bte214

With the responses they have given did you think they would suggest anything other than a traxxas? The HPI firestorm looks like a very good truck almost like the GT2. It has the updated front suspension arms which give better control by reducing bump-steer. Don't let anyone tell you what to get. Some people have had bad experiences and how can you be sure it was the car or user error?
To blackfoot:
Great job on owning a gear diff but don't hate on ball diffs just because you know nothing about them. Gear diffs are fine for bashing but when you want to tune your truck for racing you'll want a ball diff.

Woodmandan2

everyone has thier own opinion on which truck to get. Many problems are because of user error, and just choose which one you like the best. there is no such thing as a bulletproof rc car stock. it is really hard to make a rc bulletproof. Just get whatever one you want. I promise you, you will have fun with it no matter what (unless somone runs over it with thier car) and remember, if you have a 300 dollar budget, get somthing less than 300 dollars because you gotta buy other things like nitro.
Dan

hillbilie

hmmm the hpi firestorm just looks sick. and from what i have seen it is damn fast. i have to wait untill next week wen i get paid but then its on. still dont know which truck i am going to get but right now the firestorm is just looking sweet. and yeah i know i have to buy nitro and stuff i dont really care if i go over 300 a little, i am just trying to keep it right around there.

Kemo

Thats the diff itself, not the whole tranny. When the top shaft flexes in the tranny under a heavy load, it pulls the steel gear away from the plastic idler gear, and when it meshes back together, you eat up the idler. Been there and done that with a .12.

Hillbilie, from one mechanic to another... if you even plan to take it to a track and race, then the best options for you are: Losi XXXNT, Associated RC10GT2, or the Firestorm. They were designed to be on a track and tested on the track. Racing vehicles take more abuse on a track than they would bashing in the backyard. Thats also something else to keep in mind.

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

LMFAO 2 tanks!!!

my RC10GT's diff lasted 8 gallons on its last rebuild before i sold the truck. ball diffs only don't last if you don't know how to maintain it or build it.

Kemo

they last even longer when you use a better quality of diff balls. ceramic nitride is one of the best ball out there.

Edit... allow me to correct myself. Ceramic nitride IS the best ball out there. Tungsten Carbide is a cheaper alternative.

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

I like regular ol steel balls. works good enough for me

Kemo

they do a good job, but I figured I'd list another option for those people who argue ball diffs are garbage.

Build a evader diff with better balls, and it'll be just as reliable as any other ball diff out there.

pre98zetec

too bad traxxas doesn't use plastic idlers... both gears in the tranny are steel, besides the diff case.

Kemo

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJF83&P=7 Nylon... they aren't steel.

pre98zetec

thats great you can look it up on tower.. too bad this one isn't nylon and the truck has had it in it since day 1..

Kemo

too bad thats the same exact NYLON part thats in the nitro rusty manual.

pre98zetec

awesome! traxxas must have installed one in my truck because they felt like it too huh?

Kemo

Thats definitely not a steel idler

pre98zetec

too bad thats out of a nitro sport.

Kemo

too bad they use the same exact gears.

pre98zetec

ok you got me on that one I just opened my tranny.. but...... explain 20+ gears on same tranny that came in the truck when i got it.. if there so weak i shoulda broke it by now with a 1.6hp motor powering it.......

Kemo

I'm gonna get you again on horsepower claims... just because everyone needs to know this.

HP claims are pure BS. Its a random generated number estimated by the factory. Put a engine with more power than the 2.5, like my STS or a OS .18, and you'll notice that there is some torque flexing.

Stock, they are ok, but throw a more powerful engine in it, and you have problems across the board. I've ran many a rustler back when I had respect for traxxas. Heck, I was thrilled to death when the jato was coming out, but being how much i cant stand them not having a kit version of it with race like features, I'll never turn back.

pre98zetec

traxxas don't rate there motors..... i was standing at the dyno and saw the results..

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

must've been one of those optimistic dynos then. anybody that's owned both knows that on a good day, a Traxxas 2.5 and an OS .12CV-R will make the same power, and my ball diffs lived forever on my GT with a .12CV-R...not to mention i'll guarantee my GT saw more abuse than your traxxas thingie ever will

Kemo

traxxas also states that their engines get up to 50,000 rpm...

pre98zetec

no, traxxas states the bearings are good for 50,000rpm

jkulhanek

I hear with a decent pipe a 2.5 hits 60,000!!!!

pre98zetec

tard

I never said 2.5 reved to 50k, the max recorded RPM on that dyno was 39,875rpm

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

jk, would that be the ultimate unobtanium pipe with the cross-drilled muffler bearings?