14LikesTamiya F104 Pro!
09-18-2009, 12:56 PM
#901
If you're in the IL/WI/IN area, F1 will be a part of the Hurricane Series
Series info: http://www.rctech.net/forum/5945164-post1.html
F1
Any RWD 2wd F1 car as long as it can use Tamiya size/style wheels
Only Tamiya style foam tires
Silver can motors >>13,500 rpm limit
Series info: http://www.rctech.net/forum/5945164-post1.html
F1
Any RWD 2wd F1 car as long as it can use Tamiya size/style wheels
Only Tamiya style foam tires
Silver can motors >>13,500 rpm limit
09-19-2009, 02:03 PM
#904
Tech Rookie
Hi everyone! I've been lurking and following this thread for a while, and now finally have my own F104 to show off. I, like most of you, had been itching for someone to realese a new F1 car to have some fun with, and now that I have it, I love it! I'm still dialing in the handling, and haven't upgraded to brushless yet, but so far the car is a lot of fun!
edit... apparently I'm not allowed to post pics yet
edit... apparently I'm not allowed to post pics yet
09-19-2009, 02:07 PM
#905
Tech Rookie
lets see if this works....
09-19-2009, 04:25 PM
#907
Tech Initiate
Tamiya part # 54201
Hey, here is an intersting part number #54201, Metal plated mesh wheels for rubber tires. No more grinding foam wheels!!!!
09-19-2009, 04:55 PM
#908
Tech Rookie
Thanks! How many post do I need to post pics? I've got a few better ones I'd like to post but when I attach them as files they look like crap.
...lol 
09-20-2009, 12:08 AM
#910
After 2 minutes, I had enough of this half throttle action and decided to run the shock without its spring. The car was instantly transformed. Now the rear end actually stuck! The more laps I did, the more confident I got and pretty soon I was regularly nailing the trigger. It was still a little twitchy taking the kink but I was now on full throttle compared to half throttle. That's a great gain in my book.
09-20-2009, 01:01 AM
#911
09-20-2009, 01:52 AM
#912
09-20-2009, 02:25 AM
#913
Standard T-bar. Check the setup sheet I posted a few days ago.
09-20-2009, 03:35 AM
#914
Another fun outing with my F104 today. Managed to get a whole day in, with 3 qualifiers and a final.
With the weather now warming up in Sydney, I decided to rub a little sunscreen onto the tyres (Tamiya B). Unfortunately, this didn't seem to help a whole lot, but to be fair, the track was a little dustier than usual at the start of the day. However, the front end seemed to be sticking a lot better than the rear, so that was a positive note.
Before the 2nd Q, I gave 'em a going over with a little Simple Green and also loosened the friction plate nut from my usual 8mm to around 6mm, hoping to shift a little more grip to the rear. This seemed to work quite well and the car was balanced and I could give it a bit more throttle.
Running out of things to try for the 3rd Q, I decided to throw on the TRG rubber rears (these are on F103 rims that fit). They are a smaller diameter, so I expected a drop in top speed, but top speed hasn't been a big issue. They worked pretty well for the first 2-3 laps, but then seemed to fall away. Initial turn-in was better than the foams, but they lacked mid-corner and exit grip. Perhaps my driving style was to blame, but I did plenty of 180/360 spins on the tighter corners. Best lap was close to 2 seconds down on earlier races. Overall, not a great option, or possibly poorly executed on my part.
Went back to the foams for the final and it was all good. The track had cleaned up substantially during the day and I'm still surprised at how well it can turn in and hang around tight and fast corners - even throwing it into faster corners, the tail is very easy to catch and tame. I like it!
Note that this is in complete contrast to my last night race (same track), where a small hint of dampness made it look like I was driving on Teflon. Not pretty
This is one fun experience
With the weather now warming up in Sydney, I decided to rub a little sunscreen onto the tyres (Tamiya B). Unfortunately, this didn't seem to help a whole lot, but to be fair, the track was a little dustier than usual at the start of the day. However, the front end seemed to be sticking a lot better than the rear, so that was a positive note.
Before the 2nd Q, I gave 'em a going over with a little Simple Green and also loosened the friction plate nut from my usual 8mm to around 6mm, hoping to shift a little more grip to the rear. This seemed to work quite well and the car was balanced and I could give it a bit more throttle.
Running out of things to try for the 3rd Q, I decided to throw on the TRG rubber rears (these are on F103 rims that fit). They are a smaller diameter, so I expected a drop in top speed, but top speed hasn't been a big issue. They worked pretty well for the first 2-3 laps, but then seemed to fall away. Initial turn-in was better than the foams, but they lacked mid-corner and exit grip. Perhaps my driving style was to blame, but I did plenty of 180/360 spins on the tighter corners. Best lap was close to 2 seconds down on earlier races. Overall, not a great option, or possibly poorly executed on my part.
Went back to the foams for the final and it was all good. The track had cleaned up substantially during the day and I'm still surprised at how well it can turn in and hang around tight and fast corners - even throwing it into faster corners, the tail is very easy to catch and tame. I like it!
Note that this is in complete contrast to my last night race (same track), where a small hint of dampness made it look like I was driving on Teflon. Not pretty
This is one fun experience
09-20-2009, 09:30 PM
#915
I tried the "no rear spring" approach today and I must say I had good results with it. Only three of us running F1 today so it's not that great of a measure, but I won the main without the spring. So far, the car is box stock except for the aluminum motor mount plates. I switched to the harder Type B fronts and would gladly go harder yet. The stock Type As lasted only about 2 outings and were way too grippy for our sprayed outdoor asphalt. The Bs wore better and took away some of the excessive front bite. The Type As have been working pretty well on the rear.
Honestly, the main thing that has taken the car from undriveably twitchy and unstable to quite fun is the radio. I slowed the servo down to about 50% and dialed in a healthy dose of negative exponential to dull down the response around center. It still cranks a tight corner when I need it to but I can now make those little high-speed corrections without sending it into a spin.
I also run a ThunderPower 5000mAh 40C lipo and I think the weight helps.
Honestly, the main thing that has taken the car from undriveably twitchy and unstable to quite fun is the radio. I slowed the servo down to about 50% and dialed in a healthy dose of negative exponential to dull down the response around center. It still cranks a tight corner when I need it to but I can now make those little high-speed corrections without sending it into a spin.
I also run a ThunderPower 5000mAh 40C lipo and I think the weight helps.