RGX Blade
Posts: 477
Joined: 5/14/2006
From: Riverside, CA, USA
Status: offline
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both good trucks,
but one should check for parts "Availability" for there areas.....
if one does not mind ordering online if there is not parts support in the customers "Area"
both are fine....the GS will require less in the long run.......
Reasons:
matrix good truck bullet proof for bashing basic having fun, just check the motor for loose shards,get good batteries break in motor and have fun  .....but would recommend getting the cross pin conversion if you will be deciding to race that truck, if not no need to do any of the following "Upgrades"
front steering Knuckels recommend grinding down the inside edge as this truck has the "Bigest Turn Radius" of any truck, most of the factory guys "Have" or will get Jammin Knuckels or have the stock red CNC knuckels machined out so there "Even on each side"
a few threads here will show this mod.
the Thunder Tiger, Mugen, Kyosho and Jammin trucks "CAN Turn" within the CEN inside radius if the hubs are not ground down......once done there all about the same...
if not getting the cross pin conversion "Kyosho Diffs" will work this is what we did at first before the cross pin conversion was available.....
as well the Matrix has very limited down travel can help this for some track conditions by using: 1) kyosho or Mugen shocks....2)or find more rear shock ends most of the kits will have extras but if not, the ones from the Genesis or Nemesis trucks will work.....
as well if this is "First Truck" then starting out with the 23mm hubs will be fine....as well if you need to maybe swap out a pair with your friends for any reason you wont be able to unless they as well have 23mm hubs on there trucks....and "Only the CEN" has 23mm hubs on a truggy.....no other manufacture uses 23mm hubs...on a "Race Platform truggy" "Not One"
BUT....
there is limited brands of rims one can use for 23mm hubs.....
and "Only One" manufacture makes a 23mm rim of "Race Width", proline.......
and many of the manufactures nowdays are making "Pre-mounted" tires on "Racer Friendly" 17mm hub rims....(HPI, GRP, to name just a couple)
as well if converting over to "Racer Friendly" 17mm hubs.....get Matrix buggy rear axles
as you will not need as many Spacers to shim up the rear axles....you'll need alot....
and the added offset will add stress across the rear axles........
so get Matrix buggy rear axles,and rear pins to fit he new hubs, the Thunder Tiger hubs seem to work best here....and don't forget the pins.....or "Grind Down" the hub pin........
and for the Steering "Posts" where the ackerman post will slide down on, be sure to get some "Kyosho" posts....the cen ones are made of some kind of "Soft" Aluminum...
you can bend in your hand wrather easy...a good front end hit and even with the upper brace they can bend easy......
and the upper servo saver top link be sure to get the alloy one as this was a issue on earlier models.....
for the motor yes, be sure to carefully pull it apart....and "Double Check" for any shards and loose "Machined Metal" may be present.......
and double check the head bolts as many i came across were not even tight...
as well many do not like e-clips.....there not too bad but the ones on the front "C-Hubs" are really small.....so many of us used the pins from either the mugen or K-factory hindge pins on the c-hubs they have a "Nut" on the end
now this is not bagging on the cen line.....just some info on things one may consider....
as a ex cen factory driver this is what "We Used to Do"
from there there really good.....and drive well.....if thinking of deciding to "Race" this truck..
if "Not" no need to ever do any of the "Recommendations" mentioned.
the GS.....not much to do i have driven those trucks as well......handle really good...
on the RTR's remove diffs put in oil in front center and rear......
break in motor, put good oil in the shocks for the given conditons for your track, toss it on the track........
and as with all RTR's a better radio is always recommended "IF" you'll decide to race....
and if so i would Highly recommend a Mugen MBX5T (stock one) prospec if you have the cash? but there the same.....
and there about 430.00 from most online shops and have a a body and race type tires.
and as well the "New" Thunder Tiger ST-1 "PRO" they come with everything no hop ups or trick parts needed......and run about 400.00 from some online shops.....
as by the time you get done.....you would have already spent the same if not more than getting a "Race Kit"
example: say for a Thunder Tiger truck....????
there stock servos are pretty good and Bearing type....truck 400.00 motor and a half way pretty good one a LRP bout "$150.00" on average.....spektrum "Type" radio bout 150.00
total around 700.00
and ask many who have done this when getting a RTR in the Long run was Much more...
RTR example:
car or truck.....average about 450.00 to 500.00.....
and all in sometime or another will upgrade within the first "Month" of purchase not always but "Statisticly" they will.....so another 150.00 to 250.00
steering servo....average 85.00 to 105.00
"Race Orintated Parts"......average about 150.00 to 211.00......
average costs......800.00 to 950.00+........
not counting down time and "Frustration Time" with most RTR's......not always true but "Statisticly" it is usually like that.....not just CEN but any and most RTR type entry cars and trucks, and that is "Exactly" what there designed to be "Entry Level"
to get your "Feet Wet" as they say.........
as well more alloy doesn't always mean better?? but can help instill confidence without wondering if something will break while driving..........
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Oakley | RGX Racing /KM Machining | GRP / ACE Engineering
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Cen Arena Matrix or the GS XUS ??????? - 
