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Total newb, needs advice on upgrades and break-in

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chadds

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Hi, I just ordered a new T-Maxx 2.5 last night...should be recieving it early next week. It will be my first experience with nitro R/C. I was a slot car fanatic...so I know how the upgrade bug works, and I'm already looking for new parts for the T-Maxx even though I don't have it yet!

First of all, I've read all the posts about how important the break in period is...and I plan to follow the manual 100%. Are there any helpful tips I should know that the manual will not tell me about? Also...is it crucial to have a temp gauge when breaking in a new motor? I didn't order one...but after reading some things here...I think it would have been a good investment. Would you advise I get one of these before the break-in...or will I be ok if I wait and add it with my first parts upgrade order. :)

Next...are there any upgrades I should do right away. I know I've read a few things about air filters and some other items that work better than stock that keeping the truck functional and working properly. Can you enlighten me on these type of upgrades that I definately should do?

Also...I'm sure once I start running the truck, I will get a feel for what suspension/mechanical parts need upgraded on my own...but are there any common parts that break on almost everyones truck that I should just go ahead and get right away?

Thanks for the help!

Chad
 
While breaking it in u don't need the temp gun. Just follow the DVD the kit comes with and you'll be fine. But make sure u have one when u start bashing or racing. There is a thread on hop-ups in the archive section. As far as filters go I would recommend the filter saver. Your LHS should have them if not tower will. Hope this helped.
 
Well, i think it's a good idea to have the temp gun for break in and for running. Break in is the most crucial part of an engines life. You over heat it once and you liable to toast it.

I would immediatly buy aluminum bulk heads. www.integy.com has good prices on relativly good products for the maxx. Also, RPM arms and skid plate protectors would be a worth while investment. But the bulks do bust pretty easy. Especially when cold. I minor front end impact and "CRACK", no more go.

Personallly, i didn't like the 2.5. I had a hell of a time with it and never did get it running right. Always ran to hot no matter how i tuned it or what fuel i used. By to hot, i mean 300 plus. After reading a lot about it, i must have had one of the shite 2.5's that some are plagued with.

I'm running a 21 conversion now, so i am as happy as can be. But it did take a lot of money, time and effort in finding all the issues and replacing them with something stronger.

As a word from the semi-wise, read up on what you want to buy before dropping the cash. This forum is a pretty good resource of information on the tried and true method.

Good luck.
 
A slot car man! I still have a couple of box 12's that I take to the track now and then. Your T Maxx is going to look like it's standing still compared to those.

All kidding aside, get a temp gun. I can't say it enough. You'll will probably end up like the rest of us with a substantial investment and it is a very inexpensive alternative to an overheated ruined engine.

There is still plenty of time for hopups. Break it in first, you'll break it soon enough.

You may want to consider:
RPM a arms
Al bulkheads
Ti hinge pins
MIP cvds
motor saver, air filter
Blue locktite on all metal scews and bolts

There are more things that you can do and the gentlemen in this forum will help.

Welcome.
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Just got my tracking # from Tower, and the Maxx should be here Saturday :)

I think I will get a temp gun before I start...I'd rather stay on the safe side during break-in. Does anyone know of a temp gun that would work well that can be purchased in any of your run of the mill department stores like Wal-Mart, or something a place like Lowe's would carry? I'd like to be able to start this weekend, and if I order from Tower now, I won't get my temp gun till next week. I only have one LHS...and they have a VERY limited selection of R/C, they'd rather sell model trains and little fuzzy horses.

Also...when I ordered my truck, I ordered Traxxas 20% Top Fuel as reccomended on Tower's page. Is this a pretty good fuel to stick with, or is there a better option when I run out of the Traxxas stuff.

Thanks for the help so far!

Chad
 
Not real sure about the fuel. I prefer trinity monster horspower 20% myself.

As for the temp gun, i bought mine at radio shack. It's an infrared one. I think i paid around 30-40 for it.

I think duratrax makes one, but it's really small and hard for me to use. My friend has that one. The buttons are to small in my opinion.
 
You do not need a temp gun to break-in a 2.5. Just be sure to watch the DVD and follow the directions on the tag attached to the fuel tank lid. Also, do not mess with the factory settings of the needles untill after break-in. You will not have any heat issues during break-in to warrant a temp gun. Just don't get to inpatient with all the start and stops. Resist the urge to hold that throttle just a little longer.
 
SLOT CARS, man i used to race them things for like 3 years before i got my maxx. then i sold them and got hop-ups.

right now i run a .21 conversion, but i think the first things u need would be a motor saver airfilter, and an fuel filter. after that go for the aluminum bulks

bryan
 
Well, I got the truck today. :) This thing feels like it is built pretty tough to me...I'm sure I'll still be breaking stuff...but overall I'm pretty impressed.

So far, I got the wheels glued, batteries in, and all that good stuff. I will be ready to start break-in in the morning. After watching the DVD...it says that I may go through a few glow plugs till the motor is broken in. How likely is this? Also...I'm gonna get a few glow plugs to keep on hand for spares, is the stock Traxxas plug the one I should stick with...or is there a better option? Thanks for all the help so far. I can't wait for daylight to start doing the break-in! :)

Chad
 
Originally posted by chadds
After watching the DVD...it says that I may go through a few glow plugs till the motor is broken in. How likely is this? Also...I'm gonna get a few glow plugs to keep on hand for spares, is the stock Traxxas plug the one I should stick with...or is there a better option? Thanks for all the help so far. I can't wait for daylight to start doing the break-in! :)

Chad
Click to expand...

It's very likely you will go through a couple of plugs. You may want to disconnect the glo igniter wire and pick up a handheld glow igniter. Easier to start when you have tuning problems and you will not have to pick up the plugs made for that specific application.
 

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