Lunchboxer

Tamiya's ball diff for the SRB:

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/ite...oduct-id=84113

No need for aftermarket solution now!

DirtBug

Damn, it takes me forever to JB Weld and evaluate some steering uprights! ha ha ha Well, fixed theright side, the next day on the trial run the left side popped. Fixed it, and no problems since. Also I sent a sample front arm shaft to one of my friends and he's finished machining several out of stainless (two longer than the others to allow the lower arms to be spaced out some), seeing as I've had a tendency to break those quite often. I'll send some picsonce I go to pick em up. I need the diff!!! And here's a parting shot of my buggy family. Enjoy!

Lunchboxer

Keep us posted w/ your hop-up front arm shaft!!

DirtBug

Maybe in another 2-3 weeks. Ha ha ha. I don't know 'bout that "Exclusive Edition". Waste of time, money, and resources I think. Maybe I'd go for some factory gold plated wheels though.

skinned

anybody buy that exclusive edition?....wonder if there's any pictures of that gold body around yet?

IFR Pilot

What scale is this, new class, the next big thing?

Look's like a cool lead sled to me.

Lunchboxer

This is a very faithful re-release of the original Buggy Champ from 30 yrs ago..

Definitely not the next big thing.. it is mostly for the Tamiya die-hard fans..

Tommygun

My Feedback: (2)

Really good deal on this car right now at Tower http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXZXB9&P=FR I wasn't going to spring for one, but couldn't resist with $70 off + free shipping. $260 shipped! I was also concerned about it being discontinued, so figured this was the last chance to get the best possible deal on one. I'm thinking about using a brushless setup in mine, should run like an older nitro buggy speedwise. I'd also like to get a quality steering servo for it though, and recommendations? In my Hotshot, I'm using a Futaba standard servo, and steering response is horrible.

Lunchboxer

Not a bad deal!! Please keep us posted once you started building (or when you complete it)!

I think a buggy like this is fairly light.. any sort of decent servo will do. Maybe a Futaba S3010 (so it is faster and stronger than the standard S3003/4, but still cheap enough, around $20-ish)?!

Good luck!!

Tommygun

My Feedback: (2)

Regarding motors, maybe brushless can wait. I was thinking about either the Dirt Tuned or Sport Tuned, but due to the odd mounting situation in the SRBs, perhaps the Sport Tuned would be better due to the sizing. Also, I just picked one of these up in blue to go with it the big one, pretty cool!

Lunchboxer

I run Sport Tuned....

Tommygun

My Feedback: (2)

Of some things I'm reading, one is an issue with the gearcase. The Tamiyaclub guys are saying it can't be sealed against sand or water, which is a pain because I was planning on using it on the beach occasionally. I'm wondering if anyone has tried using Permatex gasket maker to get around this- seems like it may help. Since beach operation is a goal, any idea if it's a good or bad idea to install the ball diff?

Lunchboxer

I think it is not easy for sand to get in.. but to be completely waterproof, I'd think that you need some sort of silicon seal.. but I wouldn't worry about it, to be honest with you.. who knows.. !!

Keep us posted!!

Tommygun

My Feedback: (2)

Well I think that's going to be my plan, a bead of Permatex non-corrosive gasket maker around the edge of the gearcase. Still up in the air on the ball diff, but it seems cool. Then waterproof the RX and ESC with Corrosion X, an electronics waterproofing aerosol used with RC seaplanes and boats. I'd like the white raised lettering on the tires, but my understanding is this kit does not have the lettering on the front tires. Doing the backs only will look dumb. Does the Sand Scorcher re re have lettered front tires? BTW, I'm surprised this car/thread isn't getting more attention, looks like Tower is lowering the price to blow them out. Not really as many takers as I thought there would be...

glenladen

G'day Tommygun,all we used to do with gearbox was to smear silicon sealant on the gearbox halves and over the seam after bolting the two halves together.

cheers,
glenn

Tommygun

My Feedback: (2)

Well mine just arrived. Looks good, except apparently it's some kind of "Gold Edition," with a horrible looking gold painted body. That sucks, now I have to drop another $30 for an unpainted one because I wanted finished in the classic Tamiya "French Blue" and white color scheme. Why did Tamiya think that was a good idea? Just the fact that it's an SRB rerelease is special enough. Anyone want to trade a white body for a gold one?

Lunchboxer

LOL, "Exclusive Edition", ha!

Please post some pics of the gold shell!!!

skinned

you could try and soak it in brake fluid for 24hrs.....or trade....lol

lunchboxer...

Lunchboxer

Hmm.. I think I'd prefer the original white body.. ha ha!! But you can easily trade that, I'm sure.. or just get an extra body.. !! Not a big deal.. !!

860Crawler

The little Q-Steer one is pretty neat. I have a Mini Tamiya Fox made by them, it's in the roof rack of my CR-01

Tommygun

My Feedback: (2)

This guy on the Tamiyaclub forum restored an an old Tamiya Sand Rover, and added some props inside the car when he did. Notice the minature Buggy Champ. He said it's a 1/100th scale promotional model Tamiya put out. Pretty neat, although I've searched the internet high and low and can't find it anywhere. Has anyone used the ball diff in the SRB on sand? I'm wondering if it would handle worse on the beach due to less traction.

Lunchboxer

Gold Edition Buggy Champ in da house!!

BuzzBomber

My Feedback: (4)

Nice! The kit price on Tower is downright reasonable now, but the last thing I need right now is another car...

Lunchboxer

Yeah, I took advantage of the Tower price.. !!

grumppee

I did the same. I quite like the gold, somewhat 70's retro. I picked up a set of RC4WD rims to set it off.