getting into nitro buggy racing
12-31-2011, 04:43 AM
#1
getting into nitro buggy racing
I have been into rc racing for about 2 years, doing the 2wd SC thing. But after 2years of watching the 1/8th buggy nitro guys I just got to get one. I have been looking into the rtr kits like the loss 8eight 2.0 and the build kits and the race rollers. Ill be back in the states in about a month and have about $1000 to spend (maybe just a little more ). And will be starting from scratch. The losi 8ight looks like the best deal for the money. Awesome radio. But i have herd it can get a little squarely and the servos have had some issues. So i have started looking at the mugen mbx6 m-spec, and putting the werks b5 engine in it with a cheap radio and ok servos. And in the future upgrading. So i need a little help in finding the best buggy setup I can get into for around $1000. Im open to any other suggestion, but the above 2 buggies are the 2 I have done the most research on. Thanks for the help
12-31-2011, 09:14 AM
#2
For your first buggy, lots of people here have great things to say about the Hotbodies D8 Hara kit. Definitely race-ready and quite durable. I did up a wishlist on A Main Hobbies to see what a full kit build would cost:
Hot Bodies D8 Hara kit http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tion-Buggy-Kit $400
Werks B6 buggy engine http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tor-Turbo-Plug On sale right now for $190
Werks 2058 pipe http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...old-2010-Model $98
Spektrum DX3S radio http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ansmitter-Only $120
Spektrum SR300 receiver http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...rface-Receiver $35
Savox 1258TG high-speed servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $70
Savox 1256TG high torque servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $80
OFNA blue starter box http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...gy-Starter-Box $95 (yes, it's called a "truggy" box, but it will work on buggies too. On any thread asking about what's the best starter box, this one definitely gets the most votes every time)
The total (not counting taxes) comes out to $979.93 (I rounded up the costs listed earlier). That will give you a very well-equipped buggy. Just an FYI, those servos I listed are not high-voltage servos. So for a battery, your options would be a NiMH hump pack, LiFe pack, or if you wanted to use a LiPo, you'd have to add in a regulator. There are also cheaper options for an engine and pipe. But of course, you get what you pay for, and the Werks engines have a great reputation as a worthy race engine at a decent cost.
As for the Losi 8ight 2.0 rtr buggy, yes it is the best race-capable RTR buggy out there. You get a decent radio, a kit that is good enough for the track and it comes with a starter box. However, to get it truly fit for the track, at the very least, you end up needing to replace the stock servos. That alone costs at least $150. All RTR kits fall under this condition though. RTR kits are designed to get you into the hobby with a fully assembled vehicle, without breaking the bank. So some stuff, the servos in particular, are cheaper and aren't quite up to snuff against "race-level" equipment.
Hot Bodies D8 Hara kit http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tion-Buggy-Kit $400
Werks B6 buggy engine http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tor-Turbo-Plug On sale right now for $190
Werks 2058 pipe http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...old-2010-Model $98
Spektrum DX3S radio http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ansmitter-Only $120
Spektrum SR300 receiver http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...rface-Receiver $35
Savox 1258TG high-speed servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $70
Savox 1256TG high torque servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $80
OFNA blue starter box http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...gy-Starter-Box $95 (yes, it's called a "truggy" box, but it will work on buggies too. On any thread asking about what's the best starter box, this one definitely gets the most votes every time)
The total (not counting taxes) comes out to $979.93 (I rounded up the costs listed earlier). That will give you a very well-equipped buggy. Just an FYI, those servos I listed are not high-voltage servos. So for a battery, your options would be a NiMH hump pack, LiFe pack, or if you wanted to use a LiPo, you'd have to add in a regulator. There are also cheaper options for an engine and pipe. But of course, you get what you pay for, and the Werks engines have a great reputation as a worthy race engine at a decent cost.
As for the Losi 8ight 2.0 rtr buggy, yes it is the best race-capable RTR buggy out there. You get a decent radio, a kit that is good enough for the track and it comes with a starter box. However, to get it truly fit for the track, at the very least, you end up needing to replace the stock servos. That alone costs at least $150. All RTR kits fall under this condition though. RTR kits are designed to get you into the hobby with a fully assembled vehicle, without breaking the bank. So some stuff, the servos in particular, are cheaper and aren't quite up to snuff against "race-level" equipment.
12-31-2011, 01:00 PM
#3
Tech Master
iTrader: (7)
For your first buggy, lots of people here have great things to say about the Hotbodies D8 Hara kit. Definitely race-ready and quite durable. I did up a wishlist on A Main Hobbies to see what a full kit build would cost:
Hot Bodies D8 Hara kit http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tion-Buggy-Kit $400
Werks B6 buggy engine http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tor-Turbo-Plug On sale right now for $190
Werks 2058 pipe http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...old-2010-Model $98
Spektrum DX3S radio http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ansmitter-Only $120
Spektrum SR300 receiver http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...rface-Receiver $35
Savox 1258TG high-speed servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $70
Savox 1256TG high torque servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $80
OFNA blue starter box http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...gy-Starter-Box $95 (yes, it's called a "truggy" box, but it will work on buggies too. On any thread asking about what's the best starter box, this one definitely gets the most votes every time)
The total (not counting taxes) comes out to $979.93 (I rounded up the costs listed earlier). That will give you a very well-equipped buggy. Just an FYI, those servos I listed are not high-voltage servos. So for a battery, your options would be a NiMH hump pack, LiFe pack, or if you wanted to use a LiPo, you'd have to add in a regulator. There are also cheaper options for an engine and pipe. But of course, you get what you pay for, and the Werks engines have a great reputation as a worthy race engine at a decent cost.
As for the Losi 8ight 2.0 rtr buggy, yes it is the best race-capable RTR buggy out there. You get a decent radio, a kit that is good enough for the track and it comes with a starter box. However, to get it truly fit for the track, at the very least, you end up needing to replace the stock servos. That alone costs at least $150. All RTR kits fall under this condition though. RTR kits are designed to get you into the hobby with a fully assembled vehicle, without breaking the bank. So some stuff, the servos in particular, are cheaper and aren't quite up to snuff against "race-level" equipment.
Hot Bodies D8 Hara kit http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tion-Buggy-Kit $400
Werks B6 buggy engine http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tor-Turbo-Plug On sale right now for $190
Werks 2058 pipe http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...old-2010-Model $98
Spektrum DX3S radio http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ansmitter-Only $120
Spektrum SR300 receiver http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...rface-Receiver $35
Savox 1258TG high-speed servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $70
Savox 1256TG high torque servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $80
OFNA blue starter box http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...gy-Starter-Box $95 (yes, it's called a "truggy" box, but it will work on buggies too. On any thread asking about what's the best starter box, this one definitely gets the most votes every time)
The total (not counting taxes) comes out to $979.93 (I rounded up the costs listed earlier). That will give you a very well-equipped buggy. Just an FYI, those servos I listed are not high-voltage servos. So for a battery, your options would be a NiMH hump pack, LiFe pack, or if you wanted to use a LiPo, you'd have to add in a regulator. There are also cheaper options for an engine and pipe. But of course, you get what you pay for, and the Werks engines have a great reputation as a worthy race engine at a decent cost.
As for the Losi 8ight 2.0 rtr buggy, yes it is the best race-capable RTR buggy out there. You get a decent radio, a kit that is good enough for the track and it comes with a starter box. However, to get it truly fit for the track, at the very least, you end up needing to replace the stock servos. That alone costs at least $150. All RTR kits fall under this condition though. RTR kits are designed to get you into the hobby with a fully assembled vehicle, without breaking the bank. So some stuff, the servos in particular, are cheaper and aren't quite up to snuff against "race-level" equipment.
12-31-2011, 01:53 PM
#4
For your first buggy, lots of people here have great things to say about the Hotbodies D8 Hara kit. Definitely race-ready and quite durable. I did up a wishlist on A Main Hobbies to see what a full kit build would cost:
Hot Bodies D8 Hara kit http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tion-Buggy-Kit $400
Werks B6 buggy engine http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tor-Turbo-Plug On sale right now for $190
Werks 2058 pipe http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...old-2010-Model $98
Spektrum DX3S radio http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ansmitter-Only $120
Spektrum SR300 receiver http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...rface-Receiver $35
Savox 1258TG high-speed servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $70
Savox 1256TG high torque servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $80
OFNA blue starter box http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...gy-Starter-Box $95 (yes, it's called a "truggy" box, but it will work on buggies too. On any thread asking about what's the best starter box, this one definitely gets the most votes every time)
The total (not counting taxes) comes out to $979.93 (I rounded up the costs listed earlier). That will give you a very well-equipped buggy. Just an FYI, those servos I listed are not high-voltage servos. So for a battery, your options would be a NiMH hump pack, LiFe pack, or if you wanted to use a LiPo, you'd have to add in a regulator. There are also cheaper options for an engine and pipe. But of course, you get what you pay for, and the Werks engines have a great reputation as a worthy race engine at a decent cost.
As for the Losi 8ight 2.0 rtr buggy, yes it is the best race-capable RTR buggy out there. You get a decent radio, a kit that is good enough for the track and it comes with a starter box. However, to get it truly fit for the track, at the very least, you end up needing to replace the stock servos. That alone costs at least $150. All RTR kits fall under this condition though. RTR kits are designed to get you into the hobby with a fully assembled vehicle, without breaking the bank. So some stuff, the servos in particular, are cheaper and aren't quite up to snuff against "race-level" equipment.
Hot Bodies D8 Hara kit http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tion-Buggy-Kit $400
Werks B6 buggy engine http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tor-Turbo-Plug On sale right now for $190
Werks 2058 pipe http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...old-2010-Model $98
Spektrum DX3S radio http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ansmitter-Only $120
Spektrum SR300 receiver http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...rface-Receiver $35
Savox 1258TG high-speed servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $70
Savox 1256TG high torque servo http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ium-Gear-Servo $80
OFNA blue starter box http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...gy-Starter-Box $95 (yes, it's called a "truggy" box, but it will work on buggies too. On any thread asking about what's the best starter box, this one definitely gets the most votes every time)
The total (not counting taxes) comes out to $979.93 (I rounded up the costs listed earlier). That will give you a very well-equipped buggy. Just an FYI, those servos I listed are not high-voltage servos. So for a battery, your options would be a NiMH hump pack, LiFe pack, or if you wanted to use a LiPo, you'd have to add in a regulator. There are also cheaper options for an engine and pipe. But of course, you get what you pay for, and the Werks engines have a great reputation as a worthy race engine at a decent cost.
As for the Losi 8ight 2.0 rtr buggy, yes it is the best race-capable RTR buggy out there. You get a decent radio, a kit that is good enough for the track and it comes with a starter box. However, to get it truly fit for the track, at the very least, you end up needing to replace the stock servos. That alone costs at least $150. All RTR kits fall under this condition though. RTR kits are designed to get you into the hobby with a fully assembled vehicle, without breaking the bank. So some stuff, the servos in particular, are cheaper and aren't quite up to snuff against "race-level" equipment.
You forgot to add tire price and the price of a battery. Both will be around $100-125.. Which puts you over the $1000 if you buy all new.. No wonder it is difficult to get new people into the 1/8 scale section of this hobby. At $500 for a tricked out 1/10 SC10 and Viper electronics, radio and batteries, it seems like a bargain in comparison..
12-31-2011, 02:07 PM
#5
. Another thing to point out which I found out the hard way, if you order tires from Hot Bodies, they do NOT come with the foams. You have to order them separately (http://www.hotbodiesonline.com/piw.p...=67773&lang=en). Oddly enough, I can't find any truggy foams listed on the Hot Bodies webpage, but that's another story. I had ordered a full set of Megabites to put on the rims that came with my D8T truggy kit, and ordered 4 Proline foams when I discovered that the tires didn't come with foams. Right now, I am becoming a Proline tire/rim fan. If you buy the premounted ones, they come very nicely glued on, and they punch a single hole in the tire itself instead of the rim, so you don't need to worry about crud getting stuck inside the tire, at least not nearly as much as if the hole were drilled in the rim.Back on topic in terms of cost, yes the tires and receiver battery (you need to buy a switch too, thought that's only around $10) will unfortunately push you over the $1000, but it will be worth it if you can squeeze out the extra cash. The list I gave you is not the "top of the line" stuff, but you can be assured that it is race-ready. Basically, I gave you a good "bang for your buck" list.
If you do decide that you don't want to fork out that much cash (and that is understandable, this is a fairly expensive hobby), the Losi 8ight RTR buggy is probably the best budget-minded alternative that is still reasonably race-ready. There is one other buggy that comes to mind, the HPI D8S (http://www.hpiracing.com/kitinfo/106116/). It's about $460, is based on the Hot Bodies D8 platform, and comes with some of the desirables for racing (2.4 GHz radio, 125cc fuel tank, 0.21-size engine). However, it is a much more basic radio than what comes with the Losi (which comes with a DX3S, having more adjustable options like exponential, and a 10-model memory) and it's a pull start engine (the Losi comes with a bump box).
It all comes down to what you want to do. I suspect, given your background, that you really want to get into racing. If that is the case, you can't go wrong with the list I posted. Also, there's nothing like building your own kit from scratch. You understand how it's put together and how it works so much better. I just recently built my first kit, a Hot Bodies D8T truggy, and it was a wonderful experience. Good luck with your decision....let us know what you get!
P.S. If you do end up going the RTR route, keep these 3 things in mind:
1. Make sure it has a 2.4 GHz radio. AM radios have no place on the track these days.
2. Make sure it has a 125cc fuel tank (max size for regulated races)
3. Make sure it has a 0.21 engine (max size for regulated races)
Last edited by Zao18; 12-31-2011 at 02:31 PM.
01-01-2012, 05:32 AM
#6
If your sending that kind of money at one place you would probably get a discount bringing you back to near your budget.
01-01-2012, 06:52 AM
#8
Or you could pick up a roller from the "for sale" thread. Plenty of nice, lightly used rollers for much less than a new kit. That's how I got started a few years back.
Just pick up a new engine.....used engines can be iffy unless you know the person you are dealing with.
Just pick up a new engine.....used engines can be iffy unless you know the person you are dealing with.
01-03-2012, 01:30 AM
#9
So its coming down to one of 2 buggies. I can go with the mugen mbx6 m-spec but will have to get a more budget style remote. Or the Hot Bodies D8 Hara edition. Witch still looks like a very nice buggy and ill be able to get the nicer remote. But I am leaning more towards the mugen. I just love the way it looks and the reputation it has for being super strong and durable. Also When it come to the HB buggy I have never put a kit together, I have taken my SC truck almost all the way apart, but I have never built a kit. I have about a month be four I make the purchase so I have some time to think about it. And thank you scottym for the break down and all the links you posted
01-03-2012, 05:58 AM
#10
..
Last edited by neal90; 01-04-2012 at 09:00 AM. Reason: double replie
01-03-2012, 07:08 AM
#11
.
Last edited by neal90; 01-04-2012 at 09:00 AM. Reason: double replie
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