Tamiya Grasshopper 540 Motor Install

[thebarfly79]

Hi,

For anyone trying to install a 540 motor in a Tamiya Grasshopper (RR) then this should help.

You need the 18T pinion gear listed on the rear of your manual. Part number 3515006. Please note that when ordering you do not receive the require 3mm grub screw that fits the pinion to the motors shaft.

I have tried using a number of other Tamiya pinion gears (21T - 25T) without success they just don't mesh with the 50T spur gear. I haven't got the pitch details but a standard 48Pitch 18T pinion from Tamiya does not do the job. You will have an air gap between the pinion and spur. And there is not easy way to motify the motor mount being the toy it is.

Get on ebay and look for 3515006 and any description listing Frog 18T pinion. It is the same thing.

I would like to try out the Frog 19T pinion when I can get one. Also interested in a 11Turn motor if anyone has tried it?!

I am currently running a very cheap Fireball 13T Double and am happy with how quick the little hopper moves for the price (Thanks ebay). Steering is non existant at speed :o) Car cart wheels on the smallest or bumps

(I have confirmed this info with Tamiya's online support and ordered the part via my local hobby store. Installed and tested okay.)

[timie1]

I think you'll find that the pinion used is a 18 tooth 32 pitch one. I have an original Grasshopper and that's what it is in that with a 540 motor. I would assume they use the same pitch now. There is an extra motor mounting plate that you have to use for 540 which you probably know if you have your fireball in it.

I've put a 15 turn Orion in my one (original gearbox that is 20 odd years old)
and it's got so much power, far too much for the chassis to handle. It didn't break the gearbox, but it did break the plastic housing for the rear axle. It rolls far too easily at speed, so I would not recommend putting a low turn motor in it, unless you like fixing things. I don't because mine is all vintage.

[thebarfly79]

:D It's all good fun!

I think they must have ditched the mount for the new model. The way I read the instructions the mounting plate was for the 380 motor I had on at the start.

I took the buggy out on the wet road last night.... what a laugh. I don't know how I haven't smashed a wheel off yet.

I'll try a half decent battery next. I have some $20 lappo 2200 in there at the moment. I was planning to install some stiff shocks on the rear to try and reduce the wheel spin.

Thanks for sharing.

Has anyone tried the Frog spur gears in a Grasshoppper?

[timie1]

Duhhhh LOL. Yeah you're right :D
The extra motor plate was used in the 380, not the 540. I don't know what I was thinking.

I don't think stiff shocks will reduce wheel spin. Softer shocks will help absorb bumps better than hard, and thus help to keep traction more. Is the rear end still just a spring setup? I've thought about modifying mine to put some actual shocks on it. That would help it handle better, but it still doesn't address the problem with it being solid rear end, and absolutely inadequate front suspension.

I wonder how a 380 sized brushless setup would go it in? Probably not too badly with a lighter motor than a 540. The car is, afterall, designed for a 380.

[thebarfly79]

I started this as something to do while I build up my Hilux.....

I thought it would be funny to see what I can do with a Grasshopper. Turns out there are others doing the same :huh:. No doubt you have seen the modified G.H. on You-Tube?! The dude has swapped out all the suspension...turned the rear into independent. Goes hard but still rolls!!

I have zero experience with brushless but from the micro brushless stuff I have seen the G.H. would be impossible to control. Sounds good :D

Based on what you have said I think dampers are the go to try and keep the hopper on the road more often than not.

I should probably of bought a decent buggy but where is the fun in that!!! :roll2:

From what I have seen in this forum, I need to learn more about batteries to get improved performance.

[86waterpumper]

I too am building up one of these. My cousin used to have one when i was a kid and it was loads of fun was pretty much my first introduction to rc cars. This car is a dismal performer but that's the whole attraction to me, it's hilarious to see them bouncing around, and sometimes its fun to just sit and do donuts lol. Plus, even with all the hoppers downfalls, it looks stunning and really scale! I actually scored a new in the package twisters pocket rocket motor for mine, which is a 19 turn and ought to be plenty and it has the vintage look. I would think a super low turn motor wouldn't have enough gearing to run cool in the hopper but maybe so? What's funny too is that the only servo I had laying around was a 100 something ounce metal gear one, totally hilarious to use it as it's super overkill with the lame paperclip type steering arms LOL. Anyway I got the 18t option pinion bag straight from tamiyausa and it even includes a allen wrench but no grub! Is this the right part? http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGG76&P=7

[zueslilbuddy]

There is a adjustable motor plate for the grasshopper, think you can get it from a Lunch Box parts tree.
And I was pretty sure it was the 19 tooth gear that fit corectly with out the adjustable motor plate made for the 540.
Real oil filled shocks make a huge differance but still cant steer at speeds, but takes bumps and jumps much better.
The grasshopper gear box is almost bullet proof and can take even brushless power. Same gear box in Lunch Box, midnight pumpkin, and a few other of the tamiya RC's.

[86waterpumper]

yeah I put bearings throughout, the tranny on these are real tough, I had a hornet before awhile back. Will the hornet rear shocks bolt right on to the hopper? The only adjustable motor plates I've seen crp made a long time ago. Looking at the lunchbox manual I see no extra plate, but maybe the re re got one? Anyone know of any other hopups?

[thebarfly79]

86, you won't need a mounting plate for a 540. The plate is for the 380 motor on the new hopper. 3515006 is that part number on the back of the mannual for the 18T pinion. It is the same one used on a Frog. The 3mm grub you have suggested is spot on.

I was thinking of trying out the 19T for the Frog. That buggy seems have a selection of spur gears aswell....anyway I burntout my 13T Double the other day. So I am back to a 21T, the car is still out of control :o)