2wd: New Buggy / Modified old ones...

[Dudders]

So....

.... with the recent influx of mid motor conversion systems and the due to be released Losi22, will the old style buggies becomes obselete / uncompetitive?. The X6 seems to be running out of admirers too, is it a case of the 'latest thing'?. Seems to be a rush to buy mid motor'd units for Kyosho and Tamiya etc but do they REALLY make a difference.

I'm a bit unhappy with my B4.1 as I dont think it suits my driving style (slow and crappy) and I'm wondering if a change of car / model really can make a difference to someone of my skill (lack of) level.

I might even be tempted to go 4wd .

Any advice

[Tom3012]

In my experience the mid motor cars go better the faster you drive them, i always found i hit a limit to which i could push a rear motor car, especially a B4, you could always try a XXX-CR, i found that car to be better than a B4, but thats down to my driving style...

Hope that helps,

Tom

[dodgydiy]

b4 isnt the easiest to drive from my experience, mine had to be really driven to handle well, i know that is a setup problem really but i never managed to make it really nice for me.... until i made a carbon fibre tub chassis and modified it to make it a mid motor car, but unlike most conversions i used the tc3 rear box and mounted motor longditudually. it is now a very easy car to drive, lots of steering without being oversteery and very good overall grip, and i can drive it much more easily. best to see if you can borrow a car to have a quick go, it really is down to what suits your driving style

[Welshy40]

As ive said in the past im no fan of the B4, its not user friendly and unlike its predecessors its not an easy car to set up. The new losi has the best of both worlds as you can do both mid and normal at no extra cost and seems easier to dial.

[Dudders]

Begining to think that James.

So, options:

B4 Vega Kit comes out (3 weeks I heard)
TRF
SP2/Vega end
Losi22
Or try an X6 kit

[mikeyscott]

Don't rule out the SV. My thoughts are they are all great cars.

Are you running Rude Bits weight kit in the 4.1?

[Dudders]

Yup, Tony sorted me out a deal for the Lipo tray and under servo... Just feel Like I cant push it and drive it, perhaps I just have too many memories of my 4wd... so that's another option...

[NeilRalph77]

i feel your pain my B4 was always very loose on the back end regardless of tires, springs, shock oil etc etc i tried 2 differing X6's and loved them both found them so much more forgiving and hence faster so i've switched sides haven't sold the B4 though just in case i wanna go back!

[Tom3012]

Originally Posted by Dudders

Yup, Tony sorted me out a deal for the Lipo tray and under servo... Just feel Like I cant push it and drive it, perhaps I just have too many memories of my 4wd... so that's another option...

Sounds like you need a mid motor car, could always try the ansmann mad monkey when that comes out, its cheap, you can use your B4 shocks, you'd just need a set of bearings...

Im currently playing around with mine at the moment (the saddle version) and it just keeps getting better and better!!

[Dudders]

So I might want to try the new vega end then

[Richard Lowe]

I'd advise you have a go with a mid-motor car before just rushing out and getting one, depending on your driving style it may not suit you as I discovered last year with the X6. My experience seemed to be almost the opposite most have, I could bod round at 90% with the X6 but never had the confidence I have with the B4 to really push on. I like to steer and pivot with the throttle/brake and mid-motor cars don't have consistent/enough on power steering or mid corner pendulum effect for me.

Not having a dig at the X6 there as it (and other mid-motor 2wd's) are capable in the right hands, just not mine

[Dudders]

Looking at the Cougar SV 2011 its runs stick cells which I have, so this might be a good shout, dont really want to change batteries

[Welshy40]

Originally Posted by Dudders

Begining to think that James.

So, options:

B4 Vega Kit comes out (3 weeks I heard)
TRF
SP2/Vega end
Losi22
Or try an X6 kit

As you know I couldnt push the B4 in and out the corners hence why I went back to basics and use my B2 now. Also your driving is pretty good so dont let youself down.

As Rich said, basically I would advise asking Janos if you could try a few laps with his X6, as it goes rather well and could help you to make your own mind up first. My opinion still would be the Losi just mainly down to the car having a lot more options available in the kit than the X6 plus the chassis is going to be hard to break.

[Welshy40]

Originally Posted by Dudders

Looking at the Cougar SV 2011 its runs stick cells which I have, so this might be a good shout, dont really want to change batteries

Talk to the young daniel at the Taplow track about his Cougar, he has gone through a lot of diffs in his and thats the reason why I stayed well clear of this car.

[Dudders]

Cheers Bud.

Been asking some Q's on the Losi 22 thread about batteries and it might just be an option as my stick will fit (just).

Being drawn to the Cougar for some odd unknown reason

[Dudders]

Originally Posted by Welshy40

Talk to the young daniel at the Taplow track about his Cougar, he has gone through a lot of diffs in his and thats the reason why I stayed well clear of this car.

Mark and Daniel have ditched for Cougar now for the Kyosho Vega, they seem to be quite happy with the change

[blue_pinky]

I started out with B4, and swapped to an X6 2 years+ ago now I guess, I haven't regretted it at all.

As a relative newbie at that point, the simple comparison I found was that to drive the B4 I found it to be a bit 'point and shoot' whereas with the X6 I was rewarded for driving corners and lines, so a bit more like a 4wd.

By point and shoot I mean, it pivots quickly around the rear wheels, so found I was aiming for the corner, full throttle, full brake, then turn...and repeat! but never mix as it would swap ends too quickly and easily.

With the X6 (or mid motor), it pivots much slower due to the weight distribution, so I tend to drive smoother lines, with more progressive throttle/brake in and out of the bends.

Looking at my fastest laps with each, I was just as quick with the B4 on good laps, but really struggled to be consistent with it due to the pivoting! With the X6 my lap times are far more consistent, as the balance makes it more forgiving, and better suited to my reaction speeds!!

For me at least, that consistency has meant more confidence, which I'm sure has meant me going faster now overall with a bit more experience under my belt!!!

IMO none of the mid motor cars have anything significantly different about them, so none will be outright faster than another. In the right hands any could win big events.

Try as many as you can, and see what you like, you might like it! Still love my X6

[markwilliamson2001]

Having just changed to an X6 from a B4, I gave it a maiden run last friday inside.

After driving a B44 4wd, to start with during the night, the whole car felt 'appalling' really because I was trying to drive it off its wheels, like a 4wd!

Once a few laps were down, and calmer throttle thumb, the car was also very consistent. Very flat over jumps, and landed nicely too. As Andy has mentioned, driving the car is more consistent, so helps with your confidence. I felt I was also trying to 'throw' the car into the corners (a la B4), so this really doesnt suit the way the car drives!

Try one first, before handing over your cash though!

[peetbee]

Whilst you're trying out the mid motor cars, have you tried increasing the rear toe in on the B4?
I found changing to 3.5 degree rear toe in increased the rear grip a lot and have been more consistent since doing that.
Although I've got the ghea rear suspension mount, an inexpensive way of trying it out is AS7487 (may have come with your B4.1?), could be worth a try.

[Welshy40]

Originally Posted by Dudders

Mark and Daniel have ditched for Cougar now for the Kyosho Vega, they seem to be quite happy with the change

Mate we can have a chat tomorrow about this. May be a couple more guys turning up for buggies.