Build Thread Warby's Traxxas Nitro Sport Pro restoration

[Warby]

My very first hobby grade RC car
the Traxxas Nitro Sport, Pro .15​

I've owned this one for over 18 years. I actually remember this because I purchased it just before my daughter was born.

It's had a hard life in the hands of a noob. It was ran hard and put away dirty up until 2014 when I was running it in the outback on a hot day. It stopped and never ran again. I suspect I cooked it, although, I never did investigate. It's been stored ever since.

Recently, my daughter turned 18 so I felt it was time to restore the old RC.

So here's my build thread for those interested. It's been some time since I've played with nitro or Traxxas RC's for that matter. I've already started bombarding members here with questions, trying to remind myself and learn more.

Wish I had some photos of when it was new but not sure where they are or even if I have any. Here it is today, dirty n dusty.

The blue body is the original. This red body never got much run time.

As you can see, it's very dirty. But everything is there.

It currently has aftermarket tyres and mix matched wheels fitted. I still have the original fronts which are hardly worn but unfortunately have cracked due to age.

I still have the og TX with the crystals and the starters but the old Nimh batteries I'm sure are dead. I'll be using lipo's. I've already bought some 25% nitro fuel and a glow plug igniter. I still have the manuals too.

So, my plan is:

I will fully restore it to original near new, if not better than new condition. But it won't be bashed.
I will then build a second one with spare parts to be used as a basher. The basher will be operational but not pretty.

I've bought a used, incomplete nitro sport from ebay for spare parts but it ended up being in worse condition than mine. A real dumpster fire actually. The engine in it does run though. It has a pull start so less wiring.
It came with a spare engine but it is worse. It was seized.

I'll be using Traxxas parts or the Traxxas option upgrade parts where possible. So far most parts I've looked for are still available. If not, I'll be sourcing decent quality aftermarket parts.

Lucky for me, I found an RC shop on ebay that is having a 50% off sale which includes a lot of old Traxxas parts. I've already ordered quite a lot of stuff. I'll post photos when they arrive.

I've ordered a new pro .15 engine, which is coming from the US.

This is what I bought today.

I'll keep you updated as I go.

 

[ahr43]

Two thumbs up, mate. These are going to be a great restos. Love seeing life breathed back into a classic.

In the past, I've found Valkyrie useful in resto. He mainly supports AE and Losi classic and resto parts, but is a useful reference. And he may be a resource for hard-to-find. Posting the link below:

Valkyrie RC

Cheers. -AC

 

[Warby]

Two thumbs up, mate. These are going to be a great restos. Love seeing life breathed back into a classic.

In the past, I've found Valkyrie useful in resto. He mainly supports AE and Losi classic and resto parts, but is a useful reference. And he may be a resource for hard-to-find. Posting the link below:

Valkyrie RC

Cheers. -AC

Thank for that. They are on ebay too which is handy. I've saved that seller. Unfortunately, shipping costs from the US is ridiculous atm. But if I can't find parts in AU, I may have too souce parts from the US.

 

[watertrucker]

Sweet project. I have a Nitro Sport in my collection as well. Awesome truck. Thanks for sharing pics

 

[Doom!]

Your resto builds are killer, I have no doubt these will rock! I like the body styling, I've not seen one of these before.

 

[Suburban_Hooligan]

thank god you're ditching the not so ez-start system. those things are probably responsible for more headaches, frustration, and nitro hatred than any other OEM part in RC history.

 

[Warby]

Look at this. I still have all the original manuals, paperwork and catalogues that came with the car.

 

[Warby]

I even have a spare set of crystals. I'd forgotten about all this stuff.

 

[Warby]

Just found a new clear body online.
Hope it comes with the wing too

 

[Littlemotor]

Can’t wait to see this stuff come together brothaman!

 

[Warby]

Started dissecting just now.
As I already knew, it is absolutely filthy.
But, I'll tell you what, apart from the dirt and rusty hardware, its not too bad. So far anyway. I haven't stripped the gearbox or diff yet. The throttle servo is broken but it's not working anyway, so it had to be replaced.

I also found the rubber exhaust pipe is split.

So far, from what I can see, a lot of the plastic suspension and chassis parts will be reusable.

I like how modular It is.

 

[WickedFog]

Cool looking truck man. I don't think that body comes with a wing.

 

[Warby]

Cool looking truck man. I don't think that body comes with a wing.

Hmm. There's no separate part number for the wing.

 

[WickedFog]

Hmm. There's no separate part number for the wing.

That's strange. I looked at like 6 old listings for it and none of them show a wing

Maybe they just didn't show the extra parts that came with it back then.

 

[Littlemotor]

Cool looking truck man. I don't think that body comes with a wing.

Just cut it out from under the front fascia, and affix it to the rear with a few aluminum screws. Stadium truck FTMFW…

If there’s not enough for it-just buy a small sheet of lexan, and some aluminum screws, nyloc’s, and Countersunk washers..

 

[Warby]

That's strange. I looked at like 6 old listings for it and none of them show a wing

Maybe they just didn't show the extra parts that came with it back then.

My og body definitely came with one. The red body didn't though.

There's one on the manual pic too.

 

[Littlemotor]

My og body definitely came with one. The red body didn't though.

There's one on the manual pic too.
View attachment 221042

Ha! There ya go fella! -I’d bet money it comes from below the front fascia.

 

[Warby]

Just cut it out from under the front fascia, and affix it to the rear with a few aluminum screws. Stadium truck FTMFW…

View attachment 221040

If there’s not enough for it-just buy a small sheet of lexan, and some aluminum screws, nyloc’s, and Countersunk washers..

View attachment 221041

Good idea. Or from the rear.

 

[Littlemotor]

Good idea. Or from the rear.

If there’s enough real estate-definitely.

 

[Warby]

Gearbox is out.

Slipper and brake is actually good. Think I remember replacing the slipper pegs and spur once.

Apart from the old grease, the gears look fine. No dirt got inside the case. No damaged teeth at first inspection.

Diff is all good too. From what I can see, I just needs a clean and new grease. I have actually prematurely ordered a new whole diff too. oh well.