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I'm thinking of buying a new Hot Shot as a runner. I have never ran one and I just want to try it out. The buggy always sparked my interest!

Anyway, are there any tips, or easy and cheap mods that I can do to make this car a little better?

(easy and cheap mod = scr8p ) Not that type of mod!

Is the Hot Shot easy to break?

I was going to put bearings in and a old stock 27t motor in!

I'm at work, but there have been a few conversations on the forums (maybe not here, but definitely at tamiyaclub) about this topic.
CRP front a-arm stabilizer and battery door (stiffens the chassis) are two good starts. Not sure on the new pivot balls for the re-re, but the originals were soft and would wear quickly-- steel aftermarket ones were good.
Hotshots are capable runners, but no slipper so let off on the landings.

there are some vintage hop ups still around for it.

don't fall for the new alloy suspension kits, they turn the car from a brick to a cinder block. lol

you could do the old supershot suspension upgrade, 2 shocks front and rear.

i'd build it stock with the bearings and 27t first. then you'll know if you want to bother with upgrades.

I built up a combo of cars and bits for my Super Shot runner. These are the same basis as the Hot Shot but with a few options to spec the car up a little.

I like the re-re centre driveshaft arrangement. They are a common dog bone type arrangement but Ive found if you add a price of foam inside the cups they tend to push the gearbox input shafts in a little tighter which make certain they dont slip back a little and ultimately let the input bevel gear lose mesh which then creates a heap of internal gearbox problems (I know-Ive been through it all already).

Ballracing the entire drivetrain is an obvious one but make certain it actualy is.

I got rid of many of the kit screws for 'hex' type items which make things a lot easier.

Dont be afraid to go 2.2" with the rims and tyres. makes a world of difference when on the track otherwise the stockies do well for bashing.

Im sporting a 19 turn Komodo Dragon in my car with the lowest pinion gear possible Goes like stink too!

Good luck with your project.

Thanks for the tips but I have more questions.

Can the center drive shaft problem be resolved with shimming internally, instead of a foam insert on the drive?

How do you mount modern wheels to it, and what type?

What parts break in a bad crash?

Whoot there it is!

Sweet! Welcome to the party!

Cool, have you driven that yet?

Nope, just got it together two days ago! Soon.

Can the center drive shaft problem be resolved with shimming internally, instead of a foam insert on the drive?

How do you mount modern wheels to it, and what type?

I think the issue is not the internal gear needing spacing but the input shaft which goes through to a bearing. If this pulls away it can slip back and the shaft comes askew. My gearbox did this then started to grind away on that angle. Its hard to put into words but I added the foam inside the drive cup which keeps the parts under pressure. I have had no problems since.

2.2" rims are easy enough to fit once you have a set of hex wheel adapters on the axles. They are quite cheap and alloy fitment of hex rims from Kyosho, Tamiya and the like.

Ok, thanks Jason!

The re re manual is showing a foam insert for the center shaft. Are you referring to the original Hot Shot? Or do I use extra foam inserts?

Just use a standard 12MM hex? If that's the case........ Damn! I gave away a pile of 12mm hex wheels!!!!!

Note to self: Become a RC hoarder!

Yeah i use 12mm hex adapters on my frog to but 2.2s on the rear. still havent found a set of front wheels with the right off set yet tho.....may put blackfoot a-arms on the front so i can run 2.2s all the way around

I put in a Top Force Steering Cranks.

It has made it so responsive like a modern buggy. NO bump steer, better throw and easy toset up toe.

Jason has done this mod to with Avanti steering rack.

Been a while and I just uploaded old pics from my phone! Got this done finally a few months ago while sitting at my sons race! Good time to work on stuff between races!

MY work center in the trailer!



All done and posing with my sons race bike!