Vintage Astute and Procat

[sicklyorange]

Hi all,
I've been lurking for a while on here and here's my first post
I've come back into RC cars after 20 or so years and, my, have things changed!

I started with a Tamiya ThunderShot which I modified with the usual Tamiya bits - adjustable top links, alloy shock absorbers (twin at the front), larger wheels, rear anti-roll bar etc and then tweeked it with my own touches. I rebuilt it after every run without fail

I then got a Mardave Maurader and slightly modified that myself as well. Although it seemed ridiculously fast, I could never really get to grips with getting the engine starting AND runnning correctly - it seemed to be one or the other.

Up next was an old CAT bought from my mates cousin who used to race it. It had been 'improved' by him but not to a great standard. I upgraded the necessary parts so it became a Procat and then later, added the odd Bosscat bit and other modified items such as a Wasp slipper clutch, ribbed alloy sideplates, and a couple of carbon fibre parts. It ended up becoming a Escort RS Cosworth with JC Racing 5 spoke wheels, working headlights/rear/brake lights and had rather convincing (fake) brake discs and callipers.

A friend at school was leaving the hobby and offloaded a load of brand-new Tamiya spares on me - about 2 bin bags worth! Tyres, chassis, motors, instructions... and from this I figured that I had enough to build an Astute! I still have all the other bits which I need to sell including half a Vanquish chassis.

Then I got into full size cars, university beckoned and the lot went into the attic...

20 years, two marriages, one divorce, two kids, 14 cars (7 of which I've still got! (3 of which I have restored)) and the kids are getting an interest in RC stuff so out came the Astute last year! It got a full rebuild using correct parts (thank God for eBay!) and modified a little. Out came the old Speedmaster ESC, tiny Hi-Tec Rx, and Futaba Tx and servo. And it was just as fun as I remember - maybe more so as it seemed to be faster then ever - probably as I'd put it together with a little more knowledge from my full size re-builds. Then the ThunderShot came out and I converted it into a rock crawler. Several months ago the Procat was dragged out of the attic and had the same treatment as the Astute and is now up and running. I'm sure that the Marauder will be gracing my streets within the next month or so!

Anyway, apologies for the essay but I have a question:
What are my motor limits for the Procat and Astute - brushed and brushless. I was to upgrade the motors but don't know in which direction to go and I also don't want to blow my gearboxes up. I have a 29single, 17 triple and a 12 double (brushed) if they are any use (probably more if I look) I think that the Speedmaster is limited to 15 turn (?)

Thanks in advance,
Rich

Oh, and pics to follow...

[sicklyorange]

So nobody can advise on a motor for an Astute or Procat, brushless or otherwise?

[optiman]

Dont just give up now, members in the vintage oOple forum are more than happy to help you, very decent and helpull!!!! They are just a bit slow these past days replying to requests and threads, dont worry they will chime in
I am not a Schumacher/Tamiya hardcore fan, so I am not the guy to give you advice on the Procat or Astute.
Welcome!!!

[Naushad]

I've got a super astute that I will be rebuilding soon...it has a TTC gear system so could probably accept mild brushless without difficulty.

No so sure about the normal astute...but could try a mild brushless...say a 10.5T or 17.5T. Anything more may ruin your drivetrain.

The pink Tamiya dynatech motor was a hop-op option for both cars I believe...that was a quality option! It's a 14T, so plenty I'd say for a 2wd of that era.

Grab it while you can! http://www.tamiyaclub.com/trades_model.asp?cid=113450

Procat...see kaszal's thread....I think he managed to get a 8.5T brushless with some modification....

I hope that provides some starting points for you...

Get some pics up.

[Dazzieboy]

There is also my exploits with a brushless procat on the schumacher forum www.racing-cars.com basically the transmission needs to be tip top to run brushless as the belt pitch is so fine (mxl) that any wear in either belt or pulleys will result in belt skip