Thommo 1201 Posted February 3, 2023 9 hours ago, bavee said: Should I sell it to someone that wants to preserve it? Sell nothing...... no regrets later ! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeeWings 2829 Posted February 3, 2023 11 hours ago, Kol__ said: OMG @bavee, don't run it mate! There are no shelves. Only open roads 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeeWings 2829 Posted February 3, 2023 Double post. Arrrrggggggghhh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted February 3, 2023 Haha guys, thank you. Lots to think about. And will do just that. No decisions yet. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted February 5, 2023 Ouch... That cleaned up pretty good... Maybe this shouldn't be a parts car but a full restoration. Almost all the parts are here: You got me thinking guys. Can I split an almost complete Monster Racer for parts... I think I can not do that. Will clean up the plastics first to see what I need and then make a decision. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted February 5, 2023 43 minutes ago, bavee said: Maybe this shouldn't be a parts car but a full restoration. Almost all the parts are here. You got me thinking guys. Can I split an almost complete Monster Racer for parts... I think I can not do that. Will clean up the plastics first to see what I need and then make a decision. Oh yes defo mate, it's too good to break up imo. 44 minutes ago, bavee said: And thank you for that photo, I love a photo like this so much, it's so cool mate. Nice one👍😎 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted February 20, 2023 Thanks to all of you guys the Monster Racer had a rebuild and is now saved from a life in the parts bin. All images were posted in the "So, What Have You Done Today?" thread already but it feels right to place them here also. The diff is toast unfortunately. So that's going to be my next project. Three other points of attention remain: - little crack at the front of the chassis, drilled through and repaired it with Tamiya ABS-glue - one missing battery holder I borrowed from another Monster Racer - one missing press nut on the aluminium gearbox plate 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted February 22, 2023 On 2/20/2023 at 8:45 PM, bavee said: Awesome @bavee, that shot is amazing and so orderly 😎 Shame about the chassis, is it a real weak point and will it be a runner? Battery stay needs part tree, about £20 usually. Press nut easy enough to get hold of, but a pain that you only need one!😂 Anyway, congrats on the completed restoration, a job very well done!!👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted February 22, 2023 Thank you @Kol__! It is a known point of breakage but I think my repairs will prevent the crack worsening. Until I crash head-on into something that is... To prevent it you can use Ampro's front bumper mount available on Shapeways. Will use it as a test mule for @Muso31 machined diff housings for a while. And I think in the end it will be a seller when I have fixed up my other Monster Racer using @Sgt.Speirs TRF201 Transmission Conversion. Battery holder is on its way. Bummer it was missing because it was a bit above budget . My local hardware store did not have the press nuts so I am afraid I have to order them online. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted March 4, 2023 Quick roundup. Need a new ESC for MR #1 because the HW1060 from the parts bin keeps cutting out. But the TRF201 transmission conversion was a succes! Ordered a new gearbox plate for MR #2 and am still waiting for the used battery mount to arrive. And Madcap #1 is ready for cleaning. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted April 10, 2023 On 2/20/2023 at 9:45 PM, bavee said: Thanks to all of you guys the Monster Racer had a rebuild and is now saved from a life in the parts bin. The diff is toast unfortunately. So that's going to be my next project. Three other points of attention remain: - little crack at the front of the chassis, drilled through and repaired it with Tamiya ABS-glue - one missing battery holder I borrowed from another Monster Racer - one missing press nut on the aluminium gearbox plate Follow up. I recently fixed the diff. It involved a lot of wet sanding, ball diff grease and @Muso31 new machined diff housings. I think now it is better than when it was new! The chassis is holding up nice. Received the missing battery holder and installed it. Also managed to find a M3 press nutt and press fitted it into the original gearbox plate. While I was at it I also changed the plastic hexagonal spacers in the gearbox for Egress aluminium ones and fitted @Muso31 motor support mount. Pretty hopped-up now . Took it out today. It is a hoot to drive! The 6yo chose the Stadium Blitzer to play with. Nice couple! The Madcap is still in pieces... Will use the gearbox plate I ordered for the MR to hop-up the Madcap. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muso31 122 Posted April 10, 2023 22 minutes ago, bavee said: Follow up. I recently fixed the diff. It involved a lot of wet sanding, ball diff grease and @Muso31 new machined diff housings. I think now it is better than when it was new! Great news! One thing I've noticed since adding new parts to these vintage vehicles is just how much performance degredation there has been over the years/decades. Sometimes it's almost unnoticed too until a new part turns it into a new vehicle and it's brought back to life. It's great to see people doing such a good job of getting these back on the road. Excellent work 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted May 21, 2023 The used Madcap I got last year has been in a sorry state for quite some time: But fortunately a couple of weeks ago I had some spare time and decided to clean all the parts. Not my favorite job. But glad I did because today the 6yo was sick. And while he build a Lego McLaren, I started on the Madcap rebuild: And finished it: Countless incorrect screws were used on the car by the previous owner. And the suspension arms etc. were all shimmed to the point they binded. I replaced the diff with a planetary diff from @Muso31 who also provided the gearbox plate and support bracket. I kept the Super Astute 2008 shocks as pointed out by @Kol__. Gave the car a quick spin around our house. Wow, it is quick and quiet. That planetary diff works great! Steering is not so great... Rear shocks are way too soft... Some tinkering needed! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted May 23, 2023 Quick check on the shocks yesterday evening (I have a policy to not open oil shocks when not needed). The rear shocks have 4-hole pistons fitted, no wonder they are way to soft. Unfortunately I haven't got the sprues with the other pistons and the pistons differ from normal CVA's. So facing a dilemma now: - Fitting a normal black DT-03 CVA-set from the parts bin. - Investing in a set of T-Parts for the Super Astute shocks. And the V-Parts for the front shocks? And maybe the damper housings front and rear? Shafts? Springs? That's going to get expensive... Hmmm. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted June 1, 2023 On 5/21/2023 at 8:22 PM, bavee said: The used Madcap I got last year has been in a sorry state for quite some time: That photo is amazing @bavee!😍 Great to see this one rebuilt and good to hear she runs well, nice work mate! Yeah, the stock steering is a bit wobbly, I see from another thread you've updated it a bit, nice move. I was a bit puzzled when you said the rear shocks where too soft, as with the thick preload adjuster rings on mine it runs great. I take the rings off for display and the rear sits down nicely. So I'm not surprised to hear that something like the pistons is to blame. I might have some spare pistons from the grey parts trees if you need them, save you buying parts trees. However, iirc the Super Astute uses black pistons off one of the other, non shocks, parts trees. If that correct it's not to say that you can't use the grey pistons. I'll have a look at what I have here. I think I fitted two hole pistons on the rear and 3 hole on the front. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted June 14, 2023 On 6/2/2023 at 12:27 AM, Kol__ said: That photo is amazing @bavee!😍 Great to see this one rebuilt and good to hear she runs well, nice work mate! Yeah, the stock steering is a bit wobbly, I see from another thread you've updated it a bit, nice move. I was a bit puzzled when you said the rear shocks where too soft, as with the thick preload adjuster rings on mine it runs great. I take the rings off for display and the rear sits down nicely. So I'm not surprised to hear that something like the pistons is to blame. I might have some spare pistons from the grey parts trees if you need them, save you buying parts trees. However, iirc the Super Astute uses black pistons off one of the other, non shocks, parts trees. If that correct it's not to say that you can't use the grey pistons. I'll have a look at what I have here. I think I fitted two hole pistons on the rear and 3 hole on the front. Thank you for your kind words and offer! Decided to add a set of T-Parts for the Super Astute shocks to a regular Tamico order. Last night I rebuild the Super Astute rear shocks as per instructions. New oil, added internal spacers and two-hole pistons form the grey parts trees. All good now and a cheap fix after all. Earlier I changed from steering rods to turnbuckles: That made a lot of difference. Last night I also fitted a Tamiya high-torque servo saver (a first for me). Steering is really good now, transformed from a really sloppy to a really nimble car. It uses a standard silver can but it feels really quick, both acceleration and top speed. @Muso31's planetary diff makes it really quiet. Pictures take after shakedown so don't mind the dust. This is a runner after all and it is really dusty out here. No rain for weeks. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted June 14, 2023 14 hours ago, bavee said: Pictures take after shakedown so don't mind the dust. This is a runner after all and it is really dusty out here. No rain for weeks Looks awesome mate! Glad you got the shocks sorted and she's running right😎 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted August 8, 2023 It's been a while... Did some driving with the 6yo (Stadium Blitzer) and myself (Madcap) last couple of weeks. But I also started biking again. One of my other hobbies. Both on the racer and the mtb. So that didn't leave much time for RC. And in the little time that was left I had to build a present for our youngest fourth birthday. Midnight Pumpkin with a twist: Not a really engaging build but I'm glad I have finally build this Tamiya classic. It is fun to drive. And as a bonus he really liked his present! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted August 10, 2023 Have to let this one go. Two Monster Racers is too much for me: It is now on our local marketplace together with these guys: Busy couple of days rebuilding them. Ps. Let me know if any of you has an interest in one of the cars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted September 16, 2023 So, few cars sold. Time for my birthday present: Sprayed the body a few weeks ago with good results: When the paintjob was finished I started on the chassis and used only "essential" upgrades: - 2 x 54379 XV-01 Aluminium Suspension Mount (XJ) - 1 x 54376 XV-01 Separate Suspension Mounts (1XJ) 1 X 54377 Separate Suspension Mounts (1XM) 1 x 53056 Pin Type Wheel Adapter 1 × Carson mod 0.6 22t Steel Pinion 1 x 53585 3mm Shim Set 1 x 5100 Hi-Torque Servo Saver 1 x Square Aluminium Collars 5x4x2 Nothing more. Car drives great. Superb dynamics. Here it is with it's basher body I picked up cheap: Now the 6yo wants a rally/onroadcar too... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimBear 395 Posted September 17, 2023 Yes, it really looks "high performance"! And I can only agree on the "dad and kid" situation ... I always have to take that into account, "now if I buy this, do I need to buy that, too?" 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted September 17, 2023 It certainly feels like quality! Those kids make everything more interesting . 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy pants 4369 Posted September 17, 2023 Did you sell the Monster Racer @bavee? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bavee 1029 Posted September 17, 2023 4 minutes ago, Grumpy pants said: Did you sell the Monster Racer @bavee? Nopes. It is still here gathering dust unfortunately. If it doesn't sell I think I will turn it into a shelf queen this winter. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites