My Rally Runner
Status: Runner
Date: 23-Dec-2006
Comments: 5
Movie here: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/moviecomment.asp?id=2265
I love rally cars, so I decided it was time to build myself a runner I could enjoy.
I have plenty of TA chassis runners around, but really wanted something a little different, if not more capable. I picked up this TB01 via eBay as a cheap stripped-down roller. As I recall it cost me less than $60 shipped, and came with the unused Lancer wheels/tires, but no body, motor, or pinion. It was also missing the non-critical but oh-so-cool inner body set :(
The Castrol Celica body is another cheap auction win, well worn and missing the front bumper; Perfect for this definite runner.
Since I wanted to squeeze a little more off-road 'rally' performance out this car, it was obvious that I should add a 53430 long suspension arm set.
Coincidentally I just happened to have this set installed on a TG10 that's no longer in use, so the swap was made.
For those that are not familiar with this suspension kit, let me say that it is a true upgrade that is well worth the price. The kit includes all new suspension components, including wheels axles, swing shafts, ball adjusters, stainless suspension pins, and much more. It does not widen the wheel track, but rather completely changes the geometry of the suspension, and puts the outer pivot points all the way out by the wheel where they should be. As a result you get much more precision with a slight upgrade of durability. No more clunky U-shaft!
Since the suspension kit was slightly used in my TG10, I decided to replace the critical screws with over-length titanium hex screws. Each of them thread about 2mm deeper than the originals , giving a little more strength. I added the sway-bar kit and TGX progressive springs as well.
Eventually I'll change the shocks and find a rear bumper. ;)
For the motor I installed a 23 turn TZ motor with a 20 tooth pinion. (I keep moving this motor around my runner collection trying to decide where I like it most. ) Of course, a hotter motor means higher temperatures, so I decided that the aluminum motor mount was also necessary. Picked up a used one here on TC. (Thanks to Nigeninja!)
I did do a 'dry' test run on pavement , and I'm happy to report that this thing is a treat to drive. The motor seems pretty snappy and the suspension 'gave' just enough to provide a little drift action on the grippy surface. The TZ did run a little hot, so I popped the blue heatsink on there. I really can't wait to get this on some dirt and gravel, but I think I might hold off until I get the chassis cover and cockpit set.
*UPDATE* FEBRUARY '07 - Finally added the inner chassis cover - bring on the mud!!
*UPDATE* MARCH '07 - Thanks to member 'fluxdensity', I now have a Tobee lightweight aluminum prop shaft installed. What a difference it makes! Much snappier acceleration and vastly improved braking response!
*UPDATE* MAY '08 - It's been a year and although I haven't used my TB Celi as much as I would have liked to, my recent bash session revealed that certain items still need attention. The stock steering set up is constantly being thwarted by small pebbles that get lodged between the steering arms and the chassis tub, giving the car an 'intermittent wheel lock' feature that gets quite sketchy on occasion. Couple that with the fact the steering linkage has more plastic-on-plastic friction than a Rubik's Cube, it becomes obvious that an upgrade was in order. After a bit of research it was decided that Tamiya hop up #53365 - Aluminum Racing Steering for the TG10 / TB01 was the best solution. I'll admit it was tough dropping $30+ on it, but I located the cheapest available on eBay and hit the button. Not that $30 is a lot for this kit: Included in the kit is a complete replacement of the steering assembly, all rendered in machined aluminum and 6mm ball joints. The best of what this gives you is clearance beyond what the plastic pieces offered, since the aluminum is stronger and therefore (necessarily) smaller in every dimension. Better yet, the steering arms now accept 850 bearings, of which I filled with some Tamiya blue sealed units. Now my TB01 turns as smooth as my 415! Just for good measure, I replaced the stock ball joints on the knuckles with the long units from the M-chassis cars, which reduced the severe angle that the linkage was at in stock configuration.
The other issue that needed addressing was the terrible soft plastic damper mounts that were split and losing their ability to retain the upper ball joints. So, for another $40 (Did someone say money pit?) I went for some Racy brand carbon fiber damper mounts. These *look* super cool in the package, but closer inspection revealed that they weren't a normal bolt on modification as the instructions seemed to suggest. Normally Racy items are absolutely flawless in design and finish, but as designed these mounts had the dampers pitched so they tilted outward from the bottom at a odd angle. (Negative damper caster??) Even with the lower shock link extensions included in the kit, the dampers were nowhere near the stock configuration. I remedied this by getting out the Dremel and hacking off about a centimeter of the plastic gearbox stays that the mounts screw into. Fixed it properly, but one has to wonder what the Racy designers were thinking on this one. Anyhow, the upgrade is real and the car appears to benefit from it, however slightly. Fair amount of 'sex appeal' was gained as well I suppose.. ;)
*UPDATE* OCT '08 - Added #53401 lightweight ring gears and rebuilt both diffs with Tamiya's sticky AW grease. The ring gear kit is a nice upgrade for the price, as it includes not only the gear differential piece, but a sett of ball diff ring gears and gear diff housings as well. All are made of Tamiya's standard fiber reinforced black plastic, so I doubt I'll be wearing these out any time soon! Benefits of the reduced inertial weight is immediately noticeable.
*UPDATE* AUG '09 - Have now (finally!) added universal shafts in the front end; Went with the 53431 Universal Shaft Set, which is specifically made for the LA kit. This is an important hop-up that I really should have done sooner: Naturally I have the front end at max height, which causes a considerable amount of friction with the stock dog bone setup. With the new universals in there I can turn the steering lock to lock without any discernible resistance coming from the front end. This should be a tremendous boon to the high speed handling!
If you liked those pictures, you should see these...
More TB01!
Comments
rhenbelz
Cool conversion. Looks like a fun car to drive.
supergreg
Looking good! Rallying is most of fun imo. Please post some action pics soon!
Integrale1
A great idea! I love the TB01 chassis despite it's limitations, and MUST get one of those long suspension arm sets for my 'lightweight Tb01' project. Love the protective upper cover on these chassis.....but my god it doesn't half get hot in there!!!!!
Wrc action
Very nice model - I agree moving motors around and Im never sure where it works best lol - Now trying a dirt tuned in my TB01 over a sport tuned so we will see how long are you running before the heat is high?
OCD
Thanks - I really like this motor in here, but it's possible that it's not geared properly. (Just under 9 to 1) I haven't run an entire continuous battery pack yet, but the motor got hand hot after about 2 minutes of stop and go. I'll have to do some further 'testing' to see what the real verdict is
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