bribeguy
Posts: 228
Joined: 4/15/2005
From: Calgary,
AB, CANADA
Status: offline
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mnorman367,
Hopefully I can answer some questions for you.
I am currently running a stock Zenoah 26cc engine. I think it is plenty of power for the MCD Racerunner. Torque is definately not the weakspot of the MCD, so I don't think dropping in a larger 28-31cc motor would be benificial (unless you wanted to run some extremely tall gearing). Running a bit on the rich side, the 26cc with stock gearing has crazy low end power but the top end speed of the car is a bit on the slow side. Not having access to radar/speed trap equipment I can't give you any hard numbers, but I would guess it to be in the 25-30mph range. I found after about 2 tanks of gas, the gears started to wear in a bit, however, and the driveline got alot smoother, and I gained another 5mph in top speed or so.
Eventually I opted to swap the stock 24/39 pinion/spur combo, and drop in a 30/33 gear set. BIG IMPROVEMENT!!! I would definately recomend this. I got a big gain in top end (the car will keep up to a Baja 5B with a 29cc engine and a X-Can exhaust), and there is still enough low end to break the tires free on any surface.  The nice thing with the MCD, is that there is ALOT of tuning options with the gears. For example, now that I'm running 30/33, I can swap them, and run 33/30 if I want even more top end. I can also play with the 24/25 layshaft gears to make subtle changes also (24/25 vs. 25/24). Swapping the pinion/spur takes all of about 35 seconds too, which is nice.
For tires, I've been running the stock Racerunner "Tractor" tires. They are fine for bashing, but their overall traction kinda sucks in all but the softest dirt/sand. I have also had a big issue with chunks tearing out of the tires (though this did seem to effect my mind more then the performance of the vehicle...). Don't get me wrong, the tires are fine, and I'm glad I have mine, but it does make me want to try something else as well. I'm considering picking up a set of the MCD/KCR Multistud tires at some point to try out. I'd love to try and run the wheels/tires from the HPI Baja 5B, but I don't think anyone makes a FG to 24mm adaptor. 
The car has proven to be very durable over the past year of running, and the parts I have broken have been minimal. My first big damage was a shattered rear wing, 2 broken shock forks, and a broken front bulkhead. This was the result of doing multiple 20'+ jumps with some very poor landings while it was about -5 out (celcius). The only other things I've broke have been a rear shock tower, and bent the rear shock bolts. For a year of hard running, I think this is pretty good (since in my opinion my first batch of damage was a result of tempature and reckless driving).
If I were to get another Racrunner, my "must-have" set up would be:
26cc engine (zenoah or CY) - ported if you can justify the cost
Samba racerunner tuned pipe or X-Can (both will fit under the stock body unlike the Jetpro pipe)
30/33 gearing
Long travel front end suspension kit
Red MCD progressive shock springs
10-30wt oil in the shocks
I currently have all of this (except the exhaust, mine is still a stock muffler) on my car and it's great. The longer front end (stock on the Baja 1000) makes the car 10x better, and so the the softer red springs and lighter shock oil (the car comes with about 50wt oil I believe). Adding additional aluminum parts and stuff is fun, but definately not neccisarry. I say leave it stock untill something breaks, then look at upgrading. While I've added some alloy bits to my car, I do have to say, I don't know if anyof them where worth the money.
KCR Alloy shock forks: Super beefy, look killer. They're wider then the stock forks, though, so they don't fit the suspension arm mount tightly, and they don't allow you to slide the springs off without unthreading them. Also, they rub on the driveshafts.
KCR Alloy front brace: Looks killer, hasn't done a dmn thing except look good.
KCR fuel cap: This one I like. Looks great, functions great, and adds a vent line to the fuel system.
MCD aluminum fuel tank tower connection plates: Don't even fit on the car the holes are so badly off.
Overall, though, I have been quite happy with my car. It's fun to drive, durable, and has a lot of tuning and upgrading potential. I started this thread with the build up/write up of my car, so you can sit down and weed through it for alot more info. Let me know if you have any additional questions I can answer for you.
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Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> RC Giant Scale Cars >> RE: MCD Race Runner 
RE: MCD Race Runner - 
...still lots more to go yet... Have my eyes set on the MCD 
So, off to the scap pile they went, and back on went the original plastic bits. 
