MIP diff

[Saito2]

So has anybody here purchased the MIP diff for their ORV? I'm looking at getting one for my Monster Beetle and it looks like a pretty nice piece. I have a vintage Thorp unit I was going to use but am curious if the new MIP diff is a big step up from it. I'm assuming it might be as MIP reportedly makes great products. Still on the fence about the about the possible upcoming Hot Shot diffs (if they make the pre-order amount). I'd love to have them in one of my 'Shot's but they don't give me any durability problems like the ORV application.

[iluvmud]

I don’t have one as I’d rather have the Thorp one seeing my MB is original, but I have read that they are better in some aspects vs Thorp.

[Rb4276]

I have an mip in my  re re beetle and i had a thorp in my original beetle as a kid. I cant tell you which is better because as a kid i got the thorp as a fix to have superstock or mod motors for my beetle and didnt understand anything else other than that fix. As for the mip now it did fix the issue  as the thorp did but my cvds do pop out sometimes going over jumps or hard bounces or flips. It is an easy install, i did build it with tungsten diff balls and 850 ball bearings in the counter gear as it only has metal bearings. The diff definitely helped acceleration and pick up 

[Saito2]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm thinking about putting a 12T 550 Titan in my Monster Beetle and want it to hold together. I'm really hoping for the Hot Shot diffs too. I'd like to see one of my 'Shots with a serious dose of power, but also be able to put that power down on the ground too.

[Pintopower]

38 minutes ago, Saito2 said:

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm thinking about putting a 12T 550 Titan in my Monster Beetle and want it to hold together. I'm really hoping for the Hot Shot diffs too. I'd like to see one of my 'Shots with a serious dose of power, but also be able to put that power down on the ground too.

I have 6 of the MIP diffs and for once, I feel like I can actually run my ORV's. I sold off my thorps for almost double what I paid for my ORV's diffs and I just don't get why. I see if you are into an original car but to actually use it, they are pretty weak and need a lot of maintenance. I am hoping the HS diff makes it too, there are plans for a dual CVD telescopic axle set for the ORV's and 4WD SRB's! 

[Frog Jumper]

I have a MIP tranny for my Frog Jumper, but I haven't touched it since it arrived in the mail.  I have a Thorp/Robinson set-up currently that I'm very happy with.  Granted, I used many NIB parts to rebuild it to almost new specs...  

I'm using a TAMIYA 54611 10.5T Brushless motor in it and it runs great - no issues (knock on wood)...  

The only reason I have kept the Thorp installed is b/c I prefer the telescopic drive shafts and the Robinson axles (which have holes for wheel pins - the Thorp do axles not) over the Tamiya Universal Axle set the MIP was designed to use... 

I think if MIP comes up with new shafts and axles, I'll probably make the switch...

Terry

 

[Hobbimaster]

The MIP ORV diff is an absolute necessity if you are running a Black Foot, or Monster Beetle, IMHO. A shelf queen, not so much. When I built up my Monster Beetle over two years ago, it was all stock except for ball bearings. Within 3-4 battery packs, running a silver 540 can, the diff began to make the dreaded clicking/popping noise. I knew it was done. I tore the transmission out and noticed excessive wear on the pot metal gears. As soon as the MIP became available, I installed one in my MB, and also newly built Black Foot. I can honestly say I have over 15+ runs on each vehicle, and no clicking, popping, or slipping going on. It has truly made the ORV transmission as reliable as any modern racer. I believe Matteo did a video of a brushless MB:

 

[frameskip]

I have both the Thorp and MIP diffs. The MIP diff has a more modern design and I found it easier to adjust. My vehicles only get light use on grass, so I can't comment on real performance. 

I would agree with @Frog Jumper that the time to switch to the MIP diff will be if/when the rumored new shafts are released.

[Saito2]

My fear is that if the Hot Shot diffs don't sell, MIP may back away from the vintage market altogether. I get the feeling each product has to succeed before the next one comes along. Granted, the pre-order deal is a safer bet, but they're still putting their neck out there but putting time into R&D.

[WillyChang]

The last lot I thought the preorders didn't reach their original target... but they decided to go ahead anyway wasn't it?

[Saito2]

If that was the case, then that's good to hear.

[Jonathon Gillham]

This thread is great timing.  My son's Monster Beetle rere has started making the clicking noise.  This was built on Christmas day so is about 3 weeks old, probably done about 8 packs through it.  Most of those the EPA is down at 60% as well.  Are the ORV diffs really that bad?  Is there any other fix or is it pretty much the USD$60 for the MIP diff?  Anything else required or does that include everything that we need? 

I'm not sure why Tamiya would rerelease something that doesn't last and not fix it prior to the release!

[gizard]

Has anyone order one of these from the US to the UK - I might be able to order to the US and then get brought back by someone - looking for 1 possibly 2 for a ReRe Brat and then maybe a Old Frog/ Brat.? Do they make them to order or are they in stock / what is the lead time? 

[paullyjay]

On 14/02/2018 at 10:29 AM, gizard said:

Has anyone order one of these from the US to the UK - I might be able to order to the US and then get brought back by someone - looking for 1 possibly 2 for a ReRe Brat and then maybe a Old Frog/ Brat.? Do they make them to order or are they in stock / what is the lead time? 

You can get them from Modelsport here:

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/mip-super-ball-diff-for-tamiya-blackfoot-monster-beetle/rc-car-products/417443

[gizard]

2 hours ago, paullyjay said:

You can get them from Modelsport here:

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/mip-super-ball-diff-for-tamiya-blackfoot-monster-beetle/rc-car-products/417443

Ahh wow thanks - I didn't spot that  - although is there a difference in Ratio for the Brat - or will it just be the Pinion used? they don't mention Brat or Frog on Modelsport?

[Hobbimaster]

On 1/14/2018 at 1:58 AM, Jonathon Gillham said:

This thread is great timing.  My son's Monster Beetle rere has started making the clicking noise.  This was built on Christmas day so is about 3 weeks old, probably done about 8 packs through it.  Most of those the EPA is down at 60% as well.  Are the ORV diffs really that bad?  Is there any other fix or is it pretty much the USD$60 for the MIP diff?  Anything else required or does that include everything that we need? 

I'm not sure why Tamiya would rerelease something that doesn't last and not fix it prior to the release!

Yes, the stock ORV diffs are that bad. I'm surprised you got 8 packs through yours, mine did about 3 till the dreaded clicking/popping noise. I know the MIP ball diff is not cheap, but it will make your son's MB as reliable as any other Tamiya. I do not know why Tamiya did not update those weak metal diff parts when it was re-released. Atleast they could have updated those parts to hardened steel, and maybe helped with the reliability. Kyosho has been magnificent in updating their re-releases, I wish Tamiya would do the same, its not like its a new release, and they could not tell hobbyists were having issues.

[paullyjay]

3 hours ago, gizard said:

Ahh wow thanks - I didn't spot that  - although is there a difference in Ratio for the Brat - or will it just be the Pinion used? they don't mention Brat or Frog on Modelsport?

Can't answer that one, I'm afraid you'll have to wait for someone with more experience and knowledge to step in...

[markbt73]

5 hours ago, gizard said:

Ahh wow thanks - I didn't spot that  - although is there a difference in Ratio for the Brat - or will it just be the Pinion used? they don't mention Brat or Frog on Modelsport?

The internal gear ratio is different. If you use a Blackfoot/Monster Beetle spur gear as well, and an adjustable motor mount so you can use any pinion, it will work.

[pengoo]

going on the above info I have a MB running standard but with the spare parts I plan to build a frog with larger wheels .. so are you saying that I have to use the MB or BF gearing to use the MIP diff ,, or can I use the frog choice of three gears and pinions .. as I ordered a set to see what set up I can use and run with over the standard MB gearing ...if I make sense ,, ( did I buy the frog gears for no point) ?

[Jonathon Gillham]

I need to get one of these for my sons Monster Beetle. Can anyone confirm what else, if anything, I will need to order or will it be a straight drop in? Its the rere Monster Beetle kit

[ThunderDragonCy]

There's a @Pintopower episode kn the installation. I think it covers all this

 

[paullyjay]

3 hours ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

I need to get one of these for my sons Monster Beetle. Can anyone confirm what else, if anything, I will need to order or will it be a straight drop in? Its the rere Monster Beetle kit

Matteo has a good install video too...

 

[JeffSpicoli]

I installed one on my new build, Brat,  you can't beat it, it's amazing and worth every dime.