Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more > RC 1/8th Scale Buggies
 convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing >

convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

Community
Search
Notices
RC 1/8th Scale Buggies Discuss the ever popular category of 1/8th scale rc buggies in this forum!

convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-25-2005 | 08:48 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: St. Louis, MO
Default convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

I have an old Super Athlete that is still running like a champ. Everytime I take it off-road (just playing around, i am not a racer), I end up breaking something. Problem is, I am running very low on parts. So I would like to turn it into a parking lot car. I think I should change the shocks, wheels, and tires, any other recommendations? Where can I find the shocks, wheel/tires? Thanks for any help in advance.
Old 05-26-2005 | 02:03 AM
  #2  
Foxy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 18,082
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Default RE: convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

Don't need to actually change the shocks, just the oil, pistons and springs...nor the wheels, only the tyres...

This is what I'd do...

Change the shock oil all around for 60wt, and put the stiffest springs you can find that will fit. Add stiff anti roll bars front and rear, and run it as low as possible (about 5 or 6mm off the deck should be fine). Then put those on-road tyres on it (they even look like rally tread, but I can't for the life of me remember what they're called), with stiff inserts. It will handle like a train after that, you'll be traction rolling all over the place. Then fit a front one-way differential, lock the centre differential and/or fit a two speed. That should cost you some... Then take it down to the local asphalt track and watch their faces when you roast the one 1/10th models through the twisties and leave them standing on the straight! Hahahahahaha....
Old 05-26-2005 | 07:31 AM
  #3  
Hummer Man's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Waverly , IA
Default RE: convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

I think you are talking about Medial Pro Tarmac IIs... They are very good on-road tires, very stiff as there is no foams. Instead the tires are "honey-combed"! But they are smaller than your average 1/8 Buggy tires, you will have to re-gear...
Old 05-26-2005 | 08:03 AM
  #4  
Foxy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 18,082
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Default RE: convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

That's the ones! Ta....
Old 05-26-2005 | 10:12 PM
  #5  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: St. Louis, MO
Default RE: convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing


ORIGINAL: foxy42

Don't need to actually change the shocks, just the oil, pistons and springs...nor the wheels, only the tyres...

This is what I'd do...

Change the shock oil all around for 60wt, and put the stiffest springs you can find that will fit. Add stiff anti roll bars front and rear, and run it as low as possible (about 5 or 6mm off the deck should be fine). Then put those on-road tyres on it (they even look like rally tread, but I can't for the life of me remember what they're called), with stiff inserts. It will handle like a train after that, you'll be traction rolling all over the place. Then fit a front one-way differential, lock the centre differential and/or fit a two speed. That should cost you some... Then take it down to the local asphalt track and watch their faces when you roast the one 1/10th models through the twisties and leave them standing on the straight! Hahahahahaha....
Thanks for the info! I'd like to find a wheel/tire set (preferably pre-mounted) that will mount right onto the Super Athlete hubs. What brand fits on the Super Athlete. I don't know what the standard is, but I know the hubs are different than on my buddy's MP5. I'd also like to buy new shocks, what kind should I buy, Ofna? This way I could go back and forth between on-road and off-road without having to rebuild the shocks. On the final recommendation on the diffs, what kind of diffs can I currently buy that would fit into a Super Athlete?

Thanks again for all the advice!
Old 05-27-2005 | 02:19 AM
  #6  
Foxy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 18,082
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Default RE: convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

Anytime, but it's all theoretical, many of these parts may not even be available for your buggy. Just do what you can and leave out what you can't. The biggest difference will be made by those tyres, if you only do one thing, it has to be that. As for the hubs, if they are really that different, then I suggest that you don't change the wheels, this may just cause problems. As for the shocks...dunno to be honest about the OFNA ones, the important thing is the uncompressed length of the shock should closely (but not necessarily exactly) match the length of your existing shocks. As for the diffs, well, a two speed normally eliminates the centre diff, but again, not necessarily...the front one-way will no doubt be tricky to find...but is the least important component (it is only for racing really), as you can always put heavyweight oil in it, to severely restrict diff movement.
Old 05-27-2005 | 11:29 AM
  #7  
MassiveMods's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: SydneyNSW, AUSTRALIA
Default RE: convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

I race my Hyper buggy on road , i have it set up pretty well now, after 2 seasons its almost perfect, now all i hav to do is learn to drive.

My set up is on a basic graupner hyper. Ive converted the rear to PBS

Standard shocks, Ofna hyper shocks are great value. Black springs rear, blue front 120 wt oil

I use the Tarmac II's in a 35 shore, love those things !! the car sits about 2 Cm off the ground..

I have a Torsen front and center and a spider rear with prepsol grease and a few drops of 1 K in it in case the grease dries up.



Old 05-27-2005 | 04:07 PM
  #8  
Goaferboy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Banbury, UNITED KINGDOM
Default RE: convert 1/8 scale buggy for on-road bashing

if your only bashing on tarmac then you dont really NEED to change anything (ok maybe tires cos off road ones wear down quickly). i run my hyper 7 on tarmac with all stock parts and its ok. youd only need to change things if you want the BEST handling. or if your going to jump it on tarmac, but i assume your not since your doing it to avoid breaking parts

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.