TamTech

[snollan]

I'm starting to like those little TamTech cars. I don't know squat about them but I like them.

Some have radios and some don't. Can I use mini-z radios and esc in them?

Plus how do they drive?

Does anybody know of a webpage with on tamtech in general?

I also want a bajabug carpet racer while I'm at it.

[snollan]

What a ramble that was. I need to sleep.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[WillyChang]

quote:Originally posted by snollan

Some have radios and some don't.

---

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

The "full kit" ones are just the car kit & radio and battery in the one bigger box. Each line has their own kit numbers though.

quote:Can I use mini-z radios and esc in them?

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

Tamtech radio is basic AM stuff; so is Kyosho's Perfex.

However I think Kyosho's Mini-Z RX/ESC are probably not up to snuff to handle Tamtech power. Not out of the box anyway.

Today Futaba makes a small RX/ESC with the same footprint; I think these were made for Kyosho's Hangin-On bikes.

Or you could possibly fit a tiny modern RX next to a tiny modern ESC (eg Novak Spy or LRP) into the same hole.

quote:Plus how do they drive?

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

Tamtechs are FAST!

Better buy yourself a MiniZ first, to practise your in-house driving. []

I also want a bajabug carpet racer while I'm at it.

Ahh, you're rambling now, Seanny. [|)]

[snollan]

What about using radio and esc setup for those micro RS4 from hpi?

[WillyChang]

quote:

Originally posted by snollan

What about using radio and esc setup for those micro RS4 from hpi?

---

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

HPI Micro RS4 was designed to use standard sized radio gear, just about anything reasonably-moderm fits. However this still hasn't stopped companies from offering "micro" gear like the Novak Spy and LRP.

Yes, these ESCs will work - mRS4 uses same RS180SH motor straight from HPI kitbox, revs just like a Mini Black Motor (hint hint).

You need a small RX to go with it though.

Tamtech has a custom steering servo but probably you can hack up a modern mini-servo to fit.

[snollan]

quote:

Originally posted by WillyChang

quote:

Originally posted by snollan

What about using radio and esc setup for those micro RS4 from hpi?

---

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

HPI Micro RS4 was designed to use standard sized radio gear, just about anything reasonably-moderm fits. However this still hasn't stopped companies from offering "micro" gear like the Novak Spy and LRP.

Yes, these ESCs will work - mRS4 uses same RS180SH motor straight from HPI kitbox, revs just like a Mini Black Motor (hint hint).

You need a small RX to go with it though.

Tamtech has a custom steering servo but probably you can hack up a modern mini-servo to fit.

---

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

Ok I'm dumb and missed your hint, you might need to spell that one out. I'm not worried about the servo, I just wanted a plan "b" when the radio stuff is shot.

[WillyChang]

Actually, Plan B Mk2 might be to grab one of those new 1/24 cars with the RX+ESC already onboard called "Mini-R". They're pretty cheap and you can buy them as a rolling chassis with electronics. The ESC can probably be uprated with new/extra FETs to up its current capacity.

Sanwa also makes some micro ESCs for use in gliders and Kyosho bikes. Have seen one that's 3x1x1cm; should have enough current to run Tamtech.

[Shodog]

Since Mini-z are so popular, the price of Tamtechs has gone way down. Your best bet is to find a complete tamtech that has a working CPR unit. the CPR units are somewhat prone to failure. I have 2 dead ones. I haven't tried to send them back to Futaba to see if they could fix them though. Don't worry about getting the transmitter as you can use any standard transmitter that is on the same band.

Willy's hint was that he thought the box stock 180h motor from the HPI Micro RS4 revved the same amount as the mini black motor supplied for the tamtechs. This would allow you to use hop up motors that are available for the micro. Really the black motor is all you need.

Since these cars are discontinued like most of our cars, parts will be a hassle to get. The diff gears and tires and wheels are in short supply. Bodies seem pretty cheap to get from HK.

[snollan]

I saw on a mini site that the CRP units are still produced. I was looking at grabbing a mini reciever and a mini esc if I need one.

Now is the black motor come stock in them? Another thought is which type of kit. I've seen the complete ones (Lancia LC2) or the ferrari are they the same chassis in both? I know that the F-1's way different. Another thought what about cross-over parts from other 1:12 rc cars?

Thanks for all the info, I know it's a lot but I'm having trouble finding info.

[WillyChang]

quote:

Originally posted by Shodog

Willy's hint was that he thought the box stock 180h motor from the HPI Micro RS4 revved the same amount as the mini black motor supplied for the tamtechs. This would allow you to use hop up motors that are available for the micro. Really the black motor is all you need.

---

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

No, I actually meant...

HPI's stock motor is identical to a Mini Blackie.

so:

1) buy your MicroRS4 a nice "big block" motor.

2) recycle the HPI motor into your Tamtech.

There, nice & easy! [8D] New motor for your old ride.

Most of the mod motors for HPI are round and much bigger than the 180SH. They won't fit into a Tamtech without major surgery. As Jim says, don't bother - the Tamtech goes plenty fast as is.

[WillyChang]

quote:

Originally posted by snollan

Now is the black motor come stock in them? Another thought is which type of kit. I've seen the complete ones (Lancia LC2) or the ferrari are they the same chassis in both? I know that the F-1's way different. Another thought what about cross-over parts from other 1:12 rc cars?

---

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

Mini Black Motor is the standard fitment.

No other models available from Tamiya.

The F1s are "1/14th" scale.

The LeMans (962, BMW, Ford) and sports cars (Testarossa, 961) are 1/24th.

The LeMans range has a longer chassis tub than the sports cars.

Even the motor pod is different (I think) but drivetrain is same.

No crossovers from big RC unless you count screws & E-clips.

[TWO STAR]

for motors ive used hpi micro motors & they have two different versions,the orange label (stock) version or the blue label(modified version)the prices have skyrocketted here in canada for a hpi micro motor,so i just bailed out on that idea,& went to a ninco/cartrix slot car motor.i love the tamtechs allot but as previously stated

parts are tough to find.. sanja.

[raemin]

As for the cpr unit what about these motorbike stuff from futsba?

[WillyChang]

Yes, those things fit too... but do they have reverse/brake?

[snollan]

So the CRP =esc with a rx in it. Can anybody email me a pic of the front servo setup.

[raemin]

quote:

Originally posted by WillyChang

Yes, those things fit too... but do they have reverse/brake?

---

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

I can hardly imagine someone would add reverse to a motorbike. So probably a usefull break instead. Break is really an issue with the tamtech above all when ball raced : the car weights a ton (thanks to the 7.2v batt), accepts "long" gear ratio and goes like a rocket. Stopping the beast i just like stopping the Titanic and driver do often use the reverse (hence the broken cpr units...)

By the way I've just bought at massive cost a so-called "german import tamtech" that uses the tamtech gear, and CPR but comes with a carbon chassis and saddle pack batteries, the lexan body seems to have been moulded out of the tamtech abs one. It also comes with a nice front susp setup, but a very basic rear one. Any hint about it?

Raoul

[stulec52]

http://uk.geocities.com/sabildz4/Models/FrmSet/FrmSet.htm

Sean this is pretty useful.

I got a brand New 1/14th Lotus, superb model, and a couple of 1/24th's just so nice !!

[WillyChang]

quote:

Originally posted by raemin

I can hardly imagine someone would add reverse to a motorbike. So probably a usefull break instead.

---

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

I think the new Futaba thingy only does fwd, no rev nor brakes.

quote:By the way I've just bought at massive cost a so-called "german import tamtech" that uses the tamtech gear, and CPR but comes with a carbon chassis and saddle pack batteries, the lexan body seems to have been moulded out of the tamtech abs one. It also comes with a nice front susp setup, but a very basic rear one. Any hint about it?

---

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

Post a pic, Raoul! []

[raemin]

quote:

Originally posted by WillyChang

I think the new Futaba thingy only does fwd, no rev nor brakes.

Post a pic, Raoul! [

]

---

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

In stulec32 above mentioned website they refer to this unit as having brakes but no reverse.

A per my beast, here it is. It comes with hard tires, a stiff carbon chassis (the rear drive train has very little travel) and a punchy engine. After a rapid test drive it prooves even more tough than the tamtech : as long as you've got grip the car goes like a roket, but a slightly bumpy or sliperry surface makes the car absolutely impossible to drive...

[miramar]

quote:

Originally posted by WillyChang

The LeMans (962, BMW, Ford) and sports cars (Testarossa, 961) are 1/24th.

The LeMans range has a longer chassis tub than the sports cars.

Even the motor pod is different (I think) but drivetrain is same.

---

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

Add the Lancia LC2 to the LM cars and the Countach to the sports cars, and the list on 1/24 scale Tamtech's is complete.

The LM cars have identical chassises (except for wheel inserts (hub caps) for the 962 and the Lancia). The Sports Car chassis can be built with two different wheelbases (with the same parts). 961 is short, the Countach an Testarossa long, but still shorter than LM.

And you're right Willy, the motor pod in the LM cars is different from the pod in the sports cars, the LM version being by far the better design. The Sports Car pod tends to seize (or get stuck), severely affecting handling. Also the 2mm balljoints of the Sports Car pod tend to pop off for apparently no reason when driving, whereas the 3mm balljoints of the LM pod don't.

[Mondo]

quote:

Originally posted by Shodog

Since Mini-z are so popular, the price of Tamtechs has gone way down.

---

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

Shodog,

I disagree, I just bought myself two NIB, sealed TamTechs and some spares. They were far from cheap. See my showroom for details

As for the spares, I agree they will be scarce, it's such a pity because the TamTechs are amazing little cars.

As only one of my new TamTechs is a complete kit (the other is just a car kit) I've decided to get the car kit up and running with Micro electronics.

I own two extremely trick Micro RS4s, so I have had extensive experience with good Micro electronics.

My choice would be the Novak SPY ESC, it can run 7-cells up to a 300 sized motor plus brake and reverse is a bonus. The Novak XXL (in Euro 40MHz FM) is my choice of RX, with a Hitech HS81MG servo.

All the parts are fairly cheap and made by reputable manufacturers.

Team Orion make the Flash ESC for the Micro, it's small, has brakes, reverse and is cheaper than the Novak SPY.

The bonus part of Micro RS4 electronics is the fact that they have the same mini-power connector as the TamTechs.

Another cheaper route is to use the Mini-X electronics. Do a search on the Mini-X, there is a Thread covering them.

I own one of them too and they have a real low cost seperate RX and ESC, under $65 for the pair and a very small servo. No brakes though..

Mini-Xpress who make the Mini-X also sell 7.2V 700mAh NiMh battery packs based on LG AAA cells, they are cheap and can be adapted to the TamTech fairly painlessly.

Novak make a 180 sized aftermarket motor for the Micro RS4, it's faster than the standard HPI issue 180 motor and shouldn't be too expensive.

Karl the Mechanic: http://uk.geocities.com/sabildz4/Models/FrmSet/FrmSet.htm has some good tips on keeping the TamTech alive.

he has tips on converting Mini-Z F1 and other manufacturer's wheels to fit the TamTech.

I hope the info helpsid="Tahoma">