Hey guys, I just picked these up for $70 shipped for everything. Seemed like a pretty good deal. I am wondering if you guys have any input on them as to any experiences good and bad you may have had? I plan on using these to venture into 1/10th 4wd buggy racing. I am going to start running it with a brushed motor system I have lying around until I decide which brushless system to go with. Thanks for any input you guys can give.
These are good cars, but they need help. This car looks like it's already got a great start. Here's a couple of things that helped me:
- bearings for steering
- TC3 diff screws/springs/nuts
Another thing that I always wanted was the KOSE motor mount. (I think it's KOSE.) It allows for a better setting of the motor's gear mesh with the spur. I constantly had the motor cam sliding out of the mount slot after a hard crash.
There is 2 complete cars so I have extra parts and such. I'm going to set both cars up but with different setups so I can find the setup that is working best on the track and fine tune it. I could then mess around trying different setups on the backup car.
I've been reading some info on rctech and saw the kose mount. Someone said the sbv2 mount is also good so I might buy that since it's readily available.
It's the outdrives that were a problem. There is a cheap fix for them, but I'm going to see if the sbv2 diffs fit in them
I've got an SBV2 at home. (and a NIB kit, too) I know it's newer than the one you've got, but it's a pretty decent car. I've only ever run mine in our Tarmac Buggy class in the summer.
Around here parts supply for Academy kits is non-existant. If I've need parts, I've ordered directly from MRC. Here's a link: http://www.modelrec.com/rc-products/academy-spare-parts.asp
Academy makes VERY good cars. The only flaw that I knew of with the SBV was the drive train.
I'm selling my academy gear right now. Not because of bad performance but because I'm switching back to Losi (always been a losi fan)
In a short time, you'll see TQ racing announce redesigned cars, they're actually going to be the academy line rebadged so spares and upgrades will be available.
Also MRC sells parts directly as does stormer hobbies.
Yes, I still have my SB. I've never used anything other than the stock wheels. But, after messing with my B44 for a while, I started wondering if I could get J Concepts Rulux wheels on the SB. It would solve a couple of problems, the main one being finding replacement wheels. I think you'd have to replace and modify many parts to do it. I actually have this as one of my winter projects...a way to pass the time during the cold, harsh Southern California winters.
I know at least the fronts will have to be converted to to a Losi/AE hex which is smaller than the standard hex. Brama wheels might be a good option. I never even thought of those.
