TOPIC:

Hi All,

First time one here, as i'm starting to rebuild my RC cards which i haven't touched for 20 years! I have the Thunder Dragon and the Manta Ray. I'm starting with Thunder Dragon as it's still in very good condition (just needed cleaning and re-greasing) and as i've not touched it for so long, i have forgotten what upgrade options available. i.e. what engine i should upgrade to (if any), what servo (i currently have the acoms AS-7), what radio gear etc.

I'm just looking for some ideas on how to make the car better.

Thanks,

Sunil

Welcome, looking forward to your Manta resto. (bit of an addict there myself, right Edou?)

Nice Dragon not much off a restoration there looks ace

btw do you live in/on a lighthouse? (just had a look in your profile )

Thanks - new to the site, so just updating my info. I'm actually from Solihull, so far from a lighthouse

Welcome on board

If it's been 20 years since you've touched an RC car, things have moved on a bit in the upgrade department:

Bearings - now very cheap (I fit them even if a car will probably never get run )

Electronic Speed Control (ESC) - used to be rare/expensive/fragile, Tamiya have been including basic units in their kits for some time. ESCs allow much greater control of the speed (compared to the tamiya 3-step MSC (mechanical speed control)), and longer run times due to power not being wasted through those ceramic resistors. There's a much lower fire risk with these ... though high speed J-turns are also a thing of the past

Batteries - NIMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) 7.2v stick packs of 3700mAH or greater capacity are pretty much entry level; the fast option is Lithium Polymer (Lipo) packs ... these have their own terminology, you'll see ratings such as "2S 30C". "S" is the number of 3.7v cells in series (so 2S = 7.4v), "C" is the discharge rate (i.e the rate at which they can deliver power), the higher the better (but more expensive). Lipo does have soe careful handling requirements, and you'll need a specialised charger.

Motors - "brushless" motors (where the centre spindle holds the magnets & the can holds field coils, powered by a specialised ESC) are the big thing ... at the lower power end they don't offer a whole lot over a regular motor (other than being effectively maintenance free), at the other end it's nitro engine power without the smell, noise & starting issues.

Radio gear - 2.4ghz sets (that have short antennas & don't need tuning crystals) are now pretty affordable... the cheapest sets tend to be "steerwheel" - ie. a trigger for speed control & a small wheel for steering ... I can't get on with them at all, so have stuck with sticks;



The good news is, none of that is compulsory - in fact some would say you should stick with period correct equipment.



As well as a clean up, I'd suggest bearings (less than 10 GBP), a Tamiya "Sport Tuned" motor (gives about a 30% speed increase for 20 to 25 GBP) & suitable ESC (e.g an Mtroniks "Sport Tuned" (no relation) Auto 20T for 20 to 25 GBP).

Do you need a battery & radio gear? you mentioned a servo, TBH if that works ok I'd run it until it stops

One essential bit is reinforcement where the the front lower arms screw on .. someone here was making a steel doodad, it wasn't that cheap for what you got but compared to having to find new front suspension & gearbox parts every time a pine cone farts in the general direction of the front wheels, it makes a lot of sense

What are the tyres like? Are the shocks still holding oil?

Wow! Amazing advice and thank you for taking the time to respond - I appreciate it.

The car is not operational yet as I've just cleaned up the old grease from the drive shafts etc. I am awaiting delivery of some ceramic grease to reapply. I'm also awaiting delivery of some damper oil as from shock has leaked out. I will also change the rear shock damper oil too whilst I'm at it.

The tyres are actually in really good condition, so no worries there.

My aim is to make the charge last longer, for the car to handle nicely and for some decent speed. I remember 20 years ago it took 24 hours to charge the battery and it would last 15 minutes!

Interesting point you make about the front suspension are as I broke this last night putting the screws back in. I'll need to look into the reinforced versions you mentioned.

Thanks once again - lots for me to research into.

Sunil


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you like 'J' turns and the 'feel' of the original Tamiya esc but with ability to handle LIPO or NIMH and unlimited turn brushed motors then the Mtroniks StormX or the Storm family controllers are fantastic. A little pricey though at approx 50ukp

IMHO the best esc though

One of these with a 6500mah 30c LIPO will give you around 3/4 of an hour runtime

Hi Skenth,

Welcome on TB !

Your Thunder Dragon looks to be in a great shape, even after 2 decades being unused !

Looking forward to see your resto threads !

Manotas

Hi Manotas,

Thanks - i went out today to buy some new bearings and a few other bits and pieces, will fit them tonight so hopefully will be up and running tomorrow. Will then look to see what upgrades etc are needed.

Cheers,

Sunil

Hi and welcome to Tamiya base just a tip for your images, after uploading your pic's if you click the inset button in your post it will add the image full size when you submit . cheers Andy.

Hi

Thanks for the advice on the ESC. Can you please provide a link to the product you are suggesting? Also can you recommend a new motor that would work well with this ESC? My original motor refuses to go into reverse!

Thanks,

Sunil