Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

So why do so many on-road nitro rc cars use belts to transfer power instead of steel drive shafts? I am looking to buy a nitro on-road car for my collection and noticed Redcat seems to be the only dealer that makes a nitro power on-road car that uses drive shafts instead of belts. Anyone know why this is?

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

I'd guess that belts stretch and fly off and probably slip when you hit the throttle hard.I know my raptor g2 heli went though a belt in under a month. Just my 2 cents

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

it all boils down to what is more convenient for the product user. While belt driven appears to be the most popular choice when it comes to onroad cars, more shaft driven models are being released.

Shaft driven vehicles are easier to maintain and its also more reliable when compared to belt driven. Belts stretch after time and the teeth wear out.

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

I was thinking the same thing Kemo, just wasn't sure if i was missing something in the vast expanse of knowledge that I don't know..

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

The reason they use belts is that the belt's don't have to have much force to push, rather then steel shafts take more energy to push and you lose some power, plus a belt will handle and turn more RPM then the shaft. In most race cars are belt driven.

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

The belts hold up great. Its far better to have belts than gear driven.

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

I agree, Belt drive is the way to go to get performance out of your street car. The shaft drives are just to laggy and can't handle the torque as well.

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

Here is a belt driven 1/8 scale car we are in the process of testing right now.

Our Typhoon will be available next month, but the one pictured below is geared specifically towards racing and speed.

Will let you all know if we decide to carry it.

Darin

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

Darin do you ever stop trying to improve the redcat name, I'd never buy a belt driven car I like my trucks. And thanx for the radio recall my fail safe saved me once then you recalled the radios. I have much respect for you. I even bought a hurricane tonight already have a monsoon so that should tell you that your customers like what you do for us.
Edit btw the setup on that car looks cool as much as I don't want one....yet.:D

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

you dont lose power converting longitudal power to transverse power in a belt system. everything is inline engine and axles in a shaft driven you lose power in the differential

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

belts also produce the power much smoother

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

Darin,
I do sooooo hope you carry that model, an I cant wait for the typhoon be ordering one as soon as its available!

-Wayne

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

what engine is the typhoon gonna have?

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

Hey Kemo, you got out numbered on that one lol..... jk.

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

The Typhoon will have the SH28 like the other 1/8 scale cars have. Typhoon will be shaft driven and priced about the same as our current 1/8 scale vehicles.

The other vehicle pictured above is more on the lines of the Serpent and Mugen setups but in an RTR version and more affordable than those. If we decide to get these, they will be a lot less than Serpents and Mugans but about $150-$200 more than our Typhoon.

Darin

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

well darin, i think it will be one step towards making redcat a better, bigger company...
keep us tuned [8D]
(and definatly , if you decide to carry it, make an rtm version available with a few hop ups)

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

Well holycow, me thinks I will wait on buying a Lightning and see what happens with this new car you are hopefully will carry Darin. I am looking to buy an on-road car and as so was looking at the Lightning, but I am not sure if it is race capable. With that in mind, I will wait and see what happens with this car that will compete with Mugens and Serpents. If you do carry them I will buy one. As I prefer 1/8th on-road over a 1/10th on-road any day of the week.

BTW is the Lightning race capable for its size/class??????

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

We are still testing the belt driven car so unsure if we will carry it. It will depend on a lot of things. If we do decide to carry, we are looking at about 2-3 months before they would even get here.

Regarding the lightnings being race ready, it depends on what you mean. You could surely race them at your local track of course and have a great time, but if you want to compete with the big boys, go with a belt driven car for sure. Our lightning is built as a good all around car for the person looking to get into on road at an affordable price.

Darin

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

yeah definatly go belt driver for high cometition...
one of its main advantages i believe is being consistand on high acceleration while a shfat driven car will twitch or bust diffs....

RE: Belts vs. drive shaft for RC Nitro On-road cars
 

Darin, i think you should carry a 1/8 scale on-road high speed car, i''m in the market for one right now and the choices are not many. The Kyosho Evolva and the Mugen MRX- 3 or MRX-4 are possible suspects, but the prices are quite high!! HPI also has the 1/8 scale Proceed, but it has been discontinued i don''t think HPI supports it anymore.
Keep us posted on your plans with this car, i may delay my purchase until next month, can you give us a sneep peak on this one?? Engine size, electronics body type etc ?!?

As regards the debate, belt drive or shaft drive, belt drive is a better choice for on-road cars because it makes for a more balanced car. The momentum caused by the rotating shaft at high speeds usually cause the chassis to be less stable, manufacturers tend to offset the instabilites by placing the engine and gas tank on the same side in order to compensate for the rotation of the shaft. Shaft drive has the advantage of being more reliable, less likely to have pebbles or dirt damage your drive train. But if you want a really good performance and handling (a car to race) get a proven belt drive!