New Monsoon break-in suggestions
11-12-2008, 04:10 PM
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New Monsoon break-in suggestions
I just bought a new Monsoon (should arrive tomorrow!) and with the wet winter weather here in the northwest I've got some time to break it down and tweak to my heart's content before it sees any serious abuse. Aside from the usual engine break-in process and locktite for metal-metal screws, what other things would any fellow Monsoon owners recommend be checked/adjusted/hopped-up?
I'll be eventually looking to race locally (sportsman class) and am viewing the Monsoon as my starter sled so anyone with experience racing the Monsoon who have input would also be appreciated.
I'll be eventually looking to race locally (sportsman class) and am viewing the Monsoon as my starter sled so anyone with experience racing the Monsoon who have input would also be appreciated.
11-12-2008, 05:11 PM
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RE: New Monsoon break-in suggestions
Get some ofna 1/2" hub extensions and some LPR 1/2" offset wheels and tires, 12 tooth clutch bell, make sure your pipe is not up against your fuel tank, get a Kyosho ST-R ackerman plate, change the diff fluids to 5-10-3 (I think that is what I ran) and tear it up!!
11-12-2008, 09:24 PM
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RE: New Monsoon break-in suggestions
Why the offsets? For a wider stance/better traction or for better steering control? The stock footprint is already fairly wide so some reasoning behind the suggested change would be appreciated. I assume the ackerman plate recommendation is also to increase rigidity in steering response but is the Monsoon stock plate that wiggly?
I'll definitely be changing the diff fluids, not sure what ratio though, will have to play with it to find something that fits my driving style.
I'll definitely be changing the diff fluids, not sure what ratio though, will have to play with it to find something that fits my driving style.
11-13-2008, 12:24 PM
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RE: New Monsoon break-in suggestions
ORIGINAL: AmoebaCowboy
Why the offsets? For a wider stance/better traction or for better steering control? The stock footprint is already fairly wide so some reasoning behind the suggested change would be appreciated. I assume the ackerman plate recommendation is also to increase rigidity in steering response but is the Monsoon stock plate that wiggly?
I'll definitely be changing the diff fluids, not sure what ratio though, will have to play with it to find something that fits my driving style.
Why the offsets? For a wider stance/better traction or for better steering control? The stock footprint is already fairly wide so some reasoning behind the suggested change would be appreciated. I assume the ackerman plate recommendation is also to increase rigidity in steering response but is the Monsoon stock plate that wiggly?
I'll definitely be changing the diff fluids, not sure what ratio though, will have to play with it to find something that fits my driving style.
As for the ackerman plate, it just plain sucks on the monsoon. It is way to soft and will bend so easily it is not even funny. You will notice you steering goes away because it will start to bend and bind the steering. Even the upgraded one redcat sells sucks and bends just as easily. Get the Kyosho one and be done with it. I had to bend both of mine back probably 50 times! Really sucks in the middle of running and you lose half your steering on a track.
11-14-2008, 02:36 PM
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RE: New Monsoon break-in suggestions
Thanks for the info vnmsgt.
Initial impressions: I just got the Monsoon yesterday and spent last night tightening and familiarizing myself with the layout etc. Overall a very beefy and substantial heft to the unit. For the price point I was expecting something not as polished or rugged and am pleasantly surprised. I changed out the stock fuel lines to reroute them away from the cooling head since stock lines were very long and quite close to the engine. Been reading up in the Monsoon thread and notice there are some differences between the original release Monsoon and what I received (notably yellow plastic rims vs blingbling chrome look) so I'm curious what other updates or changes occurred during the production run (Redcat Nick? Anyone?). For instance I've seen previous posts suggesting installing a stiffer anti-squat bar but the one on my chassis is metal and very stiff....
The aluminum pipe does sit fairly close to the fuel tank so I'll probably apply some heat-resistant insulation between them which should be sufficient.
I'll also be upgrading to a Futaba 3PK and most likely digital high-torque servos (Hi-tec?). I didn't see any twitchiness in the stock AM(!?) radio/receiver but I need to get off my ass and upgrade anyway to a nicer single radio for my kits instead of juggling 4 of the damned things. vnmsgt do you have part numbers for the Kyosho ST-R plate or 12t clutch bell you ran? I see what you mean about the ackerman plate.
Initial impressions: I just got the Monsoon yesterday and spent last night tightening and familiarizing myself with the layout etc. Overall a very beefy and substantial heft to the unit. For the price point I was expecting something not as polished or rugged and am pleasantly surprised. I changed out the stock fuel lines to reroute them away from the cooling head since stock lines were very long and quite close to the engine. Been reading up in the Monsoon thread and notice there are some differences between the original release Monsoon and what I received (notably yellow plastic rims vs blingbling chrome look) so I'm curious what other updates or changes occurred during the production run (Redcat Nick? Anyone?). For instance I've seen previous posts suggesting installing a stiffer anti-squat bar but the one on my chassis is metal and very stiff....
The aluminum pipe does sit fairly close to the fuel tank so I'll probably apply some heat-resistant insulation between them which should be sufficient.
I'll also be upgrading to a Futaba 3PK and most likely digital high-torque servos (Hi-tec?). I didn't see any twitchiness in the stock AM(!?) radio/receiver but I need to get off my ass and upgrade anyway to a nicer single radio for my kits instead of juggling 4 of the damned things. vnmsgt do you have part numbers for the Kyosho ST-R plate or 12t clutch bell you ran? I see what you mean about the ackerman plate.
11-15-2008, 09:01 AM
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RE: New Monsoon break-in suggestions
ORIGINAL: AmoebaCowboy
Thanks for the info vnmsgt.
Initial impressions: I just got the Monsoon yesterday and spent last night tightening and familiarizing myself with the layout etc. Overall a very beefy and substantial heft to the unit. For the price point I was expecting something not as polished or rugged and am pleasantly surprised. I changed out the stock fuel lines to reroute them away from the cooling head since stock lines were very long and quite close to the engine. Been reading up in the Monsoon thread and notice there are some differences between the original release Monsoon and what I received (notably yellow plastic rims vs blingbling chrome look) so I'm curious what other updates or changes occurred during the production run (Redcat Nick? Anyone?). For instance I've seen previous posts suggesting installing a stiffer anti-squat bar but the one on my chassis is metal and very stiff....
The aluminum pipe does sit fairly close to the fuel tank so I'll probably apply some heat-resistant insulation between them which should be sufficient.
I'll also be upgrading to a Futaba 3PK and most likely digital high-torque servos (Hi-tec?). I didn't see any twitchiness in the stock AM(!?) radio/receiver but I need to get off my ass and upgrade anyway to a nicer single radio for my kits instead of juggling 4 of the damned things. vnmsgt do you have part numbers for the Kyosho ST-R plate or 12t clutch bell you ran? I see what you mean about the ackerman plate.
Thanks for the info vnmsgt.
Initial impressions: I just got the Monsoon yesterday and spent last night tightening and familiarizing myself with the layout etc. Overall a very beefy and substantial heft to the unit. For the price point I was expecting something not as polished or rugged and am pleasantly surprised. I changed out the stock fuel lines to reroute them away from the cooling head since stock lines were very long and quite close to the engine. Been reading up in the Monsoon thread and notice there are some differences between the original release Monsoon and what I received (notably yellow plastic rims vs blingbling chrome look) so I'm curious what other updates or changes occurred during the production run (Redcat Nick? Anyone?). For instance I've seen previous posts suggesting installing a stiffer anti-squat bar but the one on my chassis is metal and very stiff....
The aluminum pipe does sit fairly close to the fuel tank so I'll probably apply some heat-resistant insulation between them which should be sufficient.
I'll also be upgrading to a Futaba 3PK and most likely digital high-torque servos (Hi-tec?). I didn't see any twitchiness in the stock AM(!?) radio/receiver but I need to get off my ass and upgrade anyway to a nicer single radio for my kits instead of juggling 4 of the damned things. vnmsgt do you have part numbers for the Kyosho ST-R plate or 12t clutch bell you ran? I see what you mean about the ackerman plate.
11-15-2008, 12:24 PM
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RE: New Monsoon break-in suggestions
ORIGINAL: vnmsgt
I ran the Redcat 12 tooth bell with no problems at all. I will see if I can find the part number for the ackerman plate. I do know here in the redcat section and/or the truggy section where there is a monsoon thread also someone posted the part number and pic of the st-r plate. Will see if I can find it.
I ran the Redcat 12 tooth bell with no problems at all. I will see if I can find the part number for the ackerman plate. I do know here in the redcat section and/or the truggy section where there is a monsoon thread also someone posted the part number and pic of the st-r plate. Will see if I can find it.
