mxnickj

iTrader: (51)

Hey guys, I recently picked up a RTR RC8T and have just been cruising around on this little track I set up on sections of a motocross track. I know thats not really anything like what a real RC track is like but it was all I had to work with. Well since then I moved to FL and there are a couple local tracks and I was wondering if I would be wasting my time trying to race a RTR truck or not? What could I do to my RC8T to make it "race ready" if its not already?

Keep in mind, I'm not serious about this and just wanna go out and have some fun at some local hobby shop races and not break the bank doing it but at the same time I wanna at least be competitive too.

rcspeed.usa

You will be fine, just get some racing tires, find out at your local track what works.

Frank L

iTrader: (148)

That rtr is the only one other than the losi that I would consider race worthy. The rtr engine won't be the fastest on the track but you will be able to compete. The engine will be the 1st thing you will want to replace after racing a few. You might bend a shock shaft sooner than the pro kit but you will hVe fun and get around the track just fine.

Roelof

It would be wise to ask the shop if the RTR car you want is legal to race.

RTR means Ready To Run and most of the time that is a car with pre-painted body, radio, tires and and engine. Batteries, fuel, tools, ignitor and spareparts are not included.

When buying a car you have to run-in the engine, that can take 1 or 2 liter of fuel before you can drive with maximum power.

Frank L

iTrader: (148)

He's talking about the truggy it comes with a .28 which is legal in the truggy class. +1 on the tires see what works atthe track you want to run on. Teuggy tires are pricy but that is the easiest tuning tool you can use.

losiracer78

i would say the first thing i would change would be the steering servo to a higher torque servo

Ruune

You'll probably want to change the shock bodies, assuming they're the same plastic ones on the electric truggy. Other than that, the truck is pretty dialed.

Same comment on the steering servo tho. If you want to stick with AE, go with the 1015. Otherwise, I highly recommend the hitec 7955TG.

cary

iTrader: (67)

just race it maintain it but don't dump a lot in to it right off
if you like racing save up and get a race kit things like servos
radio are a good up grade and you can put them in you next car
have fun with it find out if you like racing or not then go for it

Eagle7

iTrader: (28)

You have a pretty good set up as is. It's set up the same way my SC8 was and I managed to win a few races with it. The things I would change are the servo's but if money is tight just change the throttle first bc it's slow, weak, and cheap $19. I use a Hitec HS 965 mg throttle and JR 9100T steering. Also save your money I spent a lot money trying to replace the stock motor and what I found was it only needs a new pipe. I put a JP-2 on that thing and it really came alive, and I got 7.5 min run times. Also change your diffs I think it comes 7F7C7R I would try 7F10C3R.

rider313

iTrader: (94)

I used this truck this weekend with sucsess. I won the sportsman calss by 22 seconds. all i changed was a hitec 7955 steering servo, and the hot tires for the track. the truck does have a noticeable push but i would worry about getting consistant lap times before modding. the only problem is the .28 motor, its a gas HOG, had to pit every 6 min. This truck is Ready to Race.

mxnickj

iTrader: (51)

How do I change this??

Amoeba

iTrader: (2)

Squirrel has a pretty good video overview on diff maintenance here. The stock RC8T comes 7-7-7 out of the box. I'd strongly recommend you run with that for a while before changing anything. Get used to driving the car first and take note of what things you wish it didn't do (like on/off power steering push) before you start making modifications. You could easily copy a Pro setup and do fine but it won't exactly match *your* driving style, skill, and track surface.

DOMIT

iTrader: (1)

The steering servo probably won't live long under race conditions, and there are a few things that aren't as good as the "pro kit..." but overall, you have a raceworthy truck. Go for it!

As for what folks say about the engine... you don't need the most power you can get when you are starting out... in fact, it will hinder you. Stick with the RTR engine until it dies. Worry about the servos first, and maybe shocks second.

rccardude04

Personally, I say to race a couple times before you do anything at all to the truck. Get a feel for what you need to upgrade, if anything. If you're still bouncing off the walls, the LAST thing you need is a stronger engine, or to go changing diffs and shock setup just to have the thing be a different truck each time you drive it. Just keep a few bucks in your pocket in case you need to buy a factory team shock tower when the stock one bends, or if you break the steering servo, etc.

I'll bet the first thing you change will be tires and steering servo. Tires will almost be necessary, but if your track has good traction and you drive like everyone I've ever seen go to a track for the first time (even if you have a lot of practice otherwise), nothing will be a better upgrade than some track time.

Heck, I've been racing for several years now, on and off, and still find myself wishing I hadn't wasted time on setup and just drove the truck while working on hitting the fast lines and getting more consistent.

-Eric

sicsam

I put proline VTR calibers on my losi 8ight t 1.0 rtr and lost 4oz. of weight!