Wood5tock's Super Hornet II build

[wood5tock 864]

After completing my Novafox I was itching to get on with another project so decided to get on with this custom new build

Back in 1993 I bought myself my first Tamiya, a 58124 Super Hornet I have since started to restore it and now decided to retire it to shelf queen status once I have finished it. A idea was then sparked by XV Pilot was to create an updated of my beloved Super Hornet.

So after a bit of research and info from XV I decided to get myself a NIB 58416 Rising Fighter to form the basis to the project as it is essentially a Supper Hornet/Grass Hopper 2 sharing about 75% of the mouldings.

So lets crack on with the build. I shall build it more or less standard then start looking at hop-ups and mods etc.

Some of the usual suspects for the build

Got a brand new SH shell for the build

Time to open the box

Also first time to use my 'Quandry" boxes to see if they work

Standard silver can goes straight into the spares box, getting a bit of a collection now

So on to the build steps

Charge Batter

Set up servo saver

Attaching steering rods

[wood5tock 864]

The tub

First deviation from the manual, swapping the front body mount for the traditional 'R-Clip' version, the RF body uses a screw here

These are a nice addition over the old set-up. Suspension top mount strengthening pieces

Adding the electrics

Another deviation, as I want to use the full driver from the original kit I need to place some of the electric slightly differently. Basically using the same layout as I have used in the SH as I know it works

[wood5tock 864]

Front suspension

Using the magic Ceramic Wax again

Adding the front arms to the tub

[Quandry 378]

Looking good mate!!

[wood5tock 864]

Suspension units, I was going to leave these off but then decided to build them just for now

Keeping the dampers off the car for now

On to the gearbox, using proper bearings

Left hand gear case

Right gear case and drive shafts

Putting together the differential, really pleased with this, should be strong enough for some good bashing

Finally putting the two cases to geather

[wood5tock 864]

The motor, once again I have decided to go for a Sport Tuned motor and a steel 19T pinion just for a giggle

[XV Pilot 1936]

Looking great so far! Did you grease-seal the two gearbox halves when putting them together? If not, I would recommend it, especially around the motor, where there is a small gap that can let in dirt otherwise.

[wood5tock 864]

Looking great so far! Did you grease-seal the two gearbox halves when putting them together? If not, I would recommend it, especially around the motor, where there is a small gap that can let in dirt otherwise.

No I didn't thanks for the heads up, I shall investigate the gap and sort out the seal too. Cheers bud

[Boothy 58]

Look forward to seeing this thread develop

As I am I bit of a pinion numpty, what difference will the 19 tooth pinion make? It looks much bigger than the stock one. Which leads to the next question, how does it fit? is the motor mound adjustable?

Andy

[wood5tock 864]

Fitting the gear case assembly to the tub

Again making up the rear dampers again for reference

Attaching the rear damper units

Steering adjustment, I wont do this yet as I want to do it once my receiver has arrived

Here we have the almost complete chassis, Also happy to report that leaving the sub assembly from the RF that fits over the original SH resistor position hasn't caused any grief so far

Attaching tyres to wheels, these wont be the final wheels though

Fitting the wheels

Battery hatch

First off bending the ends to the new 'R-Clips'

And there we are one rolling chassis ready for its SH makeover and modifications

First very minor mod was to use the original aerial ferrule happily still on the parts sprue

Test fitting the new SH body reveals the first minor problem, it simply doesn't fit at the front. I did a bit of head scratching at first as I was sure both the original shell and the blue RF shell are identical, apart from the rear wing and front screw mount. I narrowed the problem down to the front suspension scollops, the RF ones have been cut back 3mm either side to accept the strengthening pieces.

Another problem I have also found is the front mount is the wrong one and is too short. Then I remembered once comparing the one off of my SH, this part is on the SH 'D' parts sprue and alas doee not come in the new RF kit, so I will be keeping an eagle eye on aBay, but I have seen that Tamico have them in stock so i may have to make up an order

That's it for now

[lentner3 328]

looking good. I really want a SH but this might be a better option. How does it doffer chassis eise as I always thought the SH chassis was somewhere between the original hornet chassis and the dt-01 aka fighter buggy rx? does the original have a hornet gearbox with the different wheel adapters with no splines? Getting the original wheels and tyres will finish it off nicely. Have you got decals too?

[wood5tock 864]

Look forward to seeing this thread develop

As I am I bit of a pinion numpty, what difference will the 19 tooth pinion make? It looks much bigger than the stock one. Which leads to the next question, how does it fit? is the motor mound adjustable?

Andy

You and me both mate

I just wanted to start fully understanding pinion changes for myself to be honest. I knew that steel would be better wear wise but as far as the sizes, pitches and teeth I wanted to note the real life difference myself, The choice in this case was made easy for me to start with as it's the one ModelSport UK suggested.

In answer to your second question the mount is not so much adjustable as it has a second set of holes to rotate the motor effectively moving the motor away from the counter gear

looking good. I really want a SH but this might be a better option. How does it doffer chassis eise as I always thought the SH chassis was somewhere between the original hornet chassis and the dt-01 aka fighter buggy rx? does the original have a hornet gearbox with the different wheel adapters with no splines? Getting the original wheels and tyres will finish it off nicely. Have you got decals too?

I'd say the nearest equivalent would be a Hornet tub with a DT01 gearbox on the back but really the tub is pure SH/GH2 and now Rising fighter. The addition of the DT01 box is great, as it's far stronger with a metal diff innards over the original gear box which is also used on the Lunchbox and Midnight Pumpkin et al.

Differences so far between the SH and RF chassis are none, however you add additional parts such as front suspension mount strengthening pieces and a sub assembly that goes over the original resister mount. This holds the rear wing and Aerial etc for the RF, but I'm not using this at all

Ideally I would love to use the SH wheels so will have to look into backwards 'Hex' adaptors in time

Decals wise I am desperate for standard SH decals for my resto but can't find any for love nor money The SHII will have... Actually I'm leaving this until the very last thing partly because I want it to be a surprise, plus I haven't fully decided myself

[SteveU30 1011]

Great thread so far fella, what do you do for a living by the way? I'm guessing something to do with graphic design?

[wood5tock 864]

Great thread so far fella, what do you do for a living by the way? I'm guessing something to do with graphic design?

Ah shucks ya got me yeah graphic designer & web developer with some photographic stuff thrown in for good measure

[XV Pilot 1936]

Since you are considering putting in an order with Tamico, how about including a pair of DT01 front suspension arms? (They come in black and grey - black would look better I think.)

To me as a long-time Hornet fan, one of the most striking differences between it and the Super Hornet is the latter's extra width up front. Having gotten used to the relatively narrow front track of the Hornet, the Super Hornet seemed very wide when I saw it upon release.

Of course, compared to modern buggies, it is still quite narrow. So, since you are building a Super Hornet II, perhaps it would be appropriate to increase the track width again? DT01 front arms would give you the same track width at the front as at the back, and as far as I can tell by comparing my DT01 to my wife's Rising Fighter, they should fit without modification.

Of course you would have to make up longer steering track rods to suit, but this shouldn't be hard - most hobby shops with a boating section would carry the thin steel rods with threaded ends required, as they are often used for rudder linkages. I bought some from Cornwall Model Boats not long ago.

[Finman 69]

pm sent re decals.

Rich

[wood5tock 864]

Since you are considering putting in an order with Tamico, how about including a pair of DT01 front suspension arms? (They come in black and grey - black would look better I think.)

To me as a long-time Hornet fan, one of the most striking differences between it and the Super Hornet is the latter's extra width up front. Having gotten used to the relatively narrow front track of the Hornet, the Super Hornet seemed very wide when I saw it upon release.

Of course, compared to modern buggies, it is still quite narrow. So, since you are building a Super Hornet II, perhaps it would be appropriate to increase the track width again? DT01 front arms would give you the same track width at the front as at the back, and as far as I can tell by comparing my DT01 to my wife's Rising Fighter, they should fit without modification.

Of course you would have to make up longer steering track rods to suit, but this shouldn't be hard - most hobby shops with a boating section would carry the thin steel rods with threaded ends required, as they are often used for rudder linkages. I bought some from Cornwall Model Boats not long ago.

I shall bear this in mind mate thanks for the info but at this stage I don't want to go to far off the original track. Whilst I will be introducing some mods and hop-ups it is and was a pretty budget model this is more of a nostalgia special if you now what I mean

pm sent re decals.

Rich

Awesomeness right here

[wood5tock 864]

Got my receiver today so i could hook it all up for a wee bench test

I also did a bit more testing of the SH body shell fitting at the front. Now I don't really want to get rid of the strengtheners as I feel they are a welcome addition but I also don't want to chop a brand new shell about either.

Another test fit with the proper front body mount stolen from my SH reveals that once fitted with an 'R-Clip' there is only about 3mm of deflection so I only need to remove a light skim of the scollops. Result! No need to chop it about after all.

With everything buttoned up tonight a quick comparison of the two beasties

And both with the bodies on

One little problem has presented it's self and one I have hear about and now witnessed or rather heard. The awful gearbox back lash from the front mount when going forwards IT'S PANTS!!! So I will be looking into sorting a third shock out but first I want to play with the original side plates to see if these will work as the original SH suffers no back lash.

[dyahipfakta 50]

Hi Wood5tock great thread. A quick question if you are in the uk where did you get your pinion from I need a new one for my madbull and they appear to have the same gearbox as your buggy.

Cheers

[wood5tock 864]

Hi Wood5tock great thread. A quick question if you are in the uk where did you get your pinion from I need a new one for my madbull and they appear to have the same gearbox as your buggy.

Cheers

Cheers mate, I got it at ModelsportUK http://www.modelsport.co.uk/index.php?product_id=13779

[sidewaysdave69 188]

another fine build.

as for you pinion. a bigger pinion will give you more top speed, a smaller one will give you better acceleration.

[dyahipfakta 50]

Perfect thanks very much the chocolate tamiya one gave up when I exposed it to some 4250k brushless. Ironically the plastic gears appear untouched.

[wood5tock 864]

another fine build.

as for you pinion. a bigger pinion will give you more top speed, a smaller one will give you better acceleration.

Cheers bud, should be a big of a giggle then

[CoolJetta3 39]

Maybe its the further back/lower mounting of the shocks that prevents or lessens the gearbox backlash on the other one? Or do you think they made the little coil wire in the front mount firmer in the old one?

[wood5tock 864]

Maybe its the further back/lower mounting of the shocks that prevents or lessens the gearbox backlash on the other one? Or do you think they made the little coil wire in the front mount firmer in the old one?

The former is the problem as I found out this evening as I have been having another play with the back end