T3 Update

[adam11]

I currently got my T3 out of storage and am trying to update it to run at the local track and be somewhat competitive. The truck is the Team Kit so it had most of the upgrades included. I purchased new ball cups and aluminum front axles, and upgraded the turnbuckles to Factory Team titanium ones. The whole truck has been rebuilt. I ran it with my tekin rebel esc and Fantom motor, but was a little disappointed when the Slash I bought for my daughter put it in the dust. So now it's time upgrade it.

The I updated the esc and motor to castle creations Mamba Max Pro and 4600 kv combo. I currently have the Futaba 2pka (Magnum Junior) combo for the radio and servo. I am looking to upgrade the radio, to a 3 channel (possibly a 4 ch) and the servo to something more responsive. Looking at other threads I see that some members have the Fly Sky radios and Alturn servos. Does anyone have any feedback on using these? I am not concerned about spend extra cash as long as it's the most bang for the buck and these items can be transferred to more modern trucks if I decide I need to upgrade.

Any advice on upgrades would be appreciated too.

Thanks!!

[adam11]

I also purchased these LiPo batteries from SPC:

SPC LiPo Power, Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Battery Pack; 5200mAh, 70C, 2S,

[broodenburg]

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=37771

It is for the b3 but might give you some direction....

Install the b4/t4 slipper with b4/t4 topshaft to begin with.

[Tamlok]

I am a Futaba guy. I picked up a used 4PL (https://www.rc.futaba.co.jp/english/propo/ground/4pl.html) on ebay for a decent price. Haven't had any issues with it. The one knock on it, the pistol grip is small. I have big hands and found it kind of uncomfortable. Wound up taping the rubber grip from a Spektrum transmitter to beef it up. Love it now. The 4PLS (http://www.futabarc.com/systems/futk1410-4pls/index.html) is the updated model. If you don't need that many features, check out the 3PL (http://www.futabarc.com/systems/futk1300.html).

Spektrum (http://www.spektrumrc.com/Surface/Radios.aspx) seems to be the other big brand name now. A few buddies had them and they worked just as well as the Futaba, actually found the grip to be more comfortable (you can change out the rubber grip to increase/decrease thickness), but I prefered the Futabas screen and interface (easier to use). Spektrum receivers are smaller also.

For servos, Savox (http://www.savoxusa.com/) is the big dog. I have one in my B2 and it is over kill. If you don't want to spend that much, Tactic and Associated make some decent servos (I have both and they get the job done).

Do you have the Castle Link? If not, I highly recommend you get it and hook it up to a computer to adjust and fine tune the ESC.

Second the B4/T4 slipper upgrade, you may not be getting all the power of that brushless system to the ground on the original one.

I use SPC batteries and think they are great, good choice.

[adam11]

I've been looking for a bit for a used radio, but haven't seen one that someone isn't trying to get almost new prices for. I plan on continuing to look, mostly checking rctech.com and rcgroups.com. For the servos I'll check out Savox. I plan on heading to a hobby shop tomorrow to see if they have any used radios there too. While I'm there I will look picking up the at the B4/T4 slipper upgrade.

I do have the castle link, it came free with an online form with the combo.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!!

And if you know anyone selling a decent radio send 'em my way!!

[klavy69]

you can pick up cheap new base model or take off spektrum TX/RX off ebay. Depends on what you are after for a radio. Personally I try to keep it simple and use a pretty general radio...the kind that doesn't need a degree in computer engineering to operate

Todd

[adam11]

I think I'm going to go with a 4pl, thanks for the input. Now on to the servo.....

[adam11]

This may be a stupid question but will the T4 slipper and top shaft drop in to the T3 or will there need to be modification done?

And would these be the correct parts to purchase?

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEJWZ&P=7

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDHGP&P=7

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCBFG&P=7

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXZWK2&P=7

Is there anything that I am missing?

[jwscab]

pull out parts on ebay end up cheaper:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ASSOCIATED-RC10B6-B6-Slipper-Clutch-AB29-/131878925574?hash=item1eb498b506:g:QGkAAOSwNKRXiWu2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEAM-ASSOCIATED-Top-Shaft-RC10B4-SC10-ASC9601-ASC9601-/201650061242?hash=item2ef347bfba:g:~dUAAOSw65FXt0At

no need for the vts or v2 slipper parts.

[Tamlok]

The Futaba 4PLS has telemetry, not sure if you are into that. Here is an example on ebay, they can be had for well under retail.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/futaba-4pls-tx-rx-4-channel-/272381589764?hash=item3f6b353904:g:rhUAAOSwPCVX3v8x

I second buying the parts you need from ebay from guys that part out new kits. Thats how I updated all my slippers.

[yellowdatsun]

The one thing in RC where you get what you pay for in RC, are radios. Don't buy cheap, because it will suck. Trust me on this one.

[broodenburg]

You might want to check http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=30024&start=15

There's a lot of info regarding the b4 slipper in that post.

nice car!

[adam11]

Thanks for everyone's help!!!

Just because I know that you are on the edge of your seat with anticipation, this is what I ended up going with.

Radio- Futaba 3PL with 2 R204GF-E receivers

Servo- Solar D770

The B6 slipper kit on ebay that was listed above.

MIP B4/T4- Aluminum Top shaft

Aluminum Shock Caps

I may try to convert the axles over so I can use hex hubs next, but for now I have 3 sets of rims with brand new tires on them.

[scr8p]

You can / cannot use the MIP aluminum top shaft:

Cannot - It has a built in spacer which does not work with the t3 trans case. The standard AE 9601 toshaft is what you want.

Can - Supposedly (I have no first hand knowledge), the built in spacer on the MIP top shaft is 1/4" in diameter. So in order to use it, you will need to use a 3/8 x 1/4 plain bearing on the slipper side of the top shaft, and drill out the hole in the case to accommodate the larger diameter shaft. Then, you will also need a stack of 1/4" axle shims or a spacer to take the place of the 3/16" t3 top shaft spacer that will no longer work.

[broodenburg]

Scrap is correct (as always of course )
in order to use the MIP shaft you use the regular bearing on the slipper side. As explained in the other topic I referred to you allways have to drill out the hole in the case because you need the top shaft spacer to prevent the inner slipper from rubbing against the trans case. When using the regular b4 shaft you have to drill out the case to accommodate for the top shaft spacer and with the MIP shaft that is already build in. I use the MIP version in one of my B3's but didn't have to use any shims or a spacer.