Go to http://www.xe.com/ucc/ they have one of the best sites to convert money over.

OK I finally got my m-03 running and all upgraded. It is set up pretty much with every tamiya upgrade and bearings, ball diff, universals. I also have a m-01. both of these I have only had the m-01 for 2 weeks and the m-03 for less than one. I put the same gear in my m-03 to compare to the m-01. same motor, battery, esc, reciever etc. the m-01 is alot faster than the m-03. And I cant figure out why. is the gearing different? I can't pinpoint a huge friction difference. the m-01 has the stock gear diff. the only thing I can figure is the m-01 is used so the grears are very well worn in. The m-03 is new with the ball diff. could this cause enough friction to cause it to be a slower vehicle? Sort of dissapointed the m-01 was so fast and handled pretty well. the m-03 handles even better but the speed lacks. I ran a 20T pinion in both. I also wore through the stock tires in one battery. I guess it needs an alignment.

I'm pretty sure the M-01 has a little taller gearing, not much, but enough to see a difference. Did you try it with the same motor. Sometimes really well worn in 540s are awesome. They usually get better with age.

Anyone have a setup for the M04-M or a website for them. That M03 site was awesome. That is some wild looking Mini that guy has.

The 540's are almost always alot better after they have been a bunch as the brushes start breaking in some. When new the brush is contoured the wrong way and takes a really long time for it to fully break in.

Not sure if it's been posted before, but our local Mini-master here in the GTA has a great little guide posted on how to set up his. His car races like a touring car, and is impossible to roll over, it's amazing watching it go. He's trying the M-03L for this year's TCS, and it's another one to watch.

I followed this link to a tee for my M-04M, and it's a great racer now.

http://rcontario.com/rcorevms2004.html

Thanks!!!!!!!

I did use the same motor on both mini's not the 540 can but an after market stock motor form one of my offroad trucks. I will look into it a bit more.

http://rcontario.com/rcorevms2004.html

About the only thing I would add to Mike instructions there, which are brilliant BTW, is to pay particular attention the the rear uprights and arms. After a few runs they develop slop and nee a little shimming and the Super Glue trick on them to keep them true.

I put a SS hinge pin and add a drop of SG to the pin. The Nylon in the upright will not allow a real hard set to the SG but it does wick in and take up the slop. It ia also handy to have a 3mm bit(Tamiya has a pre packaged one with handle) to ream the arm hole a touch if you have a bit too much SG.

That setup guide is pretty good. I am really addicted to these little cars. not playing with my others for 5 years or so these mini's have really gotten me back in the hobby. I can't believe how buch I have dumped into them in 2 weeks. Found out with a little online research why the m-01 is so much faster than the m-03
M-01 gear ratio 2.4375
M-03 gear ratio 3.134
this would shurly make the difference.

Has anybody upgraded their gears to non tamiya? I found some at Integy that have upgraded gear ratio. I know not tcs legal but I have a tcs legal car and I want it for fun. I just want my m-03 to match my m-01 speed and out handle it with the same motor.

any word when and if body sets will be available for the 2 XB mini's just released? I got to have some scale bodies and the monte carlo kit. been thinking about getting the xb monte carlo to just have as a base line to what it is set up like now. and to be a shelf queen.

I thought I read some where that the front steering block and front castor block for the tl01 was the same as the m03????????

Is that correct?
THX

GPW yes I have run the gears in a non TCS event and we were able to run the car at the same speed as sedans.

Nova I believe you are correct for the castor block

Any tips on getting the gears to be a little quieter? Mine sound like they're grinding a stone out, but they're all clean and lightly lubed with super-speed gear lube, and have smooth bearings on them.

I bought a new set with a new steel pinion to no avail, but I haven't replaced the diff gear yet.. could that be it? It's the TA03 ball diff... do they have replacements for just that gear?

Does the M04 Aluminum heatsink-mount actually do anything? It's only touching the motor with 2 screws...

On a side note, what colour should the Tamiya black-can Sport Tuned brushes be? I think I've overgeared it for a race and baked them with the TB-02 , and they're a dark purpley-grey. I forget what they were before, but i'm being outrun in every race (hey, could be the batts too, I guess). Is there any way to fix them, or is that it? How hot should it be after 5 mins?

Thanks!

Hi guys, I once purchased a set of cvd's for my mo3L.I have since snapped the end of 1 axle.I cannot remember the part #.all i can find is 53205 wich is a universal set.any help appreciated

Not sure why it broke. There is a newer version, more like a 415 type.
53597 M03 ASSEMBLY UNIVERSAL SHAFT