Sprint car conversion?

[9x19]

Its somewhat strange to me that yall view the influx of new hobbiest's as a bad thing. I am inclined to believe that increasing the number of people who participate as a positive.

What I remember of the old days of RC are companies struggling to stay afloat. Hobby shops that came and went due to lack of business. Tracks opening for a year or 2 and then closing for lack of interest.

Sure, most of the 'new to RC' people I meet are pretty clueless but most are eager to listen and learn. I see a lot of that happening here on the forum and I'm glad to be a part of it.

I also see the negatives associated with the changes but you know what they say, change is inevitable. I choose to make the best of it. There's only a few people that I get to routinely run RC's with and they were RC stupid when I met them. I've dedicated alot of my time over the years to get people into this hobby and help educate them. I hope we all do the same. I dont want people to view me like those old grumpy stuck up RC guys at the track who look down on everyone. They are why I quit racing a long time ago.

+1
I like to imagine, if only 10% of those who are always complaining about the state of the RC hobby, started an RC company of their own just to show all those others how it should be done. Always puts a smile on my face.

It's been a long wait so far.

 

[Ritz413]

+1
I like to imagine, if only 10% of those who are always complaining about the state of the RC hobby, started an RC company of their own just to show all those others how it should be done. Always puts a smile on my face.

It's been a long wait so far.

You can laugh, and disagree . I just think you are making a case for what is good fir the company, which is bottom line numbers and sales. The easiest way to sell anything....I will save you money, and increase your laziness by 25% with my product.
I am making a case for what is ultimately better for the consumer in overall experience. Maybe I just believe more people are capable of doing the work and would like them to have the opportunity.

 

[9x19]

Consumers drive the market, not manufacturers.

The world is littered with defunct companies who thought they could simply make a thing and everyone would want one.

Consumers are a fickle bunch, but convenience generally sells a product faster.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I agree that the rtr's are attractive for the newcomers. Generally tho, anyone who's been in the hobby for a while will gravitate to wanting to buy their own kit, put in their own electronics, choose their own bearings...

I look at Spektrum rtr electronics as bloatware that I am forced to buy.

For a noob, plugging in a battery and running a new RTR can be a fun experience.

I consider it a giant pain in the a$$ to have to disassemble the car to fill diffs and shocks. I'd rather install my own bearings than use the stock units...
How about 12.9 or titanium hardware?
The factory isn't assembling these rtr's in any way better and in many not as well as I would.

Its all in perspective.

I don't hate rtr at all. I hate that manufacturers refuse to sell a kit version along side of their RTRs. I hate being FORCED to buy spectrum gear that I don't like, want or need.

I believe its THIS formula of rtr+bloatware that maximizes both profit for the manufacturers AND largest pile of crap to send to the 'spare parts' bin.

While I agree that there is some level of skill required to assemble an RC, I also assembled my Hornet by myself when I was 12 or 13. Its just not THAT hard.

I still know more about that Hornet than I know about my Gorgon or my Granite. If I assembled those 2 trucks from a kit, this would not be the case.

I think its funny that the perspective has changed from a fun, kit building experience to it being far too time consuming and difficult for most ppl to figure out.

I enjoy kit building, tinkering... I run my cars a LOT less than I work on them.

Instant gratification is what changed most I think.

 

[Ritz413]

I agree that the rtr's are attractive for the newcomers. Generally tho, anyone who's been in the hobby for a while will gravitate to wanting to buy their own kit, put in their own electronics, choose their own bearings...

I look at Spektrum rtr electronics as bloatware that I am forced to buy.

For a noob, plugging in a battery and running a new RTR can be a fun experience.

I consider it a giant pain in the a$$ to have to disassemble the car to fill diffs and shocks. I'd rather install my own bearings than use the stock units...
How about 12.9 or titanium hardware?
The factory isn't assembling these rtr's in any way better and in many not as well as I would.

Its all in perspective.

I don't hate rtr at all. I hate that manufacturers refuse to sell a kit version along side of their RTRs. I hate being FORCED to buy spectrum gear that I don't like, want or need.

I believe its THIS formula of rtr+bloatware that maximizes both profit for the manufacturers AND largest pile of crap to send to the 'spare parts' bin.

While I agree that there is some level of skill required to assemble an RC, I also assembled my Hornet by myself when I was 12 or 13. Its just not THAT hard.

I still know more about that Hornet than I know about my Gorgon or my Granite. If I assembled those 2 trucks from a kit, this would not be the case.

I think its funny that the perspective has changed from a fun, kit building experience to it being far too time consuming and difficult for most ppl to figure out.

I enjoy kit building, tinkering... I run my cars a LOT less than I work on them.

Instant gratification is what changed most I think.

I have always bought an rtr based on it being a "good platform" for me to build into something. I get the desire to sell things to stay afloat in business. I just like building stuff....my problem is with the consumer. The idea someone just wants to buy and drive without any understanding, or desire to modify/tune their way to something better I don't get. Being from MA people do a lot of stuff I don't get. Usually starts with "I identify as" ....

 

[CertifiedMike]

I have always bought an rtr based on it being a "good platform" for me to build into something. I get the desire to sell things to stay afloat in business. I just like building stuff....my problem is with the consumer. The idea someone just wants to buy and drive without any understanding, or desire to modify/tune their way to something better I don't get. Being from MA people do a lot of stuff I don't get. Usually starts with "I identify as" ....

I was from there and escaped before that happened I guess. Most ppl in Maine are trying to avoid getting identified by anyone!

I have read a few forum articles lately about ppl bringing their RC to a LHS for help with soldering, repairs, hop ups, help with painting a body...
If theres no other teacher, a hobby shop is a good place to learn. I didn't get that vibe tho. I got that the hobby shop did the work for them. No teaching, no learning how to...
Theres 100000% difference imo.

Everyone needs to learn from a place, some place.
I recommend the Gorgon as a first RC all the time. Its a great platform. Simple, pretty bomb proof once electronics are sorted.
Its def rtr too tho.

I would still recommend the Hornet to ANYONE looking to start on a budget1/10 scale retro buggy kick.


I ALWAYS recommend to ppl who are scared to turn that first screw to just jump in.

I think mostly, theres no issue on any platform we couldn't help someone thru.

I do really enjoy tuning, building. I feel like ppl who don't get involved in that aspect are really missing out on a big part of the fun.

I think customizing, building, racing, learning skills, understanding electronics, radios, programing, painting and making friends, sharing common interests and ideas along the way IS the point of RC.

Plus becoming a world famous company driver, touring the world and kissing pretty trophy girls is ok if you can get it too.

 

[Ritz413]

I was from there and escaped before that happened I guess. Most ppl in Maine are trying to avoid getting identified by anyone!

I have read a few forum articles lately about ppl bringing their RC to a LHS for help with soldering, repairs, hop ups, help with painting a body...
If theres no other teacher, a hobby shop is a good place to learn. I didn't get that vibe tho. I got that the hobby shop did the work for them. No teaching, no learning how to...
Theres 100000% difference imo.

Everyone needs to learn from a place, some place.
I recommend the Gorgon as a first RC all the time. Its a great platform. Simple, pretty bomb proof once electronics are sorted.
Its def rtr too tho.

I would still recommend the Hornet to ANYONE looking to start on a budget1/10 scale retro buggy kick.


I ALWAYS recommend to ppl who are scared to turn that first screw to just jump in.

I think mostly, theres no issue on any platform we couldn't help someone thru.

I do really enjoy tuning, building. I feel like ppl who don't get involved in that aspect are really missing out on a big part of the fun.

I think customizing, building, racing, learning skills, understanding electronics, radios, programing, painting and making friends, sharing common interests and ideas along the way IS the point of RC.

Plus becoming a world famous company driver, touring the world and kissing pretty trophy girls is ok if you can get it too.

The things we do or don't do are important. Because I love building stuff and making things my kids came watching or helping with various things. Neither got the rc bug....yet. My oldest however learned a lot about cooking growing up. As a result, she is on her way over bringing me homemade beef stew for lunch instead of a rtr tv dinner.

 

[9x19]

I have moaned about the low number of kits available in the current market. I prefer to build myself, but I was a young man when the RC10 was introduced, back when hobby grade RCs (Kyosho, Tamiya etc) came ONLY as kits. Even Traxxas started off selling kits, I think their nitros (Rustler, T-Maxx, etc.) were their first models that came only as a RTR. Four or five years ago, I started visiting the Traxxas factory store locally. At that time they still had several kits available, sitting on the same shelf as the RTR versions. In talking with the guys who worked there, the RTRs out-sold the kits easily 10 to 1.

Inventory that moves 10x slower than the rest restricts a company's cash flow, and can actually be a negative, so I get why they slowly dwindled away. Again, the consumers drive the market.

It isn't just RC. Very few people fix things for themselves these days. Manufacturers can be blamed for part of that, making it more difficult for the average person by requiring special tools to take apart, or code readers to even get started. In some cases, buying a new XYX is cheaper than buying the parts to repair one.

Other hobbies have gone the same way. I prefer to build my own AR-15 rifles and pistols, but there are RTR versions sold for half what I typically spend on one of mine. Guess which sells the easiest... stores that stock both quality parts and those RTRs often don't stock both for long.

 

[RustyUs]

Sprint car conversion... Dow Jones... to pew, pew...

 

[Ritz413]

Sprint car conversion... Dow Jones... to pew, pew...

Back on topic!! Yay!

 

[CertifiedMike]

Team Powers sells conversion parts. They might be helpful. I think Bolink was big into oval stuff back in the day.

Sprint car conversion... Dow Jones... to pew, pew...

If I knew there were free train rides I'd have joined the conv earlier!!!

 

[9x19]

For @RustyUs

https://www.ebay.com/itm/277550316209

 

[Lucifur10]

For @RustyUs

https://www.ebay.com/itm/277550316209

Perfectly what I'm looking for. Just WAY cheaper.

 

[Ritz413]

Perfectly what I'm looking for. Just WAY cheaper.

Unlikely....the teknacraft wheels alone are about 80$ without tires. Get ready to have a lighter wallet. I would love to see it when you're done though

 

[Lucifur10]

Unlikely....the teknacraft wheels alone are about 80$ without tires. Get ready to have a lighter wallet. I would love to see it when you're done though

I've got wheels and tires. Cutting up an "A" stamp pan to fit a sprint body! Blasphemy!!!

 

[64Corvette]

I was disappointed that I could not find some interesting kits at the local hobby shop, on the other hand it was nice to take the RTR cars home and be out on the track the same day. Definitely see some kit projects in the future. To date, most of my "kit building" has been in the 1:1 world............yikes this got OT, apologies. Could you use Losi Sprint Car parts?

 

[CertifiedMike]

I was disappointed that I could not find some interesting kits at the local hobby shop, on the other hand it was nice to take the RTR cars home and be out on the track the same day. Definitely see some kit projects in the future. To date, most of my "kit building" has been in the 1:1 world............yikes this got OT, apologies.

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That motor would fit in my Caddy REAL NICE!!!
The Vette is beautiful!

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

I was disappointed that I could not find some interesting kits at the local hobby shop, on the other hand it was nice to take the RTR cars home and be out on the track the same day. Definitely see some kit projects in the future. To date, most of my "kit building" has been in the 1:1 world............yikes this got OT, apologies. Could you use Losi Sprint Car parts?

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Your pictures brought up some questions.... why do you have a flow valve in the upper radiator hose? What tractor do you have split in half there? What power train is in that canyon and how did you kill the front diff?

 

[64Corvette]

Your pictures brought up some questions.... why do you have a flow valve in the upper radiator hose? What tractor do you have split in half there? What power train is in that canyon and how did you kill the front diff?

The valve is to purge air from the cooling system, the one you see is on my LSV8 Blazer but also have one on the Canyon. The tractor is a 1951 Ford 8N that my dad bought new, did a full mechanical restoration, great tractors and easy to get parts. The Canyon is a 3.6 DOHC V6 that I added a Mallet supercharger too, really wakes it up with lots of torque from 1500 to 6800 rpm redline (have about 60,000 miles on that setup with zero issues). No problems with the front or rear diff, just changed the gears from 3:54 to 4:10 and added an electric locker to the front diff. The other engine is a GM LSV8 that I swapped into my 2001 S10 Blazer (more than doubled the HP from the 4.3 and improved the MPG (go figure)), a bit of a challenge getting it through California engine change smog regs but it was actually cleaner too.

 

[Callelk]

Late to the party but I just like to build, especially odd-ball/mix-and-match stuff. At 71,it keeps my hands steady and my mind sharp and during the winter when I can't run the dogs or chasing salmon it gives me something to do. ,Most of them will see few hours of run time but that's okay, it justifies my 3D printer.