Hornet--two questions

[El Mexican]

I´ve finally decided to purchase a re-release Hornet to use as a runner, but there are two things that keep me a bit worried:

1) What´s the most powerful motor you can use in one of these before it becomes uncontrollable, provided it´s fully ballraced beforehand? I was thinking of putting in a Trinity Pk2, would it be overkill?

2) What´s the range of hop-ups and replacemente items for this kit? The rear tyres are a particular point of interest. I´d like to install slicks but I´m not sure if a "modern" wheel will fit on the Hornet´s hexes (does it even use hexes?).

Thanks, in advance.

[Shodog]

I have had a 15 turn in mind and it's was a beast. Honestly the stock 540 or a regular upgraded stock motor from trinity would be sufficient.

Tires are cheap now. Buy a few sets of buggy spikes and there are still all kinds of vinatage aftermarket tires available on ebay.

[stulec52]

quote:Originally posted by El Mexican

I´d like to install slicks

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Just run the kit tyres once on pavement and voila, slicks ![)]

[miramar]

1) The limited handling of the Hornet doesn't allow for much hotter than the stock motor, if you want to keep it driveable. Try it with the included motor first and I think you will agree that it's adequate. Also, with today's low-resistance ESC's and batteries, a stock Hornet will provide an even hotter run than it did back in the "old days". Take a look at some of the SRB-videos in the video gallery and you will see what I mean.

2) Agree with Stulec. Also, with the simple suspension of the Hornet, the handling benefits from old style "baloon" tires to "assist" the suspension. Run some modern lowprofile tires on the Hornet on a bumpy surface and handling will be even more of a handful than stock.

As for the rear wheelhubs, they are 5-point discs (anyone got an appropriate nickname for them?), with wheels fitting the same way as on the SRB's, Lunchbox/Pumpkin, Frog & siblings etc.

[DJTheo]

Also the modern 540s seem to be faster then the old plastic endbell ones [8D]

Cheers

[mud4fun]

quote:they are 5-point discs (anyone got an appropriate nickname for them?)

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I have heard them called 'star' design. Hpi include adaptors with alot of their wheels to allow them to mount hex drive wheels to the old 'star' drive hubs. Although it makes the track even wider by some 10mm. HPI also include replacement hex hubs that are deep and locate on the pin. These I think are to replace the star hubs completely but I can't be sure as I have never used them. They are too thick for most applications because you end up with no thread showing on the end of the shaft to put the locknut on.

I haven't got a re-release hornet but you'd better check first because Tamiya have fitted hexes on some of the rereleases rather than the star hubs. In theory you could simply replace the slide on star drive hub with a hex one if it locates on a plain shaft and pin arrangement like most Tamiyas.

On the Mad Bull though Tamiya used splined shafts and special hex drives which are difficult to source. Why they did this I've no idea but the Mad Bull uses a very similar rear axle to the hornet.

Can anybody confirm that the re-release hornte uses the old star design hub? or at least a plain shaft and pin?

[miramar]

quote:Originally posted by mud4fun

Can anybody confirm that the re-release hornte uses the old star design hub? or at least a plain shaft and pin?

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It has the original design hubs. Quite necessary too as it has SRB wheels. []

[El Mexican]

Thanks everyone!

Cha-ching! That was my card being charged for my new (old) toy...

[hornet69]

If you can land some of the Troll Tractor Tires for the back and the Spike ones for the front, thats what I use, and it works well on all surfaces, does great donuts in the dirt, lol.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5983116840&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5983117415&rd=1

Here are the tires, they pop up every now and then on the Bay. Good Luck! []