RE: Help picking first nitro rc! Need durable beater, I think.
Dont be afraid of nitro, they are a lot of fun[8D] It sounds to me like you are in the market for either a stadium truck or a monster truck. If you are going to be in grass, mud, snow, or fairly deep ruts a lot, a monster truck will handle it better than anything. They ride up over the tall grass pretty well and even though it still slows them down, it isnt nearly as bad as it does most other things. The downside to most good MT's is that they are fairly expensive, and they do require more maintenance because they are 2 speed, 4 wheel drive, dual A-Arm's, etc.... They just are a little more complicated by nature, which isnt necesarilly a bad thing, but something to be aware of. They also use more fuel since they are heavy. As for almost anything else, like blacktop, concrete, fairly smooth dirt, gravel, thin grass, etc... a stadium truck is a heck of a lot of fun and extremely simple and cheap to work on. They are typically single speed rear wheel drive, and parts are normally cheap, and usually when you break something it isnt as hard to fix because the trucks themselves are so simple, and there just arent as many parts there to break. Thick grass and big ruts are some of the main things stadium trucks dont like too well, but if you put some larger tires on, and gear down slightly to compensate, then they actually do pretty well. If you were looking to buy a stadium truck, I think I would look at 2. Either the HPI Firestorm, or the Traxxas Rustler. Both are plenty powerful, both are easy to get parts for and cheap to work on, and both are extremely tough trucks. I personally like the looks of the firestorm better, and it does handle better. The rustler however, has a great starting system, and i am a fan of the 2.5 traxxas engines. The EZ-Start really makes it a piece of cake to start these engines. You can put a roto start on the firestorm if you wanted to though which works well also, but isnt quite as easy to use. I have owned both a rustler and now the firestorm, and they were both good trucks. I like the layout and design of the firestorm better though and so far it has proven to be tough and is a lot of fun to run[8D] If you are looking for something pretty cheap, and simple that doesent break often and is fun to run, a stadium truck is hard to beat. As for an MT, I own the savage and i love it too, but i normally run my stadium truck unless im running in grass, or rough surfaces/big hills. It has been extremely tough though and i love driving it, it is a lot of fun. The Aftershock as mentioned is also a good truck, and i had an associated MGT that was a good truck too. Honestly, I think by the sounds of it, I would go with a stadium truck if i were you though. Put some larger tires on it, and gear it down 1 or 2 teeth on the clutch bell, and I think it would do anything you wanted to do just fine for cheaper than anything else. I just really like the simplicity of them myself. I have also owned an 1/8 scale buggy. They are a lot of fun too, but they dont handle grass as well as a stadium truck in my opinion, and with the big block engine and small fuel tanks they tend to need refills fairly often, plus they are just generally more expensive, and as for bashing, they wont really do anything a stadium truck wont do. They are fun and really tough though if you like the looks. Hopefully this gives you a decent idea of what to keep an eye open for. You dont have to spend a lot of money to have fun. A $600 truggy isnt needed. Just do some research and buy what you think you would like based on videos and others experiences. Eric
Posted on: 11/21/2009 2:17 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9269305

RE: Xmas Presents - Losi Highroller or Traxxas Stampede
Stampede all the way if you ask me. Parts can be found anywhere, its tough as nails, the transmission is bulletproof, and they are just an all around fun, tough truck to run. I dont know about comparing the handling of the 2 trucks, but i dont figure kids will be too worried about it[:D] I just think everything on the stampede is better and stronger for bashing. I had an older one for a long time and i never broke anything but the idler in the transmission(which is now aluminum from the factory), and blew off a shock cap or 2. Other than that it was extremely durable. Eric
Posted on: 11/21/2009 1:55 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Monster Trucks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9269289

RE: Just got me a Nitro pede
Just buy the pullstart unit, and replace the ez-start with it. Shouldnt take long at all to do.
Posted on: 11/21/2009 1:47 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "Traxxas Monster Truck forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9269280

RE: Just purchased my 1st MT.
If its anything like my savage you will love it. The only things i have done to mine are put the axial .28 and an aluminum clutch in it. Since yours comes stock with a .28 it will have plenty of power, and in 6 gallons the only thing i have broken was the rear differential. No suspension parts, no bent hinge pins, no wheel bearing, or anything. Only 1 spur gear, and a couple clutch bell bearings i believe along with replacing the plastic clutch. Its been my favorite truck so far. It is just flat out tough as nails, and just an overall very fun truck to run. You wont be dissapointed[:D] Waiting till Christmas will be the hard part for sure. One thing I would reccomend is loctiting the metal to metal screws, and buying a rechargeable reciever pack for it if you dont have one. I havent had any screws back out, and the reciever pack is so much nicer than messing with batteries. Have fun with it! Eric
Posted on: 11/21/2009 1:46 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "HPI Monster Truck Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9269275

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
Lets keep it on track guys. I know its easy to veer off(i do it all the time), but I think this thread might help some people getting into the hobby decide nitro isnt as hard to deal with as it sometimes sounds just by reading posts. I think almost everyone has been intimidated by nitro engines at least when they first started into the hobby, especially if you are on a small budget like a lot of people are. I was going to be extremely cautious breaking in my first nitro. I can remember it pretty well. I read up on the break in process, and was going to take it easy and tune slowly. Unfortunately, tower hobbies horrible build quality on my Nitro St-15 stadium truck kept me from having a good first experience with nitro. It has all worked out well now, but i can think of plenty of times that engine made me want to just give up. The first good nitro engine i had actually came to me used, and i had to take it apart and clean it up before i could run it, but it ran like a top once i did that, and that is one of the main reasons im not so scared of used nitro engines like i used to be. Obviously you can buy bad ones, but I have bought at least 4 or 5 and not had one that has given me a real problem. Also, maybe im an oddball, but i love breaking in a nitro engine. Putting some oil in the cylinder and working it in, and then starting it for the first time and slowly running it through a few tanks. Then starting to run it a little harder and lean it slightly and watching it come to life and start making power is a lot of fun to me[8D]
Posted on: 11/21/2009 1:40 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9269267

RE: advice on mt purchase, what to go with
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8772629/anchors_8779742/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#8779742 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8734731/anchors_8737943/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#8737943 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8713071/anchors_8713201/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#8713201 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8540444/mpage_11/key_/tm.htm Post 265 in the last link they start talking about the differentials. Obviously you can find problems like that with every truck if you search around, but it just seems like most of those problems are fairly common on the XXL. From everything i have read, It seems like the LST2 is a better truck to me if you are going with losi. Not trying to sway your opinion, just showing some of the things i read about the XXL when i read about them. Eric
Posted on: 11/20/2009 3:07 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Monster Trucks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267877

RE: advice on mt purchase, what to go with
I should first say i have never owned a losi MT, i have only done a little reading on them. I did however read some of a few peoples problems they had with their new XXL's. It seems they had problems with some buttons on the transmitter, differential problems, the tires coming apart, and even the pipe breaking on one of them. Im pretty sure it was all the same person that had these problems i read about and it seems a few others were running into those problems too, so i dont know if it is common or if he just got a lemon. Im sure if you do some reading in the losi section you will find out what the common problems are. Eric
Posted on: 11/20/2009 2:34 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Monster Trucks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267801

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
What did i say about electric that is not true? One thing i find funny anymore is that as soon as people here electric, they are always assuming lipo and brushless is what the discussion is about. I bet half the people out running electric are still using brushed motors. As for real vehicles having nothing to do with this hobby. It has everything to do with it to me. Almost everything on my savage is a scaled down slightly different design of what is on my real truck. That is one of the main things i love about this hobby is how it is so realistic just like a real vehicle. I really dont care what someone has fun with. I hope everyone enjoys whatever they run. I was just stating what he said was wrong, because you can easily run a nitro for as long as you can an electric vehicle. Bring it in for a 15 second fuel stop and take it back out. An electric, you almost always have to take the body off, take out the batteries, put new ones in, put the body back on, and put the batteries back on the charger. Obviously if you have enough batteries and chargers you can run all day but you still have to be close to a power source and your vehicles battery only lasts so long doing that. Eric
Posted on: 11/19/2009 11:22 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9266671

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
[quote]ORIGINAL: Access [quote]ORIGINAL: cummins driver As for your batteries lasting longer than fuel. Whatever. If you have unlimited battery packs you can run as long as a nitro, but most people arent millionaire's. [/quote] One battery pack, that costs $50. can run 30-40 minutes. If you are current with the times. A lot of people are still proclaiming yesteryear's facts
Posted on: 11/19/2009 6:02 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265893

RE: advice on mt purchase, what to go with
I have had a t-maxx, an Associated MGT, and a Savage. Out of the 3, if I were running on a track a lot, I would go with the Associated. Its a tough truck that handles great. Parts are pretty cheap and easy to get, and the 4.6 engine in mine was pretty strong. As for just being tough, fun to drive, and jumping awesome, the savage takes the cake. My savage has been awesome. Havent ever broken a suspension part of any kind and it is just plain fun. But, it doesent handle very good compared to the MGT, so if you are running on a track, you may not like it. I havent been a huge fan of the losi trucks just from what i have read. Id like to try one out, but it seems a few have had a lot of problems out of their XXL's. If i were buying new and planning to run on a track, I think the 4.6 MGT would be my choice. Its just a great all around truck. [8D] Here is a video of mine with the stock 4.6 associated engine i had in it. It was plenty fast. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87tdbUkiSSk Really, any of the big name brand MT's are pretty good. They each have their own little quirks, so just pick the one you like in the right price range for you and run the heck out of it. [:D] Eric
Posted on: 11/19/2009 5:26 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Monster Trucks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265799

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
[quote]ORIGINAL: lee172 Do you say that when they are flying past you?! as i said before nitro's sound like a fart/pathetic little scooter, and they stink rotten. Electric FTW! [/quote] You must have no appreciation of internal combustion engines. Hearing these things get up into the power and pull hard is just awesome IMO. Like a real vehicle when you are running it hard through the gears. Realizing that these engines are turning 30-40k rpm and holding together reliably is just awesome.
Posted on: 11/19/2009 4:40 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265681

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
[quote]ORIGINAL: piddlefoot After you have run and tuned nitro engines for over a decade then maybe you could make a thread like this, your a fresh nitro driver yes ? My 5400Mah batteries will last longer than your tank of fuel.An 8000Mah, wow.......fuel, ppfftt... [/quote] Are you calling me out? Im not hardly a fresh nitro driver. Been running them for at least 8 years. Just 2 years short of "a decade". Been running electrics since i could hook up a battery. That shows how hard it is to run one. As for your batteries lasting longer than fuel. Whatever. If you have unlimited battery packs you can run as long as a nitro, but most people arent millionaire's.
Posted on: 11/19/2009 4:30 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265660

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
Normally for me, its tune for 5 minutes, then run until you run out of fuel or break something. I think people who havent owned a quality nitro/engine get the idea that tuning and wrenching is all you ever do with a nitro, but i have had great luck with mine now that i have been dealing with quality stuff. This is not a hit at electric, but just for comparison, i spent far more time swapping batteries, and charging batteries with my electric than i do tuning my nitros. Eric
Posted on: 11/19/2009 12:33 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265206

RE: Need receiver and speed control help me choose
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVSJ4&P=ML Id go with that for the speed control. Waterproof and can handle down to a 15t motor. Should be a great match for the wheely king. If you waterproofed your reciever then you wouldnt have to worry about getting it in the water. They can probably be had for cheap on ebay. As for the reciever, i just run stock RTR AM radio gear so i cant help you there[:D]
Posted on: 11/19/2009 11:54 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265111

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
I can only imagine the old nitro engines[:D] Im sure they were much cruder than what we have now. Nitro engines each have their own different quirks and tuning characteristics, but that is what makes them fun. You have to figure out the engine, and learn to tune it, and when you get that perfect tune where it will idle all day long and accelerate hard without any hesitation or lean spots, you know that you are the one that tuned it, not some computer programming that fixed it how you wanted it. Maintaining the clutch, cleaning the engine, and the occasional rebuild is fun for me too. [8D] Its the maintenance along with how realistic they make the vehicle respond that really makes me like nitro engines. Eric
Posted on: 11/19/2009 11:48 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265105

RE: HPI Nitro Monster king... speak up!!
Yeah i thought they looked lke junk to me! haha I know they would have to go if i got one. I bet you are right. The probably did it so that you cant flip it easily by turning it hard. Thats just the nature of the best with a solid axle high riding 4wd though, so they should have put the same tires all around like you have. Nice truck by the way! I want to see some good video of one of these trucks[8D]
Posted on: 11/19/2009 9:21 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "HPI Monster Truck Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264870

RE: HPI Nitro Monster king... speak up!!
I really like the looks of this truck. Looks like it would be a lot of fun to drive. Why doesent HPI run the V-Tread tires all the way around though?
Posted on: 11/18/2009 11:06 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "HPI Monster Truck Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264218

RE: need serious answers please
The axial is stronger off the bottom end that it is on the top. My Associated 4.6 is stronger on the top end that my axial, but i think the axial has it by a little on the bottom end. My axial starts and tunes probably easier than any engine i have had though. Eric
Posted on: 11/18/2009 10:59 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "Team Associated - Monster GT"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264204

RE: Maxx Gasser Build Notes (Gas S-Maxx Conversion) Pics, Vid
Wow, glad to see you are still around[8D] How is your maxx gasser(s) doing? You need to put the video back up on youtube or somewhere. Id love to see them again! Eric
Posted on: 11/18/2009 6:11 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "Traxxas Monster Truck forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9263634

RE: STS 30+REVO TRANSMISSION=DISASTER???
You shouldnt be buying a modded picco .28 for a revo if you are worried mainly about driveline longevity. If you are willing to accept the risks of blowing up a few parts here and there, then thats fine, but if people think they wont ever have to touch the driveline then they are in the wrong hobby IMO. Or just need to leave it stock. This hobby is all about running, fixing and upgrading.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:03 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "Traxxas Monster Truck forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259937

RE: Looking to build a 1/10 scale truck.
Id go with a wheely king rear axle then, and I would go brushless with something like a 2 speed e-maxx transmission. That would be a pretty neat setup i think. Eric
Posted on: 11/16/2009 6:01 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9258488

RE: Looking to build a 1/10 scale truck.
Electric or nitro is the first question.... As for a solid axle, there are several out there. Check up on the crawler sites and see what seems to hold up well for them. I think HPI Wheely King axles would be pretty good myself. Eric
Posted on: 11/16/2009 4:24 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9258268

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
[quote]ORIGINAL: matthew__ruane I hope to get my first Nitro in about a year or so, I am a bit worried that my inexperience with break-in will somehow mess up the engine, but I plan to go ahead with it anyways. So I guess that's a no? [/quote] Follow the instructions for break in from the manufacturer and lean it slowly as you go. Watch tuning videos on youtube. Many of them show exactly how an engine acts when it is too lean or too rich on either needle. Just take your time breaking it in. Make sure it is primed right before you start trying to start it, and MAKE SURE your glow plug and glow igniter are good. If either of those are only sub par it really makes it a pain to start a nitro engine. Take your time though, and break in wont be a problem. Then once it is broken in tune it for performance and enjoy it[8D]
Posted on: 11/16/2009 3:25 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9258129

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
Well, physically scared is obviously not what i meant, but you have the idea. Just worried in general. It seems reading on here and other places that a lot of people are worried about tuning, only tune their engines when they really need it, and just in general are worried about working on them because they may not get them running again. The truth is that it is all very simple once you farmiliarize yourself with some things. I just wondered how many electric guys or new people out there wouldnt get into nitro because of the worry of how much trouble it may be to run. Eric
Posted on: 11/16/2009 10:47 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9257519

RE: Are you scared of nitro engines?
Im not talking nitro vs electric here. Just wondering how many people wont try nitro or are afraid to run theirs because they are worried they are going to tear something up.
Posted on: 11/15/2009 11:21 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9256697

RE: -=OFFICIAL HPI FIRESTORM THREAD=-
Think i may go with front traxxas stampede rims, and tires all around. I have 2 front stampede rims, and a set of traxxas hexes which must be used to fit them on, but they seem to fit good, and i should be able to get some for fairly cheap. I bought a used roto start backplate for my HPI S-.25 engine out of my savage since i broke the other roto start that came out of it. It came in yesterday, and i started comparing it to the size of the backplate on my G 3.0 in the firestorm... I took it off, and to my surprise, the S-.25 roto start backplate fit it perfect! I honestly didnt like the roto start the best on my savage, but it seems to work great on this thing, and i may stick the pull start off this engine onto my HPI S-.25 if i want to use it. I only bought the roto start back plate to put on the engine so it would be ready to go if i wanted to run it, so the pull start will work for that. I already had the roto start wand, so i was good there. Anyways, the firestorm is running great, unfortunately, I am out of fuel though so i havent been able to run it nearly as much as id like yet. It sure is fun though! Eric
Posted on: 11/15/2009 10:48 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Nitro Stadium Trucks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9256425

Are you scared of nitro engines?
Just wondering how most of you feel about nitro engines. I think a LOT of people are scared to try them, and/or tune them. They dont know how to recognize the signs of the engine, and so they dont want to mess with them. A lot of people wouldnt touch a used nitro truck either because of the same reasons. A lot of people also live by their temperature guns when tuning a nitro engine, and while it is definately a nice tool to have, I think it is overrated. I have never used a temp gun and have yet to have a problem from it. Now, I have had my share of nitro engine problems like most people have. The first one i ever had drove me crazy because it was my first hobby grade r/c and it came to me with a loose head and shortly after it had many other problems that made me hate it. It was also a low quality r/c that no one really had any experience with. However, once i got the 2.5r on my t-maxx, i fell in love with nitro again. Since then, I have really taught myself to tune them, and most the time, running nitro is really fun for me because nothing about it is hard and I can normally tell what i need to tune to get my engine to run right. I have bought a couple of used nitro engines/vehicles since then, and a little tuning, and some work on them every now and then, and i have never had a real problem yet. I just bought a lot of 3 complete small blocks, and a parts small block to play with for spares and to try and get them running. If even one of them runs, ill have my moneys worth, and ill also have a spare pull start, ez start, etc... So, im just curious do you love the challenge of learning to tune nitro engines, and running them, or are you a nervous wreck to even try one, or run your own because you are worried you will mess it up? For me, the reward is having an engine that starts good, will idle all day long and has a smooth and strong acceleration with no hesitation. Hearing these things scream at 30k rpm is just really what i love about this hobby, and i dont think i would enjoy it nearly as much if it was any different. Eric
Posted on: 11/15/2009 8:49 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9256252

RE: t maxx Vs E maxx
Maybe while you are telling him how superior electrics are, you should warn him of how unreliable LiPo batteries are, and also about how they must be taken extra special care of or else they can explode and catch on fire possibly burning your house down. They dont charge them in a fireproof bag for no reason.... Nitro has plenty of perks. And if you know how to tune, a nitro can be as reliable as an electric. Other than a few bearings, a clutch, and a rear differential, my savage has made it though 6 gallons without a problem. With a nitro, you can just fill the tank and run. When it gets low, bring it in, fill it up again, and run some more. With an electric, you have to swap and charge batteries constantly if you want to run much, or charge up a bunch of batteries before you go if you have the $$ to spend on that many batteries. They both have their good sides, but i honestly believe that they are really about equal just depending on what you want. Eric
Posted on: 11/15/2009 3:22 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "Traxxas Monster Truck forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9254679

RE: Is This Worth 600??
Id take that old pirate over a redcat though. Just my opinion[;)] Not saying redcat is bad, but Ofna makes good stuff, and parts are still available, so it should be a good truck if its been taken care of.
Posted on: 11/14/2009 11:20 AM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Monster Trucks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9253079

RE: Is This Worth 600??
I like the monster pirates, but it doesent seem they sell real fast which means you wont get top dollar for one. Id say $300 for a pretty nice one might be about right.
Posted on: 11/13/2009 8:27 PM by Author "cummins driver" in the forum "RC Monster Trucks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9252053