Mrc/Academy Sb Pro carbon edition version 2

[vwjuice]

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.

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[RichieRich]

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.

[Charlie don't surf]

The local guys had a lot of drivetrain failures with them. Look like great cars on the track otherwise.

[vwjuice]

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

[tim.sanderson]

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

[vwjuice]

You can also order the parts from amain. The buggy I got is the first version of the sbv2. It shares some of the parts with it as well so that's good

[sgirouard]

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.

[vwjuice]

Is TQ buying academy from mrc or buying both?

[RichieRich]

TQ's website says they are creating new cars that are designed an developed in the Unites States.

I'd like to find a way to get B44 wheels on an SB.

[vwjuice]

Stormer still stocks parts not amain. Oops

Rich-do you still have your Sb? What wheels do fit on the Sb? I need to order tires and wheels for it

[RichieRich]

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.

[vwjuice]

Kyosho and b44 wheels are stocked at the track and they stock the hpi brama wheels at Hobbytown. I'll have to see if any of those work.

[RichieRich]

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.

[vwjuice]

The brama wheels have a slightly deeper offset that's why I thought of those.

For the fronts, could I just get the clamp style wheel hexes for the axles or would I need to replace the stub axles?

[sgirouard]

TQ's website says they are creating new cars that are designed an developed in the Unites States.

I'd like to find a way to get B44 wheels on an SB.

I have it from a pretty good source that TQ is going to use the Academy designs with some minor (if any) modifications.

The GV2 line of buggies and trucks and the SB line of 4WD (especially the 3rd version) are incredibly competitive. Academy just ran out of steam.

This is still word of mouth, but I'm pretty confident in the guy(s) I've heard it from.