TC3 Help! Newbie

[tunnelhead]

Just bought the TC3 racer kit. I will be racing out doors on a asphalt parking lot. What hop ups should I do out of the box? Any tricks I should know about assembling the car. I have heard about blue printing the diff. They are put in a bind if you dont??? Thinking about RPM front bumper and maybe aluminum cvd's. Plan on running the Novak 5800 SS Brushless motor and the new Kokam Li-Po's. Also was told Sorex 32 rubber tires were also good for the asphalt. What websites should I visit for TC3 hop up parts? Any help would be greatly appreciated !!!

[gizmoguy303]

With the brushless system, you should get steel outdrives (and the corresponding diff rings). Um, just curious - why didn't you buy a TC4?

[AudiTT-Quattro]

Good tires for your track are a must. IMO, they contribute to 90% of car setup so check out what your local drivers run. Trying to drive consistently with the wrong tires is a nightmare.

Google around on tutorials for blueprinting your diffs. Basically, it's to free up the bearings for a smoother drivetrain.

[tunnelhead]

The real reason was the price for the TC3 racer kit was I only paid $100 for it. Brand new never open in the box. One of the local guys didnt like the slop new TC4 as he put it. Most of the local guys are buying the new 05 Xrays and some are getting the new Losi car.

[Cain]

For nib thats not bad. TC3s going pretty cheap nowadys. You may want to just buy another vehicle used that has the hopups you want for it. I would look for one with a BMI Chassis on it. Makes the vehicle handle much better, love the motor mount too!

[viper2002]

I definitely reccommend last year's RCCA "Touring Cars" special edition. It has an article on freeing up your TC3's drivetrain which is critical if you want to be fast. The bearings in your car are rubber sealed, and if you are going to race on a parking lot, retain their seals are upgrade to Teflon bearings which drag less due to the Teflon seals instead of the rubber seals. If you plan to race with modified or brushless, power, look at steel diff outdrives or sleeves for the plastic outdrives. I believe IRS sells sleeves.

I proabably wouldn't use a Sorex on an unprepared track though - give Pro Line V- Rage M3's a try - they are slightly treaded and are ideal for parking lot racing. Also, stock up on light shock oil, a spring set, and an optional mounts to change anti squat, kick up, etcc... Even if you have all the hop ups, if the car has a lousy setup, you aren't going to be any faster. On that note, the best hop up for your TC3 is PRACTICE.

Have fun

[tunnelhead]

I once saw a company that already mods the diff cases of the TC3 for you so you dont. ANyone know who that is and a web address. Thanks again for all the help. Thanks also viper! I was already looking for that magazine. Moght have to order it on line.

[tunnelhead]

What are some of the best companys that make hop up parts for the TC3. What are some of the parts that I whould change . Out of the box it seams pretty darn good. Just noticed the outdrives already wearing the plastic ones. Thinking associated steel outdrives and pinion adapter. Will be using the Novak 5800ss brushless motor and the Kokam 2S lipo batteries. Mazda 6 body. Airtronics digiatal servo. Thinking about Boca ceramic bearings and Acer ceramic diff balls. Cost not much of an issue. Getting the stuff pretty darn cheep. We are making the guys a little nervous with the other tcs we put to gether running in on the small in door carpet track and ran some good lap times with it even being to big for the track. Cant wait to run it out doors. I know it never replace the new X-rays and Losi car and others. But it will be fun giving them a run for there money. After driving micro cars it sure seams a hack of alot easyer to drive the larger 1/10thscale cars. Thanks again for all your guys help. Open to any input you guys have!!!

[tunnelhead]

opps ment spr gear adapter. Aluminum one not the stock plastic

[FESTER2004]

hello heres a tip, dont use u your tc3 for "jumping" speed bumps,about 3 yrs ago i bought the rtr kit from tower hobbies.anyway full throttle i was hitting speed bumps in the parking lot n i got some good air n my co workers were shocked,well 1 speed bump 2 many n i blew out the front screws that hold the a arms? ,they were totally stripped out! it was bad! winded up selling the car dirt cheap on ebay for like 100 bucks after i paid like 250ish for it. a week b4 that ...boy the memories i have with rc cars i could go on for hours but i wont,lol

[ikraj]

I notice4d that you are thinking about ceramic balls for the diffs. Don't waist your money. Grade 25 steel ball bearings are just as good...just replace them every once in a while...Not everything that is being sold is needed and this is one item you can do without and you will never notice the difference. Just make sure your diffs are built right and that you do not overtight the diff screw.

[Cain]

the diff cases I believe were by warpspeed and are not offered anymore I think. You can free things up with some sanding work, etc. Never understood why they didn't just make them that way right away. My old STR4 Pro was MUCH more free than the TC3 ever was even with all the sanding.

[GT Freak]

I ran my tc3 on a paved parking lot, and am wondering if FOAMS would help in the grip dept :confused:

[tunnelhead]

GT I am new to racing but I found the stock tires are junk. The best I have found are Sorex 36 rubber slick tires with HPI's green inserts. You could try the Sorex 32's or softer if cooler out. It was pretty warm out when using the 36's,