Want to try off-road

[chris_dono]

Hi all,
I've been racing touring cars for about a year now and a few of us are thinking about giving off-road a shot to see if we like it.

I've read a fair bit about the SB Carbon, and it seems to be great value !

Can any recommend somewhere to purchase the kit + spares in the UK ? We're thinking of all buying the same kit to share spares to begin with, are they easy to come by ? (spares)

Is there anything we should watch out for with these ? weak points, possible upgrades/conversions etc..

Many Thanks
Chris

[rcrcman]

The only upgrade I would consider a must-have is the diggity designs carbon towers and front hinge pin brace.

www.diggitydesigns.com (http://www.diggitydesigns.com)

I have yet to break any of those pieces

[chris_dono]

Many thanks for that. I can't seem to find anyone in the UK that will get the Pro version imported ? Looks like stormer hobbies in the US is going to be the way to go.

[RogerM]

Have you tried DC Racing? Always happy to try and get most things for a customer!!!!

[jim76]

models in motion stock the academy stuff, they have the SB sport v2 so should be able to get the pro version easily enough.

[chris_dono]

thanks guys, we'll check them out

[David Church]

Not being funny mate, but I have been racing off road for over 5 years now, and I have raced in almost every event possible, I don't know anybody racing the Academy. And if you are having trouble finding them, maybe that's a sign???
Perhaps think about trying a more common car???
My 2 cents. :D

[chris_dono]

David...no problem finding them in countries other than the UK, but you know thought we'd support the hobby in this country if we could..

no wonder people import....

[Metla]

I purchased mine from Amain hobbies, and for all I know it maybe the only one in New Zealand, fine by me, I bought it rather then run what everybody else was using. The car is so damn fine I'm amazed anyone can even look at one without wanting one.

Parts wise, Amain are faster, cheaper,and more competent, then any Hobby Store I have visited within a few hundred miles, There is no real need anymore to restrict yourself to what the local stores decide to stock.

Drives like a low flying jet, corners like a demon, tears over the rough stuff, amazing piece of kit.

[kyosho_greg]

Not being funny mate, but I have been racing off road for over 5 years now, and I have raced in almost every event possible, I don't know anybody racing the Academy. And if you are having trouble finding them, maybe that's a sign???
Perhaps think about trying a more common car???
My 2 cents. :D


well they arnt that bad i think soon ill prove you rong ive been raceing up my local off road track for 6 months now www.speedwayrc.com (http://www.speedwayrc.com) and on tueday nights i race fenton indoor with it and it takes one hell of a beating there becouse im the only buggy on the track i havent broke a single part in 6 months and i think thats good going seeming aso im 13 and still geting used to electricks i say buy the car i give it a *****( 5 stars) rating eny day handles great and for the price of it wat do you axpect and who cares if it is not a comon car?? i dont and according to rc racer magizine its the most adaptable car in the world.

[ashleyb4]

ppppppfffffff

A:p:D

[RogerM]

Chris,

if you want to be a little different from the norm but still have a car supported in the UK then get a Kyosho Lazer ZX5-SP.

All the suspension geometry new compared to the original car, the strength issues the original cars was supposed to have seem to have been sorted with the SP and the thing handles like a dream, so safe and easy to drive hard.

Give Dom aat DC Racing a call / Pm / mail and see what he can do for you price wise, you'll be shocked at that too. If you do go for the SP get one of the DC screw kits and also W5184-04 front shock shafts at the time of purchase. Those two upgrades will make the car a joy to own and work with.

[chris_dono]

thanks for the responses guys, I went and had a look at Eden Park last weekend, and now I can't wait to get out racing !!

[Chrislong]

thanks for the responses guys, I went and had a look at Eden Park last weekend, and now I can't wait to get out racing !!

Good move, I hear that is an awesome track (we'll all find out this year) and I know there will be plenty of people there who will direct you with anything, starting with direction away from the Academy ;).

[jim76]

i was at eden park at the weekend also.

i have to say, you will be far better off with something different as the academy, although capable, may struggle with support for spares and set up etc.

I have to echo Roger and say go for a lazer. the new SP is peanuts and a very popular club car. I've driven one round eden park and it went really well. Spares are also very cheap.

[chris_dono]

Good move, I hear that is an awesome track (we'll all find out this year) and I know there will be plenty of people there who will direct you with anything, starting with direction away from the Academy ;).

i was at eden park at the weekend also.

i have to say, you will be far better off with something different as the academy

Ok, so why (other than spares availability) would people not recommend the academy ?

[Chrislong]

I have raced one, and it was the SB-sport, so very basic (although mine was heavily modified), the car was good initially and an improvement over the Yokomo MR4BC Special which i had before it, easy to work on etc. But it wasn't long before I got very frustrated in not being competitive due to the cars limits - which were brought on by very flexible plastic, poor ratio for fast modified motors (2.75:1), twisty chassis and big overhang at front bulkhead.

People tell me the newer cars are far better. But when I look I just see the same flexible plastic wishbones and hubs, flexible steering arms, flexible chassis, big overhang (compare it with the XX4 where the chassis sweaps up around the diff so not to dig in to the ground - this makes a big difference).

Granted, I could be wrong now although id need a lot of convincing personally, and no car is perfect anyway, but do collect your own information by asking when you go to Eden Park, ask Dom when you ring DC racing - he is honest, and will have recommendations too.

[bigred5765]

because its cack??

[ashleyb4]

haha made me laugh lol totally agree carl.

A

[tyreman]

because its cack??

haha made me laugh lol totally agree carl.

A

This is what annoys me two complete knobs that haven't run the cars yet post crap on forums, and unless they are currently running that product then it's rubbish/cack.

The latest cars are very good and there are plenty of spares avaliable for them through UK shops(I saw a rack full of spares on Friday), It's comments from the few narrow minded people above that steer new racers away from what is a good quality, but affordable car.

That is the reason why model shops don't carry the cars, because a few people who think they know everything (but know very little) put potential buyers off, with these sort of comments.

[chris_dono]

I have raced one, and it was the SB-sport, so very basic (although mine was heavily modified), the car was good initially and an improvement over the Yokomo MR4BC Special which i had before it, easy to work on etc. But it wasn't long before I got very frustrated in not being competitive due to the cars limits - which were brought on by very flexible plastic, poor ratio for fast modified motors (2.75:1), twisty chassis and big overhang at front bulkhead.

People tell me the newer cars are far better. But when I look I just see the same flexible plastic wishbones and hubs, flexible steering arms, flexible chassis, big overhang (compare it with the XX4 where the chassis sweaps up around the diff so not to dig in to the ground - this makes a big difference).

Granted, I could be wrong now although id need a lot of convincing personally, and no car is perfect anyway, but do collect your own information by asking when you go to Eden Park, ask Dom when you ring DC racing - he is honest, and will have recommendations too.

Thanks Chris, I did speak to Steve at Eden Park about it and he didn't put it down at all, seemed quite intruiged that we were going to be using it in fact. I'll call Dom at DC Racing tomorrow and have a chat with him. FYI the gear ratio is 2.35:1 now I think

From what I can see from reading up on it, it's hard to get hold of the kits in the UK, spares don't seem to be an issue, and it's pretty reliable compared to the old version. We'll see what happens I guess

because its cack??
Thanks for that, got any proof or just an opinion ? have you driven one ?

[Chrislong]

Ah, that'll be Steve Brook, so your getting excellent advice anyway.

Do take a look, don't let us put you off. Like I said, I have experience of the very first version so could be wrong, it just left a lasting impression maynot be justified now.

[Chrislong]

Also, may be worth PM'ing "tyreman" (Brian Preddy), as he'll probably be the most helpful & informed person around regarding the most recent cars.

[chris_dono]

Ah, that'll be Steve Brook, so your getting excellent advice anyway.

Do take a look, don't let us put you off. Like I said, I have experience of the very first version so could be wrong, it just left a lasting impression maynot be justified now.

As i say from what I've read, you're impressions are similar to other peoples who ran the old version. On the flip side, I see lots of good comments about the new version from people running them now.

[bigred5765]

Thanks for that, got any proof or just an opinion ? have you driven one ?

from experience we had Chris longs (highly modified) one for a short while
and yes Chris bitter after taste good polite why of putting it

[matdodd]

Drop Kopite a pm hes ran the new 4wd so should be able to answer any questions :)

[Chrislong]

Drop Kopite a pm hes ran the new 4wd so should be able to answer any questions :)

Can't of been for long, he's running your old XX4 now isn't he Matt?

[Al3xis007]

every1's gonna give you advice and tell you to buy what they have so without saying any manufacturers.
buy the best motors, charger, cells, servo, radio gear, tools etc cause you need it all and if you buy the best there's nothing holding you back!!

brians academy 2wd did look very simelar to the other well known manufacturers so i cant see why its not liked, other than its speed has not been proven at nationals.
Always ask questions you'll learn so much

[matdodd]

Can't of been for long, he's running your old XX4 now isn't he Matt?


He had one for a few months but ye he's gone back to my old XX4! ;)

[tyreman]

He had one for a few months but ye he's gone back to my old XX4! ;)

Both Stan and myself have gone back to the Losi cars now, as that is our sponsor, we were only ever doing testing with the cars, and reporting back to Horizon.

Both cars were very good and competitive out of the box.

[chris_dono]

brians academy 2wd did look very simelar to the other well known manufacturers so i cant see why its not liked, other than its speed has not been proven at nationals.
Always ask questions you'll learn so much


Thanks for the assumption that we're heading for nationals :) but I don't think we'll be threatening anyone's spot for a while yet hehe

[Metla]

People tell me the newer cars are far better. But when I look I just see the same flexible plastic wishbones and hubs, flexible steering arms, flexible chassis,

Granted, I could be wrong now although id need a lot of convincing .


Yep, Your wrong.

[DCM]

Yes, the plastics have more 'nylon' in them now, making them more rigid, and the steering arms, but they still use the 'hardness of melting butter' alloy in the drivetrain which causes sooooo many issue's. At least they changed the motor mount to one that the motor don't fall out of.

The shocks still aren't up to much cop though 'comparatively'.

Not to sure on the price, but I would think you wouldn't be looking at much more money in the UK to buy something with decent spares backup and support.

[Metla]

Which specific alloy part/parts in the drive train are you referring to?

I haven't seen any widespread reports of failure to indicate there is an issue, Certainly not of the scope that would be expected if whatever part it is, has the strength of butter.

[DCM]

diff outdrives, inputs to front and rear gearbox

[Metla]

Funny that, The out-drives are plastic.

And they suck, Not even worth putting in the box at the factory.

I haven't seen anyone complain about the replacement heavy duty items, apart from wear, But thats expected.

[DCM]

they changed them to plastic?? ffs thats even worse and the heavy duty ones are made by MRC and not Academy aren't they.

[matdodd]

Both Stan and myself have gone back to the Losi cars now, as that is our sponsor, we were only ever doing testing with the cars, and reporting back to Horizon.

Both cars were very good and competitive out of the box.

Ok Bri :D

[jim76]

so that's an additional cost on top of the kit? brings it a lot closer to B44 territory!

[Metla]

Lol, Yeah, Plastic.

I ripped 2 sets to shreds, But I did install a longer set of shocks that pulled the end of the CVD right to the tip of the out drive, So ruining them was my fault, Though they are to blame for crappy plastic out drives.

(when I got my Durga the other week the first thing I did was check to see what the out-drives were made from)


Been waiting on the heavy duty items for a month now, Dunno where they come from, But they dropped the ball.

[chris_dono]

the inputs for the shafts look metal to me ?
http://www.modelrec.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=7743