502 vs 511

[thaiboxer]

hi can some tell me the differences apart from shaft and belt drive between 501 502 511 and which is best

daz

[carpaste]

This is a good question. I also would like to know the answer. I hope some experts may selflessly spend their own precious time sat down in front of the monitor explaining about it patiently and particularly.

[Jan Larsen]

The suspension on both cars are exactly the same, because it works. Same with the shocks. Main difference is the steering geometry on the 502 which is much alike the Associated setup. Many people fit an updated steering rack on the car from JT Models to improve low speed steering. It simply extends the throw on the inside wheel.

If you plan on racing on carpet, I'd get the 502 for the shaft drive. Shaft drive has the benefit of no power-lag whatsoever which benefits the point-n-shoot driving style many people prefer, including myself. The 511 has a small delay (milliseconds) in transfering power to the ground due to the belts.
The 502 also has the added benefit of easier and less frequent maintenance. The 511 needs to be looked after in the transmission department, espcially if you drive on carpet with low wind motors.
The only downside I see with the 502 is the lack of geardiffs.

[msxmre]

Gotta agree wit everything Jan has stated, when i was originally looking at both cars i looked at the surfaces i'd be racing on along with the weather. I went for the TRF502X because i prefer shaftdrive and also with both gear boxes being sealed it was better to deal with the Scottish weather which can be pretty rough lol. Very impressed with the car and can't recommend highly enough.
Scotty....

[rcaddict]

+1

Jan got it right!

Belts for loose grip tracks, shaft for high grip tracks (and the added bonus on the shaft driven car is less maintenance as well as less frequent parts replacement on the drivetrain).

Here in the USA, carpet racing is pretty much null and void so it was an easy decision for me. I have a 511.

Although, the loose grip tracks almost always have little pebbles laying around here and there (we try to clean the track up as best we can, but dirt is dirt so...), therefore I would be forced to run shaft drive if it were not for Fred designing those nice diff covers for the 511.

Thanks Fred!

[discostu]

i think its just personel preference i race on polished wood floor and i prefer the 502 to both the 511 and 501 all very good IMO but 502 is good for me

stu

[fastinfastout]

502, until you break front gear box cases, and at around $40US, you don't want to do it regularly

[Shifta]

Originally Posted by fastinfastout

502, until you break front gear box cases, and at around $40US, you don't want to do it regularly

I've ran a 502x for over a year doing regionals, nationals and club racing and have never broke a front gear box or shock tower, infact apart from the odd wishbone nothing has broken.. It still has the original diff gears and spur on it.
If the transmission is built right it's bullet proof IMO.
Besides you can get gearbox sets on e-bay for £20 form Hong Kong.

I've never had a 511 so can't compare but think the 502 is a great car (With steering mod)

[fastinfastout]

Originally Posted by Shifta

I've ran a 502x for over a year doing regionals, nationals and club racing and have never broke a front gear box or shock tower, infact apart from the odd wishbone nothing has broken.. It still has the original diff gears and spur on it.
If the transmission is built right it's bullet proof IMO.
Besides you can get gearbox sets on e-bay for £20 form Hong Kong.

I've never had a 511 so can't compare but think the 502 is a great car (With steering mod)

thanks for that, I just remember having built a 502x kit, and it reminds me alot of the hot bodies d4 front gear box/front tower design and that is their weak point. And hearing about the expensive cases, put me off and I ended up selling it before I even ran it. That, and the steering drama, or lack of also put me off.

but having said that, my trf511 is very very good

[jamiew]

[QUOTE=Shifta;606146]I've ran a 502x for over a year doing regionals, nationals and club racing and have never broke a front gear box or shock tower, infact apart from the odd wishbone nothing has broken.. It still has the original diff gears and spur on it.
If the transmission is built right it's bullet proof IMO.
Besides you can get gearbox sets on e-bay for £20 form Hong Kong.

Where u gettin the gearbox cases for £20 mate????

[Shifta]

[QUOTE=jamiew;606404]

Originally Posted by Shifta

I've ran a 502x for over a year doing regionals, nationals and club racing and have never broke a front gear box or shock tower, infact apart from the odd wishbone nothing has broken.. It still has the original diff gears and spur on it.
If the transmission is built right it's bullet proof IMO.
Besides you can get gearbox sets on e-bay for £20 form Hong Kong.

Where u gettin the gearbox cases for £20 mate????

Just search the part number on e-bay, they're not always on but they do come on.. It's either Singapore or Hong Kong they come from.

[Shifta]

Where u gettin the gearbox cases for £20 mate????[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by fastinfastout

thanks for that, I just remember having built a 502x kit, and it reminds me alot of the hot bodies d4 front gear box/front tower design and that is their weak point. And hearing about the expensive cases, put me off and I ended up selling it before I even ran it. That, and the steering drama, or lack of also put me off.

but having said that, my trf511 is very very good

I must admit when I was originally building the car I was concerned about the front end strength so I bought 2 sets of casings.. But they're still in my spares box

[Rich D]

Have you managed to talk Pugs into the Players yet Jeff ! ?

[Shifta]

Originally Posted by Rich D

Have you managed to talk Pugs into the Players yet Jeff ! ?

Na! He's off to Petit this weekend so I don't fancy my chances

[DaveG28]

Hmm, I'm back thinking of whether to get a 502 again... I did this last year and never quite got the 502 as consistently quick as the 511.

Still love my 511 but boy has it taken some abuse, wondering whether to carry one of each!

[David Church]

Originally Posted by DaveG28

Hmm, I'm back thinking of whether to get a 502 again... I did this last year and never quite got the 502 as consistently quick as the 511.

Still love my 511 but boy has it taken some abuse, wondering whether to carry one of each!

Go on Dave, get 1 of each, then buy all your spares from me and you too will have Rc DOMINATION in your life!!!!

[GRIFF55]

FJ, I would stick with what you got and have a b4.1 too, you went real well with both the weekend. Funnily enough, I know where you can get an awesome 4.1!

[DaveG28]

Originally Posted by GRIFF55

FJ, I would stick with what you got and have a b4.1 too, you went real well with both the weekend. Funnily enough, I know where you can get an awesome 4.1!

Haha I know you do! Have to say...the 201 is on limited time to impress me now!

The 511 was awesome at the weekend, I'm just not sure how much more of my driving it will be able to take!

[dobber]

Dave, im still enjoying driving the 502X i bought off you last year

There are a few 502's and 511's that race at my club now and again and tbh i dont really see much between them. If you get a good setup then i think each is on a par. Ive set mine up ok but there was a guy down from the Faversham club and his 502 was so smooth and fast (90% better setup) ok it was probably better driving, but what im getting to is the 502x is a much underated car compared to the 511.