original rc10 worth restoring, or do I B3?

[javelina]

I have an original RC10, as in before the stealth transmission, with the resistor speed control, a Trinity Monster Horsepower stock motor, no body, and a fried receiver. I un-mothballed this car recently after it had sat for 12 years and was pleased to discover that I was able to at least get enough charge into the battery to get me about 5 minutes of run time. However, this thing needs a speed control, a body, a new receiver, an anti-sway bar, and probably a lot of other little things that I haven't seen yet due to limited run time. My question is, do I spend the money on this car to bring it up to where it should be? Has anyone had both the original and a newer b2 or b3 to compare to? If the original is a total dog both handling and speed wise in comparison, then I probably should not spend over $100 on an esc and whatever else I need. I would appreciate opinions from anyone who knows the relative performance of this old timer compared to the contemporary Team Associated or other manufacturers cars. I don't plan on racing, I just want to have fun, but I don't want buddies to be running circles around me. I don't expect to be able to run flat out with nitro cars, but I would like to think that at the very least I can NEARLY match the top speed - given the same motor and gearing - as someone with a b2/b3. If this is a ridiculous suggestion, please tell me!

Also, the original battery pack is a 6 cell 1200 mah Radio Shack special. I see all these batteries out there today that are 1800-2400 mah, do I just pick the highest capacity battery?

Thanks, any input will be appreciated.
Victor

[LatexMantus]

If you just want to have fun then there is really no need to buy a B3. That car is a classic, so I would say it is worth restoring, just don't destroy it.

[Isky]

I would wait for the release of the RC10B4, in about 1.25 months. Your friends would run circles around you, no offense. That is unless you popped in a low-turn motor. The cars ahandling isnt that great...this thing is outdated. But, it would be cheaper to run! A new B3 would cost you some money...still much better performance.

[BadRacer]

I say keep it! Put all the high po parts on it like the 100$ ESC and the 39 Stock motor or the 95 mod and the 65$ packs. LOL What i am trying to say is you can keep up with your friends and they WONT run circles around you. Isky you are totaly wrong man, even tho it is old it can still hang with the new R/C's! http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

After you are done with RC10 take all the parts that cost you an arm and leg off. Then go get a kit of your choice and put the parts like the ESC and so on, on your new kit.

Last but not least put the RC10 behind glass for display and look at it as a reminder of the good ol days! Just look at it as owning a classic car. Im not going to sell any of my r/c's, they are going on display when i retire them.

Keep it Real
BadRacer

[This message has been edited by BadRacer (edited 02-21-2001).]

[ovalnator]

I agree!! Just buy the parts to fix it up, clean it, dye all the parts and keep it as a show car. Its a classic, and believe it or not, they are worth a good $.

[Grant Tokumi]

No matter which way you go, you'll need your electronics (ESC, receiver). Keep in mind that the servo plugs have changed from a while back. I know that Futaba for sure has different plugs from around the time of your original RC10. So you might need a new servo as well as receiver.

My personal opinion is to get a new car or truck over trying to fix yours. If your intentions are to have a classic kept on disply on a shelf, then fixing up the RC10 might be good, but it sounds to me like your intentions are to actually get some runtime out of it, and since that is the case, I would recommend getting a new one. Trying to find parts for your classic will be a tough battle for you. I believe the original RC10 used 32 pitch gears, something as simple as finding a pinion gear (48 pitch is today's standard) will be tough. What if you strip the spur? I believe the RC10 required a special spur because the diff balls sat right in the spur gear. The spur gear was the diff gear.

Just my thoughts.

Since it seems like lots of people are interested in the original RC10, perhaps you might want to sell it for good money, and use that to buy new stuff.

[QUAKE&SHAKE]

You dont need a special spur or pinion any will work 32,48. 2 years ago I won a race with my rc10. You one need to be a good driver and two updated engine esp bat. I have an 11 triple in mine but also a Blackfoot conversion. I think these were the strongest buggies ever built they last and last and last.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=958789&a=7018664&p=23696177&Sequence=0&res=high

[pp13b]

javelina,restore it ,so what if it costs u an arm and a leg,if your preped to pay the $$ to restore it ,then i say go for it..

[JoeTheShmoe]

If I were you, I would sell that on ebay, and buy a B3, or if you just want to drive around in your backyard a kyosho optima buggy
(anyone else have comments???)

[atm92484]

Restore it. Thats a classic car (well 1/10th scale classic). If you had a 67 Corvette Stingray would you restore it or go out and buy a new 2001 Corvette?

[This message has been edited by atm92484 (edited 02-25-2001).]

[javelina]

Well, I appreciate the variety of opinions on this topic. I think that at this point I am going to try and bring 'er back, and do it fairly inexpensively, meaning no ESC - I know, it's almost a crime! With a new receiver, the right gearing, and a 2400 mah battery pack, I should get a better feel for whether I really want to get mixed up with this rc thing again.

I have noticed that with NiMh batteries, one needs to charge at a lower current and for a longer period of time. Given that I have a DC/DC timed charger that connects directly to the car battery, would this be an unwise way to charge NiMh packs? Can someone recommend a good, basic (re: cheap) AC/DC peak charger?

Thanks to all for the comments. It seems like it makes the most sense to restore this classic to original running condition, and if I want more, I should buy more - maybe even nitro, please forgive me...

[J mAn]

restore it, thats what i'm doing that car is awsome!

[kaiserscosie]

I recently restored a old RC10T that i bought off of E-Bay. In my opinion i prefer the older RC10T's 2.25 stealth transmission to the newer 2.60 ratio stealth. It is faster than my T3 that i am currently running. It still handles great and is much more durable than the T3. Granted it is a bit outdated and the chassis is all metal but, i prefer the durability over the weight disadvantage. If you want to mess around with the old RC10 then search e-bay for old parts that you can get cheap and put a decent stock motor in it and have fun! I love the old stuff for it's timeless contsruction and old school looks.

[dm76]

I agree with the majority of the pack. That RC10 is a classic. Restore it to its orginal condition and just look at it. I recently had the great fortune of finding one on ebay and when I heard its an RC10 circa 1985 that has never been run I didnt belive it at first either. It has never been run!!! The guy just built it and put it up!! mint condition. Sorry got caught up in the moment. Restore it and put it away!!!!!

[Isky]

A good charger, eh?? Buy a Duratrax Intellipeak charger. (four different models...) they all feature super low prices, and they are reliable. If you can wait till may, buy the Novak Ionic AC/DC charger.

[C Guevara]

Restore that sucka!! I have a RC10T that I bought in late '91. I am in the process of upgrading it. Just rebuilt the tranny for the first time and everything was in good shape. My friend has a T3 and laughed at my old truck. That was until I pulled in front of him and beat his butt in our backyard race. All the new technology and gadgets that are out there can't beat an old, durable, and well designed original.

[Ulti Maxxer]

i think you should sell it........ to ME!!!!!!!! all kidding aside. i say you should keep it, and have the pride of rebuilding it yourself. i used to have one, actually my dad did. After he sold it, i wished he never had.

[TOTAL CARNAGE]

dm76, I just got your cars twin brother!!!
This thing is mint, never ran and except for the body it's all here! This one will never see dirt it's going on the shelf and will only come out for special events and even then will only run on carpet.