Nitro Newb $250 Mistake

[motofrk]

I'm a college student new to nitro cars, and I just would like to share my misfortune in the hopes that no other newbs make the same mistake I did.

You buy a cheap car, you get a cheap car. Period.
I bought the Smartech buggy for cheap, thinking it was just because it wouldnt be as fast as the top company's. Unfortunatly durability was the #1 reason for difference in price. I've gone through so many parts already that if i bought a decent car in the first place it would've cost less money in the long run.

I actually do have a question though, does anyone have a Smartech buggy that has interchanged good parts from a decent company? I heard they had similar parts as Traxxas... The parts I'm looking to change currently are: clutch bell/differential's/main gear/ basically anything that can wear due to friction. I know I'm eventually gonna closet this one and buy a real car.

 

[Domination]

alot of the stock parts on r/c usually do break commonly and when they do buy better hop up ones r/c's are money pits but worth it all i think i mean i just had to buy close to $200 worth of stuff for mine i needed a new crankcase, a new TX so i figured id get a package deal with servos and RX $120 right there i need to still but some new bearings new clutch bell new spur gear and clutch shoe(commonly replaced) but the thing is i know i wont have to replace these things agin at least not for a long time cause i got good stuff instead of buyin just more stock things i bought hop ups that will last longer

 

[motofrk]

Yeah I can understand that... but I mean the clutch bell an spur were gone within 8-10 tanks. Thats just a little too quick for comfort to me

Still curious if anyone knows of parts interchangeable with Smartech

 

[Domination]

some times it just happens on my freinds the spur and clutch bell burnt out on the 5th tank it just happens but if you find interchangable parts or whatever get metal ones instead of the cheapo plastic ones which I'm assuming they are on yours

 

[SkyMaxx]

You should be able to get a decent clutch bell at your LHS. Bring the engine in with you or better yet, bring the buggy with the engine in it. This will allow the guys behind the counter to get a decent part. The spur gear is known as a sacrificial piece. They are supposed to give before the tranny and engine do in order to protect both the tranny and the engine. They are fairly inexpensive to replace, and the same advice for the clutch bell applies here...take the thing to your LHS and see what they can find as a decent replacement.

Something you need to know about this hobby...if it hasn't already become evident or been told to you...stuff breaks, and in nitro RC it breaks often. You are in a hobby that will cost you money if you do not upgrade parts wisely or learn how to fix things so they are stronger. You made a wise choice in coming to this forum. You can find a ton of smart people online and help is only a click away.

 

[motofrk]

thanks for the info... this forum has been a great help so far and i know it will be in the future. When i get some decent money I'm gonna closet the car i got and will invest in one where parts and hop-ups are easy to get. Live an learn right?

 

[newnitrofan]

Skymaxx has given you great advice take the car in with you on a trip to the LHS as many parts are interchangable and if you have good guys at your LHS they will totally be able to hook up. As for your spur stirpping it sounds like a bad mesh. If upgrading clutchbells look into a duratraxx hardened bell since they are one piece they won't break.

 

[got__nitro?]

For the whole spur gear thing, make sure you mount the engine so you have good gear mesh between your clutch and spur. That cotributes a lot to stripping gears. I'v ran about 5-6 tanks through my used T-maxx and all gears are perfect.

 

[rndtrp]

Smartech

I have noticed that the parts for the Smartech are very cheap (price that is). Why wouldn't you just replace the broken parts and continue to enjoy the hobby? Buying a new more expensive car and replacing the parts that you break on it will set you back even more. I just bought my wife a Smartech buggy and I'm impressed. It has a 2 speed trans, lots of aluminum, and a metal spur, things that I paid hundreds more for on my buggy. I don't think this hobby is about how much you pay for things or how much things cost to replace. I think this hobby is about fun whether you're a racer or basher. Have fun!!

Smartech replacement parts found here:

http://www.excelhobby.com/excel_hobby_014.htm

 

[motofrk]

I completely agree... the only issue i had was that there were no hopups. Everything was plastic, and now i need to get new diff's too because they are worn. I do love the hobby, and as just a basher i really cannot complain about much. Overall I was just wondering if there were other maybe metal parts i could use... especially in high friction areas.

 

[joneser4u]

smartech, didnt I see them on e-bay?I believe they manufacture a MT that looks exactly like a T-MAXX,the buggy I'm not sure about but they had to copy someone,just find out who and start to chane it over to the more reputable company:beer:

 

[Skyline Racer]

is smartech those ppl who make the tmaxx lookin thing?

 

[RC me]

See what the companys do to rtr cars is like, one thing leads to another one part breaks u replace it, puts preasure on another part breaks it.:spit:

 

[m_podt]

I think you mean the Smartech 1:10 Buggy? It seems to me that it's the same as the Carson Stormracer (in Europe you can buy both the Smartech and the Carson):
http://www.rc-tamiya.de/testcarson/...22&PHPKITSID=9385687a8c5884b7c40ba3ff8ee8ee75

However, I have no idea if the Carson parts are better or if you can buy these in the US...

 

[olds97_lss]

The "Magic Wheel" is smartechs look alike for the Maxx.

 

[motofrk]

Yeah there were many comments on the smartech buggy looking like the maxx... at the time it didnt phase me though. When i first decided to get a nitro rc, I was on quite a budget due to college expenses. Id never go for a "generic" rc to begin with, but my wallet calls the shots, not I.

On the up side, its finally getting warmer :yes: