Associated TC3 Forum v1.0

[AudiTT-Quattro]

Alright, thanks.

We have wireless webcams hooked up to our cars. We got them from a surplus center locally.

[Dingus]

*

[Dingus]

*

[jkerr0043]

I ran my TC3 in open modified today for the first time. It ran great. But now I need to stock up on brushes for the new motor. I'm running a P94 11x2. Any hints on the best P94 brushes for this motor? There are quite a few different choices and on the websites to order them, they don't really give a good description. Other than spec mod, I've never run an all out modified class so any other motor maintinence clues that are different from stock would be great as well. Thanks

[Crazy Canuck]

Wow, its been quiet.

Go to www.teamtrinity.com, click on motor accessories until you get to brushes. They have a little chart.

[AZBUSA]

Is it better to replace the bushings in the diff with bearings?
I am building a FT right now and I was suprised to see bushings.

[jkerr0043]

I don't think there are any bearings for it. When I got my Teflon bearing set for my TC3 it didn't have bearings for the diffs either. It does seem strange but the bushings seem to be working just fine so far.

[Dingus]

Leave the bushing as is. The diff will slip more easily with a bearing. The only time the bushing will even be used is when the there is "diff" action. Not much.

[Crazy Canuck]

The bearings dont fit in the plastic diffs. The bearings are for the older steel diffs, and for the aftermarket aluminum ones. Its just like the rings, you need notched ones now instead of the O shaped ones.

[ole]

need your help guys! anyone oou there using tamiya type T or R motors (23 turns) for tc3? what pinion do i use for 72T spur gear on this motor?

[Crazy Canuck]

Maybe try a 26 or 27. It depends on where youre running it.

[SuperRally1]

Post some pics of your TC3...

[AudiTT-Quattro]

I'm not sure which "style" suspension arm I have. I believe there was the original a-arm and was updated to be stronger in later kits?

Does anyone have a picture of the "old" and "new" a-arm for the TC3?

Thanks.

[XXX/TC3 Racer]

I can tell you that the new A-arms have a droop screw hole for them. It is near the back part, closest to the hinge/pivot pin. You can use this to set the ride height...

-A. Swift

[Crazy Canuck]

Yeah, the old ones are also noticably thinner. I have some kicking around, Ill try to remember to post some pics tomorrow.

The best way to tell is by the hole.

[L96780]

Can some one please post a picture of just a front or rear diff in front of a rim. I want to see the size and I can compair it to the size of a rim.

[AZBUSA]

I bought the 4 degree caster blocks #3872 but when I went to install them the holes are too big, where the one screw comes in through the bottom and where the ball stud goes in the top, is this a mistake by the factory or am I missing something?


:confused:

[xxxkat]

What size & type of speed controler do most of you "racers" use?And how do most of you mount your receiver,flat or on its side?(off road racer use to alot of room for my radio gear)Their is not alot of room for your speed controler & receiver is their.I have spent more on my speed controler,receiver & servo than I did on the car,and it still does not fit to good in the space thats for your radio gear.*** :mad:

[jkerr0043]

I run a Novak GT7. It's very small but the way they tell you to mount the power cap, makes it pretty wide and that forces me to mount my receiver on edge. I'm thinking about re doing mine though and mounting the cap on top of the reciever to give everything more room. Here's how mine fits in. It's a little blurry. My digi camera doesn't like close ups.

[jkerr0043]

I have spent more on my speed controler,receiver & servo than I did on the car

That's not a dificult thing to do.
$140-200 just for a T.O.L. ESC
$100+ for a digital servo
$70 for an after market micro receiver (not to mention the $260 on the computer radio if you don't already have one.)

It adds up quick.

I think about getting a second car sometimes to run my second class thinking I already have all the expensive stuff like batteries and chargers, etc. But then I look at that list and decide I can handle changing the motor after every run.:)

[R/C_Noo_B]

ok so how are the new a-arms??

is the performance difference noticable?
is it REALLY that much better than the old ones?

[Crazy Canuck]

Yes, the new arms are worth getting. You get infinitely more adjustability. Just make sure when you install them you take the limiters out of the shocks.

My electroniccs, I use a Cyclone, XR2 w/ stock receiver, and a KO FET servo. They fit OK, there is literally no space (at most 1mm) to fit anything else. I mount the cap on top of the speedo.


Whatever you do, dont mount the capacitor on the receiver. It will glitch, the cap's job is to smooth out voltage spikes, which means it is always taking /releasing power. Its a recipe for glitches.

[jkerr0043]

I didn't think about that, thanks for the warning.

[xxxkat]

Right now I am using a Novak GT-7 speed controler,a Novak xxtra receiver & a JR z8450 servo.And its a tight fit,thanks for the info.on where not to put the cap.(I was thinking about putting it on my receiver)I was just not to shure about having my radio gear so close.(Glitch problems)Thanks for the Info.

[ole]

anyone using the new irs straight front axle? how does it work?
is it the same as a front one -way ?

[Crazy Canuck]

A one way is a unique type of diff. It freewheels under braking, but locks the axle under acceleration. A solid axle will perform in a similar way to a oneway on power, but off power, a solid axle will tend to make the car push.

So yes, they are similar, but not the same.

[NTC3NUT]

I need some help. I'm trying to find a set-up from last years 2001 Cleveland Indoor race for the TC3. I was told a local guy won Stock last year with a TC3 and a killer set-up, but I can't find anything on last years race, only the 2000 set-ups. Was his name Durling? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Crazy Canuck]

The 2001 winner was a guy from Toronto. I dont know his email though, sorry. His name is Wayne Vince.

Has anyone else noticed TC3 parts getting sloppy lately? Someone else at the track pointed it out to me, and I realized hes right. The C Hubs are starting to get too big, you have to shave them to get them to fit right. And the outdrives are too short.

The best theory Ive heard is that the molds are starting to go, theyve been in heavy use for about 2 or 3 years now.

[Dingus]

It's not what your are looking for, but try Tony Phalen's Kinetix setup found on www.competitionx.com I saw him find this setup and run some really fast laps. I ran a very similar setup, but with a center one way instead of the front.

Tony recently accepted a position with Associated and was the guy who "invented" the Rally Conversion. Also a great driver.

[Dingus]

Hey Crazy,

I bought my FT TC3 about a year ago and it did a lot of massaging, but that's not too different from any Associated kit.

About the molds, ask Tony Phalen, he's a regular poster on rctech.net in the TC3 forum. Maybe he can shed some light.

[Crazy Canuck]

Ok, thanks, Ill do that. I know that youve always had to do a *bit* of massaging, but lately its been really bad.

[Dingus]

Hope that doesn't become the norm. I haven't broken much lately because the only on road track here now is a nitro style track with HUGE lanes. Just gonna run dirt for the "winter" here in TX. Too much to buy rubber tires for every temp range.

Have you noticed this on the graphite as well as the plastic?

My LHS still doesn't have the new arms in stock!

I just got a MFE XXXT and boy, that thing just falls together. Like a 3 hr build. Associated really needed to update the buggy/truck. Still like the Associated tranny and diff WAY better, but everything else is much better on the Losi.

Looks like the B4 will be as good if not better than the Losi.

[Crazy Canuck]

I sure hope they fix the problem soon. Lately Ive been havin the dogbone fall out of the outdrive at least once a week, and its because they are too short. I dont like the aluminum ones from Robinson, the holes expand and it gets a lot of play. Im just hoping I dont get forced to go back to the steel outdrives.

[Rdub202]

i just got a TC3 and i want a new esc and then new motor. dont knw which turn motor to get or which esc to get plz help

[jkerr0043]

what do you plan on doing with the car? racing or neighborhood driving? how well can you drive? how much room do you have? you need to know all of these to make a decision on any motor/esc combo.

[obxbeachwolf]

Just returning to rc after 13 year layoff. Had old esc's and batteries from running RC10 on carpet. Have new tc3 running on both asphalt and carpet. Having trouble with gearing. Have old 64 pitch spur/pinions for many combos. Will these work in the tc3 and what ratio would you recommend for stock?

[Crazy Canuck]

For stock, I use a 96 spur with a 35-38 pinion depending on the track.

As long as they are standard spurs, they'll work on the TC3

[obxbeachwolf]

Thanks. Have a new Core stock and 3000 batteries. Ran an old Lightspeed motor with a 21/72. Didn't seem right. Will try the new set up.

[jkerr0043]

Just returning to rc after 13 year layoff. Had old esc's and batteries from running RC10 on carpet. Have new tc3 running on both asphalt and carpet. Having trouble with gearing. Have old 64 pitch spur/pinions for many combos. Will these work in the tc3 and what ratio would you recommend for stock?

Sounds familiar. I did the same thing about a year ago. I run a GT7 ESC and I prefer the Orion Core Stock motors. P2K & P2K2's are also good stock motors. I gear them around the mid 6 to low 7 depending on the track and the layout. If you're running foams watch your rollout. I don't run them so I don't know what a good number would be for them. If you don't already have a lathe, that would be a good investment. The stock motors are rebuildable now. Not like the old days when stockers had pop top endbells.

[JimmyMac]

Anyone here goin to Cleveland? I'll be heading there with 2 other guys. Gonna race Stock Touring. I guess I'll try out the old Cleveland setups. But I also wanna try out my IRS front spool. Gonna be interesting seeing as I have not raced a TC3 on carpet yet. Any good suggestions on tires? Jaco (on velocity) Purple Rears and Purple Orange Fronts?

Anyhow, welcome back to RC! I just got back into it last year. It's just too addicting! hehe Well I run my TC3 with either a GM3 or the Core Stock motor. Very fast indeed. I have a Monster Stock, but have yet to run it. I might give it a try this weekend. Right now I'm having the "local" tuner go thru it. Usually I do my own motors.. but I want to give him a try. Anyhow I run on a fairly large track and I gear mine around 6.03. Of course with this weather I can do that. On a tighter track I ran mine between 6.48 and 6.25. It's fast and I've notice my laps times dropping aroung .25 sec a lap by just goin up 1 tooth. Just mess around til you find the right setup for your track. I would say for stock and 64 pitch gears... 96 spur would be ideal. Any larger and you can't "gear up".

Well... welcome back and enjoy!

[obxbeachwolf]

Have not run the tc3 on a track yet. Just parking lot messing to try to get use to holding tx again. I have been to the Rosewood track, Durham, and VaBeach looking at what was "hot". Hope to get around to these tracks next spring-summer and run. Indoor carpet track in Hampton VA supposedly setting up for winter to have a new road course and is Wheels track in Durham serious about carpet this winter? Thanks for the reply. I had monitored your chatting with kartrun and several others. I have severl Lightspeed motors still in package from old days. Pretty fast then.

[Crazy Canuck]

Dont worry, youre in for a surprise. Stock motors are getting so powerful that they feel like mild mods. Dont be surprised if it takes some getting used to.

[JimmyMac]

Ahhh I didn't notice you were from NC.. haha... Welcome! Well not too sure on what's goin on with the carpet at Durham. Everyone keeps asking me if I would race carpet on Thursday nights and I tell them NO. I'd never make it in the traffic in time to race! Especially when it takes me 1.25 hours to get there on Sundays. So I can't imagine rush hour traffic after work! So you gonna stop by this Saturday at Rosewood or Sunday at Durham? I'll be at both. Stop by and say "Hi" sometime. Can't miss me with the "red,white,blue" car. Well take it easy....

Jimmy Mac

[obxbeachwolf]

Don't know if it will be this weekend, but I want to get back up there soon. What race is going on in Cleveland? I talked with a guy at HobbyTown in VABeach about "Snowbird Nationals" in Orlando in Feb,:D , tried to talk wife into that:rolleyes: . Thanks for responding. It helps to have a sounding board for questions on setups.

[obxbeachwolf]

Crazy question, what is "rollout". I probably should know this but don't remember. Thanks.

[jkerr0043]

Roll out is the number revolutions the motor turns every time the car travels the distance equal to the circumfrance of the tires.

[JimmyMac]

Cleveland is a BIG carpet race up near Cleveland, Ohio. It's were all the pro's go for a big winter race. It's said to be the "Super Bowl" of RC Racing. I think this years race has something like 490 entries. It's at a hotel and you pit in your rooms. I think it's a 4 day event. Very much like the Snowbirds. I think I'll be attending that as well. Anyhow, alot of the TC3 setups on the AE site are for the Cleveland race.... I just hope to make the G Main in Stock!! hehe...

[Crazy Canuck]

If youre going to Clevland, remember, the handout stock motors have no brushes or springs.

I might be going to the Snowbirds, my schedule at school fits in perfectly, I would miss maybe 2 or 3 days at most.

[rcmania67]

I have a TC3 with Keyence A07R – Reedy 7 turns – Gearing: 69/22 – 6 cells 3000mah. This thing can really run. I never figure out how many mph is it. Can I make it go faster with the current setup without getting hot?

[JimmyMac]

Yeah, I have a couple brushes I'd like to bring. Plus some fast oval guys are giving me brushes as well. Only thing.. they won't tell me what they are?! :D I dunno, I'll have to try a set out this weekend.

Anyhow my IRS solid axle finally came in. So I'll get to try that out as well this weekend. Well let me go....

[Crazy Canuck]

Bring Trinity 4499 and Reedy 767. The 767 are one-run brushes, the 4499s will give you 3-4 fast runs then the rest will be a bit slower, but still relativelt fast.

[JimmyMac]

I mainly use 767's and 769's. But these other brushes are slotted. I dunno... like I said.. I'll have to give it a try Saturday to find out. Suppose to get faster and faster with each use of the brush (dyno numbers go up after each run.) Don't ask me... this is from the fast "Oval" guys.. hehe.... Looks more like a slotted "E" brush to me but they said no. :confused: I'll post results Saturday night.....

[jfc_tech]

i saw the Barry setup...im confused about the locked diff? is it fully locked the nut or new mod here? its not one-way b'coz it wan ban on the recent Reedy race...so how do u do it?

[Dingus]

At its most basic it is just a regular diff tightened down all the way. There are a few companies making solid diffs or spools.

If you try the locked diff you must copy the whole setup to compensate for the push that the locked diff will cause.

I have tried it and like it very much, but it doesn't work under all conditions.

[jfc_tech]

Now i know why my car doesn't want to turn during on power at the sweeping turn. !!!...:D :D I though my Futaba digital servo S9450 gone bad. ahahahahahha. thanks for the remedy.

[Dingus]

I am using Juho Levanens setup from the Euro Champs because my track is bumpier than the Tamiya Track in CA. Go to the TC3 Corner of http://home.swipnet.se/airwide/

The main difference is the droop settings.

Be sure to also use the rear tower on the front as well. If you can't find the new arms there are a few easy remedies, but the new arms are the best option.

[Rdub202]

at the local track my by me they have a carpet track and i dont
knw much about racing on carpet. can anyone suggest what tires
i should use.:confused: or anything else i should
change to my all stock tc3 (not for long planning on mew motor & esc)

[Crazy Canuck]

For carpet, I like Takeoff CS22s. Use the Takeoff molded medium insert.

The best hopup to get is the RPM wide front bumper. Saves a lot in parts.

[JimmyMac]

Okay, I've posted this on another board... and I'll post it on this one.....

I ran 2 new items today... My Monster Stock motor and my IRS front solid axle. Here are my reviews...

Monster Stock... very awesome and fast motor! My gearing set to 6.25 and it was a rocket! Flying past other cars down the straight who were geared similarly. Motor got hot. But not hot enough to burn. Even posted my fastest lap on the last lap. So this shows that the motor did not fade due to heat. Also I was using my GP3300. It even didn't show any performance fade with my Ultra Metals. No glitching either. Sometimes I experience glitching with my GM3's. Anyhow, very fast motor. I'm very pleased with it so far.

IRS front solid axle. For this track.. the oneway is retired. And for those that know me and how much I love running oneways... that's shocking.. hehe. The solid axle gave more steering in the middle and exit of the turns. Basically if you setup the turn, you won't have to worry about any push entering it. I did notice that at crawling speeds... my car had a very wide turning radius... where as with my oneway... it was tight. But all this is not to worry once the car is up to speed. Basically a must have (solid axle) for tight, technical tracks.......

As for my race today... TQ'd one lap ahead. Got knocked down to dead last in the first turn of the main. Then made my way back to first with very consistant lap times (all 19's except the first 2 laps 32 sec and 20sec...) Anyhow more testing tomorrow at a different track that is currently setup for high speed. So I'll let you know if I switch back to the oneway or not. Til then... L8Rz

Jimmy Mac

[AudiTT-Quattro]

How was your acceleration with the Monster Stock? How would you compare it to the P2K line?

[NTC3NUT]

I run my Monster @ 6.92, with 2.2" (+/-) tires, and it's great. I was asked to show my arm to the race director tonight, they thought I was running a 19 turn arm. No lie, it looked that much faster than the other cars, and it kept going that way the entire 5 min. with 3000's. I changed the brush's, spring's, and trued the com right out of the box though. But then again, who doesn't.

[Grizzbob]

True, I have to admit, the Monster stock is something of a puzzle. The one's I've played with & tested haven't looked all that great on my dyno(though they do put out some righteous top end, even more than the GM3, but appears to put out less torque than any others I've tested), but in the car they look a LOT better. I tried one last night in my 1/12 scale car with 4 cells & I was simply untouchable all night(turned the fastest laps of any onroad cars), & then again today in my TC3, & it was more or less the same story. Didn't look too great on the dyno screen, but in the car it ran pretty darn strong, even when geared taller than I ever expected to be able to do. It just seemed to get faster as the day went on(& as I worked on the gearing a bit & worked on my driving line to take advantage). I ran the one today with Reedy 767 brushes & the red/green polarized springs, & it stayed strong all day....:)

[JimmyMac]

Well I pitted my Monster today against my GM3. Same gearing (even though they recommend one tooth under a GM3. Guess I'll just say the Monster is the faster of the 2. I was basically untouchable with it when I ran the qualifier. Even went up a tooth for the main (from 6.25 to 6.03) but I think it (might) have slowed down my lap times. For one, I didn't skim the comm or clean up my motor for the main. And 2.... if you see how I finished the main, you'll see why I slowed down. :D Anyhow... I love this motor! Reedy's Cobalt Stocker better have something up their sleeve if they want to beat this one! And another note... my GM3 glitched while I was racing.... NO problems with glitching with my Monster. Yes.. I did have brand spanking new Duracell M3's instead of my Nimh batts in my radio. Next test will be next Sunday when I pit the Monster Stock vs. Core Stock.

[Kenro]

I just picked up a used FTC3, noticed the steering rack hangs when I slide it back and forth (no servo in car yet) I took all the bearings out and cleaned and oiled them and its the same. I can tell by the feel it hangs when the bearing passes the area where the ballstud is screwed into the rack. Now, the steering rack should move back and forth smoothly right? I dont know if the car was wrecked and tweaked, nothing appears damaged, the hinge pins are straight and so on. The nylon locknuts are not too tight. Any suggestions?

[Dingus]

The rack needs regular maintenance. Don't bother oiling the rack's bearings. It will just attrract dust. There isn't enough movement to require oil anyway.

You need to remove the rack and lightly scrape ALL surfaces with a knife. Junk tends to build up and cause the problem. Be careful not to gouge the plastic though. I also polish with a dremel a little bit for added smoothness.

If nothing else, buy a new rack.

[NTC3NUT]

When you guys are calculating your final drive ratio, is it spur gear, divided by pinion, times 2.5? My number of 6.92 looks alot higher than the rest of yours for the Monster motor. By the way, using 767's, and purple springs on both sides. it seams like this helps with torque, or it may be my gearing, 72/26.

[Kenro]

Thanks Dingus, Yep, I took it all apart and the inside of the rack was layered with road crap, I didnt realize that it built up inside the rack. Thanks again.

[Dingus]

It's a regular item on the car. Leaving the bearings dry helps a lot, but I would recommend checking without the servo attached at least before or after every race day.

[rcmania67]

have a tc3 with the following spec:

x-pattern tire in front
slick take off in the rear
ford mondeo & nissan 350z body
keyence esc with reedy 7 turns

everytime I let go the throttle or make a turn, the car spin 360. How can I fix this>

Many thanks

[Dingus]

Gonna need more info. Could be the setup of the car, a binding part (bearing, cvd, etc.).

Could be the driving surface in tandem with the different tires. Probably best to stick with the same front and rear. Sometimes a different compound f/r will work, but not a totally different tire.

Do you have drag breaks on the esc?

Have you checked tweak?

[Crazy Canuck]

Make sure your droop settings are right. If you hit stuff, it throws them off, that could be it.

[Kenro]

Dudes! I just drove my TC3 for the first time...WOW is all i got to say. These things are rockets! Ive been racing offroad for a couple of years and never took the plunge with sedans until now...I think I may be hooked! (again)

Thanks again for the help Dingus!

[Dingus]

No prob, have fun.

I've been racing more offroad lately than sedan. I know a lot of people might disagree, but I think it's good to get practice from both. I'm learning much more throttle control from off road and steering control from sedan.

[jkerr0043]

Originally posted by rcmania67
have a tc3 with the following spec:

x-pattern tire in front
slick take off in the rear
ford mondeo & nissan 350z body
keyence esc with reedy 7 turns

everytime I let go the throttle or make a turn, the car spin 360. How can I fix this>

Many thanks

First, go to a milder motor and change to the same type of tire on all fours. Check the things everyone else mentioned as well.

[Kenro]

How do I tell what spur gear I have, I bought my TC3 used, not sure if its the stock 72T Kimbrough gear that comes with the kit, does Kimbrough color theri spur gears like losi?

[jkerr0043]

no they don't. It's probably black. The only way I know if it's not printed on it is to actually count the teeth:mad: I know it sucks. Either that or just go out and buy a new 72 tooth. That way you know what you have and you should have a spare spur gear in your tool box anyways.

[JimmyMac]

Comment on the gear ratio... You are correct on how to calculate it. Anyhow I run Foam tires on Asphalt... so my gearing might be a tad different than what I run with Rubbers (tire diameter). I think I would have run maybe something on like 6.4~6.5 with rubbers. But with me... who knows... I like the 6.25 gearing. Anyhow, I won't be testing my Monster anymore like I was gonna. Instead I'll be retiring my TC3 from outdoor racing to get it ready for carpet at Cleveland.... So from now til then I'll be running my 414M2.

[jkerr0043]

TRAITOR!!!!!:p Just Kidding