Stop the presses! I got a news flash about EK4!!

[old phart]

I just got back from the AMA Convention in Pasadena and the International Modeler Show.

I was there talking to a rep. from Ace Hobby/Thunder Tiger USA. I asked him in a casual way "what's going on with the EK4 and the issues with the engines in the first batch?" He said yes there had beens ome problems but most were due to new users being impatient and running the engine too lean, too soon. He said the .70 Pro has been used for a long time in the Raptor heli with great success. He touched on the starter issue a bit, again placing blame on users not working it properly. He suggested using a "starter box" and the issue would go away. OK I thought, he doesn't want to cop to all the problems, but lets not push the issue. So then I moved onto other topics. ;)

I asked him about hop-ups. "What about TT's new cooling head for the EK4?" He replied that TT was in fact making one, but it was still in the early stages and not ready for production. He then mentioned the fridge head from MSJ. He knew about that one! He also said that a bunch of aluminum hop-ups for the EK4 was coming out soon, and that you could entirely equip your EK4 with the aluminum upgrades for under $100! :)

I then asked the big question....... "What's this about a .90 for the EK4? He said the .90 was a direct drop in replacement for the .70 engine. :)

Now, for the news scoop! He said that Thunder Tiger was coming out with a "EK4 S-2 Pro" version in a couple of months! This would have all the aluminum upgrades and various trick parts already on the truck. And it doesn't stop there! He said Thunder Tiger is working with Associated, and will sometime around the summer be coming out with a Thunder Tiger/Associated EK4 Pro Race version!!!! :eek: He said it was just in the development stages now, but that they are indeed working with Associated. Is that going to be awesome or what?? :cool:

[nitropro]

I am curious if it was somone I talked to at Ace, did you catch his name?

[maxxxracer]

Kmot, I wish I would have known about this show. I would have done anything to go :( .

Good news about hte E4k. I would like to get one of those pro race versions with all the hop ups. Sounds like it will be cool.

[midmadn]

Sounds strange to me.

First, I would like to see how we are going to use a starter box?

And also, in what way can you possibly use the starter improperly?

Jack

[atm92484_3]

That is going to be so awesome. Associated and Thunder making a monster truck; I think I know what I'm buying this summer. :)

[Rosstapirate]

Well I hope they own up to there PROBLEMS!!! My piston just BROKE!!!! I was 1 gallon down just put my new MSJ head on and boom!!!! The piston's edge just broke!!! Well I thought I was a lucky one that got a good engine! It ran so good after 1\2 gallon smooth, fast response and big wheele's everywhere! Wish me luck Monday I start trying to get the engine replaced!! :( One other thing if they come out with other types of the truck I will be pissed!!! oh well thats what I get for buying the dang thing this soon!!!!!!!!! Rosstaman

[hooligan]

total ttr ********.
the starter is just too weak and not up to the job tot do it right.
like midmadn said: how can you misuse it ?
the glide bearing in it is too soft and wears out fast causing an airleak and trouble.

btw you can start it on a starter box but you have to make the hole in the chassis somewhat bigger.
i also had it started with a handheld starter with a silicone ring on it.

when my net pro70 helei engine is in, i am not putting the old starter backplate on it but i will wait for the msj upgraded starter to put it on

[Andrew the RC man]

at the current speed of having engines going bigger and biger......ill bet you in 5 years we will have briggs and straton powered 1/8s :D

[Coconut]

Don't think I am going to buy Thunder Tiger after all the problems that guys that know what they are doing have had. Who do they think their fooling. They had the same tpye customers(many with more experience) as T maxx had. They just blew it. Sounds like just a sales pitch to me. They definitely need associated help ;but I'm not buying one with the support owners are reporting. They should have recalled all of the first ones as defective. You notice now Traxxas handled the ESC's in the first E Maxx. Relpaced and gave a free set of big bores.

[EK4RACER1]

Hooligan,

you actually got the engine started with a handheld starter??...how??...did you open up the hole on the bottom of the chassis??

how many engines did you go through??...my first one blew up, well see if ttr will address this problem

thanks

[EK4RACER1]

.90??...i wouldnt even consider it,if they cant even fix the .70 problems....ek4 s-2 pro??!!...what a joke!!!...forget the aluminum upgrades work on the engine problems first...its useless to have all the nice aluminum , but truck cant even run!!!....all show and no go!!!

i rather convert my mp to run the .70 engine, the drivetrain and durabilty of the mp has already proven itself....

TTR dont let us down!!!

[hooligan]

ek4racer2> i used a rubber wheel on the handheld starter and started it on top of the engine, not from below.
below is hard but i think it can be done.

btw i am still on my first engine which runs great.
i have put another carb on it (2 needle) which i had lying around.
i am still confident that the pro.70 is a decent engine (of what i hear from my local heli guys) so i have a new one on its way.

i am only sometimes having trouble with the idle but that is becouse my ek 4 whacked upside down on its head, and a piece chipped of the engine body where the carb mounts.
i think it airleaks there so i am replacing the engine.