Tamiya Astute

The place for all things Tamiya.

Moderators: scr8p, klavy69

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

I have had this kit for many years now, as well as all of the hop parts that are being installed. Finally have some spare time to build this buggy. Yes, BUILD it.

First of all, I realize that the Tamiya Astute was an over/under engineered buggy that they hoped would be competitive. It has it's fair share of issues that hinders its performance. But I don't really care. I just want to build a fully optioned out Astute... 8)

I'm doing a step build on this post. As I completed the steps, I got a pic.
Attachments
Astute 1.JPG
Astute 2.JPG
Astute 3.JPG
Astute 4.JPG
Astute 5.JPG

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

Notes: Yes, ball bearings replace the bushings used in the pivot points in the suspension. Overkill? You bet.
Titanium turnbuckles where feasible.
Bearings throughout the rolling part of the buggy as well.
Attachments
Astute 6.JPG
Astute 7.JPG
Astute 8.JPG
Astute 9.JPG
Astute 10.JPG

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

Notes: Yup, the A arm plastics are very flexible!
Bearings are keeping suspension tight and very free moving.
Attachments
Astute 11.jpg
Astute 12.jpg
Astute 13.jpg
Astute 14.jpg
Astute 15.jpg

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

Notes: The rear hubs are a nightmare of linkage.
Had to skip ahead a little on the rear bulkhead, the trans got left at home in another box.
Universals in the rear drive.
Attachments
Astute 16.jpg
Astute 17.jpg
Astute 18.jpg
Astute 19.jpg
Astute 20.jpg

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

Notes: Couldn't help myself, had to put the wheels on and check it out.
Ordinary Astute transmission? Nope.
Anybody who has ever run this car (or the Nissan Kingcab/Hilux Racer) knows the stock ball diff is crap. The TTC tranny uses a planetary gear diff instead, finer pitch teeth, and a slipper clutch. Bearings throughout the tranny.

The original transmission is the only part of the car that Tamiya supplied ball bearings. None in the front wheels or rear hubs. :?
Attachments
Astute 21.jpg
Astute 22.jpg
Astute 23.jpg
Astute 24.jpg
Astute 25.jpg

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

Notes:
Attachments
Astute 26.jpg
Astute 27.jpg
Astute 28.jpg
Astute 29.jpg
Astute 30.jpg

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

Notes: Dynatech Modified Motor, Tamiya 1400 SCR racing pack.
The Hi cap shocks are butter smooth. I played hell just getting the caps unscrewed off of the front bodies right out of the package. Way tight.
Attachments
Astute 31.jpg
Astute 32.jpg
Astute 33.jpg
Astute 34.jpg
Astute 35.jpg

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

Notes: 30wt oil in front, 40wt in the rear, standard pistons in all 4.
Attachments
Astute 36.jpg
Astute 37.jpg
Astute 38.jpg
Astute 39.jpg
Astute 40.jpg

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

Notes: Standard Tamiya servo and a CPR160F finish off the electronics.
Attachments
Astute 41.jpg
Astute 42.jpg
Astute 43.jpg

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

I will get some better body off shots when the weather clears up. Natural light does wonders.

I can see one of the main problems with this car is weight. It's heavy. With no body, wing, or under tray, it's at 3lb, 7oz. or 1565g.

Lots of chassis flex too.

Having a dilemma with color choice. It will definitely be red, but not sure on what red. The boxart bright red always looks good. Tamiya has a metallic wine red that is very nice well. And there is always candy red. I have gotten that down and adds depth to the paint job. What do you guys think?

User avatar
RC10resto
Super Member
Posts: 2914
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:26 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Has thanked: 999 times
Been thanked: 396 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by RC10resto »

What do you guys think?
Do what you like, your cars always look killer.

Question; Did you really build that in less than an hour :?:

User avatar
uniquenamehere
Approved Member
Posts: 553
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:34 am
Location: Ontario, Canada
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by uniquenamehere »

Wow... awesome build! I love those cars I hope Tamiya re-releases it one day, I'd love to build one.

User avatar
Brandon G
Approved Member
Posts: 2106
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Nashville, TN
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Brandon G »

RC10resto wrote:Question; Did you really build that in less than an hour :?:
Well, no. It took about 6 hours spread across 3 days. Went on a business trip and took it with me to eat up some idle hotel time.

I guess I should have said: When I completed the step, I took a pic.... :D

User avatar
knixdad
Approved Member
Posts: 397
Joined: Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:48 pm
Location: Califon, New Jersey
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by knixdad »

Brandon G wrote:
RC10resto wrote:Question; Did you really build that in less than an hour :?:
Well, no. It took about 6 hours spread across 3 days. Went on a business trip and took it with me to eat up some idle hotel time.

I guess I should have said: When I completed the step, I took a pic.... :D
Just did the same exact thing when I went to Miami this week.
I miss brushed motors in that hazy, everything seemed better when I was a kid, kind of way.

User avatar
Coelacanth
Approved Member
Posts: 7349
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:20 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 270 times

Re: Tamiya Astute

Post by Coelacanth »

Brandon G wrote:Notes: Yes, ball bearings replace the bushings used in the pivot points in the suspension. Overkill? You bet.
Titanium turnbuckles where feasible.
Bearings throughout the rolling part of the buggy as well.
I must say I'm impressed by your overkill; bearings for suspension hinge pins?? Nice. You won't see that every day of the week, folks! 8)
Completed projects: CYANide Onroad Optima | Zebra Gold Optima | Barney Optima | OptiMutt RWD Mid
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3

Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • Tamiya Astute + ad
    by Jirka » » in Vintage Magazine Articles / Ad Scans
    0 Replies
    908 Views
    Last post by Jirka
  • tamiya astute
    by rctenracer » » in Tamiya Forum
    6 Replies
    1806 Views
    Last post by Delorean
  • tamiya astute
    by rctenracer » » in Tamiya Forum
    8 Replies
    1774 Views
    Last post by RedScampi
  • Tamiya Astute Rebuild
    by Jhutterer1421 » » in Tamiya Forum
    6 Replies
    1942 Views
    Last post by RCveteran
  • Tamiya Super Astute
    by Jirka » » in Vintage Magazine Articles / Ad Scans
    0 Replies
    986 Views
    Last post by Jirka
  • Tamiya Astute part availability
    by top cat mike » » in Tamiya Forum
    2 Replies
    806 Views
    Last post by Synergy
  • Tamiya Astute Carbon Fiber
    by rctodd1624 » » in Tamiya Forum
    2 Replies
    1028 Views
    Last post by Jerzi
  • Tamiya Super Astute rere "Operation Blackout"
    by sandkil » » in Tamiya Forum
    6 Replies
    1279 Views
    Last post by XLR8

Return to “Tamiya Forum”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests