Most racers I know would rather change out springs and put in downtravel limiters to achieve much the same effect. Besides, the front end doesn't have a factory sway bar kit (as far as I know), so it's hard to balance the sway bar.

Besides all this, sway bars are primarily for removing traction roll-overs. The SC10 generally doesn't have that problem.

Correct me if I'm wrong. :D

No, the Factoy Team kit does not come with a receiver box (don't really need one anyways IMO), and also doesn't come with blue ballstud washers if I remember correctly.

As for the parts you listed as "are they junk", I would say that the stock inserts are not the greatest. I think that closed cell foams work much better, so I would never use the stock ones. But, if you buy any aftermarket tires (which I highly reccomend) nearly all of them come with nice closed cell inserts. And as for the diff balls, the diff balls that come in the Factory Team kit are the nicer carbide balls, and work excellent in the diff. However, the thrust balls that come with the kit are just your standard steel balls. I would highly reccommend that you just start by building you diff with carbide diff balls, and buy some ceramic thrust balls. That combo works AWESOME IMO, and have heard of many others having luck with that setup as well. There is a guy here on RCtech seling great ceramic thrust balls for 50cents a piece (w/ $1 shipping), so you can get ceramics thrusts for only $4!! Here's the link to his listing -> http://www.rctech.net/forum/r-c-item...ce-rctech.html

If your getting the Factory Kit, there really isn't a whole lot you need off the bat. It is a SICK truck that is super competitive straight out of the box. I would say pick up new tires for all 4 corners, RPM ballcups (rod ends), the RPM bumper kit, and a pack of 1/4oz. lead weights. Those things will get you very far before you need to put more money into it :D Good luck, let us know how it all turns out.

PS. Just incase you hadn't seen it, make sure to check out this AWESOME ball diff building tutorial. I swear it's the best one online, I follow it to the "T" everytime, and my diff feels like I stuck some butter in there :)
http://www.rctech.net/forum/electric...er-clutch.html

what is the advantage of the rims over the relux rims

The hazard rims have a 3mm offset per wheel. This means that the wheel sits out 3mm further... giving you an overall 6mm wider stance. This will give you increased stability. The rulux wheel on the otherhand has a 0 offset.

You just have to be careful with the Hazard wheels b/c a lot of people have issues with them rubbing against the body b/c they stick out further. I run the Hazards on AE & JConcepts hex adapters, with the stock body, and have no issues with rubbing. But, if you are running certain hex adapters and other aftermarket bodies, theres a chance that rubbing could occur.

It can have that problem on carpet, but usually fixed by running tires that are not so aggressive. From what I am seeing (I run with people who use the swaybars and are fast), it helps get the car back to level quicker through turns. on the 180s at the last track configuration, that was one of the disadvantages I had versus other drivers.

They help the truck square up at the end of the turn, or lining up for a jump.

Plus, you need some help with that big heavy body waaaaay up high.

question for all you sc10 fiends - any advantage in running the RPM arms over the standard factory team kit arms?

Rpm-Stronger (I don't like the design IMO)
Stock- Swaybar can be added

You can run sway bar with RPM's just need to buy two ballstuds and the right size drill bit to make your own mount.

Thanks for the informative write up and useful links!!

One more thing.....

I think lots of people are digging the subcultures that come with kit, but are the molded foam inserts ok? I do like closed cell foams, so the ones that come with the FT kit are not considered "closed cell"? More like junker molded foams? If so, I could just order some Jconcept or AKA closed cells eh?

Also....

I know early generation SC10's people were breaking chassis' and front arms like crazy. But the new FT ad states "Updated chassis and front suspension arms for increased durability". Is this doing it for people? Or are we still ordering the RPM front arms and bumper?

Thanks!!

The foams that come inside of the Subcultures are blue closed cell foams, they are the "good" ones I'm talking about. You had asked about the front inserts, which are the white ones that come inside of the stock tires (these are not so hot IMO). And, it seems that people do like the Subcultures, but only if they are right for the track you plan on running. When I first built my FT, I installed Subcultures on all 4 corners. After my first practice at my local track (an indoor clay track, with medium to high grip), I removed all of them and installed JConcept Barcodes all the way around instead... a HUGEEE increase in performance resulted! The Subcultures have large lugs (pins) and are very grippy for most indoor clay track. Just something to keep in mind for the future.

As for durability, these trucks are really solid... I think. I would definitely recommend the RPM bumper kit, as I'm sure nearly everybody on here would. It is not a very expensive upgrade, and adds much needed durability to the front end. As far as the RPM a-arms go... I wouldn't really recommend it at all. They are more durable, but they also do not handle nearly as well as the stock arms. I picked up an FT kit, and used this as my "learning" car for indoor racing. It has the RPM bumper kit and stock a-arm, and has taken LOTS of abuse. And 3 months later, not a single part has broken! I would say the key to not breaking things on your truck, is to take it slow. Learn how to handle turns and jumps at lower speeds and then speed it up later. Don't try to clear the triple right off the bat, it's not worth all the damage that will result from a small miscalculation right before hitting a ramp at high speeds. Have fun!

Going with blue inserts for front, cermaic thrust balls, and front RPM bumper per your advice. Keeping the a-arms stock. Thanks again!!

If you are planning on just keeping the stock tires on the front, it really wouldn't make that much of a different to put new foams in them. I would just stick with the ones that come in them if that's the case. I'm sorry if I confused you, I was just speaking about inserts in general. With the stock tires, it doesn't matter much. You'd be better off taking the money you'd spend on new inserts for the front and buying a pack of RPM rod ends. These are the ones you'd need to get (1 pack will do the whole truck) http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRB06
They will help big time with durability. You will be really happy with the Factory Team, I guarantee it :nod:

Does anyone know what inserts come with these?

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBFXE


closed cell or just junk ones?

I ordered them with my Factory team kit and was hoping to rit them to the front rims, they are not glued to rims already in the kit are they?

"no" the FT kit does not come with the tires glued.