MTX3 the best?

[okihost]

I went to mt LHS today going to just pickup some tires for my maxx and the on-roads were running and I gotta say the speed looks nice

I asked what most people racing were running and they told me the Mugen MTX3 which is $550 and very out of my price range at the moment. I asked what cheaper alternatives were and he said the RS4 but if I wanted to race they just would not keep up with the MTX3 so I am kind bummed out but I know many of you race and wondered if these really are the best or not.

I would like to get a kit over the winter and build it for next year which was my plan just wanting to see if I can get off any cheaper anyhow as I am totally new to nitros in general and don't have $800 bucks to spend on the kit, electronics and a decent engine.

 

[Diver6127]

$550 for an mtx-3? must've been the prospec they were quoting. Serpent 710's and mugen mtx-3's go for about $350. What puts the price up is the electronics and engine. I spent about $1200 to get my serpent710 the way I like it (upgrades and radio equipment).

As far as the best, they are considered one of the upper echelon in on-road touring. In no particular order, mtx-3, serpent710, kyosho VoneRRR WCE are designed to race. IF you are just starting out I would suggest the NTC3 FT. Lots of parts available as well as hopups. You just need to get the radio and engine. Even the RTR version is nice. What's good about the NTC3 is that it's also good for the beginner racer to learn on and grow with since it has good adjustability with settings.

 

[snowboardgeek1]

Would the R40 be competitive against the Mugen MTX3 or prospec?

 

[Bouzouki]

the R40 is an OKAY car but for the price i'd rather get the Mugen or Serpent.


If your looking at the mugen, get the prospec if you can, I bought the regular version and I spent a lot of money for the prospec upgrades.

If you do the math, all the upgrades will cost you ~$250.






If your looking for a good begginer kit, get the NTC3 RTR or Team edition.

 

[Team 17]

When I bought my MTX-3 with engine it cost me $650. With evrything else I needed & upgraded it came out to $1300. But for the price range ur looking for & to compete, go with the NTC3.

 

[Diver6127]

Would the R40 be competitive against the Mugen MTX3 or prospec?

The R40 can be a competative car in the hands of a driver with morderate skills. Remember, it's the driver that makes the car, not the otherway around. In all honesty though, the price you pay for an R40 is pretty competative with mugenm serpent or kyosho. It's parts availability that dictated my choice. MTX-3 is a good performer out of the box. Serpent gives the potential of good performance as well. It's just that there are so many adjustments to make that it will take a while to get that setup that suits your style of driving (more so than the other kits).

I have been driving my serpent competatively and exclusively for this season only. I just have the benefit of other drivers that use this car to help me find the setup I like. Serpent even distributes a setup handbook with their car that is pretty much the minimal necessity at your track when racing.

Mugen has good setups as well but their stock setup is a killer right off the bat. There are some things that will need changing but it's minimal. The R40 is more forgiving when it comes to setting her up. Kyosho, I couldn't tell you because I don't drive one but the kyosho owners love their car as well.

Remember, drive the car don't let it drive you!

For a good beginner kit, the NTC3 is ideal. It teaches you how to do a basic setup (caster, camber, toe, droop). With the other kits there are also centax engagement, endplay in the centax, upstops, roll center, DRS (serpent), belt tensions, overdrive pulleys. I would say to go for the NTC3. Once you master that car, you'll have enough of the basics in your backpocket that setting up the higher end models will be easier.

 

[rossb]

I paid $228 for my R40 from Tower (with coupon), no shipping cost since I am a club member. That seems to be significantly cheaper than a Serpent or MTX3. As far as which is the "best" car, when you start to talk about cars on this level the driver and parts availability make the biggest difference. Look up what car was used to win the ROAR National championships in 2003 and 2004. Mr. Hara is obviously an awesome driver.

 

[Diver6127]

As I said, it can be a competative car with a driver that has moderate skills.

 

[rossb]

Yeah I know, I agree with you. I am amazed at how advanced the R40 suspension is over my RS4 18ss. We shall soon see if I can drive.

 

[Diver6127]

Ross, I strongly suggest you go with a front dif instead of a oneway. If I am correct, it does have that option. I think that's what tom (buncrana) did. With a oneway, if you're not used to it, you'll be swinging your ass around. There's practically no brake with a oneway. Only in the rear.

 

[snowboardgeek1]

I have an NTC3, and I'll be looking to upgrade to a higher class car possibly next year. I'll be attending my first race tomorrow at Sun Valley. I'll be competing in the sportsman's class. I can't wait to see the Mugen's out on the track. I hope to see an R40 out there as well, and see if they are indeed competitive in a real race.

 

[RatzoRC]

Ross, I strongly suggest you go with a front dif instead of a oneway. If I am correct, it does have that option. I think that's what tom (buncrana) did. With a oneway, if you're not used to it, you'll be swinging your ass around. There's practically no brake with a oneway. Only in the rear.

Ditto.

It will take some getting use to.
I have very little brakes dialed in. Only enough to drag.
Even with the ABS setting in my 3PK, It will spin if there is too much break.
Good point Diver.

 

[Bouzouki]

If you think you can't handle having limited braking, use the diff


If your used to a one way, the only reaosn you should be using a diff is for very technical tracks where you need to use a lot of braking.

A diff will be more stable on the turns but a one way will be faster.

Just dont use to much brake.

 

[Diver6127]

That is true but in a diff, late braking is available. Granted entry and exit speed is compromised but what's the difference when you're already infront of the competition!?! LOL.

IMHO, get a car you like and adjust to it. Don't just read and then think you can handle it. MTX-3, 710, VoneRRR, R40 ... all good racers. All have their ups and downs. Do your research but don't take what you read as gold. Also try to get as much user input as possible when researching at the track. Go and observe the cars, ask the drivers (the ones putting in good times, not the hacks) for their impressions of the car. In the end, it's your decision. Make it a well thought out choice.

 

[Team 17]

Ditto.

It will take some getting use to.
I have very little brakes dialed in. Only enough to drag.
Even with the ABS setting in my 3PK, It will spin if there is too much break.
Good point Diver.

Very good point. If I didn't set my control to just a little bit of brake my car would keep fishtailing or spinning out on every turn.

 

[evilgrin]

the key factor in your descision is parts availability. if you are comfertable with waiting up to 2weeks for parts thru mail order or are like me and keep a small stokepile of spares then get whatever you kit you like.

Personally I happen to Like the R40 lower initail cost and the car is very competative right out the box. as was stated any competant driver can win with virtually any of the "RACE Kits" that are out there on the market today. Although I do get tired of people putting down the R40 simply because it was put out by HPI and HPI is considered an entry level company and not in the same league as Serpent or Mugen.
I've watched guys talk trash about a car they've never driven or even seen in action simply because of who put out the kit. personally I think all the compitition level kits out today have their own good and bad points it all comes down to personal preferance and parts availability.

as was stated above do your own research, ask tons of questions both here and at the track. find out who's driving what and ask for their feedback on the car and what they think of the compitition. and take all the info you get with a grain of salt as people can and usually are very biased towards one company or another. good luck on your search for an onroad ride.

 

[Diver6127]

What I like about the R40 is that it is a step above the RS4 and brings it into the competative realm. Don't get me wrong, the RS4 is a good car as well but, just as ross found out, the adjustability isn't all there.

When the R40 irst came out, I was tempted to get one but knew it was a "spur of the moment" decision at best. I'm not knocking it at all. The only thing that kept me from getting it at all was the parts availability at my LHS. They deal with more of the serpents and mugens since that's what most of their onroad clients run.

Before I got my serpent, I did the research. I read the write ups, asked around, saw a few in action and asked the drivers (710baby and others at prospeed) what they thought. I was considering the mtx-3 as well. I already had the NTC3 and knew that I was outgrowing it fairly quickly. I took all of the information I had and made my decision. I bought the serpent and stuck a mugen engine in it ... best of both worlds! lol.

Once you get your car, give it a fair chance. Learn it, read the directions and find a good setup that suits your purpose. Don't go reading this or that on forums and/or magazines and think it'll make your car the best. YOU make your car the best. There are way too many people that like to talk and read but when it comes down to putting it on asphalt, all they read isn't worth a lick.

Another thing, when racing, you will get a lot of suggestions from seasoned racers as well as those that have been in the game for a while. Listen to what they have to say. They will tell you how to enter and exit turns. If they see someting wrong with the way your car handles, they might give suggestions. Listen to all this and take notes. Those racers that are there to have fun and also enjoy will extend their help to a new racer. Those that don't, are the ones that give the racers a bad name.

Hope to see you in the on-road world. You already like the speed, now you gotta harness it!

 

[rossb]

I installed a normal diff in the front with 5000W fluid. I figured that I would hold off on the one-way until after I got used to the car. I have been taking detailed pics of the entire build-up. I will post them when I am done. I don't think I will be ready for July 17th. I got my bodies and my pipe today. I should have the motor by Wednesday.

 

[Bouzouki]

Maybe the R40 is different but my Mugen came with 10K oil stock for the rear diff which is very light, I moved up to 30K.

Some even use 50K if the track suits it.

 

[Da Hellion]

A great car!

I raced Mugans and Serpents for a long time but this year I decided to try something different and got a G4 EVO and a G4 Mongoose (Team Magic) I got to tell you I was floored by the way these two performed . They have the best C/G I have ever seen in a RC car .The Mongoose has a better steering design and I am desiging a different steering sys. for the Evo ..Do I think they are as good as the MTX-3 or the 7-10? I would have to say yes and they cost about a third less