WHAT NITRO ON-ROAD............

[Dlux]

At the moment I'm shopping/researching for a 1/10th nitro on-road car. If I can pick your brains, what model would you guys recommend, taking into account durability, parts availability, shaft or belt driven etc. I'm thinking of racing at WARCMCC and the majority of those guys run mugens. Few of the lads from my club at whiteman are running there and have been asked to join.

[justo316]

I only had one onroad nitro ever and it was a spur of the moment suggestion by a guy who used to work at Perth RC that I trusted. Can't remember what car I actually went in there to buy in the first place....

Anyway, I can recommend the Kyosho V1R series. Cost $650 at the time w/o engine/body. The kit went together beautifully and the car handled like a dream out of the box. I never broke a thing and that included a 70+km/h hit into a square concrete kerb. The guy I sold it too tried re-selling on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=49213&item=5980674866&rd=1

My brother has some OB4 nitro onroad (?) and that thing is a pig. No traction and constantly likes to spin out.

I think almost anything by serpent would be good too (expensive). Also the HPI R40 looks the goods.

[davetripoli]

I've got a cheap Colt nitro for sale, $350, this car has a two speed and tuned pipe, adjustable suspension. With a bit of setting up it could be a good club racer. Other than that I would say Kyosho or Mugen the way to go if you have plenty of money to spend.

[azzachaz]

One vote for Thunder Tiger, cheap as all hell and performs well. Need to check for availability in your area first. All the hobby shops in Canberra stock them.

Although Mugen is expensive to set up, you will find spares are cheap and they are durable anyway. It is a MAJOR plus to have similar car to people at the track too because they are always willing to help :)

[BALISTC]

Kyosho V-One RRR...accept no substitute..

[Dlux]

Ok the V-One RRR looks the goods, but I think parts here are scarce. Though I get my stuff mainly from OS. Only in emergensies would I get locally. Balistc have you got one and if so why did you choose this one over others?

azzachaz - the fast guys all seem to be on the mtx3s then it starts varying down the group. CD3s, Kyoshos, serpents, NTC3's but majority MTX3s. I'll check up on the TT's.

davetripoli last week my mate bought a colt but had no idea about keeping the thing running. I had a look at it and fixed up a few things including dialling in his engine, loosening up his 2nd gear and this things pi$$ed. He was a happy camper and it was the first time I'd played with an on-road nitro. Got me all moist it did.

What are the pros & cons of belt driven and shaft driven models?

[KingBob]

I can say without hesitation, get an associated nitro tc3. awesome machine, had one myself, but i got too much into electric so sold it not 3 months ago. Parts are heaps available, you can get a factory team with all the bling, great, reliable, championship winning, where do i stop?

My vote is for the NTC3.

[KingBob]

From what i hear, the MTX3's are a bit fragile, and i've no idea who has parts. Shaft drive cars are more responsive than belt, ie: they wind up faster, also less maintenance.

[BALISTC]

I had a Kyosho V-One RR Evolution, the model before the RRR, and it was hopped up to the max with 3 Racing bits.

I got one because friends of mine had all different types of on-roads...from FW05Rs, to MTX3s, to Ofna LD3s and NTC3s...I've used all, and the one I found easiest to drive fast was the V-0ne RR Evolution. The RRR is improved upon the RR Evo, and its lighter, has a lower CG, better suspension geometry, and its generally a thoroughly improved chassis.

Not sure if it was the setup that made it feel nice, but it was awesome...I prefer belt drives, more progressive out of corners and provides that gradual "slingshot" feel, rather than the snappy responsiveness of the shaft drives...not to mention that the Kyosho V-One has proved itself on race circuits around the world. The FW-05RR is an identical beast, but its shaft driven rather than belt, and they have the problem of being quite limited in their gearing, which may or may not be a problem for some.

Thats just me though, everyone is different and I recommend anyone buying a nitro on-road touring car, test drive a few first.

As for parts, you can get them from Radio Model Supplies, precisionrc.com and Tower Hobbies has the full range also. Little pricier than other brands, but you get what you pay for...nothing is higher quality than a Kyosho on-road car!

[justo316]

You sound like part of the Kyosho marketing team joe

[bd581]

I race a FW-05R
Dad races a MTX-3
My brother races a NTC3

So i have a lot of experience with them all. So here is what i think.

NTC3 is very smooth, fast and handles well, but has a strange front wheel wobble thing when cornering which is the same with the 3 NTC3s that race and my TC4

MTX-3 is amazing, just about perfect, but the clutch is an issue on tight tracks which can make it quite difficult to drive. Changing belts is a pain. Quite strong, only ever broken a rear shock shaft and stripped plastic pullys (bought 3 racing aluminium)

FW-05R - Strong, handles well, not the best car available, but its very easy to drive, reliable, doesn't have any real major faults. And is also much cheaper than its competitors.

Used to race a Kawahara V-one R. Very nice and reliable and fast, but i got sick of changing belts because of our dusty track

Time for a plug for my fave shop again
RCsquare.com has
MTX-3 Pro spec - $615.70
FW-05R - $404.79
FW-05R Hop up version $491.25
V-one RRR WC team - $615.70
All spares and hop-ups also available
HPI R40 also seems to be a good car $391.69

[BALISTC]

HPI R40 is a little heavy from all accounts, but isnt too bad for the money..

Go Kyosho or Go Home :D

[Dlux]

As some may see on my signiture, I went and got the VoneRRR. I've got 3 port and 5 port Nova Rossis. Man this baby flies and I've only got the 3 port in it. Balistc you sold me on your post when comparing with your mates on roads. It just looks so DANG SEXXAY!

[mik068]

Dlux have you been down to bayswater yet?

[Dlux]

Mik, yes I have. I debut last Sunday at the Total Sign Cup. I had only done 5 laps or so the day before just to get the hang of the track. Come Sunday, there were 5 new racers for the day out of 41 and I was the only one to enter in the pro class. I was nervous as hell too as I got put in the same heat with the two fastest pro drivers. By the end of the day, I was hooked and can't wait till next Sunday.....and I still didn't come last. Do you race there?

[mik068]

Dlux I started two weeks ago and i had ago on sunday as well in sports class got 8th in the final not bad considering a sux at driving and my steering was shot

[Dlux]

I had car problems too. My clutch was engaging too late so I had Nic Iannetta have a look at it. Was a bit better but the clutch was working like a high stall. With the engine revving high before engaging, I literally ran out of fuel just as the finish sirens went off. Car wasn't geared right so I was lacking accelaration but my top end was fine. Got it all sorted now (I hope) so can't wait till next weekend. I've got a friend starting for the first time next week in sports class. Give him heaps.

[mik068]

yep next race is the 4th but i will have to wait till the 18th as I cant miss fathers day will will have to catch up with each other and swap knowledge i see your in stirling im in mount hawthorn just up the road i think

[BALISTC]

Good choice with the V-One RRR :)

Got any pics??

[Dlux]

Just tried to attach a jpeg file but nothings coming up when pressing preview. Funny enough I haven't attached pics before and hell knows how I got my avatar up.

[Matt]

are you trying to attach a pic to a post here? try renaming the file to something simple like PIC1.jpg and see if that helps

[Dlux]

Heres one of the chassis

e107_files/public/97_pic1.jpg

[Dlux]

oops! a bit big. Sorry Mods

matto edit: no probs, resized for you.

[Dlux]

My body...............car body that is

e107_files/public/97_tn_pic2.jpg

[mik068]

sweet paint job

[Dlux]

I've done one for my friend thats going to running in the sports class with you Mik. Same body with opposite colour scheme.

e107_files/public/97_tn_pic3.jpg

[mik068]

mate all i can manage is a one colour paint job

[Dlux]

You need patience. Heres the start of it

e107_files/public/97_tn_pict0071.jpg

[justo316]

hahaha....A LOT of patience!

Why couldn't you just paint the black dividing lines with a thin/medium brush, then brush on the green as you'll have a nice thick black line to not go over. Finally spray on the white? I might try that next time actually....

[BALISTC]

I dont paint my own shells, I get my mate Ash to airbrush em for me ;)

Dood, that V-One 3R is absolute PORN!!!

[Dlux]

hahaha....A LOT of patience!

Why couldn't you just paint the black dividing lines with a thin/medium brush, then brush on the green as you'll have a nice thick black line to not go over. Finally spray on the white? I might try that next time actually....

The lines won't be as sharp and plus my hands aren't that steady !lol

[Dlux]

I dont paint my own shells, I get my mate Ash to airbrush em for me ;)

Dood, that V-One 3R is absolute PORN!!!

you got any pics of your mates work?