First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice....  
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First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/12/2008 3:20:44 AM   
Calin666


 

Posts: 386
Joined: 4/12/2007
From: SLC, UT, USA
Status: offline 		Well, all you gear heads and experts out there I need some help.....
I have a stock Tamiya TA05, that I bought specifically for racing, and I just found out from my local track that my car is ready for one of their classes.
I am going to race in a class that is pretty lenient on how the cars are setup. Main requirements are: 19 turn motor. That's it.
I have had my car for only five days, and have it running nice as is.
This is my current setup, along with my own observations:

Venom NiMh 7.2v, 3600mah pack (Starts loosing torque after about 3.5minutes, but lasts the entire race length of five minutes)
Stock Tamiya tires and wheel (Weather is getting warmer, so a different compound might be need. Surface is smooth blacktop)
Venom Fireball Modified 19d motor (Seems to run well, so I am not too worried about it)
Spektrum SR3100 reciever for DX3R DSM2
Hitec HS-625MG steering servo
This is the sucky part, ESC is out of my Duratrax Evader, a Duratrax Sprint ESC with Reverse

I can't really afford a Lipo setup, so I am looking at getting at least a 4000mah pack, and using Deans Ultra plugs of course.
I am not sure about a good ESC though. Can anybody give me any suggestions on a good, non-reversing ESC?
Any other advice is welcome!
       Post #: 1

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/12/2008 4:21:41 AM   
zake540


 

Posts: 21
Joined: 7/19/2005
From: , IL, USA
Status: offline 		As far as setups, box stock set up is pretty good for asphalt. My basic set up is 35wt oil all around. Yellow springs in the front, reds in the rear. No sway bars. After that you can play with your shock position. If you want more steering move the front shocks upright. If you're rear is loose laydown the rear shocks. May not be the fastest setup but it is real easy to drive.

Tires I would go with the Takeoff cs27 but the stock tamiya tires are okay for now. Just put some paragon full rear and half on the front, if you need more steering full pragon in the front.

Batteries I really like the ener-g 4600 cells. Check out rctech or hobby talk want ads, people usually sell them pretty cheap.

Esc I would do the Lrp quantum or Novak. Depending on your budget I found the Dynamite Tazer 12t is pretty good.

Just drive smooth, stay off the boards and keep a clean line. Have fun!!

(in reply to Calin666)
       Post #: 2

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/12/2008 5:17:44 AM   
Calin666


 

Posts: 386
Joined: 4/12/2007
From: SLC, UT, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks zake, I have found that you seem to have some good advice.
I looked around, and can get a Novak XRS Sport ESC for $52, so that won't kill me.
As for shock oil, I was thinking maybe 30 weight, and use the large preload spacers all around. I will check the spring selection out at my LHS, they usually have a good selection of Tamiya hop ups.
I also just remembered that I can get a 2S, 4000mah lipo pack from another LHS for $75, and pick up in inline balancer for another $30, so I may do that, I need to look at what the possibilities are for batts.
Zake, since I know you know something about the TA05, is there an easy, quicker way to adjust the tension on the belts, than to take the bulk heads apart? My belts are ok, but seem just a little bit loose, and I wouldn't mind increaseing the tension just a little bit, a couple of notches maybe, unless it is going to be a huge pain.

(in reply to zake540)
       Post #: 3

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/12/2008 8:40:15 PM   
jmcvicker


 

Posts: 152
Joined: 11/26/2007
From: Coatesville, PA, USA
Status: offline 		I'm running a Tazer 15T ESC (used off eBay) in a TC3 car and it's fine for 19T. Just started messing with the 19T at the track as we've started the year in the 27T stock class. I'm doing ok with it and can turn 20 laps which is about the speed some of the guys who run brushless setups (Novak 13.5).

As long as the ESC is soldered up well and can deliver most of the power of the batteries, then the overall results will come from having the best batteries you can find. I'd say get a lower-cost ESC and better batteries (vs. the other way around). You can find some Orion 4200 6-cell packs on eBay and also look into new packs from a site sponsor here, cheapbatterypacks.com (I've tried their Elite 4500 6-cells and they are very good).

(in reply to Calin666)
       Post #: 4

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/13/2008 1:53:45 AM   
zake540


 

Posts: 21
Joined: 7/19/2005
From: , IL, USA
Status: offline 		Calin-

Just as long as your belts are not skipping gears then it should be good. Don't run them to tight cause you might melt the diffs which a racing buddy of mine did. Also the only way to tighten them is to take out the upper bulkhead. It's not to bad if you have hex screws.

As far as lipos check out yeahracing 3200 hardcase . There are some good reviews about them and they are under $40.00 at rcmart but you have to wait for shipping. Ultraline has them as well for $44.00 but they are in the US.

(in reply to jmcvicker)
       Post #: 5

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/13/2008 2:57:11 PM   
jmcvicker


 

Posts: 152
Joined: 11/26/2007
From: Coatesville, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Also, don't worry too much about the technology until you get the gearing right. You could have the best battery and all that but if gearing is off, you'll not be too competitive. Maybe ask the shop or track owner what a good gearing is for the 19T touring car class would be for your car.

(in reply to zake540)
       Post #: 6

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/13/2008 4:00:51 PM   
Access


 

Posts: 2230
Joined: 3/8/2005
From: , CA, USA
Status: offline 		You guys are neglecting the basics, 90% of the setup is the tires and for those you want good slicks that are matched the surface, and before every race use the right chemicals in the right order.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWS71&P=7
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDT08&P=ML
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKC84&P=ML

Use the death grip cleaner, wait for it to dry, then apply death grip traction or paragon ground effects, wait a good 20 minutes and before it is completely dry, apply trinity tire tweak (should still be slightly wet). Applying the tire tweak can be a bit tricky, I like to put it on a paper towel and then apply it that way. Don't just goop it on like the other two. Tire tweak about 5 minutes before the race, and dry it off with a paper towel right before the race. If you follow this you will have really good traction for the whole race.

Even if you can't afford good slicks, these chemicals will work wonders even on stock tires.

For other setup, use this webpage:
http://home.scarlet.be/~be067749/58/tc/print.htm
Set the toe, camber on the front tires, keep your diffs loose (for a high-traction track) or tighter for a low-traction track, and don't run with the same oil in all 4 shocks. Softer front for low-speed courses of heavier front for high-speed courses. Get your weight balance right by moving the battery and other things around in the chassis.

If it is IFMAR start the quals will be easy, do your best to get into the A main. If it is heads up start, or during the race, starting out is very important. If you can get in front take the early lead, or stay behind the traffic and try to pass as an opportunity arises. Do not get caught up in traffic you can easily lose 15 seconds or so if you do this.

As far as electronics, turn your reverse off especially if your ESC does not have some kind of reverse lockout. You don't want reverse to kick in on the track when in reality all you want to do is break. Might want to invest in some $25. GP3300 cells, they will do better than the venoms you are using right now.

Oh and for general race advice:
http://users.pandora.be/elvo/
click on "columns" and then read
"driver etiquette" and
"racing strategy and dirty tricks"

Don't waste a lot of money on upgrades or fancy stuff, get the basics of driving down first.

< Message edited by Access -- 5/13/2008 4:05:48 PM >

(in reply to jmcvicker)
       Post #: 7

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/13/2008 8:39:40 PM   
Calin666


 

Posts: 386
Joined: 4/12/2007
From: SLC, UT, USA
Status: offline 		That is some kick ass advice guys!
I think I will stick with the motor I have, get the Novak XRS Sport ESC, try the shock springs, look at some different pinion and spur gears, and definatly look at some better batts. The Venoms I have are great for just bashing, but they start to loose it at the end of the five minute heat, and noticably so.
It's finally starting to warm up here, and I am probably going to go with a medium compund for the tires. Fortunatly, the track is open all the time, so I have plenty of opportunity to get the car dialed in.
Everbody is pretty much running 13.5 Novak brushless with Lipo, so I am going to be the odd man out, and really have to work on my skills.
Fortunatly, I also have this weekend and all next week to get everything together, installed, and setup.

(in reply to Access)
       Post #: 8

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/13/2008 8:59:06 PM   
eckosof



Posts: 188
Joined: 5/2/2008
From: north bend, WA, USA
Status: offline 		i just tore my novak brushless 4500kv out and replaced with xcelorin, only used it about 4 times, would be happy to sell it for nice price.

here is what i pulled off site, ill ship for free

# High-performance Novak SS4300 Sensored Brushless Motor
# Novak Super Sport 10.5 Brushless Speed Control with reverse

< Message edited by eckosof -- 5/13/2008 9:06:03 PM >

_____________________________

XXX-S - Xceleron 7500Kv - Venom 5400 11.1v 3S Lipo
Jato 3.3 - way to many hop-ups to list

(in reply to Calin666)
       Post #: 9

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/14/2008 3:37:07 AM   
Calin666


 

Posts: 386
Joined: 4/12/2007
From: SLC, UT, USA
Status: offline 		Those chemicals sound interesting, I might have to check them out.
I checked out those 3200mah lipo packs (good tip on those by the way, they have them on sale for $34.99!), if my 3600mah nimh packs are barely lasting five minutes, at 3200mah, won't they the lipo packs die sooner?
I don't know a whole lot about one vs. the other, so I need to ask. Remember, am a nitro guy getting into electric. hehe

(in reply to eckosof)
       Post #: 10

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/14/2008 4:01:26 AM   
Access


 

Posts: 2230
Joined: 3/8/2005
From: , CA, USA
Status: offline 		Rather than the paragon some people prefer this:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWS70&P=7
Paragon says it is for foams but can be used on rubbers too, I use it just b'cos that's what was avaliable when I bought it. Might want to play it safe and stick with the above instead.

(in reply to Calin666)
       Post #: 11

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/14/2008 4:07:36 AM   
zake540


 

Posts: 21
Joined: 7/19/2005
From: , IL, USA
Status: offline 		It's all about internal resistance. It takes alot of energy for a Nimh battery to expel its power than Lipo's. All that heat you feel from a Nimh after a run is wasted energy.

I run a 3200 lipo battery in a five minute race ( mod class) and I usually only use about 60-70% of the batteries capacity.

< Message edited by zake540 -- 5/14/2008 4:08:47 AM >

(in reply to Calin666)
       Post #: 12

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/14/2008 4:27:53 AM   
Calin666


 

Posts: 386
Joined: 4/12/2007
From: SLC, UT, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for info zake. Now that it is explained to me, it makes more sense.
I think I might pick up a couple of those lipo's, for that much it would be a shame to pass up the offer.
In addition to the batts, I have decided to pick this up: http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=B3615204&pid=B3615205
It looks like a sweet little deal, won't kill my wallet, and should work great with my charger.

(in reply to zake540)
       Post #: 13

RE: First upcoming race with stock TA05, need advice.... - 5/14/2008 2:00:07 PM   
Calin666


 

Posts: 386
Joined: 4/12/2007
From: SLC, UT, USA
Status: offline 		Woo Hoo! My economic stimulus check from the IRS just got here!
Time to go to my LHS and blow some cash on goodies! I LOVE free money. hehe

(in reply to Calin666)