Tamiya mini cooper
#5836
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Hi Calvin
I know the brushless lap times were not as quick as the brushed but I did notice that the brushless (that was following me in the final) was catching me quite easily at the end of the back straight, and the initial acceleration was quicker, the power of the brushless seems to be more instant although it could be diff setup.
If we have to run a Tamiya body then there is another bigger expense over non Tamiya (Mini) bodies, a Tamiya Mini body will cost $60-$70 compared to a non Tamiya Mini body which cost $25-$35, and the Tamiya body doesn’t last as long. The bodies that we run are cheaper again at only $20 and were run in the US nationals (I beleve).
I don’t know what bought on all the rule changes all of a sudden, when we haven’t had anyone have a problem with the rules the way they were in the past, and Steve hasn’t asked the regulars for there views on the changes. I’m not against changes but there has to be some discussion before they are implemented (like they do with the other classes).
I know the brushless lap times were not as quick as the brushed but I did notice that the brushless (that was following me in the final) was catching me quite easily at the end of the back straight, and the initial acceleration was quicker, the power of the brushless seems to be more instant although it could be diff setup.
If we have to run a Tamiya body then there is another bigger expense over non Tamiya (Mini) bodies, a Tamiya Mini body will cost $60-$70 compared to a non Tamiya Mini body which cost $25-$35, and the Tamiya body doesn’t last as long. The bodies that we run are cheaper again at only $20 and were run in the US nationals (I beleve).
I don’t know what bought on all the rule changes all of a sudden, when we haven’t had anyone have a problem with the rules the way they were in the past, and Steve hasn’t asked the regulars for there views on the changes. I’m not against changes but there has to be some discussion before they are implemented (like they do with the other classes).
#5837
Tech Elite
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Melbourne, Australia. Home of rc-mini.net
Posts: 3,549
Trader Rating: 7 (100%+)
Thats what genuine Tamiya shells cost in Australia. All Tamiya parts here cost a fortune, but they reserve a 'special' mark-up for bodyshells I think. It's outrageous....
#5838
MINI BODIES AND RULES
G'day Glenn,
The body question was to run a Mini box style body. Personnally I can't see why you can not run any of the recognised Box style Mini shells. This leaves all the Tamiya MO3 bodies and the Frewer Mo3 body. However I believe they want Mini/Swift to be recognised as a mini class.
I know we can not run the Tamiya MO4 bodies or the HPI Honda Civic. The Mini rules will be discussed on Fri night, so I have been told.
Talk to you on Fri, if you want to discuss further send me a PM.
Later
Calvin.
The body question was to run a Mini box style body. Personnally I can't see why you can not run any of the recognised Box style Mini shells. This leaves all the Tamiya MO3 bodies and the Frewer Mo3 body. However I believe they want Mini/Swift to be recognised as a mini class.
I know we can not run the Tamiya MO4 bodies or the HPI Honda Civic. The Mini rules will be discussed on Fri night, so I have been told.
Talk to you on Fri, if you want to discuss further send me a PM.
Later
Calvin.
#5839
Tech Elite
Really like your web site. Find myself going back to it frequently just to refresh my memory on some things and to see what's new. Keep up the great work
#5840
Tech Elite
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Melbourne, Australia. Home of rc-mini.net
Posts: 3,549
Trader Rating: 7 (100%+)
Thanks for the nice comments....
The Tamiya problem here isn't Tamiya, it's the local distributor. They are renowned for this policy on all the products they import, not just Tamiya.
Hard to justify a $23 USD body selling here for $75 Aus. Someone's making some serious cash..and it aint me!
Some of the shops here buy off other shops online because its cheaper than buying from the dsitributor!
The Tamiya problem here isn't Tamiya, it's the local distributor. They are renowned for this policy on all the products they import, not just Tamiya.
Hard to justify a $23 USD body selling here for $75 Aus. Someone's making some serious cash..and it aint me!
Some of the shops here buy off other shops online because its cheaper than buying from the dsitributor!
#5843
Tech Champion
iTrader: (9)
Thanks for the nice comments....
The Tamiya problem here isn't Tamiya, it's the local distributor. They are renowned for this policy on all the products they import, not just Tamiya.
Hard to justify a $23 USD body selling here for $75 Aus. Someone's making some serious cash..and it aint me!
Some of the shops here buy off other shops online because its cheaper than buying from the dsitributor!
The Tamiya problem here isn't Tamiya, it's the local distributor. They are renowned for this policy on all the products they import, not just Tamiya.
Hard to justify a $23 USD body selling here for $75 Aus. Someone's making some serious cash..and it aint me!
Some of the shops here buy off other shops online because its cheaper than buying from the dsitributor!
#5844
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
I agree that the Aussie distributor has issues, however a good proportion of the issues revolve around Tamiya Japan, they have dual pricing, the Aussie disties pre shipping price is only marginally cheaper than the japan cash sale price. I know this first hand from discussions with the importer as well as Mr S Tamiya himself.
#5845
We have similar problem here in Canada, but it also includes a silent partner - a corporation called the Gov't of Canada [it really is a corporation!]
It's cheaper for us to buy across the 49th parallel or offshore (even with the exchange rates, shipping and taxes, if charged).
#5846
Tech Elite
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Melbourne, Australia. Home of rc-mini.net
Posts: 3,549
Trader Rating: 7 (100%+)
I actually get around the problem anyway by just buying a complete new kit (usually from Champ), keeping the body, and then selling off the rolling chassis! Hee hee..
#5847
Tech Elite
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Posts: 4,857
Trader Rating: 1 (100%+)
We have similar problem here in Canada, but it also includes a silent partner - a corporation called the Gov't of Canada [it really is a corporation!]
It's cheaper for us to buy across the 49th parallel or offshore (even with the exchange rates, shipping and taxes, if charged).
It's cheaper for us to buy across the 49th parallel or offshore (even with the exchange rates, shipping and taxes, if charged).
#5848
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
We recently had some guys turn up at our track that were running 540 brushless setups in there Mini's and then was told that the track owner will allow 540 brushless motors to be run in the next season. It is a $200 upgrade that most of the Mini guys at our track can’t justify spending on a Mini.
What are your thoughts on running 540 brushless motors in the Mini class?
What are your thoughts on running 540 brushless motors in the Mini class?
We were going to run silver cans for this race, with a blind motor draw like we did for Mini Mayhem, which helped to equalize power/speed. Novak wanted to run an "all brushless" race, so we tried the 17.5's beforehand and found that they were almost identical in lap times to a silver can on our 100' x 50 ' carpet layout. Excellent silver cans have more top speed in this gear limited class, but brushless have more infield power, so it basically made them equal overall. At a track like Tamiya USA's Aliso Viejo track, the difference would give an advantage to a silver can (due to the very long straight/sweeper), but on your more typical track with 100 foot or shorter straight, they are pretty equal overall.
Only downside to the brushless: initial cost and ESC size/weight. We were able to use free "loaner" 17.5's and Novak XBR esc's for this class, courtesy of Novak (thanks Bob Novak and Charlie S.) for the weekend, and were able to buy them after the event for only $170. A brushless esc and motor definitely weighs more than a silver can and very small esc (like at GTX), and the footprint of a brushless ESC is so much bigger than a GTX that it is very difficult to put the brushless ESC anywhere other than on top of the chassis just behind the servo. (I mount my GTX low in the rear pod of an M-03 to keep the center of gravity low). Mounting the XBR on top of the chassis raises the center of gravity, which with high grip carpet situations, induces the possibility of traction rolls.
I'm hoping that Tamiya USA adopts 17.5's for the TCS mini class soon.
#5849
Kit number 58400 pictures(unbuilt):
I put some S-grips & some X-patterns on the Cooper S wheels, just to see how they'd look, and a put the Rover wheel in there to compare the styling...
Hope to have some finished pictures this weekend, as soon as I have a chance to sit down & build it.
I put some S-grips & some X-patterns on the Cooper S wheels, just to see how they'd look, and a put the Rover wheel in there to compare the styling...
Hope to have some finished pictures this weekend, as soon as I have a chance to sit down & build it.
#5850
^^^Black molded chassis I assume. Does it have the same bearing count as the Swift?