jamesbernatchez
02-04-2007, 01:07 PM
JConcepts BJ4 Review
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0009_E.jpg
I thought I would do a small review of the buggy and the setup im running. It might help people who are looking for a 4wd buggy to race with. Here is a list of what my setup is.
Built box stock w/ a few tweaks
Doubled up the front shock tower to prevent braking(CA'd around the edges)
Did the O-ring mod to the front arms to prevent braking
Hitec HS925MG servo with aluminum arm
Mamba Max ESC w/ 5700 motor
Radioshack GP3300 pack converted to saddle pack
Spektrum Pro receiver
Proline Holeshot tires in front
Proline Inside Job tires in rear
30 weight oil all around with #1 pistons
IB3600 saddlepacks from cheapbatterypacks.com(havent received them yet)
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0001.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0024.jpg
I used the Castlelink to program the esc which I have to say is incredible. Very easy and really lets you play with a bunch of settings. It gives great descriptions of what all the different parameters do too. My settings are
Brake/Reverse Type: Reverse lockout
Brake Amount: 50%
Start Power: Low
Voltage Cutoff: None
Motor Timing: Normal
Punch Control: 40%
Drag Brake: 35%
Build up:
It went together flawlessly. Fit and finish are superb. I had no problems except the shocks. I hated building those. It took me forever to get them to snap together right.
Comparissions:
Ive ran 2 XX4 buggies and a XXX4. When I raced the XX4's i really liked them but was sick of the belts failing and front bulkhead snapping. Other than that I loved them. The BJ4 seems like a night and day difference. When I would run the XX4 I had to be careful punching it out of corners due to the belt skipping. With the BJ4 ill be able to rocket out with no problems. I wish I bought this sooner :) From just getting a feel for it in my driveway it seems like its easier to drive. I cant wait to race with it next weekend!
Shakedown run:
I charged up the pack over 24 hours ago and its been sitting since. I took it outside, snapped a few pics, and took it for a shakedown run to make sure everything was ok. The acceleration is crazy. I was running a XX4 w/ Novak 5.5 motor and it was nuts with a freshly peaked battery. This is just as good but more effecient. I was going pretty easy cause I didnt want to break the tires loose on pavement and wear them out. Braking seems pefect with 50% but it might lock up on dirt. Steering is quick and it has a great turning radius. The buggy has great throttle feel and I left the throttle curve to the default. Although I could play with that I would like to drive the buggy as is and then make changes to it.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0038_E.jpg
After running:
I looked over the buggy and everything looked great. I noticed some wetness on the left back wheel/arm and figured that i ran into a bit of water somewhere. So i sat down and started typing this. I grabed the buggy by that back arm to check something and when I put it down and started to continue typing I noticed shock oil over the keys of my keyboard. Upon closer insection I realized that all the shock oil in that shock had leaked out. Turns out, I never snapped the o-ring assembly in proberly. I redid it and so far it seems fine.
Conclusion:
Awesome buggy! Its a little pricey compared to a XXX4 or XX4 but I feel the cost its well justified. If you take into consideration that the Yokomo and predator are just as, if not more expensive then you will see what a great deal you got considering this is not as widely made as some of the other buggies. Graphite dual deck, Aluminum parts galore, MIP CVD's, etc. etc. I can go on and on. If you plan on racing in the 4wd class and have enough to get this I say go for it. Did I need the BJ4....probably not. But im alot more confident in its abilities then with the XX4 I used to race. Now I just have to work on the driving.......
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0022_E.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0009_E.jpg
I thought I would do a small review of the buggy and the setup im running. It might help people who are looking for a 4wd buggy to race with. Here is a list of what my setup is.
Built box stock w/ a few tweaks
Doubled up the front shock tower to prevent braking(CA'd around the edges)
Did the O-ring mod to the front arms to prevent braking
Hitec HS925MG servo with aluminum arm
Mamba Max ESC w/ 5700 motor
Radioshack GP3300 pack converted to saddle pack
Spektrum Pro receiver
Proline Holeshot tires in front
Proline Inside Job tires in rear
30 weight oil all around with #1 pistons
IB3600 saddlepacks from cheapbatterypacks.com(havent received them yet)
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0001.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0024.jpg
I used the Castlelink to program the esc which I have to say is incredible. Very easy and really lets you play with a bunch of settings. It gives great descriptions of what all the different parameters do too. My settings are
Brake/Reverse Type: Reverse lockout
Brake Amount: 50%
Start Power: Low
Voltage Cutoff: None
Motor Timing: Normal
Punch Control: 40%
Drag Brake: 35%
Build up:
It went together flawlessly. Fit and finish are superb. I had no problems except the shocks. I hated building those. It took me forever to get them to snap together right.
Comparissions:
Ive ran 2 XX4 buggies and a XXX4. When I raced the XX4's i really liked them but was sick of the belts failing and front bulkhead snapping. Other than that I loved them. The BJ4 seems like a night and day difference. When I would run the XX4 I had to be careful punching it out of corners due to the belt skipping. With the BJ4 ill be able to rocket out with no problems. I wish I bought this sooner :) From just getting a feel for it in my driveway it seems like its easier to drive. I cant wait to race with it next weekend!
Shakedown run:
I charged up the pack over 24 hours ago and its been sitting since. I took it outside, snapped a few pics, and took it for a shakedown run to make sure everything was ok. The acceleration is crazy. I was running a XX4 w/ Novak 5.5 motor and it was nuts with a freshly peaked battery. This is just as good but more effecient. I was going pretty easy cause I didnt want to break the tires loose on pavement and wear them out. Braking seems pefect with 50% but it might lock up on dirt. Steering is quick and it has a great turning radius. The buggy has great throttle feel and I left the throttle curve to the default. Although I could play with that I would like to drive the buggy as is and then make changes to it.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0038_E.jpg
After running:
I looked over the buggy and everything looked great. I noticed some wetness on the left back wheel/arm and figured that i ran into a bit of water somewhere. So i sat down and started typing this. I grabed the buggy by that back arm to check something and when I put it down and started to continue typing I noticed shock oil over the keys of my keyboard. Upon closer insection I realized that all the shock oil in that shock had leaked out. Turns out, I never snapped the o-ring assembly in proberly. I redid it and so far it seems fine.
Conclusion:
Awesome buggy! Its a little pricey compared to a XXX4 or XX4 but I feel the cost its well justified. If you take into consideration that the Yokomo and predator are just as, if not more expensive then you will see what a great deal you got considering this is not as widely made as some of the other buggies. Graphite dual deck, Aluminum parts galore, MIP CVD's, etc. etc. I can go on and on. If you plan on racing in the 4wd class and have enough to get this I say go for it. Did I need the BJ4....probably not. But im alot more confident in its abilities then with the XX4 I used to race. Now I just have to work on the driving.......
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/jamesbernatchez/BJ4/IMG_0022_E.jpg