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Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 2:56:58 AM   
andy1499


 

Posts: 158
Joined: 4/21/2005
From: Wichita, KS, USA
Status: offline 		I know this is a very broad question, but I thought I'd ask. For someone thinking about getting into the hobby, what kind of startup costs are involved? I saw that Grand Motorsports makes an electric dragster chassis for around $200, but what other kind of costs are involved? I assume battery packs, a motor and other hardware to make the car operational.. I would strictly be interested in a basic dragster--there are no tracks in my area, but I thought it might be fun to try...

I welcome anyone's insight...



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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 5:16:34 AM   
M.R. Ogle


 

Posts: 129
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: Mount Vernon, IL, IL, USA
Status: offline 		That's pretty much it.
Motor and speed control (mostly now brushless), batteries, radio gear.

Here's a setup that has proven to be low cost, but a lot of speed and fun:
http://www.bigsquidrc.com/projects/drag_build.php

Since the Mamba Max ESC has come out, many of us have upgraded to that speed control, even still using the smalller Mamba 1:18 motors and 4 cell lipos. That setup is good for 1.60's at over 75 mph on a good track.

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Grand Motorsports.com

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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 1:31:17 PM   
andy1499


 

Posts: 158
Joined: 4/21/2005
From: Wichita, KS, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the link. Very interesting! I will be thinking and saving my pennies...


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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 2:05:42 PM   
ac hauswald


 

Posts: 143
Joined: 3/13/2004
From: Houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Andy1499,

Hey, nice sailboats!

Start up cost? You should be able to come in just under $1000.00. Depends on how much support equipment you already have to make the transition from sailing to draging. The grand cost 'assumes' you have minimal equipment to make the transition - you pobably already have the radio - not sure if boats have the same frequency range assigned as land vehicles - we think so, but won't commit to that statement. If frequency compatible, you can knock about $200 of that figure of $1000.

The figure we quote you is for quality equipment, so may come in a little higher than you could squeeze by with. But, by looking at your sailboats, we think you realize the value in pruchasing quality equipment. Good luck giving RC drag racing a shot. We're sure you'll get a kick out of it.

Oh! Be sure to set yourself up a safety catch net in the event of a runaway, or if the pinion comes away from the spur - then you can't stop...Yikes!! We use a couple of 10ft fishing seines hooked together for a safety catch net. Catches the car with minimal damage.

//AC//
Team AHR43



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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 9:18:16 PM   
savycharlie


 

Posts: 535
Joined: 11/3/2006
From: Effingham, IL, USA
Status: offline 		If u dont want to spend that much money and u want a nitro dragster look at this........http://www.ehobbies.com/mtc7810.html . As u can see it is out of stock now but u will be able to be notified when they are in stock.

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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 9:25:54 PM   
savycharlie


 

Posts: 535
Joined: 11/3/2006
From: Effingham, IL, USA
Status: offline 		geeeez hold on........http://www.ehobbies.com/mtc7810.html

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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 9:26:21 PM   
2916jr


 

Posts: 880
Joined: 1/1/2006
From: Clevland, TN, USA
Status: offline 		if your just starting then get the
http://grandmotorsports.com/otherdrag.asp
dragspec kit it is a starter drag car witch is electric and a kit like the rest of there products I think it would be perfect for you to start out with for 119$ rolling chassis there is no better starter car
and if you build it right you will smoke that megatech

< Message edited by 2916jr -- 8/7/2007 9:27:28 PM >


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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 9:52:16 PM   
andy1499


 

Posts: 158
Joined: 4/21/2005
From: Wichita, KS, USA
Status: offline 		I'm primarily an RC sailor (actually I own 4, ranging in size from 30" to 54" and any venture into RC drags would just be something 'different'. Like I said, no local strips (Texas is closest, and that's not terribly close!). Since I have so much money tied up in the boats, the more economical the better.

Boats do operate on the same frequency as cars (surface, 75Mhz). Many RC boaters are going to the spread spectrum technology. Are drag racers doing the same (2.4 ghz)? I suppose it's not necessary since only 2 cars race at a time. I suspect FM dual conversion is a must though to eliminate interference... I use FM with my boats because I got tired of the AM glitching. Sailboats only go 5 mph at best, but every little twitch costs you speed. However, it would seem like more of a safety issue with the cars going 50mph+?

Thanks again for all of the advice.

Andy


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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/7/2007 10:12:11 PM   
2916jr


 

Posts: 880
Joined: 1/1/2006
From: Clevland, TN, USA
Status: offline 		I would run the spektrum but that is just me just because interference could happed


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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/9/2007 3:10:51 AM   
andy1499


 

Posts: 158
Joined: 4/21/2005
From: Wichita, KS, USA
Status: offline 		Just curious.. how was that micro servo for the steering assembly attached on the Big Squid car? I noticed it's laying on it's side, but it's not clear from the pictures how it's attached...

Andy


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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/9/2007 8:49:28 AM   
NitroRage


 

Posts: 74
Joined: 3/28/2006
From: Rockford, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Andy,,, Are you going to run in a parking lot by your self or with a few freinds?? I dont belive ya need a $450 radio ta run and have fun with a Drag car... $1000 is crazy if you are running by your self...I bet you can have fun with a Drag car for under $600...Just because other guys have to have a $450 radio dont meen you have to have one... Dont play follow the leader... Get what you need to have fun.... You can always upgrade later after you know if you want to go RC Drag Racing or not..Mike is right,, The King Squid Car is a Great place to start and Its Very fast...Remember this you will have Many people telling you what ta do and Buy,,,Its your Money NOT Thiers...And If your not running with 30 guys there is no reason to Buy a $450 radio..Ya dont have ta break the bank to have fun....John Owner of Nitro Rage RC and Founder of Midwest RC Drag Racing Series..

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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/9/2007 9:03:07 AM   
Nick Jones


 

Posts: 14
Joined: 8/8/2007
From: redding, CA, USA
Status: offline 		What the king squid car?

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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/9/2007 9:23:15 AM   
NitroRage


 

Posts: 74
Joined: 3/28/2006
From: Rockford, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Nick,, Yea the King Squid car is Fast and Cheep...Best bang for the Buck...Check the Link M R Ogle posted...Brian has a total cost of $430.oo and with upgrades and parts you can still keep it under $600.00... I know that car has run 1.6 at 75 mph and it will do that all day long...In 132 feet{{ 10th scale Drag strip}}...... John.

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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/9/2007 3:03:19 PM   
griz11


 

Posts: 140
Joined: 8/22/2005
From: Granite Shoals, TX, USA
Status: offline 		A lot of people use velcro to attach the steering servo. Reason being there is a huge amount of vibration in these cars with no suspension. If you hard mount the servo it will disintegrate the tiny diodes and the servo will fail. Servo tape is also used but I like velcro becuase it has a little more give and cushion. Put a wire tie around it if you think its too loose but don't tighten it down all the way so there is no give.

Griz

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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/9/2007 6:40:09 PM   
andy1499


 

Posts: 158
Joined: 4/21/2005
From: Wichita, KS, USA
Status: offline 		Griz,
Very interesting, but that makes sense. I wouldn't have even thought of that. Velcro is easy to come by and work with, so that would be good.

Another question... there appears to be a spacer or some sort of mounting 'washer' for the motor onto the frame. Does that come with the motor, the chassis, or do you have to buy that separate? I understand the gears and how they work though.

Also, that $150 Mamba SC... it looked like on the site for the manufacturer you have to buy a motor as a part of a package, which makes it a lot more than $150. Was I just reading the info wrong? I saw that it says the ESC alone is $150, but didnt' see that it included a motor...

Andy


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RE: Startup Costs? - 8/10/2007 5:10:17 AM   
Brian_BigSquidRC


 

Posts: 63
Joined: 6/20/2005
From: Near Chicago, IL, USA
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