Snappy1 964 Posted October 30, 2014 Hey everyone, It is about time that I became more active in the forums, I got a little push via private message this morning, so here goes..... I purchased a Dyna Storm a few months ago and fell in love so I thought I would look for it's little brother , a Madcap, I missed 3 that I bid on recently and then another came up, I knew it was a quality car and couldn't miss out on it as soon as I saw it, 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted October 30, 2014 This is the first time I have bought a car from ebay where the car is actually better in real life than the pics, above are the ebay photos, I realised when checking it out that I wouldn't run it, it is too clean and original, I was happy to own it, but dissapointed that I wouldn't run it, Two days l;ater this popped up on the bay Even better, it came with this included Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted October 30, 2014 The first Madcap will be cleaned up and displayed, the 2nd will have the hopups I have already got in the post fitted, alloy motor plate, a set of 3 racing alloy DT-02 dampers and full bearings, My dilemma is with what is left of the Astute.......no gearbox and the rear end could be a lottery, it is still in the post so I haven't inspected it yet Is is possible to use the Astute chassis in combo/hybrid with the 2nd Madcap? Suggestions and comments welcomed......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fruitfly01 596 Posted October 30, 2014 The Madcap and Astute range of buggies are very interchangeable so you could make a true hybrid with that Astute chassis. Many people fitted various Madcap parts to the Astute as these were stronger or less complex in design and aided weight loss on the car. The original Astute was a tad over engineered and a bit delicate in places. Plenty of Astute/Madcap parts are around, but some parts rare and costly - if bought, do you dare use them? Always a problem I have. But hey, these things are built to run, I guess. Anyway have fun with the builds. By the time you are done, I bet you'll have three whole cars. Madcaps and Astutes are addictive! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted October 30, 2014 Yeah, agreed about 3 cars, after some more research I think a works astute could be happening, I'll keep this thread updated as things progress Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kontemax 1723 Posted October 30, 2014 I apologize for my bad english but could help you: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=116410&sid=24 http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=116641&sid=24 http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=123146&sid=24 It misses the 4th part but I yet not wrote it, sorry. Max Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo 1201 Posted October 30, 2014 I love where this is heading ! Perfect starting point for a works replica. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted November 2, 2014 Still waiting on the other cars so I played around with wheel and tyre choices on the shelfer... still needs a good clean 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpZero 10 Posted November 3, 2014 Love the madcap was ome of my faves as a teensger. still after another one but can't justify another car to the wife Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grastens 2795 Posted November 4, 2014 Still waiting on the other cars so I played around with wheel and tyre choices on the shelfer... still needs a good clean A Madcap crammed with Super Astute bits would be epic... That green example reminded me of a project on another website a few years back. Somebody found his old green-painted Madcap in his attic, which he had won a state or regional championship with back in the day, and was briefly restoring it. Unfortunately, the thread is now gone and it appears the project was never finished. A quick check seemed to confirm that it was not the same car, so no worries about provenance! Looking forward to seeing what you will do with those chassis! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted November 4, 2014 I received them today The green one looks good,other than a tatty shell, way better than I thought. The Astute looks even better, hardly any marks on the chassis,front end looks fine and the only issue with the rear end is broken D1 & D2 parts, well that is the part no on my Dyna Storm. So on the hunt for a gearbox now,i'd like to keep the green madcap as a runner lol Is it only madcap and astute gearboxes that would fit? Has anyone ever used a A & L lethal trans? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kontemax 1723 Posted November 4, 2014 I used it on the King Cab. The A & L lethal Weapon 2 belt tranny is bombproof but I really don't suggest you. I believe a normal geared tranny is still a better solution. Try to mount some Traxxas, Losi or Asso part. The tranny is easly adaptable to the chassis imho. Max Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted November 14, 2014 Update time, The alloy motor plate, full bearings,turnbuckles and 3 racing alloy dampers have arrived, the green runner really looks the part, but atm all I have to show for it is the 25 yr old ball diff blues, I was tempted to pull parts from the white shelfer but thought better of it, Back to ebay I go Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grastens 2795 Posted November 15, 2014 Did you still want me to send you my Astute's old gearbox, Snappy1? It will still take a month to mail out, but if you want it at this stage it is yours. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted November 15, 2014 Did you still want me to send you my Astute's old gearbox, Snappy1? It will still take a month to mail out, but if you want it at this stage it is yours.I do want it thanks Grastens, I am waiting for you to return home for Christmas,The ball diff is very tired in the green runner, need to wait now for the upgrade ball diff kit from eBay, one thing about this hobby, it teaches you patience lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesse James 13 Posted November 20, 2014 http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=69225 Hey mate, I put an A & L on my astute, have a look at the link. my astute uses a lot of madcap parts for strength and light weight cheers Mikey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted November 23, 2014 Hey Mikey, thinking about the A&L for the Astute. I managed to pick up a nip tamiya 53034 torque splitter set, now dumb question time..... Can I make two ball diffs for madcaps with this kit,or just one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kontemax 1723 Posted November 23, 2014 They don't work, there's a little difference in the diff gear, you probably will break the diff gear od the Madcap iddle gear. You need the Thorp diff for direct fit. Max Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scapelnz 204 Posted November 26, 2014 So your the one who beat me on the green madcap, I completely forgot about the auction and when I remembered it had finished, I was gutted! Enjoy :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crash Cramer 617 Posted December 3, 2014 Don't worry too much Andy, you will be getting a nice StDragon instead Snappy1, this is looking really good and if there is a bit or two I might donate, try sending me a note about what you need as I have some spare MadCap parts hanging around, but I don't have any good tires and my gearbox blues are the same as yours. I even found I gutted a runner Astute gearbox and don't know where I was headed with it, so I better figure it out soon. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo 1201 Posted December 8, 2014 For a runner, I have a spare TA03 front hubs and axles if you're interested. The TA03 front hub conversion allows you to use 4WD wheels (DF03 wheels) with hex fitment on the front. It works with Madcap lower front suspension arms and needs modern Tamiya (grey or black) adjusters on the upper arm turnbuckles (DT03 turnbuckles are perfect). This is the same setup that you'll see in the Jesse James thread that was linked in post #18. That's who I copied and his car won Vintage 2WD 540 with that setup at last years Vintage Festival. Advantages are 4WD wheels and more tyre selection. Bigger bearings and increased caster angle. TA03 uprights / hubs and hexes are available in alloy if you break one or want to upgrade. Just let me know if this is of any interest. They are complete with bearings, axles and standard hexes so could be swapped straight in if you want, just add DF03 wheels. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neverfollow 599 Posted December 18, 2014 I recommend the A&L tranny..I'm running brushless power through mine and it's holding up well. http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=71961&st=0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snappy1 964 Posted March 31, 2015 OK, finally an update, Thanks to Thommo and Grastens my Madcap is taking shape, apologies for the extreme delay, we have moved house etc etc etc So, hopups fitted are alloy motor plate, full bearings, Avante rims,3Racing alloy shocks, DF-03 turnbuckles , new Team Brood 27 by 1 motor, and the TA-03 front hubs, I will update in the next few days with the Astute 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites