Noob intro and DB-01 Questions

[Mikel]

First of all I would like to introduce myself... My name is Mikel (duh) sounds like Michael if you were wondering. I am an avid scale modeler and recently found myself a job in a hobby store. After much gnashing of teeth and cajoling from my other co-workers I was thrusted into the world of r/c. I was offered a tamiya DB-01 kit unbuilt and untouched for 40 USD. I put it all together exactly as per instructions and enjoy driving it. However I know that with some modification it could go incredibly faster and handle better. I am also aware that this is kit was designed after the trf501x I believe and have seen various ideas of ways to get this car faster and more durable. My questions are what are the modifications I should consider IMMEDIATELY and in the future and also what is the best choice of a motor for this kit. I have looked at dropping a Traxxas vilenion kit in it and other brushless systems and also have looked at speed gems brushed set-ups. Currently I am running the stock 540j and a dynamite speed controller that came with my transmitter, receiver and servo combo. I am not looking for blisteringly fast and am not even considering a round of competitive racing however I would like to see it get stupid. I am not opposed to tearing it apart again should the need arise and lucky me I get a discount on parts that being said money is not a huge issue either... so what would y'all do in my shoes?

[i4n]

Hi Mikel,

Immediate upgrades - CVDs, slipper slutch and the alloy suspension arm mounting blocks (IMO anyway).

Helpful other upgrades - Hex head screws!

I run mine with a Mamba Max and 5700Kv motor at the moment and as DCM will testify it isn't exactly slow (I am having trouble with temps. at the moment though..........)

Hope that helps.

[DCM]

After those upgrades, you might want to invest in the carbon shock towers, and if you are looking at putting some serious power in there, the TRF501X rear diff halves and carbide balls.

As for the motor, a 6.5 is pretty rapid or a 5.5 but that would need a lot more car maintenance.

Ian.... should of bought a Tekin, lol

[Mikel]

Thanks alot guys... This is going to be a daft question but what is a CVD? Like I said im stupis new at this. So i will probably be asking alot of stupid questions. Is there a site that you guys would reccomend ordering from or are all these parts available from Tamiya? I know that the motor y'all speak of is not a tamiya product but i can get the motor in my store anytime so that not a huge issue... but the other parts are another story. When i got the kit my manager was like what the **** is that. needless to say i have to order all the parts for it. Another odd question i have is about the "belt tensioners" that are offered for it. They go in the beside the center gears but how on earth do they actual tighten the belt??? or is the idea that it applies more pressure to the belt on the gear? I hope my wording is understandable. I dont know that this will help you I4n but i read about cutting vent holes in the body and putting mesh in to help cool it down maybe that could help? Either way thanks alot guys... looks like ill be ordering parts soon.

[i4n]

Mikel,

A CVD is a type of drive shaft - the one's that come in the kit are "dog bone" drive shafts (so called 'cause they look like a dog bone).

You didn't ask but the slipper is needed to control the extra power from the faster motor and protect the diffs etc.

As far as I am aware the belt tensioners aren't actually belt tensioners but bearings that sit close to the belt to stop it coming off of the drive pulleys. I don't use them, I also don't think that DCM uses them either.

I've had a look for you and you'll need the following Tamiya part numbers:

CVD - 54015 (front) and 54016 (rear)
Slipper - 54018

I'm in the UK but use a site based in Hong Kong - www.stellamodels.net and not had any problems with them.

As for holes in my shell Mikel, it already looks like a sieve! I've got gearing issues that I'm working on (I think).

DCM - had an email from castle, as long as the motor doesn't go above 93C (200F) then everything will be fine (apparently). They say the speedo can take anything the motor gives it. When it bursts into flames I'll get a Tekin..............

[DCM]

the eccentric belt tensioners dont actualy tension the belt, the are placed just above the belt to stop the belt jumping teeth on the pulley.

[fabolousRC]

Originally Posted by Mikel

Thanks alot guys... This is going to be a daft question but what is a CVD? Like I said im stupis new at this. So i will probably be asking alot of stupid questions. Is there a site that you guys would reccomend ordering from or are all these parts available from Tamiya? I know that the motor y'all speak of is not a tamiya product but i can get the motor in my store anytime so that not a huge issue... but the other parts are another story. When i got the kit my manager was like what the **** is that. needless to say i have to order all the parts for it. Another odd question i have is about the "belt tensioners" that are offered for it. They go in the beside the center gears but how on earth do they actual tighten the belt??? or is the idea that it applies more pressure to the belt on the gear? I hope my wording is understandable. I dont know that this will help you I4n but i read about cutting vent holes in the body and putting mesh in to help cool it down maybe that could help? Either way thanks alot guys... looks like ill be ordering parts soon.

This is what happen when you pain the body according to the manual. Anything that is black and purple is always going to be hard to see so you should paint according to your taste not the manufacturer's taste. The reason why most Tamiya parts are discontinued is because there are too many similar parts under different part numbers that are exactly the same so Tamiya decided to discontinue the part and consolidated them onto a new part number. They usually list them on the part you are looking for and the alternative part that replaces it.

You can cut a hole on top of the motor on the body itself and put some kind of foam to cover it yet keeping the airflow at high speed.

[Mikel]

Thanks fabulous I was concerned there for a bit. I finally figured out how to use the website cross refferance and got it all straight there. I actually painted mine translucent blue with gold backing and the "cabin area" is al-clad prismatic maple with a purple back.I think it looks pretty good .. I'll have to get pics up as soon as I get home from work today.I'm still painting the wing but it is taking its sweet time getting there. Stupid airbrush just wont work on its own ya know I got the rear wheel fixed last night with out using any metal washers... I took some of the sprue and cut a chunk and drilled out for the king pin...amazing what a scale modeler will come up with in a pinch hee hee hee. I don't know if it makes any sense or maybe its just me but this thing is a BEAST in the dirt almost like it is moving faster. I spoke with one of my techs at work and he said that it probably was as its meant for the dirt... Either way I am having a blast with it. I got the cvd's and slipper clutch ordered yesterday and am going to order the other parts next payday and get everything in motion... My dad and I are going to be going out next Sunday with this and my new nitro car to bash around for a bit so I figured i need to get this at least close in speed to the nitro. Well its back to work... I'll post pics of the body when I get home.