B4.1 RTR setup for indoor racing

[jimbo_468]

Hi All.

Not long brought a B4.1 RTR and took it for my first ever race the other night.
Now, my driving needs a lot of work as I have never done anything other than messed with monsttrucks in big fields etc, but the car was driving like poo and not doing what I wanted.

What setting do people have the ESC on - I still had it on forward/reverse and know I need to change it, but how much drag brake, if any, do people put on? can i do this with the standard kit?

I changed the springs and shock oil prior and used setup sheets on line to guage the settings, but it was still turning like the QE2. I also changed the front ribbed wheels to cut staggers on the night which helped a bit.
Is the steering servo that bad?? can anyone recommend a replacement thats not stupidly expensive but a notable improvement?

I'm also looking to change the motor and ESC. any recommendations for a novice user? Nothing to basic as I don't want to change it again in if I improve later (a beginners setting or power restriction would be good) What sort of brushless motor should I be looking at - 10t etc??

And finally - everyone (and I mean everyone) was running mid-motor. Is it worth me even trying to improve this car or shall I just bite the bullet and switch to a mid-motor car rather than spending loads to upgrade this one? There were mostly Schumachers, Durangos and TLR 22's. No one that I saw was running a B4 (hence no one to ask).

HELP!!!!! I love the racing but need to sort my kit out.

[peetbee]

If you've got the brushless setup in there I would keep that for now as we've a few at our club running that system and it's perfect until you really need more speed! (don't know about settings tho sorry)

Believe it or not, adding weights to the front is a great tuning tool (a lot of other cars do this too) on the setup sheets you should see what most people add.
What setup have you used and what surface are you running on?

[jimbo_468]

Hi

the surface is a mix of carpet and astro. I was running the standard rear wheels also, which kept spinning out on the astro. I now have some mini spikes to go on for the next meeting.
One of the guys said I needed more weight at the back, which i managed to get hold of a brass battery strap but it didnt seem to make much difference. I think the rear tyres were a big problem.

The car is quick enough for me as it is, its just a case of do people run with brake drag when not pulling on the trigger, or do people always push forward to brake?

[Richard Lowe]

The main thing to get right is the tyres, if you're on dry astro you want Schumacher Yellow minispikes all round. Not running the kit Proline Holeshot and ribs (which are intended for clay tracks) will be most of your problems sorted

Whether you need to go mid-motor or not and changing things like ESC's/motors depends on if you're getting the most out of the car as it is now. Generally for newer racers it's more important to get the basics sorted (like steering trim ect), then concentrate on getting round without errors. Once you have the car doing what you tell it and can get round with no more than a couple of mistakes per run, then it's time to start going faster

Rich

[peetbee]

As Rich says, the right tyres make all the difference.

TBH I didn't like adding the weight to the battery brace as it felt like it made it wallow a bit. I replaced the foam block at the rear of the battery tray with some lead weights - approx 20g/25g and added about 45g at the front (around the servo area)
You can get purpose made brass weights for these areas, but if money is tight (or you want to try it first) then some lead wheel weights from a tyre fitters is fine.

Drag brake is personal preference too, I don't run any, but as default on the Reedy esc it's 2.5% drag brake, you could up that to 5% if you feel you need more and see how it goes.

[Clarkie]

I run my b4.1 at the stone and would have to say while others have mid motor I don't see it crucial for me as there is plenty of room for driver improvement first, and am still up there with mid motored drivers of the same ability. I would highly recommend (as others) weight at the front makes a huge difference but not as important a as the correct tyres I would also recommend running as low as possible too. Power is not key to good times consistancy is, although I do love my thunder power 7.5 motor and Orion speedo but have to say I'm a better driver with 10.5 motor, just live the Power.

Enjoy

[Clarkie]

No drag break for me but its personal preference

[wookieewonder]

I've owed a B4.1 RTR for about a year now, its a good car. Very easy to set up, drive and it strong! Been racing it for almost a year after a 20 year absence form the hobby. I find the electronics fine at the moment more than enough power and speed.

ESC manual http://www.teamassociated.com/parts/details/29141/

I use 5% drag brake indoor on carpet and 2.5% if its a little slippy outdoor.
max punch on carpet and std on astro/grass.
no reverse

The servo that comes with it is poor (weak and slow). I bought an Alturn AAS-752MG £22 ish very impressive for the price made all the difference to the steering, single best upgrade to the car easy!

As said above Schumacher Yellow minispikes all round should give you tons of steering but if your on mostly carpet then maybe yellow mini pins all round.

One thing to look out for on the B4.1 RTR is to check if you gear diff is correctly shimmed. Hold the spur gear and rotate one wheel, it should feel as smooth as butter. If not and feels 'coggy' its not shimmed right and may slip internally casing a horrible loud clicking under hard acceleration. I had to place all my shims inside the diff to solve this as i have an older B4.1, AE apparently know about this (bad batch of shims) and may have sorted it by now.

I think you should just stick with the B4 for now, parts are easy to get hold of and cheap! Learn as much as you can about setting it up and race it as often as possible!

[jimbo_468]

Thanks for the tips and info guys. Much appreciated.

Going to stick with it until my skills are up then have a look again.
Tyres have now been changed so i hope on the next club night, i can at least get round the corners!

Will post some updates after my next race