psycho

jamnsmith

All of the TA04 that are sold today come with a tub chassis. You can buy a woven graphite chassis for the car as well, but you may as well get a 414 if you plan to do that. The TA04R is the best deal since you get many important hopups in the kit. The only thing I would get in addition would be the lightweight diff outdrives (part# 53480 you'll need two sets) and maybe the graphite shock towers (part# 53460 for front and 53461 for rear.) The hard spring set is a good thing to have as well (part# 53440.) Keep in mind that cost has little to do with being competitive unless you're an experienced racer. If you're just starting out, pick up a kit that is easy for you to get parts for at your local hobby shop. Nothing is more frustrating that having to order all your replacement parts online.

wyd

iTrader: (51)

The TA04R is the one to get if you don't have a car and want a Tamiya TCS car. If you are a pretty good driver the 03 would be fun to run as most now run the 04's and since I like to be different I still run the 03. The 04 is more adjustable, lighter, a little more up to date. The 03 is a Tamiya feel good classic and with a great setup sna really good driving it can hold its own but overall the 04 is a better car. I will run the 03 with some killer electronics and batteries so I should be alot faster than last year when I finished 6th in GT2 with all junk stuff in my car. Car workrd great but I didn't use anything else good in the car. I didn't do my 03 justice but I will this year for sure. I lead for a fair amount of time but was taken out by the winner 3 times as he couldn't pass me clean and just hacked me. Its ok since Tamiya racing is for fun and I was happy that my 03 did that good.

Mike F

You know you hit it on the head, if your a good driver, the car really doesn't matter, although it plays about 10% of the overall equation. Holding a clean line and knowing correct cornering techniques is key. I was playing with a friend, we set up a cone track at a school near by and he ran a TA03F (graphite double deck chassis) and his 04 against my 03R. We ran silver can motors. He had decent packs and I ran an old radio shack 2000 pack, just because I don't have any stick packs all of my packs are side by side. With his 03F he had me just a little on the str8, that's because I didn't gear my car correctly, but when it came to the turns, forgetaboutit, he was doing his best to keep up with me. The 04 had more str8 away speed then his o3F and turned in nicely but I was still able to overtake him by the last turn. Again I had an old 2000 radio shack pack. Now what do you think would happen with a nice match pack 1700 or a 2400 and the correct gearing. hhmmm

wyd

iTrader: (51)

Setup and driving is alot of the key to doing well then the rest will kick in if you have the first part right. My problem is the same as yours as all my 3000 HV packs and my new 3300 GP's are all side by side packs. I only have two SMC 2000's that are pretty good but they need cycled a few times. I hate to buy new 3000's or 3300 packs to only run them twice a year but then on the other hand I hate to loose because I put lame stuff in my car knowing I much better I could have done.

I want to put some of those blue Tamiya threaded shocks on my 03R because they look so cool and are pretty fuctional. I have most of the trick DJ type stuff on my 03R so that is not a problem and I now have a killer set of electronics just like my XXXS Graphite plus has.

I'm going to put the following in my 03. Futaba 9550 Digital servo, 123F Futaba receiver, and Futaba MC800 speedo with the LRP Worlds kit on it for added punch. I will then need to buy some better batteries for my car as well. I have all the electronics laying around as it is my spare stuff for my Losi and it is brand new so I figure I should use it. Not doing much good sitting around.

I still find that 03 parts are very easy to get and my local shop gets them with no problems. I'm actually getting ready to work on my 03. I'm going to get my blue shocks today and then I will buff all my aluminum parts to make it look killer. I might have all the stuff anodized blue as I have a buddy that could have it done for me real cheap and it still will be original Tamiya parts so should be TCS legal still.

Mike F

How much did those shocks run you?

wyd

iTrader: (51)

I think they were 50 bucks or so. They are not much more than the standard aluminum ones but the blue color is so cool and I thought they would make my 03 stand out some from most other 03 cars.

Our local shop has them in stock. You can call 717-633-9490 and ask for Allison. She has tons of Tamiya stuff in stock all the time and is one of Tamiyas biggest dealers for Tamiya stuff on the EastCoast. Tell her Brian Reigle sent you.

Evil_S10

anyone got a pic of their Ta03-R with the carbon chassis? I need something to compare to when i put parts on and the diagrams i have dont show them very well. And i need to look at the battery tray. I think mine isn't right, but i would like to check with everyone before i go out and buy a new one.

psycho

Evil_S10

I can post some pix of my DJE TA03F. I don't know how much help that will be, though. Let me know if you want me to.

Iso Octane

I have a TA03R with an FRP chassis.... If that can help I can get some pics of it.

Mike F

Iso Octane

Okay, I'm just gonna assume everyone has broadband internet, and not resize my photos.... so here they are hot off the digicam.

Don't mind the home made foam bumper.


The battery area, stick packs.


Underside battery area. Don't mind the battle scars.

psycho

Does your camera have a macro function? If you use it for closeups like this, they will be a lot clearer.

Steevo

Just to add some more to the pot. In my personal experience owning the TA03F with FRP Chassis etc as well as a fully hopped up TA04R with light weight graphite reinforced tub, I would have to say I prefer the 04R. For me the 04 is smoother and more tunable and handles better. I use low turm mods in my cars and the 04R just feels so much better at speed.
On the other hand if I run a stock motor in both cars the TA03F will hold its own with the 04R but the 04 still feels smoother and handles the twisty bits a little better.
These are just my observations on comparing the 2 cars.

Steevo

monster_sg

hi all,

I was wondering if it is still possible to buy RRP gears for tamiya TA03.The part no. is RRP-8801.

Thanx for all ur help & advice in advance,pls email me at [email protected]

Cheers.....

psycho

monster_sg

I wouldn't bother trying to find that. I'd just get the white 0.4 gear set and either use Tamiya's 0.4 pinions of regular 64 pitch ones. You should have all the gearing choices you need with the 0.4 gears.