Modification for Blast

[mlsmith]

Does anyone think I would benefit from converting the steerable drive system on the Traxxas Blast to a stationary drive sytem and adding a rudder? It just seems I could get more speed with a stationary drive system, especially while turning.

[laxmasta2039]

hey mlsmith.
havent talked for a while. still working on ur blast huh? i havent finished my boat either. what kind of "steerable drive system" do u mean? like an articulated drive, or just a prop that moves side to side, lacking a rudder completely? i think u'd definitely benefit from addinq a rudder if you dont have one at all, but from what ive heard, the articulated drive handles turning pretty well, so it wouldn't be much of a help if u already have one of those. does ur boat have a turn fin?

joe

[mlsmith]

Hey Lax,

No, I have a rudder. It's what's called a steerable outdrive system. check out http://www.traxxas.com/products/marine/blast/trx_blast_gallery.htm and you'll see what I'm talking about. I don't have a turn fin but was thinking adding that as well. I'm still waiting for my X435 to come in...I'm loosing patience. :)

So how your projects coming?

[laxmasta2039]

cool. i think we were talking about the same thing when u said steerable drive system and i said articulated drive. are u thinking of buying a new drive system and rudder, or making that drive system into a non-steerable, and putting the same rudder on seperately? my boat's coming fine, im just finishing up the paint job, and after that as soon as i get a good esc it'll be ready to hit the pond. i got in touch w/ jay turner, the fast electric wiz that made the plans for my boat, and he told me what props to try along with some other stuff. he's a great guy, do u know him? are u getting the prop straight from octura? i havent ordered them yet, and im trying to decide whether i should get plastic metal non balanced, or metal balanced. which did u get?

joe

[Andrewg]

Joe a seperate rudder and strut will give you more speed and better turning

steerable outdrives change the angle of the thrust line in a turn and they tend to bind increasing driveline drag

a turn fin will help the hull turn sharper wih less rudder input ie less drag for a given turn radius

[laxmasta2039]

ummm, andrew, i dont mean to be rude, but i actually already knew that. i was just discussing how much of an advantage it would be to ml's blast if he did this, and to what degree he wanted to change the current setup. lol

joe

[mlsmith]

Well guys, I really haven't decided if I'm even going to replace the drive system yet. It really all depends on how much it would end up costing me because I don't have alot of extra money I can put towards this boat. I think my hobby shop ordered the prop straight from Octura. He said they take a their time. They're living up to that statement, that's for sure. :)

[Ron Olson]

Octura usually ships pretty fast. The Hobby Shop may be jerking you around. Sometimes they need a minimum order so they can make it worth their time. Most of the time they can get it from their distributor.

[laxmasta2039]

hey, that sounds like the kind of thing my hobby shop would do!! :)

If u decide to replace the drive system, i bought a complete setup [not rudder, just drive system] from dpi leisure sports for about 57 bucks. if ur looking at fuller's hardware, i would defintely stay away from BBY racing, thier regular ground shipping is $13!!
good luck with it

joe

[tamiyatim]

I just finished modding my blast... put ball bearings in it and it's MUCH smoother... used a 11/32 brass tube from the hobby store for a new stuffing tube... drilled the tube mount to accept the 11/32 tube... I used 4x6 Mini-t bearings, and a 5/16 plastic tube inside the 11/32 tube to locate the bearings and keep them from slipping inside the tube... I drilled the outdrive with the 5/16 bit and slid the same plastic tubing in the outdrive, and installed two more of the mini-t bearings... rcboyz.com sells the mini-t bearings in stainless steel with blue rubber seals, which I may upgrade to so they won't rust out on me... I also wanna try to install a 4mm threaded shaft with a prop and separate rudder to see if I can get any more speed out of it.
Tim