Well fellas, the wait is over! Got all my stuff tonight! I’ll get into that in a sec…
First, I finally got definitive words on the “Tamiya” class. Here are the rules:
CHASSIS: Tamiya only
TOTAL RIDE HEIGHT: 140mm (from ground to top of body)
WHEELBASE: 260mm only
BODY & WING SET: Tamiya scale racing bodies only. May use Tamiya optional lexan wing if desired. Wing must be painted.
MINIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT: 1,500g (TT01 = 1,450g)
TIRES: Tamiya tire only. Cleaner allowed. Traction compound not allowed.
BATTERIES: 7.2V Stick pack only. Limit to 3700mah. Must be pre-built stick pack (can’t build your own). Connector change for motor/Battery/ESC is allowed.
MOTOR: Tamiya GT Tune 25T only, part number 53779. Tamiya brushes only. Comm cutting not allowed.
GEAR RATIO: Must use spec gear ratio. It’s dependant on the chassis. For TA05, you can use either 105T spur/33T pinion, or 70T spur/22T pinion
Those are the complete rules for the “Tamiya” class. I don’t really think its an official TCS race, but the parameters are so finite that I think it’ll make for very competitive racing.
On to the goods! I spent a good while at the hobby shop today, and came away with the following:
- Tamiya TA05-R kit
- Tamiya GT Tune motor
- Tamiya 33T pinion set
- Tamiya Carbon Steering link w/bearings
- Tamiya 5x1.9 Bearing Spacer for Reversible Suspension (not sure if I need these or not, got 'em just in case)
- Tamiya Front 1-way
- Tamiya Center 1-way
- Tamiya On Road Tuned Hard spring set (x2)
- Tamiya Racing Motor brush set
- Tamiya Medium Narrow Racing Tires (x4) (part number SP-1023) (spec tire)
- Tamiya Raybrig NSX Lightweight Body Set (pre-painted)
- Tamiya Medium Narrow 5 spoke wheel set (0 offset)
- Tamiya CA Cement
- Ride "quick dry" for CA Cement
- Squat precision hi-grade 850 bearings (x4) for the steering bellcrank
- Team Associated Green Slime (for shock o-rings)
- Yokomo 200wt shock oil
Out the door price = $391.90 US Dollars
Not too shabby considering I got an additional parts for tuning/practice, not to mention some building materials as well. I always counted on it being double the price of the actual kit since there are always other things to buy.
I opted not to get the aluminum steering bellcrank because you can't really even see the darn thing. It's hidden under the chassis brace, so, so much for the bling aspect of it. I figured the bearings were more important anyway, so I got them instead.
The pre-made body was a tough decision for me. Out of the regular Tamiya scale bodies, he had the HKS Altezza, Xanavi NISMO Z, and the Raybrig 2005 NSX. Out of the pre-made Lightweight Bodies, he had the Esso Ultraflo Supra, Xanavi NISMO Z, and Raybrig NSX.
I really wanted the HKS Altezza, but since all the fast guys are using the lightweight body sets, I figured I needed all the help I can get to try and compete at their level, so I went with general consensus is as far the top body goes, the NSX. It was only $9 more than the do it yourself one, and I don’t have to buy paint, or spend the time cutting it out and detailing the whole thing. That alone is worth 9 bucks to me, because I am a perfectionist when it comes to cutting/detailing bodies, and since I’m getting into the Tamiya class for pure racing and competition, I’d rather spend my time driving/practicing than preparing a body.
Have a look at my Yokomo drifting body to see what I mean…
http://www.groovydrift.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5955
I have 3 weeks just into the stickers alone (made all the graphics myself in vector format, and hand cut them).
So anyhoo, that’s about it. I think I’ve decided on the Integy GP3700mah stick packs, and Integy Reactor 20 for discharging.
As far as radio gear is concerned, I have a Futaba 3pm 2.4ghz coming (on the slow boat I might add, cause they shipped it Parcel Post). I have a Futaba S3050 digital servo that’s here already, but I don’t think I’m going to use it. I’m thinking about the Futaba S9452 or the S9551. Since the S9551 isn’t out yet, I may just get the S9452, and hope it fits with the receiver that comes with the 3PM 2.4ghz.
While I was browsing Integy’s website, I noticed they had a Digital Servo 41x20x37mm 0.09s/83oz-in model that looked promising for the price. Not sure if it’s any good though. Specs are nice, but I have no experience with Integy servos. Are they any good?
An ESC is the one thing I’m not really sure on yet. All these guys, and I mean ALL of them, either have the KO Propo VF1, or the Yokomo Masami version of it. I’m not big on messing with the settings on my PC, or via some sort of datalink, so I thought of getting the LRP QC3. I know it’s rather expensive, and I could get a decent brushless package for that kind of money, but brushless isn’t popular over here at all. No one uses them and there is no racing class that allows them either. The highest unlimited racing class here uses 23T motors, and by the time I get back to the states in 3 years, I’m sure whatever I get now will be outdated anyway. The LRP QC3 seems like it’s competitive, plus it’s easy. Put it on the “Stock” profile and away I go (I hope it’s that simple). I’m completely open to any other ESC recommendations though, as I’d rather not spend crazy money on an ESC that will be obsolete already. Are there any other ESC’s that are easy to set up that can compete with the KO Propo top of the line stuff?
So that’s where I’m at. I can't wait to get racing!!!
- Paulie