Upgrading Tamiya buggy
Discussion
Following my previous deliberations on here regarding a first 1:10 R/C buggy I purchased a Tamiya Rising Storm, which I have been bashing around for the last few weeks. It is an absolute hoot and remarkably robust, especially considering how many full speed prangs I've had whilst learning to drive!
For my casual (not competitive) use it is perfect and replacement parts are easily available. The only broken part so far is the front shock tower, which I have replaced with a aluminium part.
I don't intend to spend a fortune 'hopping-up' this car as my skills increase, but I would like to address a couple of issues. Firstly, I could do with a bit more speed. What is the easiest way to achieve this - gearing, motor? Secondly, the suspension is very soft, the ride height is quite low and the rear bottoms out all the time. I've tried 'stiffer' shock oil, but the piston fit is poor and little improvement has been made. Should I play with springs, or are there better shocks which don't cost a fortune?
As I said, I don't want to spend too much on this, as I would envisage getting another car with a better spec at some point in the future.
For my casual (not competitive) use it is perfect and replacement parts are easily available. The only broken part so far is the front shock tower, which I have replaced with a aluminium part.
I don't intend to spend a fortune 'hopping-up' this car as my skills increase, but I would like to address a couple of issues. Firstly, I could do with a bit more speed. What is the easiest way to achieve this - gearing, motor? Secondly, the suspension is very soft, the ride height is quite low and the rear bottoms out all the time. I've tried 'stiffer' shock oil, but the piston fit is poor and little improvement has been made. Should I play with springs, or are there better shocks which don't cost a fortune?
As I said, I don't want to spend too much on this, as I would envisage getting another car with a better spec at some point in the future.
In regard to a new motor, would be useful to know what you currently have and what speed controller you also have.
A decent set of ball bearings all round can have an effect on speed, less friction is always a good place to start.
I think geting some harder springs for your shocks would help, tend to have a greter effect than just changing to shock oil.
A decent set of ball bearings all round can have an effect on speed, less friction is always a good place to start.
I think geting some harder springs for your shocks would help, tend to have a greter effect than just changing to shock oil.
A motor is probably the best solution, you should be able to get an entry level brushed motor and suitable ESC for under £50. As for brushless, I don't have much knowledge of them as they hadn't really taken off when I was still racing a few years ago.
Word of caution though, if you use a too powerful motor with the standard tamiya battery connectors, they can melt and fuse together. Belive me its not that fun when it happens!
Word of caution though, if you use a too powerful motor with the standard tamiya battery connectors, they can melt and fuse together. Belive me its not that fun when it happens!
the rising storm is based on the DF02 chassis (i think) which would make it the same chassis as mine (gravel hound)
did you build it as a kit, or was it the RTR version?
mine was RTR and didnt come with full bearings, so the first thing to do is get bearings for it.
as far as tamiya is concerned 27T is as much as the ESC can handle but realistically it can handle a 23T or even 21T
if you get a 21T then just upgrade the propelor shaft to alu - it takes the same alu shaft as the TT01? i think.
there are not many other upgrades i would recommend for this car apart from a slightly faster motor, alu propellor and decent batteries...the tamiya batteries suck.
maybe oil filled shocks.
I have taken mine about as far as im prepared to, and instead of upgrading it any further, Im getting a dark impact that i will stick a brushless setup in.
did you build it as a kit, or was it the RTR version?
mine was RTR and didnt come with full bearings, so the first thing to do is get bearings for it.
as far as tamiya is concerned 27T is as much as the ESC can handle but realistically it can handle a 23T or even 21T
if you get a 21T then just upgrade the propelor shaft to alu - it takes the same alu shaft as the TT01? i think.
there are not many other upgrades i would recommend for this car apart from a slightly faster motor, alu propellor and decent batteries...the tamiya batteries suck.
maybe oil filled shocks.
I have taken mine about as far as im prepared to, and instead of upgrading it any further, Im getting a dark impact that i will stick a brushless setup in.
I built my DF-02 Rising Storm from a kit. I upgraded to full bearings at the time of build and the kit one comes with oil filled shocks.
I have put some harder springs on it now and played around with different shock pil. The ride is better, although more tweaking may follow.
With regard to the motor, well it now has a 19t 'double' in it and it flies! The stock speed controller copes fine (although gets a little warm if I run two battery packs through back-to-back). Have not upgraded the prop shaft yet, but I guess that will come soon.
I have put some harder springs on it now and played around with different shock pil. The ride is better, although more tweaking may follow.
With regard to the motor, well it now has a 19t 'double' in it and it flies! The stock speed controller copes fine (although gets a little warm if I run two battery packs through back-to-back). Have not upgraded the prop shaft yet, but I guess that will come soon.
I have just sold a Gravel Hound (same chassis as the Rising Storm) to 308mate. I believe it's got the best selection of hop-ups on it to get good performance with good battery life and making it handle well. Upgrades are :
- Full Tamiya ball bearings
- No limit ESC
- 23t Tamiya Super Stock RZ motor (excellent motor - massive torque...!!!)
- Metal motor mount
- Alloy prop shaft
- Tamiya DF-02 Alloy damper set (very expensive, but rather lovely...!!!)
- Upgraded Tamiya springs
Although the TEU-101 will run hotter motors that the 27t silver can is some applications, the DF-02 is not one of them. The sheer level of traction means load on the motor and hence current draw from full bore take-offs simply knocks it out - I know, I have tried it...!
Unfortunately, I sent 308Mate the wrong
ing transmitter so I don't think he has it running yet. Replacement is in the post. DOH...! I am sure he'll be on here when he gets it up and running. The buggies are a great laugh...!
- Full Tamiya ball bearings
- No limit ESC
- 23t Tamiya Super Stock RZ motor (excellent motor - massive torque...!!!)
- Metal motor mount
- Alloy prop shaft
- Tamiya DF-02 Alloy damper set (very expensive, but rather lovely...!!!)
- Upgraded Tamiya springs
Although the TEU-101 will run hotter motors that the 27t silver can is some applications, the DF-02 is not one of them. The sheer level of traction means load on the motor and hence current draw from full bore take-offs simply knocks it out - I know, I have tried it...!
Unfortunately, I sent 308Mate the wrong
ing transmitter so I don't think he has it running yet. Replacement is in the post. DOH...! I am sure he'll be on here when he gets it up and running. The buggies are a great laugh...!
Got my Gravel hound (again the same chassis) on friday and have not stopped arsing around! What great fun, well worth the 79 beer tokens i put over! Thought , sod it with standard 540 can they give you with it. Slapped it a 19t Dynasty that i had laying around and the TEU-101 copes with out missing a beat. All in all, a fantsaic chassis to have for great giggle.
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