Want to try off-road - Page 2

chris_dono · #21 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigred5765

because its cack??

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

Chrislong · #22 09-01-2008

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 · #23 09-01-2008

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 · #24 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #25 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_dono

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 · #26 09-01-2008

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

Chrislong · #27 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by matdodd

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 · #28 09-01-2008

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 · #29 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrislong

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 · #30 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by matdodd

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 · #31 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al3xis007

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 · #32 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrislong

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 · #33 10-01-2008

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 · #34 10-01-2008

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 · #35 10-01-2008

diff outdrives, inputs to front and rear gearbox

Metla · #36 10-01-2008

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 · #37 10-01-2008

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 · #38 10-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyreman

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

jim76 · #39 10-01-2008

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

Metla · #40 10-01-2008

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.