now, i did post a question regarding RC cars. if anyone can provide me with any kind of info on them I would appreciate it. I am considering starting out, and would like a few tips on what to buy, ie, are the RTR (ready to race) cars worth it? i will definately be taking the car apart and building it, but this seems like a good base to learn about these things..

help? comments?

note to mods - if your gonna delete this post again then please be sure to delete the post your pic thread, which is not only OT, but server intensive; as well as all the other "non type-r because we are the best and most car driven forum on the site". sorry for the rant, but that wasnt kind - a simple move or notice would have worked just as well.

 

http://www.hpiracing.com

here is my beast





[Modified by TurboR616, 8:17 PM 9/25/2001]

 

leo, i don't really see as to why you're so angry. yes RC cars are way OT, but you can see by big phat r's thread, he was asking for the ppl behind the avatars on this board because he missed the ITR expo. now, since it was an ITR expo, i could only assume that he wants to see the people that drive ITR's that made it to the expo, and if not, then just the ppl that post on the board in general.

maybe deleting the post w/o moving it was a bit harsh, but i dont see why you're making such a big fuss over it.

 

get any of these mini z racer


http://www.hlj.com/cgi-local/hljlist.cgi#Mini-Z%20Racer


my friend has it and its pretty fast.

you can use the parts from tamiya's mini car to sup it up (like the tires, etc)

 

check your IM

 

HPI is a very good solid base to work from and their Nitro RS4 RTR kits are around $280, on top of that you'll need a few other stuff. Electric versions will probably cost you around the same in the end after buying all the stuff you need. Personally I like to run the nitro cars but they get dirtier than the electrics. tip, get low chlorine or non chlorinated brake cleaner to clean the RC cars, $2 a can vs $5+ for the "nitro car cleaner." email me if u want some info

 

If you purchase an RTR kit that takes the fun out of having RC cars in the first place.

Knowing that you put together a very complex and tiny machine makes you feel like you're on top of the world.

I haven't had personal experience with owning any RC cars but the major consensus on reputable manufacturers is HPI Racing, Kyosho, Mugen, and Tamiya.

Those are the big guns in the industry and they have a very complete line of products.

If you are looking for a radio, check out Futaba.

For engine...OS engines are very high quality from what I've seen.

TIP: *RTR kits are good in that the kits that they come in usually packs everything needed to run the car...hence the name. Be warned that if you do go with a much more custom setup, you're going to have to do alot of research to see what fits and what doesn't, or what works and what doesn't.
http://www.ehobbies.com/ http://www.futaba-rc.com/ http://www.kyosho.com/ http://www.osengines.com/ http://www.mugenseiki.com/ http://www.rccaraction.com/ http://www.towerhobbies.com/rcwnews.html http://www.tamiya.com/america/ta.htm http://www.towerhobbies.com/index.html http://www.mytsn.com/

Good Luck

 

email me privately, I can get most of RC stuff at pretty low price. After, all my 6 co-worker blamed me for getting them involve in RC car. I started 2 months ago with electric $70 TL-01 Tamiya. Now I am on to my second 2-stroke engine for my GTR chassis. I would suggest Tamiya TA-04 or RS4 Pro-3 with KA-Propo electronic. Email me and I can give you more detail.

 

don't forget about Yokomo and Serpent
I was gonna get one but too much $$$

The most popular one now would probably be the the Kyosho VoneR

 

yeah my brother has one and from what he tells me HPI Rtr are not worth it. Get a rs4 2 kit. That way you learn about building and if there is a problem you know what to do. My brother is selling his rs4 2 with lots of mods and a fairly good engine for $350 here is where you can find pics.....(many adtl mods have been done after this pick) http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...a=12010123&f=0
I live in NYC

 

TurboR616, that is very cool

Sam

 

When I used to be into RC cars, I built a Team Losi JRX Pro SE - building it myself taught me a lot about the internals of a gearbox/differential, as well as how a clutch worked (it had a rpm-dependent limited slip clutch to compensate for off-the-line wheelspin in dirt), as well as how suspension worked (coil-over suspension) and suspension setups (how suspension reacts to loads, camber, toe-in/out, etc.) If you like modding your real-life car, you'll get a huge kick out of RC cars.

I would think you would get more enjoyment out of an off-road car (on-road electric racers.. at least when i was involved... were pretty simple. Direct drive (no gearbox... just differential), non-independent rear suspension, etc.) I think the new awd electric rally/street cars are more complex though. Gas cars are fun.. loud as heck though

 

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy those ready to race tyco or crap R/C cars u find at toys r us.
Go to http://www.towershobbies.com oh wait..was it towerhobby.com..either or, first word is Tower(S) 2nd word is Hobby(ies).com. They should have plenty of cool pics to drool on..
Or, u can go to a book store and pick up a copy of CarAction Magazine. They have good articles on R/C cars.
I have a few R/C cars for sale if youre interested. They are offroad 1/10 electric buggies though..sold my on road civic hb already..

Heres the link: http://www.towerhobbies.com




[Modified by ITyp3R, 7:20 AM 9/26/2001]

 

I always like Tamiya kits. They seem so realistic body wise. tons of mods can be done. I've been out of it for a while, but have 3 chassis and 2 bodies. If you're in the So Cal area, there is the annual Tamiya sale every once in a while. good stuff

-AoiB0t, whose NSX is still not finished

 

I got 3 HPI's and 4 Tamiya's. All electric. Those HPI's are RS4's and app. 3 years old now. Still running smooth, with the carbon fibre plates
Great cars :>

 

RTR kits take half the fun outta the cars IMHO. Buy a kit, build the car, then when something ***** up or gets broken you'll already have the knowledge of how to fix/replace it

 

Kyosho's rock!!

I have 1 Kyosho NSX w/ a 4-stroke engine
1 Tamiya NSX
1 Tamiya Civic (EG)
1 Tamiya Mitsu Pajero
1 Tamiya Ford F-350 Monster Truck

 

have fun, it's a great hobby. Although it can be expesive depending how involved you get. Here's a forum I usually frequent. http://www.rccaraction.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

 

Yeah, I'm a Tamiya electric kind of guy. I currently have a vintage "Vibrant Vannies Lunch Box" Dodge Van monster truck, and a TL-01 Skyline touring car that has a few mods (oil filled coil overs, full ball bearings, electronic speed controller, and, a Tamiya "black tuned" RS540s motor). The Skyline is silver with 19 inch touring car wheels in black. Sweet and very JDM.

 

I have an HPI rs4 2 I put it together myself. In my experience you spend about 50% of the time fixing the car and 50% of the time playing/racing the car. So you should definitely put the car together yourself. A friend of mine bought the RTR and I always have to help him fix the damn thing. Oh and just another little added tip. Go to sears and pick up one of their craftsman toolboxes. I found one that fits my car, controller, parts, and tools in an easy and convenient box.

 

I have a MiniZ at work, it is a skyline.

I have a RC10/GT haven't run it in about 2 years though

i really want to get an onroad car, maybe the HPI rs4 rally subaru, i don't know whether I want another nitro car though, they are deffinately fun, but I kind of like the ease of an electric.

I will most likely be waiting till christmas time before I get anything though.

 

damn. all this is really usefull info, thx guys! but, i dont understand most of it! im gonna have to learn my RC info.. hehe...

well, my initial thought to getting the RTR kit was so i can be sure that I get all the parts i need, i cant seem to find a complete list anywhere!

thx again fellas,, ill be sure to ask more questions as i learn!

 

Leo-
most kits will include everything you need other than:
electric: radio, servo, speed controller, motor
nitro: radio, (2) servos, motor [depending on kit]

 

Dude.. read all the posts...best advice I can give is to pick the stuff up second hand from someone who got bored.. My last car ( Schumaker Cat ) cost me over $1500. by the time I was finished with it... sold it a few years later for $500...

That's just the way it goes.. And remember, if it's off road a 4whdrive will be way more fun cause they will go fast and steer better over more types of terrain than 2wd ( mind you they don't do killer doughnuts ) and with eletric go for 9.6 volt
( Don't even know if you can get anything else now... been a while 4 me ) build your battery packs yourself and match the batteries... The shop can show you what to do... And contrary to popular opinion, dry ice drastically reduces the life of your batteries heh heh heh...

 

All I know is nitro so here is a list of what you need to get a nitro car running.

RC car Kit (of course)
- if you get a high end kit you may also need
- engine
- wheels and tires
- body
- most kits come with all this

R/C controller
- these come with the servos you need

Nitro fuel
glow plug starter
Paint for the body
AA batteries for the controllers and servos

Engine starter
- if you don't have a pull start motor

I think that's a pretty complete list....I may have forgotten a few things. Oh you should definitely invest in a dremel tool if you want your body to look good. Don't try to use scissors or hobby knives to cut the body. You'll f*ck it up. Good luck with your car. You'll have a blast once you finally get it running. I stayed up 24 hrs straight when i got my car to put it together and run it