Help Me pick (first time nitro)

[WarCraft]

So I am getting ready to get into nitro rc, i have never owned or drove one before. I have done some research on a few that have caught my eye. Again i have 0 experience with these things but have had the toy brand rcs in the past. I've been looking for a RTR kit to start off with. I'm looking at the traxxas jato 3.3 traxxas t-maxx 3.3 the HPI savage x 4.6 and the HPI trophy truggy 4.6. i'm looking for something that can take some abuse but has great performance. there are some fields, a skate park and plenty of open parking lots that i plan to visit with my rc not to mention my neighbor hood streets. i would also love a kit that i can really build on down the road i.e make it faster/lighter upgrade durability suspension things like that. Thanks so much in advance everyone!

 

[hamz9561]

From where it sounds like you plan on running, I'd recommend the Savage X 4.6 or the Traxxas Revo 3.3.

The Savage X is a solid and reliable platform that has been around for a while and has a great amount of aftermarket support for upgrades. It's biggest downfall is that it's heavy and doesn't handle as well as a lighter truck.

I recommended the Traxxas Revo 3.3 over the T-Maxx 3.3 for a very good reason: Handling. The T-Maxx is a smaller and less sturdy equivalent of the stock monster truck. The Revo handles more like a large truggy and has just as much aftermarket support as the Savage. I personally own one and beat the snot out of it and never really had too many problems.

I would NOT recommend the Traxxas Jato to anyone. It is the most fragile of the trucks you listed.

 

[SchrodeMode]

Welcome to RCNT. For what you're looking for, I'd rank your list like this

1. Savage - Durable MT that can be customized and is a true 1/8 scale which means it's already setup for a big block.

2. T-Maxx - Not as durable out of the box as a Savage but being as it's a Traxxas, you can get parts damn near anywhere. It is also one of the most popular, this and the fact that most of it's parts are interchangeable with the E-Maxx means there's a good bit of aftermarket support.

3. Trophy Truggy - Don't know too much about these, I have heard good things though. However, I don't think they have much in the aftermarket area.

4. Jato - A fragile rocket that has a reputation for being a PITA to work on. I don't think it's that bad, but compared to my Rustler...yeah it's much more involved when it comes to small repairs.

 

[JesseDayton]

Hey WarCraft, I'm a 30sum yr. old newbie. My father in-law gave me his old DuraTrax Evader ST. It has a DTX .18 made by OS and let me just say that once I got it dialed in, man it is draggin' the bumper! Now having said that, the more I push it, yes it will do some really neat stuff, it also will host a few "yard sales". Honestly I don't think it matters what ride you get, it will never be fast enough and as far as durable I have seen things break that at low speed they really shouldn't. All in all I hope you have as much fun with this as I am. Glad to have you.

 

[chickenman242]

I would choose a t maxx ,just for the fact there are so many upgrades and optional parts you can truly make it 'your' truck .as for durability it depends what you are going to do to it....if you jump like 12 foot in the air of course stuff is gonna break.

 

[WarCraft]

Thanks so much for the replies guys, so after reading the posts and doing some more research I've got it narrowed down to the tmaxx 3.3 and the revo 3.3. one had mentioned that the revo handles better then the tmaxx and has a good aftermarket support.

knowing me i will probably be doing alto of fixing and upgrading, that being said which of those two in your opinions have the most available upgrades/replacement parts.

 

[chickenman242]

if you get the t maxx I would have a look at some rpm gear for it ,usually the first thing to break is the front arms ,bulkheads and shock tower but a quick dose of rpm will fix that right up. I would however wait until you brake those things first then upgrade.
as for other stuff I would learn to get the thing up and running ,break it in tune it good and go from there . one thing I can't stress enough is read the manual ,watch the dvd and take your time ,the 3.3 is an ok engine but no engine likes improper break in....

 

[Siodhachan]

Hi WarCraft,

I'm brand new to the forum here, and like you a few months ago, am researching getting into rc. I noticed your aspirations for your first ride, and they're right in line with my own. I want something to take, run around, maybe go to a track, and tinker with.

I was wondering what, if anything, you ended up getting. Also, how do you like it and any issues you've had with it. If you could, would you get another model instead?

Sorry for all the questions, but if I'm going to spend several hundred dollars on starting a hobby, I want to make darn sure I don't get dooped by a sales guy, or get something that just ends up being frustrating.

I'm looking for something I can drive on gravel, street pavement/ parking lot, take to off-road track once in a while. Something quick out of the box, but not looking for 100mph. Also, something that is not made of glass, is relatively easy to work on. I'm pretty good with my hands (former auto and hvac tech), but obviously am just learning with rc.

Thanks in advance, and if anyone else wants to chime in on this (recommend models, reading materials, videos, etc.), I'm all ears

 

[hamz9561]

My 2 favorites are the HPI Savage X and the Traxxas Revo 3.3. The Savage is a tank out of the box. It's extremely strong but not the most agile monster truck. The Revo isn't quite as strong out of the box, but it is a decent truck and is the best handling monster truck out of the box.

I would STRONGLY recommend seeing what your local hobby shop (lhs) carries in the way of kits and replacement/upgrade parts. That way you can get local help and not have to wait for parts to be shipped.

 

[Siodhachan]

Thanks for the quick weigh-in hamz. I stopped at a hobby shop on my way in to work tonight, just to see what they got. I didnt get to talk to anyone there, but did see a decent selection. Hobbytown USA, the lhs in question, had a service counter in the back, and an attached indoor track (which I didn't get a great look at due to time constraints).
They had both models you mentioned in stock, and just about every Traxxas and HPI model, alond with some Losi and others I can't remember. Their prices are decent for brick amd mortar retail.

Also, when you said the savage is a tank, that makes it sound slow. And with the revo, by strong, do you mean durable? Or speed/quick?

Thanks again

P.s. sorry for spelling errors, typing on crappy tablet

 

[hamz9561]

The Savage isn't really slow, it just doesn't handle as well as the Revo. The Revo isn't very weak either. Both are fairly quick and fast and make great 1st nitro trucks. My first nitro was a Revo 3.3 and it was and is a good truck.

 

[Greywolf74]

Savage is definitely a great starter if your looking for a monster truck (Never owned a Revo so i wont comment on that one). Not much track racing these days with Monster trucks though and they dont do all that well on the street either. then again theres no all-in-one kit that does well on all types of terrain out of the box. If you want something that can bash pretty well off road, is so-so on road with street tires, and does well on a track then you might want to consider going with a Truggy. My preference would be a Mugen MBX7T or a Losi 8ight T.

 

[Siodhachan]

Thanks for the input guys! After doing some research, reading and watching videos on nitro engines, and much debate (in my head). I've decided to get the Traxxas Revo 3.3. Now, since I'm new to the hobby, I don't want to spend $600 on a new kit, so I've decided to take a gamble on craigslist. There are a couple folks not too far from me selling some decent "looking" Revos. With that said, I'm bringing some 20% fuel, an rc hobby toolset I just picked up, and a glowplug and driver. One of the places I'm going to look at the Revo is an actual brick and mortar store so hopefully there won't be any issues there. However, is there anything else I should bring with me to be able to verify the truck runs and drives? I know that the weather might be a problem getting the truck running, but any other insight on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[ninnon]

my recommendations:

1) Traxxas Jato 3.3, very fast- infact even too fast to be sensible. Also the most expensive
2) Hpi rs4 (road car)
3) hpi trophy 3.5- like the truggy but a racing buggy. Own one my self- very fast good engine good price. Definitely the best
4)hpi trophy truggy 4.6- like the above but a truggy.

those are my reccomendations. there is also a thundertiger sledgehammer with a 4.6CC ENGINE! I don't know anything about them but they look awesome.

 

[hamz9561]

Just

my recommendations:

1) Traxxas Jato 3.3, very fast- infact even too fast to be sensible. Also the most expensive
2) Hpi rs4 (road car)
3) hpi trophy 3.5- like the truggy but a racing buggy. Own one my self- very fast good engine good price. Definitely the best
4)hpi trophy truggy 4.6- like the above but a truggy.

those are my reccomendations. there is also a thundertiger sledgehammer with a 4.6CC ENGINE! I don't know anything about them but they look awesome.

I would never recommend a JATO for a first time nitro rig. WAAAYYY too fragile.

The used Revo may not be a bad deal, but be prepared to buy a new engine as the one in there may be on its last legs or already gone.

 

[ninnon]

Just

I would never recommend a JATO for a first time nitro rig. WAAAYYY too fragile.

The used Revo may not be a bad deal, but be prepared to buy a new engine as the one in there may be on its last legs or already gone.

Yes I was trying to imply that but didn't say. It is WAAAAAY to fast for a beginner and one crash could mean a whole new car.

 

[rcaddic]

If your gona be jumping doing backflips , hands down get a savage .
Welcome to RCNT and be careful up grading is very addicting .

 

[chickenman242]

I've personally seen a savage bend both tvp's doing backflips ,I've bent a maxx chassis doing the same thing .if you abuse you're truck its going to break no matter what brand it is.
for a beginner ,go with what your lhs stocks the most parts of because it will break...

 

[krugerw357]

I recommend the T-Maxx great truck with the 3.3, mine is all metal upgraded now and is a beast. I DO NOT recommend the Jato way to fast for a first nitro. I have had mine for 6+ months and still get myself into trouble with it. There is so many after market parts for the T-Maxx you can do almost anything you want to it. This is what mine looks like now.

 

[Siodhachan]

So, I finally bought my truck off a guy on craigslist. Now, before I get flamed and am told the ole "I told you so...", I knew going in there would be problems. One of the reasons I prefer buying something like this is that I get the know what I'm dealing with more intimately. I didn't want to get a new RTR, get it going, have my first issue, and come running here with minute problems.

With that said, I picked up an older model Revo 3.3 (#5309), most likely from around 2006, based on the manuals I got with it. The guys claimed that he got it started the night before, but now it won't go (of course), claiming the one-way bearing on the starter was probably busted. Of course I figured the whole thing was trashed and I accepted that fact and got him to knock some money off.

After a full engine teardown, I found the main crank and front bearings disintegrated, the only evidence of any bearings were the balls bouncing around. Also, the bearing (race) on the bell housing fell apart when I took the engine out. Instead of rebuilding it, realizing there was most likely severe internal damage, I opted for a new 3.3.

I went to my lhs and got a new TRX 3.3, EZ start system, and bearings for the bell housing. I'm sure most of you know, it came with a new carb, air filter, etc. After some time, I got everything back together, dumped the old fuel that was still in the tank, and bought a fresh gallon of the Traxxas 20% nitro. I couldn't get it to start right away, so I did some searching, found some answers, and followed the ones that made sense.

However, at day 2, I still can't get the darn thing to start. I know this isn't the right place to post, but since I see many of you with 3.3's, I figured to give it a shot anyway.

It was 49 degrees out today, so I kept the Revo in front of my fireplace (with close supervision) for about 2 hours. Immediately took it outside to try to start it. Just like before, it cranks for a few seconds (fuel is definitely going through the intake tube to the carb). I stop cranking for a few seconds, then try again, it cranks for a few more seconds, then just stops cranking at all. Again, I stopped trying in order to give the starting motor a rest. When I hit it again, no cranking at all....

I removed the glow plug in case there was flooding, but there was no fuel dripping out when I turned it upside down. Should I take off the air filter? adjust throttle screws on the carb (supposedly, your not to touch the carb adjustments until after break-in)?Hit it with a hammer? throw it out of a window?

Don't know if this makes a difference, but the second time I was trying to start it, the Revo sounded like it was trying to catch (start)