Traxxas 4-Tec forum

[Rain Man]

How much do the 0 degree hub carriers help with drifting? That's about all im going to do with my 4 tec.

[SUPERSONIC_ST]

Where can I get a full graphite upgrade for my 4 tec cos i cant find it in tower hobbies?

[seth556]

You can get a Hobby Shop to order it and they should be able to get it.

[smigs]

Anyone know where I could get an assembly manual? (not the operation manual on the website ;)) The traxxas site has been sold out for a while.

[jhonijim]

new cross bread between a rustler a nitro rustler and a street sport
this thing looks f ed up has rustler rear and trans nitro rustler arms and hubs all on a street sport chassis cant wait to get it to work just need esc for the matrex 10 turn

[jhonijim]

you for the graphite your best bet is to find a mechinist to do the work it is the easist and they can make any part

[tec_41]

omg omg omg omg omg, FINALLY Traxxas has put out the graphite stuff!- http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJJ99&P=IA

[Rain Man]

SWEEEET!!! It only took them 3 years. :D

[seth556]

Hey guys what are the not so good points about the tec becides the weight, ex. steering nuckles, shocks, etc.

[guver]

It works good for me (because I use long batts) , but the battery mounted crosswise is probably not best. Plastic is kind bendy also.

[seth556]

What I'm going to do it take my 4-tec which is mostly in pecies and turn it into a racer by making some new parts to replace the not so good points of the tec. Up front I'm going to replace the steering nuckles for some ntc3 nuckles with custom arms. The chassis will be made sorta like a xray t104 and the steering will have a servo sideways instead of side to side then I'll make some new steering cranks to have the servo sideways. For the drivetrain I'm going to keep the sliders as they are lighter than cvd's then replace the diffs with nitro 4-tec diffs. I think thats it for now.
Oh and the chassis and most of the stuff will me made out of g-10 gralite.

[georgiaboy1977]

I just got my 4 tec and i am in the process of making an aluminum frame and other parts. what is the best motor to get for it or would you use the 20 turn thats in it. isn't it like basiclly having a 18 turn in it.i am going to make the motor mount plate also. do you think that might be to heavy .

[FastTec]

I haven't had many problems with my stock knuckles. I did buy 0 degree for the rear to give me good straight line speeds and being able to kick the tail out. As far as weight goes. The Tec does tip the scaled for a TC. Weight is not much of a concern to me considering I'm building a speed demon, though I will be removing a lot of unwanted plastic. I'll keep ya updated.

[TravisZ2892]

georgia boy where are you getting your chassis made. do you have any schematics or anything?I would like to get one made for my tec

[TravisZ2892]

what all is involved in doing the nitro diff swap? I stripped out my ball diff pressure plate and find the whole assembly kind of a bad idea. you can get the same kind of performance out of a gear diff. all you have to do is change the type and amount of lube you use.

[tec_41]

Ha ha I thought no body would ever post here...Travis, here's a tutorial on the diff swap-
http://www.geocities.com/the_tec_alliance/diffupgrade.html

Also, aluminum is not the best idea for an electric TC chassis. I would use carbon fiber or graphite for sure, which they do sell as an aftermarket set. Otherwise I was thinking about using my schools CNC machine to make one. Good luck!

[thunderbirdlver]

i took my 4 tec appart to change the rear belt. i lost the parts and screws since i did it like 3 years ago. well i came across the rear wheel and stuff in my r/c car tool box the other day. now all i need is to get a belt and put it back together! but i need to find the stuff i need. i was thinkin of taking it to the hobby shop and letting them get it back together for me. i want a ford gt body for it. that would be cool beans!

[TravisZ2892]

not a problem, thanx for the tutorial. I talked to someone about making one and they said about $150 to do it. I said Ill wait for traxxas.

[tec_41]

Ha, Traxxas has been quite slow on the carbon fiber parts...it seems that they get maybe 10 chassis made a year. If you buy a sheet of carbon fiber (not too expensive, no more than $40) and have access to a cnc machine then you can make one quite easily...just test it out on a cheap piece of poly or something first!

[TravisZ2892]

ok tec_41 when you get yours made let me know how much it cost and i'll pay you to make me one. I have no access to a CNC machine or would have any idea where to buy sheets of suitable carbon fiber.

[tec_41]

Will do bud...here's what I plan to use- http://www.robotmarketplace.com/marketplace_carbonfiber.html

[Locus]

Quick hello, wanted to see if the people are still out there racing/running and talking about this car? Local seller looking to let one go pretty cheap $100. Any insight on things I need to look at before picking this up?

Thanks,
Todd

[TravisZ2892]

pretty much the only thing I could say to watch out for is the ball diffs. I messed mine up pretty easily. personally I'd love it if they had gear diffs. I guess ball diffs are fine as long as your careful with them.

[guver]

I still run mine a lot in parking lots. I've been using 8 cells with 19 turn motor and it's just about worn out. I'm pleased with the foam tires I put on it and might go with a 14 turn motor (or sell it) I run it along with an hpi sprint and the two cars are usually neck in neck. I'm keeping the spring cuz it fits 10 cells and I just installed a new body.

[TravisZ2892]

has anyone put a brushless motor in one of these? I was thinking about getting a setup to put in it, but I wanted to know if there where any inherent problems to watch out for, aside for the aforementioned ball diffs that I despise.

[TravisZ2892]

TEC_41...................... have you done anything about the carbon fiber chassis? does anyone else have any ideas or experiances in this area?

[cenracer1]

just came across this thread.. I put the novak velocity 4.5 in mine.. before I had the Ti world 9t... handled the 9t pretty well... the same can't be said for the 4.5... the diffs didn't last that long.... very tough to drive at that speed.. the diffs gave out.. stripped the screws that pressure the balls... will probably go to the nitro set-up.. just ordered stock ones for the electric, but I will look into the nitro version as well...

[TravisZ2892]

ok I think I fried my last esc with a 17t motor and stock gearing. what changes should I make to my gearing to make my new esc last. I went out and bought a new xl10 esc. I was thinking about getting the titan 12 turn motor and gearing the hell out of it but Im not sure if that would be good or not. anyway I would think if you put in a more powerful motor that you would want to run a lower numerical gear ratio, why? im not sure it's just something I've though for a while, and I most certainly did not think that stock gearing would burn up an esc with a 17 turn motor. so after reading some online forums for a while Im thinking I should start going with a higher numerical gear ratio. so I should run a smaller pinion right? I have firgured out that you get more change from the pinion then you would from the spur. so after all my rambling what would you guys recommend for my 17t motor( please tell me in teeth that way I dont have to figure out the ratios) and the titan 12 turn motor.

[TravisZ2892]

Ttt
Ttt

Ttt

[TravisZ2892]

does anyone have a picture walkthrough step by step of the nitro diff conversion?

[tec_41]

Ah, sorry I haven't checked this in a while...

Here's a great writeup on the nitro diff conversion- http://www.geocities.com/the_tec_alliance/diffupgrade.html

And Travis- I never got around to making that chassis...I no longer have access to a cnc machine :(. And of course Traxxas is doing that gay thing where they say the graphite chassis is coming out later this month every month but it never does.

Rule of thumb for gearing is you should always go at least 7 teeth on the pinion above the number of turns your motor is. So if you are running a 9t motor, use a 16 tooth pinion. This is as long as you are using the stock spur gear...

[igme]

I'm new to r/c and my 1st car is a 4-tec. I already upgraded to BBs and ordered sway bar from traxxas. I also ordered a velineon bl system. What problems do you think I should expect with using velineon? What other mod's would you recommend to successfully run the velineon on my 4-tec?

[Lonnie]

Well this is my first attempt at an electric 4 tec build. I've done a couple nitros. Anyway i'm having a buddy fabricate a carbon fiber chassis. I've done full ball bearing/screw kit and am waiting for my mamba max system to come in. Should be an interesting project and i'll post pictures as it goes. :)

[evst 360]

I'm new to r/c and my 1st car is a 4-tec. I already upgraded to BBs and ordered sway bar from traxxas. I also ordered a velineon bl system. What problems do you think I should expect with using velineon? What other mod's would you recommend to successfully run the velineon on my 4-tec?

I am not too familiar with 4tecs, but I say buy it and then see what breaks. Replace the stuff that breaks with stronger stuff. Also, make sure you have good batteries. Brushless systems need good batteries, or they wont perform their best. IB or GP batteries are best, equal to or above 3300 mah. The higher the better.

Welcome to rcz btw.

[TravisZ2892]

igme, the main thing I would watch out for is the stupid ball diffs. man I cant stand these things. I stripped mine out while trying to adjust them, I mean if something was meant to be adjusted why the hell would you put locktite on it? especially with crappy pot metal! i had to order new parts the day after I got my 4tec and when I got it the pressure plate screw had locktite on it. if you look up the thread a couple of posts you'll see a mod to use nitro 4tec diffs i just have a 17t motor and im gathering parts to do the mod. i have one complete gear diff and one complete pro ball diff, I dont really want the ball diff so if there is anyone reading this that would want it PM me, all i want for it is another gear diff.

[Lonnie]

Is there anybody that would be inerested in carbon fiber chassis (upper and lower) and shock tower?


I'm just trying to see if there would be any interest as i'm having some sets made and if i get any interest might consider selling these.

I should have some pictures up next week when they are finished. :)

[TravisZ2892]

i would be interested depending on the price, i have to spread out my RC purchases, this week my big rc purchase will probably be either a 7 0r 8 cell battery for my rustler or a Triton Jr charger.

[KingRfx4]

I have a 4-tec it is storting a Vintage Mustang body and vintage 8 spoke wheels and vintage racing tires, all from Hpi-Racing. She is fast.

[Lonnie]

Nice car!

[igme]

As I was trying to screw in the velineon motor to the side frames of the rear diffs, the wires coming out of the motor will get pinched by the side frames since the wires from the motor are positioned towards the pinion of the motor and not away from it. I did not want to force putting the motor on because I don't want the wires to be pinched or bent as this could damage the wires early on. I guess I could get another motor instead but I'm not sure if I want to.

I might have to return the Velineon system to where I bought it from. Or, I'm also thinking of getting an AE T4RS RTR and put the motor/esc from the AE to the 4-tec and then put the velineon on the T4 instead. How do you think the Velineon will perform on the T4. Any suggestions, comments, violent reactions?

[TravisZ2892]

igme, y couldnt you just dremmel out the side frame a little to give it the clearance you need? could you post a pic so I could see what your isssue is. I am getting the velineon too and am concerned as my 4tec was to be its destination. if we dont need to remove that much material to make it work that would be a viable option. if not I will be looking into getting another motor and using the 3500 for my rustler, once I get another ESC that is.

[TravisZ2892]

I just thought of another option, which I would probably choose over the dremmeling option. just desolder the motor leads and re-solder them in the other direction, if thats possible. it seems like I remember seeing the solder tabs are basically hollow ya know?

[igme]

Here are pictures to show what the problem is with mounting the 3500 motor to the 4-tec. I have positioned the motor to illustrate how the wires on the motor will get pinched if the motor was screwed on. Also, your suggestion to de-solder the wires and resolder the wires the opposite direction will probably void the warranty and you would have to cut the plastic motor cover to make way for the wires. I included a picture of the area you suggested that I could Dremel out to make way for the wires. There just isn't any area that you could dremel out without affecting the strength of the side frames and the bearings.

[TravisZ2892]

yeah your right, the warranty on the motor im not so worried about from the cost of the system the motor must not be that expensive. So i'll probably have the guys @ my local hobbytown change the motor wiring for me or I'll just go ahead and get another motor. I have the stuff to do the nitro diff swap so that is no longer a issue. which motor would you guys recommend for me? all I'll be running probably will be 6 cells, I want some speed but not so much that is uncontrollable. should I just go with a tried and true mamba motor or look at some of the new offerings from other manufacturers.

[TravisZ2892]

igme, i just looked at something, when you tried to insert the motor into the chassis were there any interference issues with the screw heads on the sides? if this is true then the only manufacturer that makes a motor that would work would be novak right?

[Lonnie]

igme, i just looked at something, when you tried to insert the motor into the chassis were there any interference issues with the screw heads on the sides? if this is true then the only manufacturer that makes a motor that would work would be novak right?



There are already several people with mamba max systems. Mine won't get here for another few days so i don't have any proof but i don't know why it wouldn't work.

[igme]

igme, i just looked at something, when you tried to insert the motor into the chassis were there any interference issues with the screw heads on the sides? if this is true then the only manufacturer that makes a motor that would work would be novak right?

I never attempted to screw in the motor once I determined that the motor wires would not clear the side frames. I'm not sure. But looking at the right side frame where I need to screw in the motor, I don't think the screw heads of the motor will be a problem. The motor goes under the left side frame but on the right side frame, the motor attaches to the inside and the screw heads should not be a concern

[Lonnie]

Here is a couple of dirty pictures of my mamba setup. After looking at it i bet you can make that Velineon motor work. You should try mounting it up.

[Lonnie]

Does anybody know if and where you can buy aluminum upgrade parts for this?

Also i destroyed the whole rear end of the car today. High speed pass and a road reflector made the tec flip many many many...times so back to square one lol.

[TravisZ2892]

dont know if they make anything other than what you could get to work from the nitro 4tec or any hopup parts made for it. BTW how fast was it before your encounter with the reflector?

[mcm69]

i own trxxas 4tech to i wish i new more about the ow tos like replcin parts and things like that.

[mcm69]

i bought mine at a pawn shop for 85 dollars but no manual and i am new to th rc world,

[mcm69]

hey i got 4 tech wit extra motors and parts at a pawn shop 4 $80 i use a speddy gem amber motor i realy aint for sure wat the gearing is but it move pretty dam fast. how do you set one up for drifting please explain i am new to this.

[guver]

Hmm, good buy. Probably just get some "hard tires"

[Duster_360]

i bought mine at a pawn shop for 85 dollars but no manual and i am new to th rc world,


Manual, and a lot of other stuff can be found here -

http://www.traxxas.com/support/kb_search.php?action=artikel&cat=16&id=267

[dlongoria1]

Looking for help with the 3.3 nitro traxxas diff conversion into a traxxas e-tec. Cant find a belt 4.5mm 80-81 teeth in length for the front. any help?

[MWEHR76364]

Love my electric 4-tec. I've upgraded just about everything on it. Started by upgrading the esc and motor to a Novak Brushless 4.2. Ungraded the controler and to Futaba. Added aluminum steering blocks, rear stub axles, flange locks, and various other items also added front and rear sway bar, team associated hard carbide diff balls front and rear and hpi wheels and tires. This thing will flat out fly pretty much love to take it to the big parking lots where I can full full throttle alot there are a couple other rc's that run around town and we meet up every once in a while and there is nothing like smoking them all in the drags.