Discussion
After spotting a Subaru Brat in Model Zone in the Trafford Centre I suddenly came over all misty eyed and got the urge to dig up this old fossil out of the loft. It's not been out of the box in at least ten years, probably longer. Two old 1400 NiCad batteries, a mechanical speed controller and a body that's battered beyond recognition.
But what to do with it? I only ever used it for messing about on the street and would like to start using it again. I thought some new batteries and an electronic speed controller would be a good start. But then what (ballraces, bigger motor......)? Things seem so much cheaper now I'm a grown up.
It's the old FF02 chassis (I think???), front wheel drive with the motor ahead of the front wheels. Who would be good for parts?
Finally, and most importantly, what body should I go for. Gotta look good.
But what to do with it? I only ever used it for messing about on the street and would like to start using it again. I thought some new batteries and an electronic speed controller would be a good start. But then what (ballraces, bigger motor......)? Things seem so much cheaper now I'm a grown up.
It's the old FF02 chassis (I think???), front wheel drive with the motor ahead of the front wheels. Who would be good for parts?
Finally, and most importantly, what body should I go for. Gotta look good.
blueST said:
After spotting a Subaru Brat in Model Zone in the Trafford Centre I suddenly came over all misty eyed and got the urge to dig up this old fossil out of the loft. It's not been out of the box in at least ten years, probably longer. Two old 1400 NiCad batteries, a mechanical speed controller and a body that's battered beyond recognition.
But what to do with it? I only ever used it for messing about on the street and would like to start using it again. I thought some new batteries and an electronic speed controller would be a good start. But then what (ballraces, bigger motor......)? Things seem so much cheaper now I'm a grown up.
It's the old FF02 chassis (I think???), front wheel drive with the motor ahead of the front wheels. Who would be good for parts?
Finally, and most importantly, what body should I go for. Gotta look good.
first decent rc car i ever bought!But what to do with it? I only ever used it for messing about on the street and would like to start using it again. I thought some new batteries and an electronic speed controller would be a good start. But then what (ballraces, bigger motor......)? Things seem so much cheaper now I'm a grown up.
It's the old FF02 chassis (I think???), front wheel drive with the motor ahead of the front wheels. Who would be good for parts?
Finally, and most importantly, what body should I go for. Gotta look good.
sjj84 said:
This thread has made me go up in the loft at my parents house and dig out my old car. I've got the TA02 chasis, can you add some links to places for parts please.
www.futureworldmodels.comEdited by Drop Test b3nxj on Wednesday 17th December 18:31
wildoliver said:
With these classic models there is a strong case to either restore them and keep original or sell on and buy a cheap "basher" to play with.
Modifying classics is a bit of a shame.
Just my 2p.
I would be inclined to agree but, as with the real thing, as long as i don't do anything irreversible then I think it's ok. I was thinking bigger batteries (which means a new charger too), a sport tuned motor and an electronic speed controller. I have seen a Tamiya 306 Maxi body that should fit. The problem is all this adds up to about £130. So back to square one, some 1500mah batteries, ESC (less than £30) and then keep my eyes peeled for a new old stock Golf shell that I can keep for best.Modifying classics is a bit of a shame.
Just my 2p.
I had it running today and was a bit dissapointed to be honest. Because it's front drive, and the motor is ahead of the front wheels it just understeers everywhere.
Drop Test b3nxj said:
sjj84 said:
This thread has made me go up in the loft at my parents house and dig out my old car. I've got the TA02 chasis, can you add some links to places for parts please.
www.futureworldmodels.comEdited by Drop Test b3nxj on Wednesday 17th December 18:31
http://www.modelsinmotion.co.uk/index.asp
http://www.goldstarstockists.com/menu.htm
I'd replace the Batteries with some 3000MAh stick packs and and get a basic ESC, then strip down the chassis and replace the bushing with bearings, this will transform the car. You don't really need to do much else for bashing. You will get much longer run times, and you have the option of upgrading the motor if you feel the need for speed.
I've since disovered it's an FF01, not sure what the difference is. It turns out that I can't go for the really big batteries without needing a new charger. This will significantly ramp up the cost if i want one that charges reasonably quickly.
I actually added up all the things I wanted, new body, bigger batteries, esc etc and it came to well over £130!!!
I think I'm going to just get a couple of new 1500 batteries and esc and see if i enjoy driving it before I spend any more.
I actually added up all the things I wanted, new body, bigger batteries, esc etc and it came to well over £130!!!
I think I'm going to just get a couple of new 1500 batteries and esc and see if i enjoy driving it before I spend any more.
These days with cheap prices you want to be buying 3000 batteries. Things have moved on from the old 1500 batteries. An ESC should only cost you about 20-30 quid and likewise for a decent motor. A decent charger will cost you about 50 but that can be used for everything and will last you a long time. The only other thing worth getting are bearings and shocks.
The speed controller is less than £20 and the 1500NiMh batteries are only £6.50 each. I know they are pretty weak but they should be better than the 1400NiCd and mechanical speed controller it was running on before.
I'd be looking at about £80+ for a charger and a couple of 3000 packs. That's a bit steep at this stage. I've nothing else to use the charger for.
I'd be looking at about £80+ for a charger and a couple of 3000 packs. That's a bit steep at this stage. I've nothing else to use the charger for.
dont know much about tamiya road cars, but used to race the hotshot and bigwig, then moved onto a cat xl, still got them.
I race a schumacher cat 3000 now, as for your car ballraces is the main upgrade needed, just for bashing a 2000mah nimh pack will do, get a sport tuned motor and a tamiya esc, all fairly cheap, keep the body for bashing, and perhaps buy one when youve mastered the controls a bit,lol
I race a schumacher cat 3000 now, as for your car ballraces is the main upgrade needed, just for bashing a 2000mah nimh pack will do, get a sport tuned motor and a tamiya esc, all fairly cheap, keep the body for bashing, and perhaps buy one when youve mastered the controls a bit,lol
Well got a couple of new batteries (only 1500s) and an ESC. It actually goes pretty well on the standard motor.
Yesterday a mate gave me a box of old bits he had in the loft to rifle through. Managed to scavange most of the ball races, just the front uprights are plastic bearings now. Said box also has a Trinity Midnight 2 motor in it, which looks sporty! Does anyone know if this motor will be OK with my ESC, which is rated down to 23 turns I think (It's the tamiya TEU-101BK).
Yesterday a mate gave me a box of old bits he had in the loft to rifle through. Managed to scavange most of the ball races, just the front uprights are plastic bearings now. Said box also has a Trinity Midnight 2 motor in it, which looks sporty! Does anyone know if this motor will be OK with my ESC, which is rated down to 23 turns I think (It's the tamiya TEU-101BK).
blueST said:
Put the Trinity motor in, in all works fine although is probably a way over powered now, considering it's only front wheel drive. Needs something like an LSD now.
I believe there is a ball diff available for the FF-02 chassis. Wouldn't run that Trinity too long with the 101BK, likely to thermal or just go pop spectacularly.MTroniks RV Viper 15 is available cheaper than a 101 at Goldstar at the moment, and has the bonus of being completely waterproof as well.
If you want some real help (as opposed to my half-remembered ramblings) you could do far worse than to join up on the forums at www.tamiyaclub.com - easily the most helpful forum I've ever found.
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