Is anyone here into R/C Nitro cars? I've been looking to buy one, but the tools at the hobby shop advised that I look into R/C trucks that run off-road as compared to the On-Road R/C cars. He told me that tires for the on road cars are really expensive and wear out really fast...Is this true? It seems to me that these cars are pretty expensive and time consuming to maintain. Does anyone have any advise for a newbie?
I'm condsidering the following cars:
Traxxas 4-Tec Traxxas T-Maxx HPI RS4
Thanks for the help. -Loren
Posted by HM Murdock (Member # 728) on :
I've heard lots of good things about the RS4, it'll be the route I go when I get one... Posted by MidnightSS (Member # 2000) on :
Don't have any first hand experience, but a guy I worked with in Ft. Worth used to race his and spent a fortune maintaining it.
Posted by Billiumss (Member # 413) on :
With the radio and car, I have about $400.00 into it. These things are a lot of fun. This car handles pretty good, and turns fast.
You can mod these like a real car... Next mod is to paint a body like my car, SOM...
Bill
Posted by DwarfDump (Member # 2190) on :
How are the tires on that car? I heard that they wear really fast and that replacements are near 50 dollars...is this true? And when you race the car, do you have to have a totally smooth surface? (i.e. no pebbles, rocks or loose gravel?)
Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on :
I have one of those as well. I run the Nissan Skyline body as my "beater" (as I tend to run into things), and have an SS body for looking nice. Just have to paint the SS body still
The tires can wear out really quick, especially if you do AWD cookies with it. But MAN ITS COOL The handling is impressive, and they run about 35mph stock. Lots of fun. Mine is a belt drive, and small rocks and pebbles have a tendendcy to get into places you really dont want them to, and will wear out parts. ObSSd has a very similar car, and has the shaft drive, but he has various other problems that mine does not.
Tons of fun though. I would recommend you drive one to see how you like it. If you are interested, mine might be for sale, as I havent used in awhile.
All of the hop up parts are available for them too, just like the real car. Engines, cylinder heads, exhaust, sway bars, shocks, springs, etc.
Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
quote:Originally posted by Steve da Wrench: ObSSd has a very similar car, and has the shaft drive, but he has various other problems that mine does not.
Yeah, like engine problems . Mine was going through glow plugs pretty quick and then finally up and died one day. It also doesn't take front impacts very well (the RS4 doesn't have enough plastic bumper to absorb the impact so it bent the chassis).
I haven't played with mine for a while either (probably longer than Steve), but it was a pain to find a big enough paved surface to really enjoy. If I had it to do over, I'd probably go with a truck .
[ 30. December 2003, 11:07 AM: Message edited by: OBSSD ]
Posted by DwarfDump (Member # 2190) on :
thanks for the info guys, I've already bought a truck, the Traxxas T-Maxx. One day I went to the LHS ready to get a Traxxas 4-Tec car(belt driven)and the guy told me about all the problems with the car as opposed to the truck. I was just making sure that he knew what he was talking about because he seemed rather ignorant.
I'm new to R/C are the nitro engines a pain to tune? I read a lot of places that say you have to adjust the high-end needle whenever a cloud passes overhead, is it really this sensitive?
Posted by CamaroSS2002LE (Member # 2023) on :
Hey, I've raced RC cars for over 20 years, both Nitro and Electric. Any questions shoot them my way. I'll be glad to answer them. The nitro motors are not difficult once you get the hang of them.
Posted by Orange 01 SS (Member # 1700) on :
Here's my RS4. I like it very mutchley.
Posted by DwarfDump (Member # 2190) on :
Good lookin' car, all three :-). I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my T-Maxx. I still want a car, because they are faster than damn it. If you know any nitro tips for beginners, I'd love to hear them. Thanks for the help.
Posted by DwarfDump (Member # 2190) on :
Where did y'all get your camaro ss body? and does it fit on any r/c car? HPI/ Traxxas cars?
Posted by Orange 01 SS (Member # 1700) on :
My SS body just came in the HPI kit. The whole kit with the body and the chassis and motor was @ $300. I think you can buy the body by itself for not much money. It's just a flimsy clear plastic thing that you paint from underneath. I'm fairly sure you can use it on any remote control car that is this scale. You should probably ask the guy in your hobby store to be sure. And if they don't have what you want, they can probably order it. Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
quote:Originally posted by DwarfDump: Where did y'all get your camaro ss body? and does it fit on any r/c car? HPI/ Traxxas cars?
Print that. If you have a local hobby shop in your area, you can show them the printout and see if they can do a better price for you.
Posted by Billiumss (Member # 413) on :
Hey Orange 01 SS,
You did what I'm going to be doing soon, paint my model car and my R/C car body SOM.
For the HPI body, did you paint it on the inside?
Also, for good info and reading, buy this magazine: http://www.rcnitro.com Posted by Orange 01 SS (Member # 1700) on :
Yep. I just used SOM touch up paint in a rattle can from the dealer and painted it in the inside. I've beat the hell out of it, and it seems to hold up pretty well. It's hard to get a bad paint job with that clear body like that. Posted by Billiumss (Member # 413) on :
quote:Originally posted by Orange 01 SS: I just used SOM touch up paint in a rattle can from the dealer
How in the heck did you get that? I tried like crazy and the only way for me to get SOM paint was at a paint dealer. It cost me $100 for everything.
Would you be willing to pick up a can or 2 for me and mail them to me? I can pay you buy Paypal.
Bill
Posted by Orange 01 SS (Member # 1700) on :
Bill,
I just bought them from the Superior Chevrolet parts department. They're a big Hendrick dealer here in KC with a big parts department. They can usually get whatever you want. They had to order the paint out of a catalog, so it took a couple of weeks to get it. I don't know why your local Chevy dealer can't do this, but here is the Superior Chevy website. They have a toll-free number. I usually deal with Jay, but they're all pretty helpful. I know they ship a lot of stuff, because they sponsor some Corvette messageboards and they're a big supplier of engines around the country. They aren't really near me, and I don't think I'll be going by there soon, so maybe you could give them a call??? If that doesn't work, e-mail me, and I'll try and get something done for you.
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The handling is impressive, and they run about 35mph stock. Lots of fun. Mine is a belt drive, and small rocks and pebbles have a tendendcy to get into places you really dont want them to, and will wear out parts. ObSSd has a very similar car, and has the shaft drive, but he has various other problems that mine does not. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
(the RS4 doesn't have enough plastic bumper to absorb the impact so it bent the chassis).