prowlag

iTrader: (4)

you all seem to be missing the point. Us (non-sponsored/pro drivers) get sucked into spending more $$$$ in trying to match the set-ups of pro's. Its just something that is inherent in human nature - we think if we spend more on different hop-ups we will ultimately become as fast as the pro's. Wrong. Its nothing more than a soft marketing campaign from manufacturers to entice us to spend more of our well earned $$$ on upgrading our rides. Trust me - I do it regularly!!

Teufel Racing

iTrader: (30)

True, you can indeed spend a small fortune trying to copy any pro's ride right down to that last nut and bolt. I too have done that. Does it help? Sometimes in terms of reliablity it does and sometimes it doesn't. It for sure hasn't made me a top level driver, but I'm not looking for that last .001 of a second either.

In the case of the RC8T, the truck could stand a good update (probably should have already been done and hopefully is something that is in the works) to keep the platform on par with the buggy. Only makes sence to me anyway.

Now if I'm due for a rebuild on the truck and there are parts that work on the truck from the 8.2, then I'd be happy to know which ones exactly to use. If I'm going to be buying new parts, why not get new parts that make the truck better. It's not so I can say that I have the exact truck Mayfeild or Cav runs, rather I know I have a truck that will be better than it was. I have a pretty good idea of which 8.2 parts can be used, but knowing exactly which ones could save me a lot of time and money.

Racers always want their rides to be better than they are. Wether it's new parts they can buy or something they will make themselves, they're after the same end result. A better ride.

merdith6

iTrader: (3)

It's human nature for some people that think they can buy a win. period. Go setup your own car, learn what makes you faster. i know one thing for sure whining doesn't make your car faster.

whined, whin·ing, whines
v.intr.
1. To utter a plaintive, high-pitched, protracted sound, as in pain, fear, supplication, or complaint.
2. To complain or protest in a childish fashion.
3. To produce a sustained noise of relatively high pitch: jet engines whining.
v.tr.
To utter with a whine.
n.
1. The act of whining.
2. A whining sound.
3. A complaint uttered in a plaintive tone.

JsK

iTrader: (10)

Not even close to factory! Now thats not to say that you cant duplicate it
pretty easily. From the pictures I can see the following.

1. Old RC8 rack with the stock Ti turnbuckles.
2. Old style Ti camberlinks.
3. Carbon fiber towers with old aluminum standoffs.
4. Different front bumper. You could email brent at AE and i am sure
he would let you know where it came from.
5.Ti shock pins.
6.Holes in upper A arms for droop adjustment.
7. Ti screws in the top plate.
8. Ghea CVD couplers.\
9.Ti and aluminum screws all through the radio tray and side guards.
10. OFNA pipe hangar.
11. GHEA brake cams.
12. Fuel tubing on the fuel tank posts vs Orings.
13. Kings Head motor mount.
14. Ghea or prototype AE C and D plates.
15. Old style wing mount with one spar removed and the wing secured
with two screws.
16. Rear tower looks to have the #0 camber link hole.
17. Rear body mount spacers.
18. Unless Jconcepts is making pink foams those are prob AKA inserts.
19. Kings Head wheel nuts? not sure on the brand but there not kit
parts.
20.Aluminum steering horn.
21. CNC rear hubs.

Thats just 20 things you can see. Some things you prob cant would be.

1. Ghea steering post.
2. Ti or aluminum diff screws.
3. TT gearing in the diffs. Although the center diff does not look shimmed
up.
4. Ghea shock pistons.
5.Those may be Kyosho springs with the paint stripped off,but they look
too shinny.

There are alot of things you can see by studying those pics. Interestingly
Ryan doesnt seem to care that people are taking pics of his car so I doubt
any of this is much of a secret.

malcnz

A lot of those parts you have mentioned are parts that you can buy from Associated and of course arent in the kit as tuning items and would make the kit overly expensive.
Some of the stuff is other sponsored products as well..JC, GEAH etc...they must look after these guys as well as they pay the bills remember and as mentioned others see these parts and want them for there own cars so they must have a splattering on the car even if it makes no difference to the performance as most of it is pure bling
The wheel nuts are JC by the way.

Maxxed-out

iTrader: (15)

Hybrids

Chris Reilly

There is at least one other part that is not from the factory that they have been testing. You wouldn't know by just looking at it.

Mike C

iTrader: (27)

The aluminum non-inclined c-hub and spindle? The bumper is Thunder Tiger.

The car is not what makes these guys fast. You can give them an out of the box 8.2 and they would go just as fast, maybe not as consistent but still fast.

Chris Reilly

Could be I will let AE say things when they want to.

pickle311

iTrader: (31)

It's RC, not Formula 1, Moto GP, Supercross, or anything like that. Sure the top guys are getting some parts to test here and there, but it's their job.
The factories depend on these drivers feedback in order to develop the cars and give you and updated kit to buy. So yes, there will be some parts you see them testing that never go into production. If it doesn't reach production, it's because it wasn't suitable and you don't want it anyway. \

As far as motors and fuel, they will be running something you can't get there too from time to time. They aren't doing this for any sort of advantage or edge, it's for testing. I've talked to numerous pros running off the shelf motors.

I tend to look at testing prototype parts as a disadvantage sometimes. When dealing with a 1 off part, durability can be compromised. It may also have adverse handling effects that doesn't fit that driver. You never know. I say let them do what they are being paid to do. I'll keep running my mostly out of the box kit with the few tuning options that suit me best.

I've also tried some pros setups early on and struggled with them. I learned to find what works for me, not someone else. Granted, as my driving has progressed, my setups have drifted closer and closer to the pros.

rcmoe

iTrader: (21)

A lot of good responses on this thread but this is my favorite. All these parts are obtainable to us mere mortals and one of the parts I like about this response is Maifield not caring about close up shots of his car. Doesnt look like hes trying to hide much and it goes to show hes confident in his skills as a DRIVER and is not worried about us mere mortals copying off what hes using. If anything its probabably done by design to promote sells. I personaly use a lot of the aftermarket parts these pros use and have done a lot of the mods. I have noticed difference as far as durability and makes the car easier to drive. By no means do I think any of this stuff is going to make me as fast as these pros and only a fool would think that. These guys are PROS for a reason and thats why they get paid the big bucks.

evolution03

iTrader: (8)

no they are black jackets. I had a friend who went to ams and talked to Ryan. He was running black jackets

monkeygrip

Is that why they clearly say hybrids on the sidewall?

donrod

iTrader: (2)

It's not so much of what different parts they are running as it is more in the preparation and tuning of the car that makes them so much better. Years of experience of setting up shocks, suspension etc. The magic is in the preparation.

rcboy1

you could give them a slash and they would win Truthfully, who cares? What are you going to do about it? Just run the car you have, that's how you get better. Dont get caught up in this