Tamiya Dirt Trasher or Baja Champ ??????

[MarNat]

Those two buggies are based on 2 different chassis, so I guess they have a totally different handling.

What I would like to know, is which one on the track has more race potential (even if I don't plan to race it), if both are equipped with all the standard Tamiya hop-ups available for them.

Please, don't tell me I would be better with brand X. I want a Tamiya. :eek:

Thanks in advance.

[ 05-24-2001: Message edited by: MarNat ]

[Throtl Hapie]

I don't own either, but I did own an S10 model from Tamiya, which used the same chassis as the dirt thrasher, but different shocks, towers, arms et cetera. The Baja champ is based on the TL01. Both are very tough cars, but I'd say go with the Dirt Thrasher, as it comes already with oil shocks, the Baja Champ doesn't. Plus I think it looks cooler. ;)


:)

[WhoKnowsWho]

There was a Project Baja Champ in an older issue of RCCA, looked pretty race worthy.

[Iforgot]

I have the blazing star and I really like it (same thing as a dirt thrasher. Honestly I have never seen a rc handle this well, all around. I am accutally selling mine if you want more info I am moving and I have to sell it I need the $$. I will make you a great deal.
And just to let you know I used to have the manta ray (again the same thing) I beat that thing and I never broke it) I ran it with a 17t mod and I was very happy with it. That Is why I bought this blazing star. If you want tech specs here you go....

the Blazing Star & Dirt thrasher is the same as the Manta Ray, which is what Tamiya based the design of the Ta-01 and ta-02 Chasis. here are the specs... that I have found
http://www.tamiya.com.br/dtst/58204.htm
& http://www.toyexchange.addr.com/tamcars12.html

Post back here if you want more info.

[MarNat]

LOL :D :D :D

O.k. ... And if driver are equally talented and electronics are the same... :p

[Iforgot]

I would have to say that the dirt thrasher would, My friends baja champ was a little slower off the line (we had Identical mod motors) than my manta ray. but a little quicker top end. Around a dirt track you can't win by just going fast...... You have to be able to take off after the sharp turns.
And the wider stance and lower ride of the dirt thrasher will probally help a lot...... the baja champ has a narrow foot print and acted unstable on the bumpy corners.

My .02

[MarNat]

IForgot.

Would you please list all the hop-ups you installed and everything you are selling with it. A couple of JPEG would also be greatly appreciated.

Post here or email-me, up to you. ;)

[Throtl Hapie]

First hop up you want are bearings. Then you should get a decent reversing ESC (the ones Futaba make are good), then a better motor. Try to start with either stock, or mild modified. Then get some good batts and a cheap peak charger. After that try using different tires (you will probably need new rims).

[MarNat]

Throtl Hapie

This futur Tamiya buggy I want to buy will be for my young kid. His first decent R/C car.

I am not new to the hobby and I already have all the high end electronics ready for his new buggy. However, I am new into the Tamiya world as I have never had myself Tamiya stuff.

I want a Tamiya for him because I want him to start with basic stuff and make his way himself onto hotter stuff slowly.

Tamiya have really nice instruction book, are easy to assemble, easy to drive having almost no set-up to fool around and are really tough. Plus, 4WD, because it is easier to drive, being less tail happy.

I know that Duratrax sell the Baja Champ ball bearing kit (TL-01B), but I did not see a similar ball bearing kit for the Dirt Trasher.

I wonder if anyone here could tell me all the bearing necessary to fully equippe a Dirt Trasher with ball bearings. :rolleyes:

[MarNat]

Yes, I already read the article several times.

But, if you take a stock Dirt Trasher and equippe-it too with all the available hop-ups, put it on the track against that same project Baja Champ, who will win you think?

[R/C Homie]

the best driver

[The_Ne-Go-She-Ate-r]

Think about it this way. The tlo1 chassis is single most popular tamiya chassis. Nomatter how many ta0 cars they produce, you will aways be able to find parts. You really cant say that for the thrasher.Im basing my answer totally on part support. They both are from tamiya but the tl01 never gets old.
Plus i like the shaft drive system.

[Fergy]

Baja Champ all the way. First it's a great 4WD buggy and it's built off the TL01 chassis which will take Tamiya touring car and stadium truck bodies. All you do is change the suspension arms and wheels. I have a Baja Champ and love it, loads of fun, durable and fast! :D

[MarNat]

It's getting confusing.....Hhmmmm

Keep the comments comming. :cool:


There is one thing however that is annoying me about both buggy. Even on the Tamiya compatibility parts web pages, there is no universal shafts listed for them. :( And MIP doesn't make CVD either. :(

Does their dogbones have the tendency to fall off :confused: I hate falling dogbones :mad:

Another question: What is Tamiya motor equivalent to the Trinity Chameleon ???

[The_Ne-Go-She-Ate-r]

The champ should'nt have any problem with dogbones falling off. Becouse it has close to no shock travel in stock form.You might look around and ask a couple members about different lengths of MIP cvd's for cars such as the b3.They mightjust fit right on.

[MarNat]

Throtl Hapie

Are you really sure that the Dirt Trasher have ball diff in the back. I would rather think that this is an hop-up instead and that the stock buggy have gear in the back. But if you are right, you can be sure I will buy the Baja Champ to my kid. Because, just like you said, I don't want him to fool around with a ball diff.

Can somebody confirm if the Dirt Trasher have ball or gear diff in the back ??????

The_Ne-Go-She-Ate-r

Probably you mentionned B3 CVD just as an example. But I really doubt that any american size CVD (Associated, Losi, etc.) would fit any metric size ball bearing. But you are right anyway, I will start to measure every buggy that come on my way starting now. :)

[The_Ne-Go-She-Ate-r]

Thats one thing you dont have to worry about. You can allways replace the steering hubs and bearing if needed. the tc3's would possibly work.

[Throtl Hapie]

Dirt Thrasher uses the ta02 chassis, so just get the bearings for that kit.

The_Ne-Go-She-Ate-r:
The Dirt Thrasher also has a shaft drive.

Both are very strong kits, and I still think the DT looks cooler. However, the baja champ has 2 gear diffs, while the DT has gear in front, and ball in back. The ball diff may be difficult for a youngster to take care of.

[Throtl Hapie]

I had a chevy s10 a while ago, it was based on the ta02 chassis, and it did have a ball diff in the back. I'm sure the thrasher has one too b/c it is also the ta02 chassis. I'll double check anyway.

[The_Ne-Go-She-Ate-r]

I thought so,i wasnt quite sure if it used the ta02 chassis or not. I had something in my head that said it was an old belt drive car. Maybe im thinking of an old kyosho.