B5 and B5m discussion.....

[slotcarrod]

That body.... WTF? WTF IS GOING ON WITH BODIES THESE DAYS??? This is is driving me crazy! Hard to not feel some disdain for Associated after looking at that atrocity.

I know, I really hate them too, but they do work well giving better front down force hence better steering! I have to use one!

[fredswain]

They may in fact work better (I have my doubts) but I'd rather just have a little less handling than to have something that ugly. That's just not an option for me.

[RC10th]

I couldn't (and still can't) stand forward cab bodies. This is why I made this body fit my T4.2.

I'd make a viper, B3 or early B4 body fit in any way possible.

[85Edinger]

That's the nicest looking T4.2 I've ever seen.
What happened to stadium truck bodies? I miss designs like this: http://img54.exs.cx/img54/7788/BodyOn.jpg
That's why I use Stampede bodies on my stadium trucks, there are still some great ones.

[justinspeed79]

I have serious doubts about these new bodies working better than the old ones. I have yet to see anyone do any serious testing on them. I wonder if any of the manufacturer's have done any wind tunnel testing? I doubt it. I think that they already know what many of us suspect, the shape of the body makes very little difference at all on an off road rc race car, and if you can win a race with one of these new bodies you could most likely win the same race with a cardboard box taped to the top of your car.

[GoMachV]

Bolink was doing windtunnel testing in the early 80's so the equipment and ability is out there.

Instead of a cab forward for front downforce how about a sidewinder?

[Blacktiger355]

RCCA has some more detailed info and pics! Must say it looks very nice!

http://www.rccaraction.com/blog/2013/12/28/team-associated-b5-and-b5m-full-details/

[terry.sc]

I have serious doubts about these new bodies working better than the old ones. I have yet to see anyone do any serious testing on them. I wonder if any of the manufacturer's have done any wind tunnel testing? I doubt it. I think that they already know what many of us suspect, the shape of the body makes very little difference at all on an off road rc race car, and if you can win a race with one of these new bodies you could most likely win the same race with a cardboard box taped to the top of your car.

Phat Bodies use a wind tunnel to test their bodies for micro buggies like the Losi Mini-8ight. Even in 1/14th scale there is a noticeable difference between bodies. They discovered even with the micro buggies at speed there is a significant amount of aerodynamic lift on the front end, which the cab forwards bodies help to counteract with the tall front windscreen, plus it gives the airflow time to smooth out before hitting the rear wing.

The top drivers notice a difference in handling, and those are the people who have developed and tested these bodies. When you consider they also notice a 5w change in oil if they consider them better then there must be something in it.

If the cab forward bodies really made no difference then the manufacturers would make bodies that make the buggies look a lot prettier than the monstrosities they are now. Unfortunately it means we are stuck with these bodies for the near future.

[Sixtysixdeuce]

Phat Bodies use a wind tunnel to test their bodies for micro buggies like the Losi Mini-8ight. Even in 1/14th scale there is a noticeable difference between bodies. They discovered even with the micro buggies at speed there is a significant amount of aerodynamic lift on the front end, which the cab forwards bodies help to counteract with the tall front windscreen, plus it gives the airflow time to smooth out before hitting the rear wing.

The top drivers notice a difference in handling, and those are the people who have developed and tested these bodies. When you consider they also notice a 5w change in oil if they consider them better then there must be something in it.

If the cab forward bodies really made no difference then the manufacturers would make bodies that make the buggies look a lot prettier than the monstrosities they are now. Unfortunately it means we are stuck with these bodies for the near future.

And on that point, the speeds you reach will dictate whether there is any advantage in using a particular body.

At our local indoor, it's just too darn tight for aerodynamics to factor in (25'x40'). Even my destroyer buggy (3,300KV on 3S, 24/81 gearing 2.25 stealth) can't hit speeds over ~15 MPH and still be able to slow down in time for a turn. At such low speeds, body design really isn't a factor.

On the other hand, you get out on a track where you can hit 30 or 40 MPH, yeah, it makes a difference.

[ca-rj]

I can tell you that the cab forward bodies made a huge different in front end grip on my Tamiya TRF201. The JConcepts Finisher body in particular made a dramatic improvement. They might be ugly, but they are a necessary evil if one wants to be competitive.

[teman]

I think a engine bay say mid rear would help the look of a cab forward body especially on the b5m Maybe Weber stacks or a S/C blower? Just saying

[Charlie don't surf]

I can tell you that the cab forward bodies made a huge different in front end grip on my Tamiya TRF201. The JConcepts Finisher body in particular made a dramatic improvement. They might be ugly, but they are a necessary evil if one wants to be competitive.

They really do, and it really doesn't matter what the track is like. They just plain work better which should come as no surprise now to, well- anyone.

The amount of overall steering increase everywhere allows you to drive more aggressively everywhere, the increased air over the rear wing also adds rear grip...everywhere. The cars also jump flatter on-throttle, and in high and low speed sections. And lastly, it's about your only current option

[jwscab]

Should just run a clear front wing and not crash. It would be prettier.

[85Edinger]

Cab forward bodies don't look great, but they look better than clear front wings.

[GoMachV]

Cab forward bodies don't look great, but they look better than clear front wings.

I'd take a front wing over a dodge caravan dune buggy any day of the week

predators were pure sex