TRF801 GT 1/8 scale on road build project

[Raman70]

As promised, I started my TRF801 GT build project today. Right now it looks to be a fairly straight forward build.. chassis mods will be minimal.

I'm using a Serpent 966 2 speed. I had this initially installed in a Kyosho IGT2.

Initially I planned on shifting the transmission forward, since the 2 speeds overall length is longer than the 801's centre diff. This would have required finding a CVD or dog bone that was between 65 and 70 mm in length.

It also would require that the fuel tank be moved forward because the pinions would come in contact with rear fuel tank mount.

So I decided to move it backward. As luck would have it a spare front CVD from MP 7.5 fit the bill.

Here are some pictures of how the layout will look.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1681.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1680.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1682.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1683.jpg

In the IGT2, I had to shim the flywheel and gears forward. With the 801, I actually ended up removing all shims.

I will however need to move the motor back roughly 3 mm, so that the clutch bell does not rub on 2nd spur. Will also need to increase the counter bore in chassis for motor to sit nicely and well as enlarge the cut out for the clutch bell.

Time to get over to the mill shop.

[akuntze]

So far it looks very promising and I hope you keep us posted! :Tamiya1:

[Raman70]

I definitely will. I'm hoping to catch Tamiya's attention with this. So this forum is probably my best bet!

[Raman70]

I've decided to take a different approach to this car. It's now going to be a TRF801 GT E.. dropping a Tekin RX8 1700 KV system in the car. Batteries will be a 5 cell LiFePo system.

[Raman70]

Project is still alive, just been busy with life.. stay tuned!

[Raman70]

Custom Front / Rear shock towers and radio plate have finally been fabricated. These are a hybrid between the TRF801X and the Inferno GT. Bottom uses TRF801X mount holes and camber link and top uses shock mount positions from Inferno GT.

I should have these by weeks end. Next up, custom centre drive shaft with single gear.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/photo.jpg

[akuntze]

Very impressive. How think are these pieces? Where did you get them made?

[Raman70]

For the shock towers I went with 4 mm. On the radio plate I went with stock 3 mm.

I used http://www.snrgraphite.com/ .. the owner is Steve. He is down in Garden Grove, very close to you at Tamiya. He is new to CF game and did this work for me in over 2 days!

[Raman70]

Received custom front / rear shock towers today and installed them on car. Also installed Radio plate along with shocks.

Front and rear body mount, along with front bumper are from Kyosho Inferno GT.

Will definitely need to find firmer springs. Hoping to find ones that fit the TRF dampers, otherwise will have to switch to Kyosho and Ofna.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1822.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1823.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1824.jpg

[Raman70]

Hoping the pinion will clear the radio plate! Looks like I'm cutting it close though :)

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1825.jpg

Next up, custom front centre shaft and motor mount from Elite RC.

[Raman70]

Motor mount installed.. going to have to rethink receiver position and trim radio tray.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1830.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1831.jpg

[Raman70]

This is the look I'm going for:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/RD2_3976_1.jpg

[Raman70]

Here is what I was able to accomplish for far:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1832.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1833.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1834.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/DSCN1835.jpg

[akuntze]

Wow the body came out very nice! Who makes it? I am very anxious to see how this runs on the track. What is the closest track to you? Do they have a lot of 1/8th racing?

[Raman70]

Coming from you I take that as a compliment.. your bodies look like a work of art!

There are two game players in the 1/8 scale GT, Kyosho and Ofna. Kyosho is the only one that has licensed bodies. This is an older body that came on the original IGT, which was a 325 mm chassis (1/8 scale buggies) its a little stubby looking. Kyosho's newer bodies are on a 360 mm chassis and they look more to scale.

Closest track to me was Cyrstal Park which is now gone. All that's left is the Greater LA RC which is at the Artesia Transit Center.. its a parking lot track that is set up on weekends. They do have 1/8 scale GT racing from time to time, depends to how many people turn out like all tracks. I used to run a nitro and that was my initial plan for this car, but then I decided to go brushless and not have to deal with all the oil muck!! LOL

Otherwise.. no tracks in my area. Two weeks ago, I stopped by and looked at the Tamiya track.. its a little tight.. but since its a Tamiya, do you think I can run there?

[Raman70]

AKuntze: Would I be permitted to run this at the Tamiya track or is it too small of a track for this?

[BobbyVegas]

Wow, amazing work! You are gifted my friend.

[akuntze]

That is a very good question. Honestly, it is not really built for that, but I think if you wanted to show up and do a few test laps it would be ok. I would email customer service as they would know better than I would: usa_support@tamiya.com

[Raman70]

Wow, amazing work! You are gifted my friend.

Thanks Bobby

[Raman70]

Fixed gear hub finished, but I need to deepen the cutout in the chassis for the spur gear to clear.

In the mean time, I installed the centre diff.. I filled it with Mobil 1 Synthetic axle grease to minimise the diff effect. Tomorrow Im going to hit the tarmac to see if she stays on the tarmac :common001:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/6f30eb32.jpg

[akuntze]

Good luck!!!!!

[OldSchoolRC]

Chipping in a little late here, but this is an awesome project - well done!

[Raman70]

Thanks oldshcool!

Well I finally drove it yesterday and it drove fantastic. I was blown away. I'm no expert at set ups.. so I basically used the same settings I had on my Kyosho IGT.

Shock oil / spring:
90W front kyosho IGT Silver
80W rear Kyosho IGT Black

(I ended up using the plastic shocks from an IGT since I have yet to find firm spring rates for stock TRF shocks. Going to look into Losi L8 Ovals soon)

Diffs:
Front Xray Active Diff
Rear Stock diff with mix of 3000 weight silicone and Mobil 1 synthetic axle grease
Centre: Filled with Mobil 1 synthetic axle grease.

Camber
Front 0
Rear 2 degree

Toe in:
Front +1
Rear - 2

Ride height and droop were eye balled, more droop in front then rear. Rear higher than front.

I had punch control off on the Tekin RX8 and when I pulled the trigger it would light up all four and correct itself and dart straight as a nail. Turn in a low and high speed was dead on.. night and day difference over the IGT I used to have.

As for tyres, I was running PMTs 20 front and 10 rear that are probably 3 years old and I forgot how good these tyres are. They warmed up after one pass and car was glued. :D

Batteries: I'm running 5 cell LiFePo4 and they're quite heavy, so if I decide to continue this route, I will have to re balance left and right.. or add weight to the right side :eek:

[Raman70]

Update on project @ 99% completion :-)

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/d95977a1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/1a14e033.jpg

[Raman70]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/d3078086.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/rdooman/TRF801%20GT%20Build%20project/8d81654b.jpg

[Raman70]

So far I have tested it with 5S LifePo4 and 6S LiPo using 48T centre diff and 20T pinion.

With 5S LiPo4 the 48T/20T is under geared. To get it competitive, I would need a 26T pinion and perhaps a 44T spur.

With 6S LiPo the 48/20T is just right, car is sick fast.. easily doing mid 50s.

I have set the current limit on the Tekin RX8 up pretty high.. because full throttle launches was smoking all four tyres.. and in the long run would probably damage something.

Car drives great, handling is very balanced, it understeers a bit more than I like... most likely due to the amount of castor in the front.

[OldSchoolRC]

That's simply sick. Any problems with the rubber tires ungluing on 6S? I know most people at that speed start switching over to foams since rubber has trouble holding the bead.

[Raman70]

I've only tested the car with 6S for short periods. The tyres Im running are PMT and they are the same compound as 1:1 scale tyres.. another words they are real rubber, not latex like most RC tyres eg. Ofna, Ipanema, etc. Ive never cut them open but I don't think they even have a foam insert.

Only problem with these PMT's is that the rims are UGLY lol.

I have also set the punch control / current high, this way when I open throttle, I have little tyre spin, which I', sure saves the tyres.

[Tuba]

Man your project is really great!
Post some videos pls!

[Raman70]

Obrigado Tuba.. I need an extra hand for video.. You should visit Los Angeles!

[Tuba]

Go to Los Angeles was in my plans this year, but the Air ticket was too expensive.
I will visit again Orlando and Miami this year.

Talk with a friend to help you to make a video! These car running should be amazing :)