Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
10-20-2009, 09:55 PM
#27
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
So for the ESC, I decided to go with a Futaba MC401CR. Handles brushed down to 9T, very small, and I've heard some good things about it. Tower is selling them at $40, so it seemed like a steal. Since I won't be going brushless for a while in this Stadium Thunder (just the sport tuned motor, and a 19T I have), it seemed like a good fit at a nice price.
Here's a pic, comparing it to the Novak XRS (which itself is quite small), and a Mamba Max.
Here's a pic, comparing it to the Novak XRS (which itself is quite small), and a Mamba Max.
11-03-2009, 10:15 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Right! So I'm back in action on this. Had a minor mishap of gluing the rear tires to the rims, but they're on there now. I installed the electronics - will be using an older Futaba FM Rx I had around, and the MC401CR ESC. I'll also slap in a 6 cell NiMh Elite 4000 pack when I run - I share this among a couple of my buggies.
What's odd is, the on/off switch for the ESC doesn't seem to function. I went through the ESC setup/calibration, and it works fine (loads of torque on this sport tuned black can motor...wheelie-ing in the high-grip basement carpet like mad). But....on/off for the ESC doesn't seem to matter. I get throttle and steering regardless. Weird.
Anyway, here's a pic.
Am masking the body now, will be painting it up with boxart colors!
What's odd is, the on/off switch for the ESC doesn't seem to function. I went through the ESC setup/calibration, and it works fine (loads of torque on this sport tuned black can motor...wheelie-ing in the high-grip basement carpet like mad). But....on/off for the ESC doesn't seem to matter. I get throttle and steering regardless. Weird.
Anyway, here's a pic.
Am masking the body now, will be painting it up with boxart colors!
11-04-2009, 06:11 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
You're gonna have lots of fun with that truck for sure. I owned one which I built new out of the box like you did, and I really enjoyed bashing around with it. It's very durable and the gears are near bulletproof. It also jumps very well and in my opinion is ahead of it's day as far as performance goes. Have fun with it and don't be afraid to throw a brushless/Lipo in it at some point. The durability of that truck will take the abuse of faster motors and with the combination of a nice lipo, she will fly. Well anyways have fun with it once you have it built. You won't be disapointed, I can promise you that much. 
11-05-2009, 11:45 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Good to hear you enjoyed one too! I have no fear with Tamiya drivetrains....even this one. Lunchboxer is running a BL setup in his Blitzer Beetle, if I recall correctly. I'll post more pics once the body is painted up.
11-10-2009, 11:12 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
And here's a last few (better quality) pics of the chassis, ready to run. Just needs the body done (I put the first 2 coats of black on just now...).
11-11-2009, 12:27 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Bet you get alot of run-time, maybe even 25-30 minutes with that 4000 pack.
But I am alot like most people I run my car for 10 minutes and then I'm done.
That's the positive thing about the sport-tuned motors.
When I first started getting serious about racing I ran a sport-tuned motor in a gravel hound and dark impact too,
I got close to 20 minutes with a 3300 GP battery.
Nice pics, I'm just waiting on a video.
But I am alot like most people I run my car for 10 minutes and then I'm done.
That's the positive thing about the sport-tuned motors.
When I first started getting serious about racing I ran a sport-tuned motor in a gravel hound and dark impact too,
I got close to 20 minutes with a 3300 GP battery.
Nice pics, I'm just waiting on a video.
11-11-2009, 01:56 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Video? From me? LOL - yeah right. I am clueless on video editing stuff, so I doubt that'll happen.
11-11-2009, 05:18 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
ORIGINAL: Eman77
Video? From me? LOL - yeah right. I am clueless on video editing stuff, so I doubt that'll happen.
Video? From me? LOL - yeah right. I am clueless on video editing stuff, so I doubt that'll happen.
11-12-2009, 11:26 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Hehe, maybe that's the way to go.
Nearly done with the black coat of paint - have only been able to spray in the evenings, so I should be done tonight, can remove some masking, and do the gunmetal for the truck bed. So far so good. Removing the masking on the bed so that there is still some left for the silver rollcage/bracing effect will test how steady my hand is (read: not very). I'm sure profanity will be involved.
I use liquid mask, which is nice...but have to have a steady hand on the xacto knife when shaping the masking.
Nearly done with the black coat of paint - have only been able to spray in the evenings, so I should be done tonight, can remove some masking, and do the gunmetal for the truck bed. So far so good. Removing the masking on the bed so that there is still some left for the silver rollcage/bracing effect will test how steady my hand is (read: not very). I'm sure profanity will be involved.
I use liquid mask, which is nice...but have to have a steady hand on the xacto knife when shaping the masking.
11-12-2009, 11:40 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
might be stating the obvious, but make sure its properly dry.. can take 48 hours sometimes.. otherwise the edges will fluff up and the lines wont look as sharp..
11-17-2009, 11:31 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Good advice lee - when painting , patience is key.
In my case, I did ok in that regard - lines do look sharp. When I was cutting the masking out for the silver rollbars in the truck bed though, I did just "ok". I just don't have the ultra-steady hand to work in a tight spot like that and cut a straight line with the blade, when that line has to sit right on top of a ridge-line. But, I did ok all things considered, so I'm fine with it.
In retrospect, I should have tried to hold a straight-edge in there and cut along that for the longer lines....next time!
I'll post pics tonight.
In my case, I did ok in that regard - lines do look sharp. When I was cutting the masking out for the silver rollbars in the truck bed though, I did just "ok". I just don't have the ultra-steady hand to work in a tight spot like that and cut a straight line with the blade, when that line has to sit right on top of a ridge-line. But, I did ok all things considered, so I'm fine with it.
In retrospect, I should have tried to hold a straight-edge in there and cut along that for the longer lines....next time!
I'll post pics tonight.
11-18-2009, 12:07 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Paint job is finished, decals up next!
Notice the "good from far, far from good" job on the truck bed rails. Oh well! It'll be covered in mud soon enough....
Notice the "good from far, far from good" job on the truck bed rails. Oh well! It'll be covered in mud soon enough....
11-18-2009, 12:14 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
I think your bed rails look pretty good. I've never been able to even paint two colors on the same body before
your esc switch is shorted. you will need to replace it unless it somehow starts working again. actually you wont really need to replace it, just if you want a functional switch lol.[8D]
your esc switch is shorted. you will need to replace it unless it somehow starts working again. actually you wont really need to replace it, just if you want a functional switch lol.[8D]
11-18-2009, 12:52 AM
#41
RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Looks good, Eman!
Did you masked the windows or they are painted black?! Can't tell from the pics.. (looks like it could be smoke tint.. or black..)
11-18-2009, 09:20 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
LB - the windows are smoke tinted, as per my handy manual.
gelbschnee - thanks! So how do you think the switch got shorted, since I just got the thing? Would you recommend just putting in a new/different switch (cutting the old one out, wiring in the new)? Wonder what happened....?
gelbschnee - thanks! So how do you think the switch got shorted, since I just got the thing? Would you recommend just putting in a new/different switch (cutting the old one out, wiring in the new)? Wonder what happened....?
11-19-2009, 07:34 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Nice job on the paint my friend and yes, I must agree with the other guy about the bedrails on the body. You did what looks from here a pretty good job. You should take some last pics before you turn the truck into it's intended purpose. I would love to see some outdoor, good weather pics if mother nature permits. Then we'll really be able to judge your painting skills, jha ha. Well good luck my friend and try not having too much fun, ya might end up hurting yourself, ha ha. [8D]
11-20-2009, 08:41 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
ORIGINAL: gelbschnee
I think your bed rails look pretty good. I've never been able to even paint two colors on the same body before
I think your bed rails look pretty good. I've never been able to even paint two colors on the same body before
Nice job Eman!
11-20-2009, 09:37 AM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
I'm putting decals on now, am mostly done. I intend to take good outdoor (quality lighting) pics before I mud it up.
11-21-2009, 04:29 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
At last! Decals have been applied (but not without a mishap or two....par for the course), the project is complete.
Behold - pictures in good lighting!
Behold - pictures in good lighting!
11-21-2009, 04:40 PM
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RE: Eman's Tamiya Stadium Thunder kit build
Thanks! My older son just saw it for the first time and was quite excited about it. He's calling it a Nascar Truck (he loves Nascar...I guess "Cars" by Disney got him started). I have to say, it's a pretty nice looking truck, done up as box-art.
Time to go run it soon - just on 6 cell NiMh and the stock sport tuned motor, but it should be fun. Will likely upgrade to a 19T sooner or later, and just stick with that.
Time to go run it soon - just on 6 cell NiMh and the stock sport tuned motor, but it should be fun. Will likely upgrade to a 19T sooner or later, and just stick with that.
