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T-Maxx or Ek4????

Old 03-24-2003, 08:28 PM
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Veritech
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Just asking for opinions here. I am looking at getting a Monster Truck and have narrowed down the choices to the T-Maxx or EK4.

Here is what I see as pro's and Con's for both.


T-Maxx:
Pros:
Good price
EZ-Start
2 speed tranny with reverse (A big plus for me)
Plenty of hop ups available

Cons:
Only a .15 engine (yeah I know it is a high-po .15 but it is still only a .15)
It is smaller that the 1/8 scale EK4
Everyone and their brother seems to have one
They seem to be out of stock most everywhere.


EK4:
Pros:
Huge .70 engine! (I am really drawn to this, maybe the only reason I want one!)
Great wheelies (sp?) from what I have seen.
Bigger than the T-maxx

Cons:
No 2 speed tranny
No reverse
Very little after market parts available (compared to the T-Maxx)
May be hard to get parts for
No electric start (not a big deal to me as I have a cordless airplane starter)


Please add any info that may help me make up my mind. I am not really looking to race but would like to keep the option open and one day be able to do so with what ever truck I choose.

Thanks,
Randy
Old 03-24-2003, 11:04 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

I was looking over this truck before I bought but decided against it as I am new to nitro. I went with the T-Maxx.

I did donwload the videos of it in action from here:
http://www.acehobby.com/acehobby/pro...ek4/index.html

A couple things I noticed from the videos.

1. This thing was never opened up and still seems as fast as a T-Maxx so I think not having a 2 speed trans is no big deal. But might it be too crazy to open it all the way up?

2.It also looks like one heck of a torque monster. That is one reason I didnt choose it it looks wayyy to out of control for a new guy like me. For a pro it would be awesome.

3.I also hardly use my reverse in my T-maxx but when I use it I am glad it is there as it saves me the time of walking over to pull car out.

4. It is nice if I break a front suspension piece I can run to the local hobby store with my T-maxx.

5. Have to refuel more often with the big engine?

6. The thing sounds as loud as my chain saw!!! Do you plan to run it in a residential place. Might really annoy neighbors.

I have no idea about the quality of the vehicle but here are some links to reviews of it.

http://www.rcnitro.com/articles/ttek4s2sport.asp

some more videos here

http://www.rccaraction.com/rz/cars/video.asp

hope this helps you out.
Old 03-25-2003, 01:01 AM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Go with Tmaxx, its faster and easier to get parts for when it breaks. EK4 is nice, but jus not that good when it comes to availability.
Old 03-25-2003, 03:12 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Txnks for the replies!

I watched the videos in the links above. Looks like the Ek4 really puts out the tourqe, I wonder how the realiability is???

Casey,
You are telling me that the T-maxx is faster than the Ek4 with only a .15 engine??? That must be one heck of a .15! When you say availability do you mean of the truck itself or parts. I can't seem to find the T-Maxx in stock anywhere but the Ek4 is in at least 2 of the hobby shops near me.
Old 03-25-2003, 03:36 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Oh my.... im in agreement with Casey!!! Just kidding man......

The thing about the EK4 is that in my opinion the suspension lacks
and the fact that there is no aftermarket support to speak of.
The tmaxx has more aftermarket support than any ather truck/car/rc ever made.
Old 03-25-2003, 05:45 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

check out terra crusher ,,it has ez start and reverse..good for climbing and jumpimg..need more speed change the pipe and intake and youre on..thats what i did on mine..i am not into racing but surely it adds up in the speed it makes a difference
Old 03-25-2003, 05:56 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Hmmm...

Still undecided but am now leaning towords the T-Maxx. I will be at the Toledo Expo next week and will probably get a truck then.

In my on-line research I found this link

http://www.rbinnovations.com/


I wonder what this would do to a T-Maxx

Might make up for the smaller motor
Old 03-25-2003, 06:30 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

and maybe you can get it cheaper in the expo..goodluck
Old 03-25-2003, 06:31 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Just to clear up the speed thing. The article I had posted had a comparison chart between the EK4, Moster Pirate and the older T-Maxx with the .15.
Speed went like this

EK4 37.55 mph
Monster Pirate 32.28 mph
T-Maxx .15 29.05 mph

Thats pretty good considering the single speed transmission on the EK4

I also found out that they make a 2 speed transmission for the EK4. If it goes almost 38 with a one speed it wopuld be ungodly with a 2 speed. Here is the link for the 2 speed tranny.
http://www.rcmodels.com/rc-hhh-ek41021.html

There also seems to be more parts out there than I expected. Here is another link to parts.
http://www.rcmodels.com/rc-ttr-6216-f.html


The new T-maxx with the trx 2.5 engine is said to go around 40 mph according to several articles and traxxas. It is still a .15 engine still but produce 60% more power than the old T-maxx according to traxxas.

Just general information here:
The latest issue of RC Nitro magazine(April 2003) has a shootout between the T-Maxx and Savage. They got the new T-maxx 2.5 up to 40mph and the savage up to 32mph. The T-maxx also won the drag race against the savage.

I doubt either could drag race a EK4 and win if they were all stock.


Good luck and I hope this helps.
Old 03-25-2003, 06:47 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

but the ek-4 is too much money and i think it doesnt come with a radio so you pay too much for the truck and u still have to buy a radio and a conversion for 2speed thats too much for me.if i have that kind of money i would get the maxxed out tmaxx or savage or any other truck
Old 03-25-2003, 06:48 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

and i can also get the titans deluxe version for $519 and its rtr
Old 03-25-2003, 07:03 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Thanks FairlyNew! Now I am really torn between the two, back to square one; which one to get

I didn't know about the 2 speed tranny or all the other aftermarket parts for the EK4!

So it looks like the new T-maxx 2.5 is faster stock than the Ek4. Interesting, very interesting.


badboy2,
I understand what you are saying about the price but for me it is not a big issue. After spending over $3000.00 for my model turbine engine this is chicken ***** in compairison

Also I did not mention that I already have two 1/8 scale buggies (both Thunder Tiger but I am not partial to T.T. at all) and have 2 very good radios for each. An older but still good R-756 and a new EX-11 Presto. One of the things I do not like about the T-maxx is the cheap feeling of the radio that comes with it. I asked every shop I went to if they would sell me a T-maxx with out the radio but sadly all said no

I do agree, however that the EK4 is a lot for truck with out a radio but man-0-man the thing has a .70 in it! I just can get past that! If it had any other motor I would not even consider getting it and the T-maxx would be my choice with out a doubt.

Thanks for all the input!

Still undecided,
Randy
Old 03-25-2003, 07:35 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

money is not the issue?get the ek-4 and buy a lot of hop-ups bigger engine is better and you got everything in there
Old 03-25-2003, 07:43 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

badboy2,
Now that's just what I was thinking after seeing the link to the 2 sp tranny! Maybe the best advice so far!

Can't wait for toledo now! hope someone there is selling these trucks!
Old 03-25-2003, 07:59 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

that supergharger thing looks kool
Old 03-25-2003, 08:04 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

if i had the money i would definitely go with ek-4 isaw this in my lhs when i bought my terra crusher but of course because i was only approved for less than 400 by my wife thats why i took the tc
Old 03-25-2003, 08:30 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

to much to read and to little time to post it.. but ya the tmaxx tops out over 40 mph (i think 41.2 or something) with the new 2.5 engine, and I heard the .18 Sirio can take it well over 50 mph. The EK4 has SO MUCH MORE POWER than the tmaxx, but all it gets is wheel spin, and its so heavy. Jus phsyics to why the tmaxx is faster, no big deal. Plus anyways if ur LHS doesnt carry Tmaxx parts, order them in bulk off web, it susually cheaper anyways, thats what i do.
Old 03-25-2003, 08:30 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Another parts manufacturer for EK 4

Here is another link for a place that is making aftermarket parts. They are soon launching thier own 2 speed for the EK 4 and are even talking about a 3 speed for it.

http://www.midmad.com/main.html
Old 03-25-2003, 08:32 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Sorry that link above is a EK 4 fan site here is the link to the other company.

http://www.msjproducts.com/pages/565163/index.htm

A whole lot of cool parts
Old 03-25-2003, 08:35 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

They are coming out with a new version of the ek-4 with a .90 on it if that will sway your decision at all. Might be worth holding out for.
Old 03-25-2003, 08:47 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

that is all i wanna say-----EK4 does not need 2 speed tranny.

EK4 might suck at tracks, but its speed and power are unbeatable.

wait a bit longer, the new coming EK4 will have .90 engine
Old 03-25-2003, 08:47 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

I think if I knew more about Nitro cars I would purchase an EK 4 it looks just awesome. You seem to be pretty farmiliar with them so I think it would be a cool choice for you. That huge engine is awesome. My only worry would be about where to use it. In all the videos it seems LOUD!!!!!! If you live in the country or have a place to run it it would kick some $%%$#@!@. I usually run mine here in the suburbs so I cant have something that loud and still have good relations with the neighbors :-(
I dont think the price is too bad considering the engine and overall size of the truck.




Be sure and check out the video of the EK 4 with a 2 speed tranny installed. They used the OFNA Monster Pirate 2-Speed in the EK4. Thats cool that you can do that. Page also walks you through the install.
http://www.midmad.com/ek4/2speed/ek42speed.html
Its at the bottom of page.


Here is another EK4 fansite
http://www.dxdec.com/ek4/index.asp
Old 03-25-2003, 08:52 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

i dont own an EK4, but in China , EK4 are more popular than other

MTs because the manufactor is in China.

i just ordered some aluminum parts for my friend's EK4.

look at the pics, a fly wheel is not completely in the pic
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Old 03-25-2003, 08:57 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

Jbbxxxnt,
A .90!!!! Yer killing me

Did you find that here?

http://www.extremercmotorsports.com/...-Unlimited.htm


Oh man! It looks like I might just have to get the EK4! Then put a 2 or 3 speed tranny on it and then upgrade to a .90! Now that would be a Monster Truck!

I wan't to get one with in the next few weeks as the weather is nice enough to play outside but not nice enough to fly my planes yet. Good time to go Monster Truckin

Come summer time I will be flying my R/C's or my full size ultra light....But right now I am free.
Old 03-25-2003, 09:03 PM
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Default T-Maxx or Ek4????

dude, trust me, EK4 does not need 2 speed.

without 2 speed, it still can beat any truck in speed.

with the .90 engine, you probably want to get a bigger clutch bell.

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