My DT03 Neo Fighter

[Jason1145]

I received this DT03 Neo Fighter early Dec, bought 2nd hand and I have only recently been able to find time to go through the box and check it over..... and I'm very pleased with this used purchase!

It came built really well... with a tble-02s esc, torque tuned motor, aluminium front and rear shocks, excellent oil dampers which are a joy to watch rebound, a Tactic 2.ghz radio set, spare on road rear wheels, half a can of blue paint and a Fusion MX86 fast Nimh charger.

All this for the price of a new Neo Fighter kit at £60

How it arrived

The only down sides were the 3300 nimh battery it came with was dead so I've binned it.... and the motor has got... wait for it.... blue tac over the motor connections??

 

I was dubious the wires has separated and this was a bodge job to just hold them onto the motor... but I didn't fret it and yesterday took it for a maiden run with a new 3300 Nimh pack - and it gave me a pleasant trouble free drive for 20 minutes until I had to pack up.

Love the way it handles and was quite spitely on this set up..... the on road rear tyres goive good grip, the tble-02s definately has weak brakes, need to look if these can be increased through some setting?

 

More mods to follow as I can never leave anything stock..... I'm going to top speed record it on Nimh, 2s and 3s for the record and then set about putting a faster brushless combo in.... funnily enough I just received this..... it might end up in it one day!

[chazekxt]

cant wait to pick up my dt03 .nice ride

[SNAKEBITE]

Looks great, can't wait to get mine running!

Really like the look of those shock mounts!

[Jason1145]

6 hours ago, SNAKEBITE said:

Looks great, can't wait to get mine running!

Really like the look of those shock mounts!

You are in for a treat...... well... once you get your duff tble-02s esc swapped over!

It's handles really well, nice sharp turning circle for tight twisty stuff and just very well balanced.

[SNAKEBITE]

I can't wait, it's like being a kid again!

[Jason1145]

OK made a little video showing the difference in speed you can expect from running a DT03 with the kit supplied 17t Pinion and tble-02s esc and Torque Tuned motor but swapping in a:

Nimh Battery - 18.0 MPH

2s Lipo - 19.3 MPH

3s lipo - 28.6 MPH

I wish this info was available for every Tamiya car, answers pretty much all you need to know about top speeds on just a battery change.

Video of the results - 

 

[Nobbi1977]

Good bump up for 3s

You got a 19t pinion yet :-p

[Jason1145]

I'm still surprised these stock electrics can run 3s lipo.... albeit with an external lipo alarm.

Got a 19t pinion on way

[Rb4276]

7 minutes ago, Jason1145 said:

I'm still surprised these stock electrics can run 3s lipo.... albeit with an external lipo alarm.

Got a 19t pinion on way

Does a 3s lipo fit fine in that chassis?

[SNAKEBITE]

Love the info, this sort of thing really helps.

 

[Jason1145]

11 hours ago, Rb4276 said:

Does a 3s lipo fit fine in that chassis?

If you choose carefully yes... this one is a Gens Ace 3s 3300mah 25C soft case chosen for its diminutive size... it's actually smaller than my 3300Mah Nimh.

[Jason1145]

[Jason1145]

45KPH on 2s lipo with a 5200kv motor, 19t pinion and 130mm monster truck tyres...cut out the roof for the esc fan to get some air as it was squished in there.

[Jason1145]

That previous run out was with the motor running reverse as forwards... hence the low top speeds.

It;s been corrected now and with a 3s lipo will do wheelies... like so

 

[Nobbi1977]

That wing is not going to last long

[Jason1145]

9 hours ago, Nobbi1977 said:

That wing is not going to last long

This not a wing, it's a wheelie bar

You are right of course, and after I cut the nose cone off the shell and a hole in the roof for the esc ive an excuse to now buy the Racing Fighter shell... but that new Chrome Edition to be released looks great too.

[Jason1145]

89KPH = 55.3 MPH

 

[Munchbox]

That thing is FAAAAAAAAAAAAST! Is that on stock suspension?

Now I really want a DT03 

[Jason1145]

48 minutes ago, Munchbox said:

That thing is FAAAAAAAAAAAAST! Is that on stock suspension?

Now I really want a DT03 

Lol sorry to increase your Tamiya want list..... yes stock cva oil dampers which are very smooth.. 10mm preload at the rear and zero up front for the nose down stance during speed run duties only.

[Munchbox]

5 hours ago, Jason1145 said:

Lol sorry to increase your Tamiya want list..... yes stock cva oil dampers which are very smooth.. 10mm preload at the rear and zero up front for the nose down stance during speed run duties only.

Actually I was a bit torn between the dt02 and DT03. Both cars seem solid but tbh I like the looks of the Sand viper better 

[super gripper]

this is worth a read.

http://www.thercracer.com/2014/03/tamiya-dt03-neo-fighter-buggy-build-and.html

 

[super gripper]

And my mod guide ......................

http://www.thercracer.com/2014/05/tamiya-dt03-trf-race-tips-and-review.html

[Jason1145]

6 hours ago, super gripper said:

And my mod guide ......................

http://www.thercracer.com/2014/05/tamiya-dt03-trf-race-tips-and-review.html

Thanks Gripper, I was looking at the gear box bridges and glad you confirmed they aren't really much use, can't even see em when fitted?

Might invest in aluminium C hubs down the road too. 

[super gripper]

the alloy gearbox bridges might stengthen that area as I have seen many break with the plastic ones. My car has not broken there so they must work, I was getting at in my review that I was hoping they would be more practical in providing anti squat adjustment.

Alloy front C hubs are a must on the DT03, they are overly exposed so an alloy replacement is a no brainer.

[Rb4276]

I just had the oddest breakage with my dt03t. In another thread i replaced the gear box case because the screw slot for the 19t pinion broke off. Everything went fine posted pictures and tested it for 2 minutes in the house.  

I put it back on the shelf, my wife had moved it a little and must of fell off the shelf onto the carpeting  about 3 ft down. It broke on the new gearbox where the hinge pins go in. So bizarre, i am convinced it had to be a crappy mold from the new gearbox because this car has been through everything with no issues. To fall 3 feet onto carpeting and break there?