC3 to Rally. They stated that "Rally racing combines the jumps and bumps of offroad racing with the precision and technology of touring cars." []

And their rally conversion kit really comes with longer suspension arms and shock kit.

Can I consider the TC3 Rally a buggy as well if using a proper pumper and buggy body? Anyone try that? [^]

Thanks!

[RETRO R/C]

Is the "someone on line" in this thread ??? [] :

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6538

A couple of high profile teams that only make 2wd cars had their drivers running the predators in 4wd.

Thedesigns are similar.

Cheers

Darryn

[tanker(2)]

TC3 and the predator are two very different cars. From far, both cars has a middle shaft to distribute power front he rear to the front but I think that is where the similarities end. The suspension geometry, main chassis design, material used, steering geometry, shocks, (to name a few only) are totally different. The claim that TC3 and predators are the similar in design is almost like saying a helicopter and a boat are similar: both of them got propellers...

Yes, touring cars, rally cars, off road buggies are 'only' differ in their suspension arms, drive shafts and wheel base but their design 'concepts' are quite different.

[FC5687]

This is interesting. I found a car called Mark Pavidis WM Edition from the web: www.durango.rc10.de/v2/eng/index.html

This one look like a TC3 modified or conversion.

What is this?

[terry.sc]

If you are talking about my comment in the thred referred to by Darryn, I did not claim the TC3 was based on a Predator, but as Darryn has said the Predator buggy was raced by certain American race teams in 4WD classes at the Worlds. The Predator DTM touring car had been around for quite a while when Associated brought out the TC3 with its 'innovative' drivetrain. Hmm.

The one piece moulded plastic chassis design with gearboxes moulded in and a composite main driveshaft are the same layout, but the TC3 is a much more developed design. At least in a TC3 you can change the spur gear without completely dismantling most of the car, which you had to do with a Predator.

The TC3 rally conversion is just that, a kit of parts to extend the width by 10mm, and increase the ground clearance. It uses normal rally tyres. The wheelbase is too short for a buggy, even if you added longer shocks and suspension arms. A rally car is only 200mm wide, buggies are usually around 250mm wide, with a 25-50mm longer wheelbase.

There are several conversion kits available, the most well known being the Durango. It isn't cheap!

Here in the UK there are at least 2 other kits to convert the TC3 to a buggy in development, one of them is doing very well in our 4WD off road national championship. All the conversions extend the chassis (using a spacer or a new chassi) and replace the main driveshaft with a longer one, as well as replacing the 4 driveshafts, wishbones, uprights, shocks and shock mounts.

Why Associated haven't brought out their own 4WD buggy we will never know.

Terry

[RETRO R/C]

There is a one word answer to your question Terry regarding an associated 4wd , and that is : YOKOMO

Their associatioon is VERY long and increadibly deep.

When it is all said and done - there isnt really very much "new" around that has not been done before. Everyone thinks that the single belt 4wd is a great thing - badword - the PB Mini Mustang had that in the mid eighties !

Yes - the TC3 and the Predator are very different......however you have to compare the touring car version of the predator to see that they are the same layout - you cant really "re-invent" the wheel when it comes to the current drivetrain layouts. The T/Tech 1/10th scale touring car racer is indeed a VERY sinmilar layout to the TC3.....

The technology and materials have changed, as has the approach - however put them side by side - and you will see the similarities.

Cheers

Darryn.

[FC5687]

Hi terry.sc,

Actually I read some other guys from UK racing car website mention that the TC3 design is based on TTech Predator P8. I think this is my responsibility to make it clear. I apologize if the misunderstanding upset you []

Yes, I have seen the durango Mark Pavidis Edition you are talking about -- WOW!!! $1,248.90!! Really expensive!! Even a 1/8 nitro is going to be cheaper than that!

You said that 2 different kits is going to be available to the market for TC3 buggy conversion. When will it available? What is these 2 manufacturers brand name? How much do you think they cost?

I feel the same way as you, why Associated not introduce their own buggy based on the TC3 design? What type of the material use on the molded chassis of TTech P8 Predator? Are they using Delrin for their suspension arms?

Nice talking to you again!

quote:Originally posted by terry.sc

If you are talking about my comment in the thred referred to by Darryn, I did not claim the TC3 was based on a Predator, but as Darryn has said the Predator buggy was raced by certain American race teams in 4WD classes at the Worlds. The Predator DTM touring car had been around for quite a while when Associated brought out the TC3 with its 'innovative' drivetrain. Hmm.

The one piece moulded plastic chassis design with gearboxes moulded in and a composite main driveshaft are the same layout, but the TC3 is a much more developed design. At least in a TC3 you can change the spur gear without completely dismantling most of the car, which you had to do with a Predator.

The TC3 rally conversion is just that, a kit of parts to extend the width by 10mm, and increase the ground clearance. It uses normal rally tyres. The wheelbase is too short for a buggy, even if you added longer shocks and suspension arms. A rally car is only 200mm wide, buggies are usually around 250mm wide, with a 25-50mm longer wheelbase.

There are several conversion kits available, the most well known being the Durango. It isn't cheap!

Here in the UK there are at least 2 other kits to convert the TC3 to a buggy in development, one of them is doing very well in our 4WD off road national championship. All the conversions extend the chassis (using a spacer or a new chassi) and replace the main driveshaft with a longer one, as well as replacing the 4 driveshafts, wishbones, uprights, shocks and shock mounts.

Why Associated haven't brought out their own 4WD buggy we will never know.

Terry

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[FC5687]

I found a new kit from US which is a TC3 buggy conversion kit.

http://www.rcproductdesigns.com/kit.htm

With $199.95 which is more reasonable compare to Mark Pavidis WM Edition from Durango (http://www.durango.rc10.de/v2/eng/index.html)

Anyone can tell me the main differences between these 2 kits[?]

[terry.sc]

quote:Originally posted by FC5687

Anyone can tell me the main differences between these 2 kits[?]

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$1049.90[]

[terry.sc]

The Durango I think was the first conversion, and it is very complete, even down to the chassis machined from solid aluminium. The other one has a plate which extends the original chassis, although it does have custom maqchined suspension arms - the Durango uses Schumacher CAT suspension parts.

$1248.90 - and people think the Tamiya TRF 414M is expensive!

Darryn - Yes, Associateds connection with Yokomo goes back a long way, but both Yokomo and Associated make 1/12th, 1/10th pan cars and touring cars. I suspect that Associated don't make a 4WD buggy purely because they could not sell enough of them to make them commercially viable, relative to their other cars. Until Losi brought out a 4WD buggy the class was dead in the USA.

[FC5687]

This is ridiculous asking $1000+ and without custom machined suspension arms! The only thing I find the Durango really do a good job are their aluminium main chassis and shock towers, it looks really nice.

Basically, I found lots of manufacturers making "custom" parts for TC3, such as IRS, Trinity, Yokomo (one way unit), Associated Team parts. I will sit down and see how much is going to cost me if building a TC3 "O" with "custom" parts. If the cost really unreasonable, I will probaby go ahead to buy a Yokomo MR-4BC Special Kit!

quote:Originally posted by terry.sc

The Durango I think was the first conversion, and it is very complete, even down to the chassis machined from solid aluminium. The other one has a plate which extends the original chassis, although it does have custom maqchined suspension arms - the Durango uses Schumacher CAT suspension parts.

$1248.90 - and people think the Tamiya TRF 414M is expensive!

Darryn - Yes, Associateds connection with Yokomo goes back a long way, but both Yokomo and Associated make 1/12th, 1/10th pan cars and touring cars. I suspect that Associated don't make a 4WD buggy purely because they could not sell enough of them to make them commercially viable, relative to their other cars. Until Losi brought out a 4WD buggy the class was dead in the USA.

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