Is the set screw mod required? I've never had an issue with my hinge pins. Do you feel a difference in the performance of the truck?

Anybody need some bodies and tires / wheels? Make me an offer.

http://www.rctech.net/forum/r-c-item...heels-new.html

Im not so sure how much of a difference you would see on the track. More of a OCD thing for me. The hubs get sloppy fairly quickly. Grab the rear wheel and move it around. You will see the hub move around the pin. The set screw eliminates this.

Since ST is getting more and more popular at my track again, I've been trying to get my T4 ready to race. I was just wondering what your guys thoughts are on the RCRD alum. chassis, is it worth it and does it make a difference? Thanks

I have one. Ran it for a while, and am thinking about going back to it soon. Makes a big difference in the way the truck drives. Not good, or bad, just different. I think this is mainly because of the weight gain, so I plan on testing with some lighter weight batteries to get the weight the same as with the plastic.

Thanks, do you feel it gave it a lower cg as well due to the weight? If it doesn't work out after testing wanna sell yours ;-) lol

I wouldn't say that it felt like it had a lower cg, but surely it does because all of the added weight is low. It just made the truck feel heavier. I had to go up on the spring rates to get my ride height back, and it didn't want to slow down as quickly for the corners. Keeping my plastic chassis setup with the rcrd running a lighter pack I think will then make a fair comparison and achieve a lower cg for the same weight. Which, to me, is better. With that said, I'm by no means an expert driver. So take what I say with a fair amount of salt.

I just bought the FT Kit. My first RC purchase ever. This is my first RC related post.

I've spent the past week researching and reading this thread. I've read about everything... but reading will only get me so far. I'm hoping someone can help me finish out my KIT (and I bought the Hitec HS-625MG servo [.15 speed and 94oz.in Torque]- which I could take back if I wanted).

I bought this RC for 2 reasons: get my friends to race with me in the backyard and to use it at the local track to race.

If you had to do it all over again, how would you build your KIT? Gotta put a motor, esc, pinion gear, servo, radio control, receiver, a battery and a charger.

What is the optimal setup? What if you only had $300 to $350 to spend?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hmmm....that's an interesting question. The T4.1 just plain kicks butt straight out of the box. The servo you have there isn't bad but these are pretty big tires to be whipping back and forth with only that much torque.

If you are only racing part time and rippin' around in the back yard part time too, don't break the bank on a hot rod radio and ESC. My kid has a Castle MMP with a 10.5 turn in it that is more than powerful enough for pretty much anything he will ever want. Gens Ace batteries are also a great, low cost option. Now, you can take the penny pinching a bit too far as well though. I've found the HobbyPartz servos that they nearly give away pathetic in general.

[QUOTE=Reedlucky2;10392366]I just bought the FT Kit. My first RC purchase ever. This is my first RC related post.

I've spent the past week researching and reading this thread. I've read about everything... but reading will only get me so far. I'm hoping someone can help me finish out my KIT (and I bought the Hitec HS-625MG servo [.15 speed and 94oz.in Torque]- which I could take back if I wanted).

I bought this RC for 2 reasons: get my friends to race with me in the backyard and to use it at the local track to race.

If you had to do it all over again, how would you build your KIT? Gotta put a motor, esc, pinion gear, servo, radio control, receiver, a battery and a charger.

What is the optimal setup? What if you only had $300 to $350 to spend?

Mayb you can go to your local track and theyb have some used electronics from some of the guys there who take care of there equipment and find some good stuff, but my friend 350 is kinda tough if u want quality equipment. A decent motor esc combo like tekin is almost 250, not including the other things needed. Well u may b able to get by with novak. I know some guys who have success with that and some who bwill never touch novak ever again but good stuff do cost some .

I'll have to disagree on the cheap Hobbypartz servos. I bought two of the EXI digital servos and am elated with their performance for the money. Are they noisy, yes, but they're quick at .09 and dirt cheap at under $20 a piece. So far so good in my truck.

Interesting...I'll have to ask you to be honest at this point. Have you used other name brand servo's before? When I put this servo in our car I could tell right away that their specs were bogus. The speed wasn't even close to their claimed spec and the torque was even worse. It couldn't center itself unless you picked the front tires off the ground. Maybe I got a dud. Or maybe because it's 1/3 the cost of the Savox that I have been running, you need to use the 1/3 as a modifier for the specs....

Let me know on this. Either way, it was only $20 down the drain.

How much more should I spend?

Could I get quality stuff by going used, and stay under $350?

I'm just trying to set a budget so I don't go crazy on my first car.

You will spend more than 350 no matter what, unless you buy a setup and never plan or need to change anything.

It's been said in many places, many times.. "this hobby will nickle and dime you" ....

As for the servo's... I too have had great luck with "knock-off" chinese / whatever you want to call them servo's...

Bluebird, MI, etc... However my thoughts with them are all application based.

I will use a cheapo in my 2wd's... and not worry.
I have 3 Mi Digital Servo's currently, and they have all worked as described. I used one in my SC104x4 until I replaced it with a DS1015 (yes so I would not have to worry with reliability) ... 1 in my F1, 1 in my T4.1 and a backup...

I will be getting my Exo Terra in thursday, and have another DS1015 slated for it.
The main reason I don't use "cheapo" servo's for my 4x4 vehicles is ... torque vs speed... I can't seem to find the right servo with the right torque and speed for what I want when I want it.

It's not likely but it does happen.

Last week I sold the following, all to a guy I know.

SC10 (non FT but with MANY upgrades)
DX3.0 radio
GTB esc w/TP 17.5
TeamCheckpoint lipo (year and a half old)
MRC 989 super brain charger w/separate balancer

turn key for $350

Buying used can be a great way to save money BUT it's best to have some help from someone with experience in the hobby. Buying someones beat up junk can be an expensive lesson if you don't know what to look for.