Top Force vs Top Force Evo

[Saito2 7650]

For those that have experience with both, do the Evo additions to the standard Top Force drastically or even notably improve the performance of the platform?  I'm not taking into account appearance/nostalgia/etc., rather just quantifiable performance improvement.

[sosidge 669]

As a racer at the time everything on the Evo was a worthwhile improvement, the shocks are better, the shock mounting positions are more useful, you had a better drivetrain for racing (ball diffs and one way) and it was lighter/stronger on the chassis, plus the obvious kerb appeal of the nicer materials.

But they are fundamentally the same platform (not far removed from the Manta Ray).

As a vintage runner I very much doubt you would notice a difference.

[Alangt4 123]

Yeah I’d second that. The better ball diff materials are good as mentioned. That’s helpful especially these days whatever you use it for as the ball diff materials seems pretty weak in the hop up manta ray type ball diffs.

[Saito2 7650]

Thanks. I knew the Evo wasn't a radical modification over the standard TF (like the Egress was over the Avante) but was curious if the add-ons were noticeable on the backyard basher level, aside from its more "exotic" nature/curb appeal.

[djmcnz 755]

Generally I agree with the above advice, they're not going to make a huge difference to a backyard basher with the following exceptions IMO:

• Top Force isn't ball raced, Evo is and that's a huge improvement
• Evo comes with 4 x universals, IIRC the TF only comes with fronts, that's a helpful upgrade
• Standard TF comes with soft metal outdrives, Evo hardened ones are much better, the soft ones will notch quickly
• I much prefer turnbuckles and would even recommend them for a basher, standard TF doesn't come with them
• Thrust bearings are the only upgrade I'd recommend for the stock TF diffs

The other differences are nice enhancements but ultimately unnecessary. YMMV of course.

Most part numbers listed here:

 

[Hobbimaster 207]

I've built my regular Top Force into a Tribute Evolution well before the EVO re-release came out. I used all the Tamiya released hop ups: Universal shafts, Carbon chassis, Hi-caps, aluminum motor mount, only missing the lighter ball diffs at this point. At each step of the way I cannot say I noticed a vast improvement in performance, the base kit is already very good. Today's brushless motors, and light weight lipo batteries are so good, making things like lighter ball diffs, and Ti screws really not necessary at all......But I get why people would want them to be as close to the original as possible.

[kiasukid 53]

I’ve run a TF and haven’t had the chance to own any TFE yet, but with today’s tech I would rather have the TF with gear diffs as a runner. Replacing FRP plates and steel screws is obviously cheaper than carbon and titanium. Bearings are cheap nowadays, and universals and motor mounts from 3rd parties work fine. Unfortunately the weak rear gearbox casing is common to both.