Lunchboxer

Nick,

You thinking about getting a Buggy Champ?!

my65pan

I haven't been into RC cars for almost 30 years. This morning I decide to see if there's any info on the web regarding the RC buggy I had back then, I couldn't even remember who the mfg. was or anything.
Imagine how happy I was when I found this thread searching the site! I ordered one right away and can't wait to get busy putting it together.
I have a lot of questions.
How do I get in touch with RC Champ for the camber correction kit?
I remember buying aluminum wheel inserts for my old car, are these still available?
Also, what is recommended for a TX? I was flying RC helicopters for a while, but I would imagine something much simpler will do for an electric car?

I've been a machinist for most of the years since I last had one of these cars so I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can come up with for upgrades.

Edit: I see that Awesome-alloys is no longer making the chassis/skid plates. I have every intention of making something similar for my buggy. Would there be any interest in more of these?

The Hedgehog

I can give you advice on the radio... http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=16199

That looks out of stock, so this one works too, just not as programmable, but will do the job for sure...

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=10608

my65pan

Wow, it looks like getting back into RC cars is going to be way easier on my checkbook than helicopters were! Thanks for the links.

skinned

yes!!!

my65pan

Well, I ordered the RC Channel rear suspension kit, the ball differential kit, and I found another type of aluminum chassis. The chassis isn't as fancy as the Awesome Alloys one, but it should be a lot stiffer than the stock one and I can use it to take measurements etc. to make my own. I did find the wheel inserts I was looking for, but they seemed pretty pricey so I'll probably turn some wheels myself from aluminum.

Lunchboxer

Be sure to post some pics of your project once you got all the parts!!

my65pan

I will. After some more searching I've decided to go with these wheels.
[link]http://store.rc4wd.com/Beadlock-Wheels-for-Tamiya-Buggy-Champ_p_271.html[/link]

Edit: What is a good servo for these?

my65pan

I think I've ordered everything I'll need except the servo. Any input would be appreciated on my choice of parts.
Buggy Champ kit from Tower.
Rear suspension/cage [link]http://www.rccarparts.biz/product_info.php?cPath=67&products_id=467&osCsid=a6cc54bb7942562e255e62931be3ab3d[/link]
The wheels I posted above.
Tamiya ball differential.
Sport tuned motor.
Aluminum chassis [link]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320655720980&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT[/link]
Batteries [link]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250748192952&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT[/link]
Hyperion EOS0606i AC/DC Balance Charger.
TX/RX [link]http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=10608[/link]

I will fabricate my own skidplate similar to the one from Awesome alloys, and maybe a front skid plate/bumper althought I kind of like the original bumper.
This is going to be fun!

Lunchboxer

I wonder how well those radios work.. very affordable, it seems..

Keep us posted!

my65pan

I guess I'll find out! What radio do you recommend? I had a real nice 7ch Futaba for my helicopters.

Lunchboxer

You should buy whatever you like..

I use Futaba 3PKS..

http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/futk25.html

And mix both FM (using the synch module) and 2.4GHz depends on if I run the car often or not..

my65pan

The disease worsens, I have a Sand Scorcher inbound for my son now. I plan to build the Buggy Champ with the differential, aluminum chassis, sport tuned motor, and camber correction kit, but leave the Sand Scorcher stock just to see what the difference in handling etc. is.

my65pan

I'm still waiting on parts, but I started on the paint, fabricated a new skid plate/bumper, and began assembling the camber correction kit for my Buggy Champ.

Lunchboxer

Well, that was fast.. ball diff for the SRBs have been discontinued... [&:]

Guess I should have ordered one earlier.. hee! Oh well.. !! I'm sure I can still get them on eBay and such.. still..

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/ite...oduct-id=84113

my65pan

The ball diff is the main thing I'm waiting on. BTW, is there someone that paints details like the dash panel and the driver? My hands aren't steady enough, and my eyes aren't sharp enough to do that sort of thing anymore.

Lunchboxer

I'm bad at painting.. ha! Maybe you can get your kid to do it for you?!

my65pan

Yeah, but he'd just want to paint the driver to look like Luke Skywalker or something.
Kids aren't into that sort of thing as much as they used to be. I used to paint every detail, down to the lug nuts on some of my plastic scale models. Sometimes I'd even use sewing thread to simulate spark plug wires.

glenladen

G'day my65pan and LB,I used the link my65pan posted for the chassis plate and ordered a couple for my SRB's and they arrived yesterdayand where fitted in the arvo.
Not as flash as the Awesome alloy ones but are of a good quality.
cheers,
glenn.

skinned

whoa..that custom bumper is cooool[8D]
wish i had access to a machine shop.i'd be crankin out some mags for the SS/BC...
i updated my Buggy Champ...thinkin about a 3300kv...that sound about right?
heres a pic

my65pan

Glenn, I think I like the plain chassis plate better than the fancy ones, mine hasn't arrived yet though.
Skinned, I like those wheels a lot. Where did you get them?

skinned

those are old school CRP's from 1983ish...had them in my toolbox for awhile[8D]

my65pan

My wheels came in yesterday. Today I fabricated a skid plate, and finished the paint on the body. I think I'm going to leave the driver out, I never put him in my Rough Rider either.

my65pan

I machined some solid wheel halves to spruce up the stock plastic wheel centers. I want to use these for another set of tires. My question is, what tires are available that will fit Buggy Champ wheels?

my65pan

I almost have my Buggy Champ done per the instructions. I have an original Sand Scorcher here for comparison and the first thing I notice is that the re-release front suspension has a way sloppier fit than the original due to the shafts that the upper and lower arms ride on are sloppy in the tubes that connect the left and right (axles), and the tubes are a sloppy fit to the (axles) themselves. I will correct his by machining custom tubes with a slip fit.
Another issue is that the front wheel bearings don't have a spacer between them so the inner races are just flopping around on the spindles. I'll open up the center section of the wheels so a spacer will fit between the bearings and then stack up washers behind the nut to take up the rest of the slack to solve that.
I have an idea to add an extra set of bearing on the inside of the rear A arms to take up some slop there too.