Stadium Thinder / Blitzer Upgrades.

[DaveB]

So I've just purchased a NIB vintage (original issue) Stadium Thunder, and I'm wondering what official upgrades are available for this truck. Initially I'd like a Tamiya steel pinion, I believe they are 0.8 pitch but not 100% sure? Anyway, I'm struggling to find anything on ebay for this.

What other (if any) upgrades can I get for this, and I'd appreciate any info or experiences of current owners of this truck. Photo's wouldn't go a miss either

Thanks all

[waterbok]

According to the manual HiCap dampers are an upgrade. But I would consider that a bit overkill. The CVA should do. All ball bearings will improve and you already mentioned the steel pinion. Yes it's 0.8mod. you could get aluminium hexes for the rear wheels. And the rear tires wear of fast on hard surface recommend something ProLine tires.

[ThunderDragonCy]

The only steel Tamiya pinion I know of that will fit is the 17t steel pinion for the DT02/DT03 chassis buggies. That's the biggest option for yours so you'd need to keep the motor fairly mild to not over gear it. Bearings, oil shocks are all good call. Schumacher truck tyres and foam inserts fit those wheels (I have a set on my DT03) and they are great for when the kit tyres wear out. If it's an original NIB it's possible the original tyres are bit hard by now, but build it and see how you go. 

[DrewZ]

I've got my two kids set up with Blitzers and we love them. I'm constantly asking to borrow them after I break whatever I'm supposed to be driving. I can say that if you run a Blitzer full speed into a curb the front of the chassis will break, true to its Falcon lineage. So one might consider the chassis upgrades available from AmPro Engineering on ShapeWays if that is a concern. We haven't done that yet as I've patched together what we've got. And a replacement chassis is only $15 shipped on ebay. But it might be worth the money to preserve an original. Long live the Blitzers!

[max69vk]

Beyond the usual bearings & mild motor, there's not really a lot else to do especially as it already comes with CVA dampers. Some different rear tyres are probably a must though as the originals seem to wear out just by looking at them.

The only other mods I've done to this chassis is to make up my own mount to centralise the steering servo to help sort out some of the bump steer (not sure it actually made too much difference though). Also the top shock mounts have a habit of breaking so drill them all the way through and fit long threaded screws & bolts which will spread the shock load rather than just splitting the plastic. 

Ultimately these cars are for fun, the mods are limited but that's probably part of their appeal 👌🏻