Getting TC3 tomorrow. Suggestions?

[badmeat]

I'm going to pick up a TC3 "Team" kit tomorrow. Any suggestions on what will break first so I can get it at the same time? How about bodies. I know the Stratus is popular but I like the Lexus also. Tires? Are the kit tires okay for now. I haven't raced on road in over 15 years. My last road car was an RC12i. You can see I need to be brought into the new millenium as far as touring cars go. This will be a race car ONLY. No bashing will be done with it other than the bashing on track. ;) I just want a solid, reliable car to re-learn how to drive on road again. Most of my time lately has been off road. I have motors, ESC's etc. I'm only worried about mechanical breakage.

[rc10tc3drivr]

get different o rings for the shocks the stockers leak real easy.

[RC10T3]

well, if you dont liek the stratus, look at the alfa romeo or the accord. You are gonna need front a-arms and hub carriers, and lots of them :-) Associated shocks are some of the best you can get, so there arent any problems with them. if you want cheap tires that really hook up, look at yokomo sprints in the medium compound with medium inserts. They work very well. The team version will win against anything out there, as long as its in the right hand. All the TC's these days are the same speed and everything, and if one is a slight bit better, you cant crash to take advantage of it.
Take your time building it, some steps are easy to mess up. If you race on concrete, run 40 wt all around, red springs in front and purple in the rear. If you run on carpet, try 50 wt all around, and yellow springs in back, and white in front. Those are the best setups that i have. maybe someone else can give you somemore setups. You need to get new springs and tires even before you put it on the track, becuase its not very responsive when set up stock. Thats about it, if you have any more questions, just ask and someone will help ya out. You got good electronics? If not, look at a Novak Cyclone TC2 or an LRP Quantum. Only get Stock Metal Hydride cells for batteries, and get a Fantom MVP or GM3 for stock, or a Fantom Ti for mod. Hope this helps :-)

[TC3Racer]

I suggest the Chrysler 300m body. its the most aerodynamic body that is available for the TC3. The stratus, for some reason, is great for steering. i would go with the 300m body though. it is great.

[Grizzbob]

Badmeat, those tires that come with the TC3 really aren't much good for racing(though they can work on a few surfaces), they're ProLine's hardest TC tire compound(S2) & you really need a high-grip surface for them to be useful. Before we make some tire suggestions, do you know much about the track surfaces you'll be running on? That can make a big difference in your tire selection, as well as the inserts you'll need. Oh, also it's a good idea to know what the range of track temperatures is for your track, that also affects which compounds will work best..... :)

[mmmoy782]

well ya ur gonna need a lot of a-arms and hub carriers..u hit any of those wrong and it's gone....as a matter of fact i broked one today sliding into a wall that usually does nothing..but yah i like how it runs...i have copper in the front and gold in the back..works for me rite now...

[TCorzett]

You've chose a great car to get, that's for sure! The one thing that I really liked about the FT over the Team was the shocks. The threaded shock bodies are great for dialing everything in. If you're good with spacers then there's no need to get the threaded, but I really like them.

Also, if you let us know what track you're going to be running on we can help with setups. The thing I did before I got my TC3 was make a trip to the track and ask what people were using, then built the car up that way.

I run at SoCal RC Raceway in Huntington Beach, Ca. Have 40wt oil and red springs all around, Yokomo 138G Belted tires with Firm inserts, CycloneTC, and P2K. It's a high traction, treated, asphalt track with banked turns. Normally run quick shoots with long turns (the P2K's Torque really helps out here).

If you need any more help just let us know! Best of luck, and see you at the finish line!

-Todd...

[Crazy Canuck]

Pick up a BRP Wide Front Bumper. You just bolt it on over the stock bumper and it protects things from front end collisions. The stock tires are pretty crappy, if you want really nice ones try Pit Shimuzu or Take off, although they are pretty expensive.

[Cosmo]

Get the BRP wide rear bumper too. It has saved many rear A-arms for me. As far as I'm concerned, that is the most important hop up for a TC3.

[Interceptor]

The trinity foam bumber is really nice. Also, I bent a few hinge pins, pick up a set of stainless stell of better yet, titanium pins. a building tip would be don't over tighten the gear box screws, you will strip them. just snug em. As long as you are not using 28mm tires, up grade to RPM ball cups. The stock ones pop off way to easy. Have un and good choice.

[HauntedMyst]

Actually, those tires hook up great at our track, which was freshly paved last year, but they are not long lasting so I just use them for running in the street which they are perfect for.

[badmeat]

Holy cow! Thanks guys. Lots of great advice. Especially the setup tips. I only had a few minutes to dash in and pick it up today. I got the "team" kit and a Protoform Stratus body.
I'm pretty much set for stock and modified motors. I've got a new Novak Dually ESC. 6 2400 packs and tons of 1400 matched packs I can use for practice.
I'm in north San Diego county and there are a few tracks here and just north in Lake Elsinore. I haven't been to any of them so I'll have to see what tires work for each track. I'll probably use the kit tires to get aquainted with the car and basically learn how to drive again. I'll pick up some extra arms and hubs. Probably some hinge pins too.
Thanks again for all the great tips. Keep 'em coming.