Tuned pipe question. (Yes a pipe Q again, I know. Don't hit me I searched

[Sasquatch]

Hi.

I have the T-maxx 2.5. Finally it died on me and I will be getting the Picco .21.

Now the question is: What pipe to get?
I see that Tower now has several besides the Sirio Big Bore.

I have been looking at the Hot Bodies, MIP, Sirio BB and the one from THS.

I'm looking most at the THS. Price is not so important as they all cost approx. $50-65.

I have read great reviews about the Sirio and THS, but they were based on the .18 Sirio engine.

I will get the .21, so will the Sirio still be the best pipe?
But it is a .15 housing right? and that is what you buy pipe for? or ??

I guess the Picco .21 has tons of torque, so if the THS pipe is "only" giving top end it will be ok or what ?

Give your opinion pleaze. If based on actually owning the Picco .21 yourself this would be great, but any opinion is appreciated.

Kind Regards from one confused "soon-to-be-getting-tuned-pipe" buyer.

 

[Lessen]

I will get the .21, so will the Sirio still be the best pipe?
But it is a .15 housing right? and that is what you buy pipe for? or ??

I'm a tad confused by this part ^^. Make sure you get a pipe that is suitable for your engine size. If you take a pipe made for a .15 and slap it on a .21 you would just be robbin the engine of power. if you get a pipe that's too large for your engine it won't run properly because of pressure issues. These points I only assume because I don't have any experience with mixmatching pipes and engines. I run a couple Picco .26's with THS pipes that are made for .26's. I'm very please with my setup.

 

[Sasquatch]

I'm no engine expert, but the Sirio .18 is a .15 engine enlarged in bore to a .18. The same for the .21 Picco.

Is'nt that what make the Sirios/Piccos a direct drop in engine??

I now have a .18 in my NTC3+ on-road that is a .15 enlarged engine. Så I assumed that it was the same with the larger engines.

The Savage 25 is a 4.1cc engine in a 3.5cc housing.

Am I totally wrong in this?

Or is it as simple as buying a pipe that corresponds to the .21, .18, .26 or what ever. Regardless of what type of housing it originally was ?

 

[Lessen]

The size of the original housing doesn't matter I don't think. I'm just making an assumpion upon common sense. I assume that the displacement is what you really need to know. The Picco .26's that I have are basically .21 blocks bored out to be a .26 displacement (that what I've read at least). matching the pipe to the original size of the block doesn't make any sense I don't think. You need to have a pipe that's tuned for the performance of a certain size engine to get the best results. Let's say you have a .26 block not yet bored. Then you only bore it to a .12. If you put a pipe that's sized to the original block (a .26 pipe). That' pipe is not going to provide enough pressure for the engine to run at it's intended performance. I think the bottom line is match the pipe to the engines displacement

 

[Sasquatch]

Lessen: I think you are totally right. That explanation makes sence to me.

I will actually now have a problem in finding a .21 size pipe that adapts to the somewhat unique T-Maxx header mount that every aftermarket engines seems to have to be "a direct drop in".

Anyone inhere have any recomendations on a pipe ??

 

[olds97_lss]

From what I've read though, a lot of 21 drop in users have gotten away with just the big bore sirio pipe and header. Maybe they are robbing the engine some, but unfortunatly, you don't have the room on a 2.5 chassis for the exhaust a normal 21 engine would require. You may have to put up with the happy medium.

I hate to say this (wait a minute, I like saying it!), save the $ your about to spend on an overpriced engine that is going to chew up your maxx's drivetrain and spit it out in itty bitty pieces and get a truck that was designed from the ground up for a 21 engine. Savage, MGT, LST... anything but a damn T-Maxx. I wish there was a way to rid the world of the 21 T-maxx phenomenon. It's a damn waste of money, effort, time and fun.

Been there, done it, wish I hadn't and wish somone would have made me realize it.

I mean think about it. The engine alone is going to be around $200, the new pipe is $50-$60. Then your going to need to beef up the trans ($100), then the diffs ($150), then the clutch ($60). Your edging near $600 and you will still have a short truck that does wheelies all the time regardless what you do.

Sorry, didn't mean to poo on your thread, but I hope I've helped you see the light. Moral of the story, if you like the maxx, stick with a 18 or smaller engine if you also like to have some $ laying around.

 

[WoodaleRRt55]

I run the sirio BB pipe with my WASP midblock since it is about the most bored out pipe that will fit onto a T-maxx. With the extra displacement of a .21, you need a pipe that will let the engine "breathe". This stinger size is close to that of a 1/8 pipe, which also use .21's.

 

[MyJeep]

THS pipe will not fit picco .21 engine. I have them and still firguring how am I going to put them together. However, MIP pipe will fit but you will need to use the header that come with picco engine.

I am not sure how good is the MIP on picco .21 because I just finish putting the together and it is RAINING outside !!!!!

Also, if anyone know how to fit a THS on picco .21 please let me know.

olds97_lss, are you still a maxx owner?

 

[olds97_lss]

Yeah, but the only stock parts on it are the radio box and rims.

XTM 21 conversion, RPM everywhere, ACNC bulks, maximizer and integy diff, OS 21 RG, buggy fuel tank, new era roll bar, supermaxx shocks, savage tires.

 

[MyJeep]

Oh I would Like to have a XTM 21 convertion. Dude, where can I get one?

FIY: I don't even have a stock rims anymore

 

[Sasquatch]

MyJeep: This one reeeeally seems to fit the picco 21.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFWE9&P=ML

Olds97_lss: Ok. I see about the displacement/pipe combination.

I allready have CVD's and beefed up diffs + RPM stuff on it, and I have been offered 2 x picco .21's for just $235 (<-- converted from EURO's)

$$$ is no object. If I was to calculate all the hopups allready. Phew!!

I also hava a Savage 25 with almost every hopup/mods (except new engine) and I like the different driving styles these MT's offer me.

I was originally looking for the Sirio .18 because I have driven a T-maxx with one of these engines in it, and it screamed. But this engine seems to be discontinued at Tower where I usually do my RC shopping. They have great service for international customers.

Thank you for your input.

I'm still not sure if I should get the THS (which I think will fit. The header lookes like it. Someone please verify), the MIP or Sirio BB.

Oooh btw: If the different pipes are "made for" .18 size at the most. Is it then the topend I'm "robbing" the engine from. ??

Regards


http://www.rdlogics.com/store/P_176.htm <-- this looks promising. or ?????

 

[olds97_lss]

You can get the XTM conversion kit at XTM Conversion Kit

 

[Lessen]

Oooh btw: If the different pipes are "made for" .18 size at the most. Is it then the topend I'm "robbing" the engine from. ??

If I'm reading that correctly it seems you're under the impression that pipes aren't made for engines any larger than .18. that would be untrue. There are pipes out there that are made for .21 and even .26 engines now. What the other guys are saying is that these pipes (for .21's and .26's) are physically too large to mount on a tmaxx chassis. Actually, they will fit but you would have to put you're radio box somewhere else. I ended up making my own custom radio box and mounting it above the steering and reverse/forward servos. As for robbing the top end.... I would assume that it would rob power from all rpm levels. If you're losing HP then you're most likely gonna ve losing torque as well

 

[olds97_lss]

Moving the reciever isn't that big of a deal. I did it on my maxx. Just get some sort of small tubing that you can make stand off's out of and mount it above where lesson said. Then you will get the extra room you need for a larger pipe.

This is the receiver over the servo's on the stock 2.5 chassis.

 

[MyJeep]

Sasquatch, the THS pipe you show is exactly what I talking about. It will fit will modification. However, MIP will fit right in. Look at the picture and you will know what i'm trying to say.

I will try to put THS in this weekend.

And olds97_lss, Thanks for the link.

 

[Sasquatch]

Lessen: I'm fully aware that pipes are made for several size engines, but I posted because I was unsure if I should buy one for the size the engine housing originally had ie .15 for a displacement enlarged .18 or .21 Sirio/Picco

And if it would make sence in buying any of the many T-MAxx 2.5 pipes out there.

I see now that displacement is the important factor. Thank you for your info.

MyJeep: What kind of modification does the THS require ?? It can't be much if it is designed for the T-Maxx 2.5 ?? Nice pics btw... Way too clean truck

MyJeep: How is the shock clearing on the one close to the engine/header... Looks like on your pic that it is a close call allready with the MIP.. Looks nice though.

MyJeep:

Ooops just found this on the Traxxas community. Someone actually allready mounted a THS pipe. Looks like no mods required, but please enlighten me on the mods needed to mount it if you needed to do any.

http://www.traxxas.com/community/surfersrides/jan04/jan04_01.htm

Regards

 

[MyJeep]

If you are going to get picco p2 .21, it will come with a different engine mount which will push the engine a lil bit back. It is possible to have a THS on it.

Since the THS designed the stinger to point down, I will keep it that way. I guess all I have to do is make the hole on the chassis bigger. I still have not decide what am I going to do. Either modify the original chassis or buy a spider chassis. I will post it here once I am done. Probably this weekend if my girlfriend give me a break and not go shopping

I will post a picture to show you the clearing between the header and shock later on.


Here you go Sasquatch. Again, I am using the header that comes with picco.

 

[Sasquatch]

MyJeep: Confused here.. No header is included with the Picco .21 in the placec I have found.. What header is that exactly ?? Do you have a part number ?

Nise picture. Looks OK.

I think that modifying the stock chassis will be the easiest way of fitting the THS. After all a Dremel tool should easily be able to expand the hole allready in the chassis.

Actually. The header shown in your picture looks wery much like the stock Traxxas one.

Could you please verify the header in the picture?

Regards

 

[olds97_lss]

I hope you don't have any hard rear end landings that impact the shock tower... especially if that's an integy tower. They bend like a noodle. When they bend, it drives the shock right into the header and dents it. With a hard enough hit, it punctures or cracks it.

With the little bit of clearance that you have, I'd be extremely careful or get an RC-Solutions roll cage.

 

[MyJeep]

Olds97_lss, I am concerned about that too. The roll cage cost too much for me now. I am broke a hell after 2 visits to towers in a week. Any suggestion beside roll cage?

I am not sure what shock tower is that because it is installed when I bought my maxx (used).

Sasquatch, I do not know the part number for the header because it comes with the engine that I bought off ebay for 100 bucks (only 5 tanks). However, the seller told me that the header is original that comes with the engine. Maybe you can try search header for OFNA picco .21 maxx. I assume that are the same engine.