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What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Old 03-31-2008, 08:26 AM
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firstrc
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Default What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Please give me your opinions!

Okay I am breaking something everytime I run this car. I'm starting to get a little frustrated with it.

I am considering switching all the suspension and steering parts except the a-arms to aluminum but before I do that I want to ask the experts what to expect.

This car is putting some serious power to the ground.
Are the aluminum parts going to bend or break to?
Is it worth the major extra cost to make the switch?

This is my list so far:
Aluminum rear axle holder (2 total)
Part Number: 02130
http://www.redcatracing.com/itemdeta...p?partno=02130

Aluminum steering arm (2 total)
Part Number: 02131P
http://www.redcatracing.com/itemdeta...?partno=02131P

Aluminum door type mount purple (2 total)
Part Number: 02132p
http://www.redcatracing.com/itemdeta...?partno=02132p

Aluminum Shock for Volcano + misc screws and ball heads etc.. (8 total)
Part Number: 08041
http://www.redcatracing.com/itemdeta...p?partno=08041

Aluminum Linkages 2pcs (4 total)
Part Number: 06048
http://www.redcatracing.com/itemdeta...p?partno=06048

I am looking at well over $160.00 To me that is a lot of money to put into this car. (already have about 400.00 into it including purchase price, batts, upgrades, repairs, etc..) So I want to find out first if it is going to end my problems or just create different problems.

Thanks
Old 03-31-2008, 08:48 AM
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MT
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

The car will be heavy, and when you bend or break the aluminum it will cost several times more to replace them. Also, the force of the impact has to go somewhere, a good aluminum can just break whateve connects it to the car. Some aftermarket aluminum is inferior crap and no better than good plastics.
Your best bet is to stop hitting things and going off of big jumps. If it is the car and not the driver, I would suggest spending that money on a more solid car.(let all the redcat fans jump out of the bushes and protect their beloved cars [sm=cry_smile.gif])
Old 03-31-2008, 09:36 AM
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Longhair
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

If you break stuff everytime you run the vehicle, maybe it is time for something a bit stronger unless you want to downgrade the motor.
Old 03-31-2008, 10:03 AM
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sloppyG
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

I would advise against sinking so much money into any rc, but in particular a redcat or similar bargain priced RC


save your dollars and upgrade to a more durable truck, really for the amount of money you're planning to spend

you could buy
B4 team kit
rustler or stampede
e-firestorm
many tamiya kits


spending all that money on a redcat is like having a honda civic and dropping 4 grand on wheels for it
Old 03-31-2008, 10:23 AM
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firstrc
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Okay let me just say... First - I appreciate the honest opinions.
But before this goes any further please understand I am not going to get a different car. I have way to much into this that I won't get back. Besides - I really like this car. It only breaks because of the power output and the surface I am running on. I do half of my running on a rough grass surface. The other half is on the road. I have only ever hit something once - a curb - I was in a power slide and hit gravel... it hit the curb with the full left side of the car and nothing broke. That being said... that is the side of the car where parts are breaking now (hmmm). First the rear axle was sheared on a full throttle accel on the asphalt. Now the rear axle holder broke in half on that same side. That broke when I was running full throttle across the rough grass. Oh and by the way... when I say rough grass... I mean really rough... it sends the car 4 inches into the air several times across the field when its at full throttle. It is like mini jumps. Maybe the parts were just weakend from the curb impact??? any opinions?? I have not hit any big jumps yet.

I guess I was a little excited when I said something breaks everytime. Forgive me.. in all honesty it is about every third time I run it.

I appreciate all the input so far.

Please keep it coming.
Old 03-31-2008, 01:08 PM
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Longhair
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Replace everything with stock parts and see if they hold up or not this time.

I think you may have to pull that motor because it is too much for the surface that you are driving on.
Old 03-31-2008, 01:24 PM
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firstrc
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Yeah I think you have a pretty good idea.

My response above got me thinking. That slide into the curb was pretty hard. Granted... nothing broke at the time. But it might have stressed the axle and cracked the axle holder and I didn't even know it allowing the parts to break at a later time leaving me scratching my head. When the axle holder broke it was running across the field and the suspension was getting a workout but there is no reason it should have broken under those conditions. (unless it was previously cracked)

Maybe I'll try one more plastic replacement before getting crazy with alum.

I'm still doing the shocks though. Pede_kid talked me into it. That should help with breaking parts anyway. (parts that don't work well always lead to things breaking more so than correctly working parts) Stock tsunami epx shocks leave a whole lot to be desired!

Any more opinions on aluminum parts though?

Think my driving terrain + power output will bend them?
Old 03-31-2008, 01:44 PM
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pede_187
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

I have aluminum shocks and aluminum carriers (front and rear) and haven't broken them yet
Old 03-31-2008, 01:45 PM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

The tsunami/volcano line is actually really good for the price and in general
Old 03-31-2008, 01:49 PM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

I agree. As prev stated. I really like mine.

The reason it's breaking is 3 reasons:

Buckets of power to the ground.
Tough driving surface.
Inexperienced driver. (man enough to admit it [:@])

NOT because of lack of quality.
Old 03-31-2008, 03:03 PM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

The rule of thumb is this: The weakest parts break first from increased torque.

Instead of going all out at once, just upgrade 1 part at a time and if it fails you aren't out too much then.
Old 03-31-2008, 03:07 PM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

To much aluminum will weight down your car.
Old 03-31-2008, 03:12 PM
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pede_187
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

the redcat aluminum is actually pretty light
Old 03-31-2008, 03:51 PM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

its heavyer but you probs wont noticed it to much, its stronger but if hit hard enough it will bend, then there gos your Expensive aluminum part
Old 03-31-2008, 04:40 PM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

I don't think you can go wrong or anyone would slight you for upgrading to aluminum shocks. Besides looking sharp, their strong and you won't have to worry about blowing off a shock cap.

The rear axle carrier may not be a bad idea at least to try out. You already broke your plastic one so you know this part is weaker than parts surrounding it. In this case the item is small enough that if it is plastic there isn't much material for the energy to dissapate through flexing, so instead it shears or shatters. Potentially with this being a hard aluminum piece, it will just transfer energy into the arm and the arm may be able to absorb the energy that would have broken a plastic carrier. Well even ifyou end up breaking an arm you probably would have broken a plastic carrier anyway.

Then maybe see how things hold up before deciding on buying anything else. On the front it does seem like you would need to do both the steering and mount at the same time as doing just one would put to much stress on the other.

If you have money burning a hole in your pocket you can do whatever you want!
Old 03-31-2008, 05:56 PM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Yeah, the biggest drawback is price. Look at the price of the rear carriers. This was the price when they were both on sale:

Plastic carrier - $1.65
Aluminum Carrier - $15
Old 03-31-2008, 06:24 PM
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firstrc
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Yup. The cost is exactly the problem.

Replacing one or two parts at a time is not cost effective either because you pay shipping multiple times. My LHS does not carry much so that wont work for me.

i might go with the alum carriers and the shocks and hope that everything else will be ok.

Not sure yet.
Old 04-01-2008, 01:01 AM
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gman1
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

No offense but why would u waste your money on a POS vehicle like that anyways. Redcat racing? *** I have never heard of that brand until i read your post. In the hobby of RC you pay for what you get. You may as well just buy quality vehicles and equipment and spend the extra money rather than replacing a part evrytime you run the darn thing. You will lose money in the long run taking the route you took. Please tell me you were joking when you said you dumped $400.00 dollars into that thing.
Old 04-01-2008, 07:35 AM
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firstrc
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

How can you start a post like that with no offense??

Have you read the forum rules? Please review them. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_377662/tm.htm

We are all a quality group of people here. Flaming is frowned upon (not to mention just plain childish). You don't need to be calling other members rides "POS".

Old 04-01-2008, 10:05 AM
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haole
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

just replace parts as they break... this is the reason i bought a traxxas truck, parts are easy to find and my LHS stocks almost every replacement part
Old 04-01-2008, 10:37 AM
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gman1
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Im sorry for being a bit harsh . I do apologize. It just makes me mad seeing companies like the one you bought from ripping people off with such rubbish quality vehicles and parts. iI mean lets admit it, there products are sub par and can be compared to that of radio shacks cars and trucks. I stupidly took my anger out on you when it should of been aimed more towards the people selling it.
Old 04-01-2008, 10:48 AM
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firstrc
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Okay no problem.
I can understand your being upset if that is the way you feel.
Let me tell you how I feel though... Being the owner of a Tsunami. It is a great car. It can in no way be compared to Radio shack.
Mine has broken twice because of the surface I am running it on and most importantly becase of the amazing power it puts to the ground with the upgraded motor and the best nimh batts that money can buy. I assure you that there is no one that would look at this thing run and not be impressed! Yes they are inexpensive... but that does not make them cheap. A few upgrades (that a lot of people do anyway even to the more expensive cars) will have a RTR Tsunami putting smiles on faces of all ages!!!
Old 04-01-2008, 11:02 AM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

A little aluminum here and there in key spots (shocks, little things on chassis) bulkheads if possible will give you more durability, but dont go all out cause it'll weigh you down and A-arms and shock towers if not the best quality will bend
Old 04-01-2008, 11:08 AM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Agreed. I have heard that more than once. (avoiding alum a-arms) Unless they are the "beefed up" wide body a-arms.
I think I am going to go with the advise of DARKWAV and pede_kid and do the alum carriers and shocks and leave it at that.
Old 04-01-2008, 04:31 PM
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Default RE: What problems can I expect with aluminum upgrade parts?

Well, here's some stuff you shouldn't be breaking much more of. You've got bearings as well as the stock transmission. I don't know if some people didn't take me for it but here's some pictures of the stock internal transmission gears and yes.......they are steel. You shouldn't be stripping any of those.
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